Lark returned a few minutes later, he still had he's blank face on it was nerve-wrecking but I stayed quiet and waited to tell me if he found anything. I couldn't meet his eyes anyway, I was ashamed. I'm not who he thought I was and never will be.
"Five people, they seem to be bandits." Lark started as he got close, "They're close but not close enough."
I hummed and thought of our situation, we were both pretty good fighters and the bandits probably wouldn't let us through so easily. "We should fight." I proposed, Lark nodded in agreement, "They are probably searching for us right now, do you know the locations of all of them?"
Lark nodded again answering, "They only have one archer, the rest are swordsmen. We should take them out quickly before more of them arrive, if there are more." I agreed along with him, the plan was good enough, "Lead the way then, I got your back."
And with that the two of us went deeper into the forest, swords ready to strike at the given moment. Not even a two minutes later Lark tensed, they should be around here by now…" We slowed our pace, kept our eyes and ears alert. It wasn't long until we caught sight of two of the bandits they were carefully hunting through the foliage, probably for us. They most likely didn't know we were going to fight them.
"Ready" he whispered; I nodded my silent confirmation.
When they were close enough, we both lunged towards the men swinging our swords, I took the one on the right- a big burly and ragged man, while Lark took the one on the left- slightly shorter but equally muscular man. Two down, one to go.
We didn't have to search far, one of the men saw us and shouted alerting his other companions as he ran towards us a cleaver-like weapon, it had a longer handle from what I noticed. He reached Lark first, wildly swinging his blade. Lark dodged him easily, thrusting his own sword towards the man. The man jumped away, he was either very belligerent or just and adrenaline junkie. Lark could easily handle the guy so I stepped aside, while keeping an eye out for any of the others remaining.
In a flash a man leapt at me from the shrubs, I countered him instantly. I had to finish him quickly, the archer was still hidden somewhere. I nearly had the man when I noticed the archer in a tree, arrow pulled and aimed straight for Lark. I immediately kicked the man I was fighting away, gaining some time I ran towards Lark who had his back to the archer.
Just as I reached him the arrow came shooting at us, for the archer it wouldn't have mattered who among us got hit as long as one of us did. Unfortunately for him I was quick enough to slash at the arrow and defend both of us. The archer snarls at me but I don't have time keep him company as my previous opponent comes rushing at me again.
I can see the archer pulling out another arrow as he tries to take a chance at us when we are both occupied with his companions. Lark kills his opponent just a little before the archer lets loose another, and this time I can't defend again my opponent makes sure of that. Just as I'm sure that the arrow will hit me again Lark steps before me his coat swishing as he moves his sword cut through the arrow like I did before. Lark's movement distracted my opponent before me that split second was enough for me to end him to.
We both turn to the last member of this bandit group- the archer. He seemed to realize he is at a disadvantage as he tries to run away from us but, Lark just reached to the back under his coat, pulling out a crossbow. He takes a careful aim and fires; the quiver pierces the air and hits the back of the archer. He stumbles but pulls himself up again, he clearly was surprised that we had a long-ranged but he kept going deeper.
We tried to follow him but lost him after a while, Lark stamped his feet in annoyance glaring at the ground. I assumed most of it was because of me, realizing that me being near him was probably annoying him even more so I took a step back keeping my eyes off him.
Lark noticed this I guess, he turned to look at me a slightly confused expression, "What's wrong Si-"
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that; it was a stupid mistake. All I want to ask is that you don't tell anyone, Ares would take you in anytime. You're a great butler, and he really won't mind. Plus, you can fulfill what that voice wanted you too, I know she was precious to you. And I totally understand why you would leave-"
"ALEC! SIRIUS!! Whatever your name is," he cut off my rambling, "What are you talking about? I'm not going anywhere and I most certainly won't tell anyone!"
"Uh- but-but I-…... You won-won't?"
"Yes, my god. Seriously Siri- uh Alec you can be so stupid sometimes" he shakes he's head as he speaks.
"First of all, just call me like usual. And you aren't angry or anything at me?"
"I am, of course I am but, probably for a different reason you are thinking of." My head still wasn't wrapping around what was happening anymore so, I didn't reply and just let him continue. "I'm angry that you wouldn't tell me something as important as this earlier and pray tell, why are you so keen on pushing me on Ares every single time? Am I that annoying???"
"No! No!" I quickly refute, "You said it yourself, the voice wants you to help him. If everything went along the original storyline Ares would be the one to save you, not me. So it is him you need to help and be with not me." I hoped my explanation would let him know why I said what I said.
Lark releases a long sigh declaring, "Sirius, she was talking about you! I'm certain of it. She disappeared after you- no, right the very second you spoke to me. She spoke about you. If it was Ares why would she have left when you came along and not when I met Ares for the first time?"
"Well that's because- that's because she knew you would meet Ares through me!"
"Why can you not just agree that it was you and not Ares!?"
"That���s the story! It's how it's supposed to be!!"
"BUT YOU ARE TRYING TO CHANGE IT!!"
I stood there silent, he was right and I couldn't reply, having Lark by me is beneficial but at the same time I feel like I stole what was Ares', I don't mean objectifying Lark but more like the relationship they had…
"Sirius-" I cut him off with a cry, I felt a strangely familiar burn on my left arm again. On reflex my right arm gripped my other tight before I even turned to look but when I did, I saw another arrow pierces me a little below the first. I was able to ignore the before but now the pain was flaring up in waves. Lark immediately moves to stand over me, as I try to regain my control. He studies the trees before us searching for the enemy he tenses when he sees something. I look around him only to see a group of what looks like more bandits not too far ahead.
This means they are probably of the same group and us shouting previously might have been what attracted them in our direction unless they were already on their way here.
Us being only two wasn't look too advantageous now, we not only weren't sure of how many they are but also about if there are more and how many. Escaping would be our best bet now, especially with our fighting power decreased with my injured arm.
I sheathed the longsword back, with one arm nearly useless right now, that sword was more of a burden than a weapon; I exchanged it for the crossbow Lark handed to me, he placed himself in front of me. He didn't have a lot of quivers, so I had to use them carefully. I whistled into the air hoping Ginger and June would hear, the bandits were closing in on us very quickly so we moved defensively. Lark deflected most of the arrows coming our way.
It wasn't long until we heard the distant sound of hooves galloping our way, the bandits heard it too and realized as one of them shouted, "GET THEM!! BEFORE THEIR HORSES GET HERE"
This spurred them onwards at a faster pace, we were now surrounded by those who were close-ranged fighters while the archers and one who seemed to be the leader stood back with a sick grin spread across his face. The others were chuckling darkly as well, they knew we were at a disadvantage- especially me.
Lark and I stood still, keeping our eyes on as many of them as we could. As they circled around us until one man leaped at me sword angled to swing and aimed for my head.