Rapidly appearing at Nicole's back was Zack. The sudden appearance caused the daggers to strike his collar bone. The poison rapidly coursing through Zack's veins was no simple concoction. Zack could feel his senses disoriented but quickly recalled his spear as it impaled his assailant.
Nicole turned around to see the damage done and stomped once more to hinder the charging forces. Zack's body was warding off the lethal effects of the poison, but his magic was suffering as a result. His wings unfurled to accelerate the healing.
'It's better to focus my senses on one thing.' Zack's spear dissipated as he drew the gladius.
"You still have a chance to leave with your lives, and seek another path, but if a path paved with blood is what you seek then come," Zack announced while taking a stance.
Those foolish enough to ignore a second chance at life charged forward and were met with a flash of mithril. Nicole took this as the go-ahead to show no mercy and continued rendering soldiers into crushed suits of armor. Fighting back to back they were a force to be reckoned with, but gradually they were surrounded.
"Regret coming yet?" Nicole asked while catching her breath.
"I wouldn't mind a different outcome, but have no complaints with my company," Zack replied while swinging the blood from his blade.
The next batch was charging as a warhorn blew behind them. They turned to see riders descending the hills. Charging at the front of the line was Batu, and next to him horse archers.
The human warriors were clad in black lamellar, and are wielding composite bows. Every one of them was a capable rider, and they drew their bows with lightning speed. Each arrow launched found its mark with extreme precision as they circled the marauders.
"Drop your weapons or suffer the same fate."
Leading their forces is a woman named Kokachin, and she had her saber raised. The archers had their targets and were ready to let loose. With two formidable foes at their backs, they had limited options. They disarmed and held their hands up to show their obedience.
"Smart choice." Kokachin sheathed her sword.
"Arrest them." A soldier ordered.
All the marauders were apprehended by a mystic and bound together in chains. Zack took a moment to focus, and expedite the healing as his wings dissipated. Zack approached Batu as he grabbed Kokachin's forearm.
"I've missed teaming up like this." Kokachin smiled.
"If you set the array we can do it more often." Batu turned towards Zack.
"Thanks for the assist," Zack told the soldiers.
"You seemed to have it under control, but we couldn't let you have all the fun," Batu replied.
Kokachin approached Zack and dismounted. She bowed before displaying a temporal ring, and a message.
"Our Khan sends his regards and hopes to continue this relationship." Kokachin offered the items.
"If we're gonna be doing business you should know the bowing isn't necessary." Zack extended his hand.
"Told you it was a bad idea," Batu teased.
Kokachin glared at Batu before shaking Zack's hand. Now that the formalities were out of the way he approached the prisoners. To ensure they couldn't break free easily he strengthened the bindings. Kokachin nodded at her warriors as they began to haul them away.
"These marauders will face justice, and your assistance in dealing with them will be rewarded," Kokachin told Zack.
"Don't worry about it. They're only a symptom of the true cause, but if you have a minute there's a solution I wanna run by you."Zack suggested.
"All I can do is pass the message along," Kokachin replied.
Zack approached Nicole with a smile.
"If it's okay can you wait to go back?" Zack asked.
Nicole tried to hide her excitement when agreeing. She was standing nearby to protect the people setting the array, but the real reason was to watch Zack. Nicole was trying to find an excuse to prolong their trip, and when nothing came to mind Zack suggests it himself.
'I still need to thank him for saving me.'
Zack returned to Kokachin and discussed his plans for dealing with their den. After explaining Batu volunteered to visit the city. Given their history, and blood ties he was the best way to way convince the Khan.
"If all goes well I'll send word through the waystation," Batu told Zack.
"I'm confident it will," Zack replied.
"How about a tiebreaker?" Kokachin asked.
"You sure she can keep up." Batu boasted.
"Just worry about yourself." Kokachin raced towards the hill.
"Seems you're still a cheater!" Batu shouted as he trailed behind her.
Watching them race over the hill Zack smiled. He realized now why Batu was so eager about returning to the plains. For their sake, he hoped the alliance would be fruitful.
"I've never seen him smile like that," Nicole stated.
"Me neither, but I'm glad he's having fun. I think we should establish some mandatory vacation in the defense force." Zack turned towards Nicole.
'When did she recall the armor.'
Zack tried to avoid staring, but Corra made some preemptive moves to make it difficult. Before summoning the armor this morning she was given several alluring dresses. Nicole could tell right away that it was working, and it left a smile on her face.
'She could pop out at any moment.' Zack's eyes wandered back to the cleavage.
"Why did you keep me behind?" Nicole asked while approaching.
"I wanted to thank you for having my back." Zack looked up into her brown eyes.
"You saved me remember. If I wasn't there you could've been okay." Nicole rubbed her arm.
"Not true. Most of them had artifacts, and a good formation can be tough to overcome without scarring the land." Zack reassured Nicole.
"Promise you're not just saying that to make me feel better?" Nicole asked.
"There are only a few people I can bring into situations like that." Zack smiled.
"I look forward to doing it again," Nicole nervously reached for Zack's shoulder pulling him in.
'So soft.'