Ambush

Since the 'servant' girls had their own room in a different section of the inn Hilde had me all to herself that night, and didn't mind one bit. I'm sure they had fun on their own though.

After the long trip through the woods the amazingly comfy bed was quite a treat to sleep in, and the two of us ended up sleeping in a bit. Still we were up and ready before noon, where it turned out the others had already packed up the horses and gotten things ready. The baggage Hilde and I had up in our room took no time at all to add to that.

We were enjoying brunch when we were joined by Cassandra. She definitely had the look of a younger Gothel about her, though her hair was a bit more brown than black. She was decked out in leather adventurer gear rather than her uniform and had a sword across her back, which was fine by me as I wasn't relying on her uniform to scare off bandits.

"Your Lordship, Lady." She greeted us as she arrived at our table.

I nodded to her. "Good morning, you must be Cassandra. Will you join us for a bite to eat before we head out?"

Shaking her head Cassandra replied. "I've already eaten this morning, but I will join you. I confess I'm curious why you chose me for this mission." So saying she sat down at the table.

"I merely had heard word of you. Young, talented, and seeking to make a name for herself. My warden is skilled enough to lead us around dangers in the woods but we'll make much better time on the road, yet the road from here to Tirulia is plagued by bandits. Another sword to scare off or drive off the bandits seems a good deal for the both of us."

She smiled and nodded. "It does sound a fine adventure and my father spoke highly of you. Not to sound mercenary, but he also spoke of payment."

"Indeed yes." I pulled a few gems from my pouch and placed them on the table before her. "And the same when we return." Her eyes lit up at the three small precious stones on the table and snatched them up. "Also there is this." I pulled out a fine silver bracelet with a bright blue gem inset. "This is enchanted, it lets me keep track of all of us in case we get separated. We can also communicate through them. It's worth a pretty penny all it's own and this one is yours to keep."

Cassandra took the bracelet and looked it over as Hilde spoke up. "They also ward against curses, very handy bobbles." She showed Cassandra her own bracelet.

Clasping the bracelet on her arm, she looked back to me. "They sound very handy indeed. Where did you come by them if you don't mind my asking?"

"Not at all. Our kingdom, Fawkes, is rich in gem, silver, and gold mines and has a robust jewelry industry. We also have a number of skilled enchanters who make them even more valuable. Part of this trip, I'll admit, is working on trade deals with other kingdoms, so I brought a number of these with me as examples in addition to the ones we wear. They attune to the individual though, so there's no reason not to let you keep that one after the trip, think of it as a bonus."

"Attune to the wearer?"

I nodded. "Indeed. Forming a bond if you will, so the protections are stronger and it can't be taken from you. It can take up to a week but if you will the bond to happen strongly enough it can take only three days. Why you could be fully bonded before we get back, but as I said, it's yours regardless, so it doesn't really matter if it takes longer."

"Thank you your Lordship, it's a beautiful piece."

Once brunch was done, we met up with the others at the horses. Cassandra had her own ready to go with the others, Ella and Snow were already getting to know her.

"Ladies, this is Cassandra. She'll be joining us on the trip to and back from Tirulia. Cassandra, meet my warden Ruby and our maids Ella and Snow."

They greeted each other and then Cassandra asked Ruby. "You can handle that bow then?"

Ruby gave the newcomer a feral grin. "Oh yes, I know how to hunt those on two legs as well as four." Cassandra looked more interested than put off by the answer, she also seemed to like the look of Ruby as well. Was she into women? Interesting if so.

"Ruby is just full of surprises." I laughed as I mounted Silver. "How long to Tirulia, do you know Cassandra?"

"Indeed my Lord. By nightfall we should be at a well-established trade camp then into the capital by midday. If we left at first light as many merchants do we could have made it in one trip."

I laughed. "Well no need to rush, we'll have a day and a half easy before the celebration to settle in."

.

I led the way back across the causeway with Hilde by my side. Cassandra rode between us and the pack horses with the maids, and Ruby brought up the rear. Once into the woods on the road we switched things up though, putting Rose back on point and Cassandra took rear guard.

A couple of hours into the trip I checked my timers. Amusingly enough both Gothel and Cassandra were listed at seventy hours left while Rapunzel only had forty-eight.

It was just starting to get dark when Ruby slowed down ahead so we could catch up. "Something's on the road ahead." I heard whispered from my bracelet in Ruby's voice. Hilde went for her staff as Cassandra moved forward and the maids stopped the pack animals.

"So what is it?" I asked Ruby when we caught up to her.

"Tree across the road. We could go around, looks to be to stop wagons, but whoever set it up is sure to jump out regardless when we get close."

Cassandra shook her head. "Awfully bold of them, this isn't that far from the city. A patrol could be called out."

"They'd just melt back into the trees if they saw soldiers." Ruby said. "Might do the same for us if they don't like the odds."

I thought for a moment. If there weren't too many we could easily turn this on them and it would be good practice. If there were too many I could probably bribe them anyways. "If we know it's a trap, it becomes a trap for them. Hilde can you handle the tree?"

"Easily my love." Cassandra raised her brows at that but didn't say anything.

I nodded. "Send it at the biggest group. Ruby you look for archers, Cassandra and I will handle any stragglers. Wait for my signal though, or if they attack, but I expect they'll try to parley. Try to charge us a 'fee' for traveling through their woods or something."

"Surely you don't intend to pay these scum?" Cassandra said, shocked.

I shook my head and laughed. "Only as a last resort. Try not to be too shocked at what you see from us though."

I rode ahead with the others following me. Ella and Snow stayed back, but not too far in case this was a ruse to go after the horses.

Soon enough a rather large individual in rough woods garb walked out in front of the fallen tree as a handful of others did the same behind it. "Two to the left." I heard whispered from my bracelet by Rose. So they did have some ranged support, well she could handle them.

"Good day to you kind Sir." The big man said affably when we got close enough, pretending to be friendly. Highwaymen as I suspected.

I stopped my horse out of range of the big ax he had strapped across his back. "Good night soon enough. What can I do for you, something important I suspect to block the road and all."

He grinned. "Nothing so dire, why for a measly handful of crowns my men and I will have this out of the road and you'll be on your way in no time."

"Well if that's the case." I dismounted and walked forward. "I have your payment right here." At which point I drew my sword.

The big guy just laughed. "If you want..." He cut off as he heard the sound of the tree slamming into his men as Hilde raised her staff. Then there was the crunch as she brought it down on the ones that hadn't scrambled out of the way fast enough.

Rose road forward, putting herself between the men in the trees and Hilde as she drew her bow. An arrow thudded into her side as another flew overhead before she could get her own to string though. She growled and jumped off her horse and started charging into the trees as the next two shots both missed her and Hilde dismounted as well to hide behind her horse.

Cassandra was by my side, her sword drawn as well, by then. "I'd consider surrendering if I were you." I told the big man, who just looked at me in shock. Then looked back as one of the men the tree had missed lurched up into the air, then back down atop another. "She's just getting started, next she's likely to start plucking off limbs."

Screams and growls that no longer sounded human came to us from the direction the arrows had, then. "I surrender." He said, all of his earlier joviality long gone.

"Excellent. If you'll just hand over your purse, then we'll be on our way and you can do what you can for what's left of your men."

His eyes bugged out. "You're robbing me?"

"I could just loot your corpse." Cassandra didn't look happy but didn't say anything. The highwayman glumly handed over a small pouch that jingled, then stood aside as we remounted. Hilde lobbed the tree away into the woods as I led Ruby's horse over in her direction.

Soon enough she came stalking out of the woods looking hastily redressed and with blood smeared over the bottom part of her face. There was no sign of the arrow she'd been hit with though. "I hope this camp has a pond or something." She said and spat to the side.

"There's a well." Cassandra said quietly. Turning back to me, she asked. "Who are you?"

I laughed and led the horses on. "I am Prince Guy of Fawkes, my wife is a mage of some skill, and our guide is a werewolf if you must know. Welcome to the team."

"But you robbed them."

"Yes, but not for the money. Their little venture just became quite unprofitable in men and resources. They'll probably pack it in now and spread the word. Better at discouraging others than slaughtering the lot."

"I should have arrested them."

I shook my head. "No time. We have to save the Prince from a dangerous stalker."

"What?"

"This birthday is very special, you'll see. And so is the stalker."

Ariel was certainly going to be quite the catch indeed.