My face hardened as I pulled out a quiver and stabbed the man through his heart, killing him. The action made the other wary of us, they knew now not to underestimate us and that we wouldn't go without a fight.
But there was one thing that we knew and they didn't, and this was one thing that was finally to our advantage.
"Get them you idiots! This has been dragging long enough." The leader shouted again. The men made a gruff sound of agreement and worked more seriously- attacking us. Lark and I danced around each other, keeping the other in eyesight. I took out the peskier once who would skirt around searching for moments when our backs were towards them. I collected the quivers back whenever I could, being short was already a problem. When I turned to check on Lark, he was being overpowered by three bandits surrounding him, I took aim and shot at one of them- two left. Lark thrust his sword through another, leaving one.
He could handle so I turned to the others left, leaving the one Lark was fighting with we still had three bandits left as well as the leader and archers of which I counted three.
I took in the positions of the three fighters, fired the crossbow at one of them. Two left. I turned to take aim at the other before they could get closer to attack.
"SIRIUS MOVE!!"
I heard Lark shout but before I could understand what he said another arrow struck my back causing me to stumble, seconds later Lark was beside me checking on me but the pain wouldn't let me focus.
I was panting, as I forced myself to calm down trying to take in deep breaths. I lifted my head towards Lark only to see a bandit behind him, sword raised. I screamed at Lark warningly, Lark noticed through the corners of his eyes and instantly pulled himself over me, shielding my injured body. I tried to push him away but my strength was leaving me my eyes clenched instinctively as the sword came down, after what seemed like minutes, I didn't hear Lark shout, scream or grunt and I feared he was dead before he could voice his pain. I slowly looked at him only to find him perfectly fine, still holding me tight his eyes were shut too waiting for the pain. It was then that I heard a grunt and looked above his shoulder to see the man fallen, hands pressed to his had writhing in pain and beside him was Ginger snorting at the man; June came from behind me, nuzzling into my hair. I reached up for her, lightly patting her cheek as I mumbled a soft, "Thank you June." She neighed back in response as she pushed herself on me protectively.
Lark stood as well, praising Ginger who was clearly taking in his praise. I pulled myself up with the help of June and reached into the bags on her saddle pulling out some more quivers.
"Will you help us out sweetheart?"
June snorted and stood still as I climbed on her; Lark did the same with Ginger. We nodded at each other as Lark took off towards the last one left and I attacked the archers one by one. June was trained to fight in a war, she knew to evade any arrows aimed at her. All I had to focus on was hitting my targets, I was done at the same time Lark finished of the one left.
We had only one left now, the bandit leader. My sight was turning blurry, the blood loss was beginning to affect me; we had to finish this quickly.
Lark began to attack the leader I kept back and tried to disrupt his flow of rhythm as I shot at him. I had to be careful so that I don't hit Lark by mistake but, that was becoming increasingly hard as time went on. The leader was good, a good and smart fighter. If only he joined the ranks as a soldier or a knight.... ahh no, my thoughts are scattering. I probably wouldn't be able to fight properly soon so I called out to Lark, "Lar-Lark..."
I think he glanced back at me, my strength was fading, fast; my eyes struggled to stay open. I could only hope that there were no more of them and that Lark could manage on his own as I slumped down, putting all my weight on June so neighed, I pat her neck softly reassuring that I'd be fine.
The blackness fell over me and I succumbed to it, letting go of myself- the echoes of the steel hitting each at every swing and thrust of swords as they fought.
"How long are you going to sleep for, Alec?" an irritated voice pushed through the darkness, I forced my eyes to open and look where I was. A dark space, nothing in it from what I could see. I slowly sat up taking a better look around, trying to find the owner of the voice that woke me up- this was probably all a dream anyway... or... I was dead... not my most preferable situation but not the most surprising either. "Yup! Probably dead.."
"You are not dead. God, no need to be so dramatic!"
I spun my head around only to find.. me standing there... I was confused at first, well that is before I looked at myself and saw my tanner skin and longer limbs and I knew I was back in my own body- I was 'Alec' again. "Sirius... what's happening....?"
"Don't worry your still in control of my body, this is just inside you're subconscious head" I nodded in understanding, "I need to apologize to you for acting up before... your fears caused something to happen... I don't know what exactly."
"It's alright, it sounds like I'm partially at fault as well." I gave him a smile to show everything is alright. "Sirius, who is Sage Vil- something? Do you know him?" But instead of answering me the man smirks , "Now I believe it would be more fun to let you figure it out own your own" I gave him a look, irritated that I didn't get a straight answer.
"You're doing fine without me mentoring you Alec and it seems now you have an ally who actually knows you too." A small smile spread on his face as he said that, it seemed a little sad as well.
"If you had saved him, he would be with you. you know it doesn't count that I already knew about him before."
"Alec, you are a noble now, act like it. Use everything in your disposal to get what you want. That knowledge is your power and you using it to gain an advantage for others is nothing to be ashamed of. It's just that you know long before any of the informants of the world can gather the same."
I nodded a little more confident now and glad that I could talk to Sirius like this again.