The bandits rashly approached the three men screaming as they raised their weapons high, Kailen gave a sigh in disappointment as he noticed their lack of skill. Ran threw the shield to the floor as he pulled the large ax from his back setting his footing in preparation.
Guy and Dean both held their swords and shields at the ready, the trio stood information with the large Ran at the forefront and the others slightly behind on either side. Kailen quickly realized that this would allow Ran to easily swing his ax without worry while the others could cover his back and sides.
It would be tricky facing the trio together, Kailen muttered as he further analyzed their positioning. They obviously had faith in Ran's strength to cleave his way through the center while the duo provided cover and support, disrupting the formation or quickly dispatching Ran seemed to be the best option.
Kailen's predictions came true, with a large powerful swing Ran's ax split the first bandit in half, blood and intestines squelching onto the ground below. As Ran's stance was disrupted from the powerful blow the duo stepped forward on either side each blocking an incoming strike before quickly dispatching the next bandits.
"So... What do you think?"
Celia asked curiously as she saw Kailen watching with intense concentration.
"Not bad... They cover each other's weaknesses well. Ran's powerful but slow strikes are covered on either side by the quicker swords... their coordination makes them a troublesome foe."
The trio had easily defeated the first three bandits, the next were hesitant to recklessly charge forward after seeing their comrades demise. At the front, Ran nodded his head in response as the trio moved forward in sync.
Ran again swung with a wide arcking swing that again easily bisected the first bandit, the sequence of results similar to previously as Guy and Dean easily finished off the other two. Kailen judged that Ran had a powerful body, that seemed to specialize in strength. The other two he couldn't really judge off such a short exchange, while he had the confidence to easily destroy them all one by one. Together they truly may pose him some problems, though he'd have to see more to get an accurate judgment of their abilities.
No more bandits approached from the nearby bushes, either that was the last of them or the others had fled after witnessing the result. Kailen made sure to stay within the carriage for a few more moments to ensure there were no more surprises before heading out.
"Nicely done, your coordination together truly impressed me."
"Ah thanks, we've been working together for ten years now y' know."
Ran spoke while gently removed the blood still present on his ax with a nearby cloth.
"A long ten years, let me tell you."
Kailen chuckled at the banter not really surprised with the revelation of their history, though he'd never coordinated with another in battle he could tell how difficult it would be. Experience, trust, skill and most of all knowing one another inside out seemed to be the keys.
"Celia told me that bandits were uncommon this close to the city, should we be concerned?"
It seemed that Kailen's relaxed nature when mentioning Celia's named suprised the trio for a second before they answered.
"That's true, though rabble on that level will be of no concern..."
"Aye, we could take twenty of fools like that."
While the trio said they shouldn't be worried, Kailen couldn't shake off the bad feeling he got. Though he had no experience traveling and especially not in this country, even to him it seemed off that bandits would roam this close to the city under the guard's noses. After contemplating it for a few moments longer he let the thoughts go as he couldn't come to any conclusions.
***
A few uneventful days passed by as they continued to travel inward toward the capital of Nictra, while they were attacked a few times by some more bandit groups it was nothing serious as Ran, Dean, and Guy easily took care of them.
Kailen's injuries had more or less healed while it was still slightly sore, he could move around fine with only minor discomfort. Today followed the usual routine, where Kailen would stay within Celia's carriage and talk.
"It won't be long before we reach the Dassar Desert... Only a few days until we will need to pass through."
"Honestly, I'm feeling kind of anxious about passing through..."
Despite nothing really occurring these past few days, that still didn't relieve Kailen of his worries. Though his anxiety was slightly reduced as he saw the progress of his injury, relying on others put him through hell these past few days.
"You've never been, right? I've traveled it many times, it's really nothing."
Celia didn't seem to share any of his worries about the trip, maybe it really is just in my head... A bead of sweat dripped from his forehead, while only a few days of travel it seemed the temperature had risen dramatically.
"Is it always this hot here?"
A nearby maid that was named Alisha approached and gently patted Celia's forehead with a wet cold cloth in an attempt to cool her down. Kailen watched closely as a drop of water trickled down her face and settling at the corner of her attractive red lips which rose to a smile as she answered him.
"Yes, for a reason unknown the temperature rises dramatically in the Dassar Desert area... It's a mystery that's long been up for debate."
"Is that the reason why there is very little life there?"
"Most probably yes, there is very little life for many miles... apart from the rumored beasts of course."
He had a million questions about this tundra, though he knew Celia wouldn't be able to answer them.
"Hasn't anyone tried to explore it?"
"Of course a few have, though they never end up returning. It's not a place you can stay for very long and survive."
"Is that so..."