After another day on the road, Eduard saw a nice place to stop and rest, a stream flowed near the road and there was a large clearing perfect for a campsite. Looking at the darkening sky and peeking back into the carriage, and seeing the sleepy elves, Eduard decided to stop for the night.
Pulling the reins of the horses to stop them, and calling the orcs to a stop Eduard had them prepare camp. Walking to the door of the carriage Eduard knocked on it, not long after Aiwin peeked her head out of the carriage.
"Eduard, is it already time to stop?" she asked, seeming a little surprised.
"Yes it is get out of the carriage you two it's time to set up the tents."
"Ok Eduard we will be out in a minute."
Walking away from the carriage Eduard sat on a nearby log and went to polish his sword, but as he pulled it out and held it in his hands, he felt a tingling from his right pointer. Looking at his hand he saw that his ring was glowing, and when he touched it his sword vanished. A jolt of fear went through Eduard, Where did it just go? Reaching down and touching the ring again, the sword appeared.
"It can store my Sword?" shock filled Eduard, this might just come in handy later. Did this work on other things too? After some time it seemed that his ring could only store his cape and his sword, it stored demonic artifacts it seemed. This will be more useful if I could find more of them, Eduard thought.
Putting that thought aside Eduard went back to training with his sword throughout the whole night. When the morning light was just shining through the trees Eduard walked towards the elves tent. Opening the flap he called into it to wake them up for breakfast, seeing them start to rise he turned away from the tent. Walking to the campfire he sat and looked north, the sky was still clear with no rain in sight, they were just under two weeks from the elven border. After Aiwin and Elaine arrived, they started eating.
They seemed to have come to terms with the situation, and had even warmed up a little to his company, at least he hoped. That morning all Aiwin and Elaine said to him were a few words of thanks, they seemed to be tired that morning. Deciding not to push the topic Eduard walked away and instructed the orcs to prepare for the journey.
Not long after that they set out once again towards the north, towards the elven forest. The journey trudged on day to night, then day again. They continued onward. Now with the elven border no more than a day's march from their location, Eduard slowed their advance. Eduard felt that something was off, a bad taste lingered in his mouth, looking at the clear skies and bright sun, he frowned.
Turning towards Grimble and the other orcs standing ready by the carriage he opened he spoke to them, "All of you watch the carriage I'm going to scout ahead, make sure that the prisoners are alright, we need them."
Then opening the door of the carriage he looked inside, Aiwin and Elaine both sat on the far side of the carriage and looked at him as he opened the door, "You two I'm going to go scout up ahead, I don't think you would try anything stupid, but just in case, the orcs are going to stay here and watch you, your going to be home soon so just behave."
Aiwin was the first to respond, Elaine rarely talked to him, she just sat there quietly trying to guard Aiwin, "Of course we won't try to escape, just make sure to uphold your part of the deal, Eduard." She seemed to be testing me now that we were so close and doubt was sure to start forming.
"Of course little elf, I always keep my word, I will not hurt you or your people, now just be a good girl and stay here while I scout ahead." Eduard said with a small smile on his face.
It surprised him but a small blush appeared on Aiwin's cheeks, though it quickly vanished. A smile on Eduard's face he Turned and quickly walked away from the carriage, he continued on away from the group to go see what was in front of them.
As Eduard moved off the trial it turned to a road, signs of recent travel started to appear. Upon closer inspection it appeared that a large convoy of people had moved through this area recently. The dry ground had been pounded down, it appeared those that moved through were heavy, probably armored. Elves don't wear heavy armor, this had to be humans, but why were they this far north?
Moving further up the trail the signs were even more clear, something was going on. As he walked by the forest the animals were quiet, barely any movement in the surroundings. The lush green forest was eerily silent. The wind which had been blowing into Eduard's face switched directions, blowing from the way he had come from, The smell of blood came with it, orc blood. A chill went up Edwards' spine, his men had been attacked the second he left.
Anger swelled up inside him, it must be those damned humans they were here to take Aiwin and Elaine. Turning around Eduard growled and his body exploded with speed. He had to get back before they killed Grimble and before they took Aiwin and Elaine. He was no more than a couple miles away and with Eduard's speed he could arrive within minutes. As Eduard neared the carriage the smell of blood grew stronger, and sounds of clashing could be heard.
He was now just close enough to see the carriage, it had caught fire in the ambush and burned, the air was thick with blood as Eduard got closer he could see the bodies of his orcs and the humans that had attacked him, Grimble lay among the body's of at least ten human knights, all his orcs had died. Aiwin was nowhere in sight alone with the humans that took her, suddenly a shiver went up Eduard's spine, on the ground next to the carriage sat Elaine's bloodied body. She had taken up her sword to defend Aiwin and had been struck down for this act.
A dark look filled Eduard's features, These were his servants, his soldiers, though he hadn't known them long they were his. Then looking down Towards the bloodied elf his body vibrated in rage, they had even killed Elaine his bargaining chip. "I'm going to kill all of them." A growl escaped Eduard's mouth. Moving next to Elaine's corpse he closed her opened eyes even In death she looked alert, and he did the same for Grimble. Standing up to his full height Eduard turned and dashed in the direction the attackers had fled.
As Eduard moved forward he could smell the blood on the attackers, it seemed that these humans wanted to flee with Aiwin before the elves in the area took notice. Eduard had to catch them, and fast. The speed at which Eduard was running was fast enough to quickly gain ground on the Attackers. Within a few minutes he could see their backs, it appeared that there were about eighty Armored men walking in formation with the leader riding a horse, Aiwin unconscious strapped behind him.
Without waiting for them to notice his approach, Eduard attempted to break into their ranks near Aiwin. Right before he could close the gap the vanguard turned and noticed his speedy charge.
The armored men though seemingly surprised by the would be attacker were still well drilled. Shouting out to their comrades they drew their swords and thrusted them towards the approaching figure.
Eduard continued on at the same pace, quickly pulling his sword from its sheath to block the incoming blows. With his momentum mostly intact he broke through the back part of the formation pushing towards the mounted man with Aiwin.
The other party didn't reel long from his charge, letting out angry shouts the vanguard attempted to close around Eduard blocking his path of retreat.
Men wielding swords and shields advanced to bog Eduard down, while spears were thrusted towards him from behind the swordsmen.
In the time it took them to attempt to pinch him off he had already dispatched three of the party. It seemed that these warriors were stronger than they appeared. The training from his youth and his bloodlines instincts, gave him the skill of a master swordsman. Knowing that his time was limited if he wanted to take back his ward, Eduard roared with earth shaking might. Activating demonic roar with a large amount of energy broke apart the enemies formation and pushed them back.
Using all of his strength, Eduard swung his obsidian blade, knocking aside the few people still holding in front of him. More blood splattered out from his enemies as he advanced towards their mounted commander.
Even with his immense strength it was still a taxing endeavor on his body, and stamina, now having dispatched a near eighth of the assailants. Luckily his roar had confused the horse that the commander had with Aiwin on it, so it prevented his escape from the melee.
As blood was spilled in the fight, Eduard felt almost as if time had slowed down only for him he could even further use his strength. The large gap between him and the front of the group was closing as he shed blood, and Aiwin was almost in grasp. The leader, seeming to have given up fleeing, dismounted his horse to stop Eduard as he drew nearer to his prize.
When The leader was about ready to engage him Eduard struck his sword into the ground with a large remaining bit of his demonic energy, causing complex runes to appear on the otherwise black blade. His demonic energy pulsed out from the blade and sent the majority of the knights in the area flying with immense force, causing them to splatter and crash against the nearby trees and road.
After this display of strength Eduard felt drained, sweat gripped his brow, his cape which had remained clasped throughout this whole encounter was blown agar, letting the men around him glimpse his goat horns and the black lines that covered his neck. The leader who had advanced towards him was far worse for wear, his helmet was gone, revealing a disheveled face of a dark skinned bearded man who most likely originated from the large southern nations. A small trace of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth, running down towards his chin. He still pressed forward, determined to face Eduard.
His sword swung down from overhead, seeming to have no intention to block or defend. Eduard pressed the advantage and tried to finish off the opponent fast, thrusting his broad sword into the opponent's chest. Eduard's blow connected, fatally wounding the attacker, it seemed to only slow the overhead chop not stop it and it still connected with Eduard's shoulder. His cape surprisingly stopped the blade but the force from the blow still dislocated Eduard's shoulder, and staggered him backward.
Though he won the exchange Eduard would still have to not use his right shoulder for a week. Looking around after the human leader had fallen, Eduard was surprised by the chaos. Bodies strewn the road and what was left of the armored column had broken and fled into the forest, leaving more than three quarters of the eighty men dead.
The captain who had injured Eduard in the exchange, was laying out on the ground having died already. Bending down and reaching for his pockets Eduard searched him for any indicator of the man's origin, though there was nothing on him. Standing and walking towards Aiwin and the horse Eduard climbed on it, while favoring his left arm. After mounting up he checked Aiwin who appeared to be unconscious, upon closer inspection it appeared she had been knocked unconscious with a blow.
After checking to make sure she was alright, Eduard prepared to head for the elven capital city. As he was preparing to leave a sudden sense of danger welled up inside him, tilting his head to the side, a bright object zipped by. Before he could further deduce the situation, Eduard was hit in his right foot and his left arm. Looking down he could see that the objects that had hit him were elven arrows, his left arm had been grazed, and his foot was pierced all the way through.
Hearing another arrow incoming Eduard turned roughly to the side but was propelled too fast to the side. In his attempt to dodge the arrows Eduard had fallen off the horse onto the ground. Having nearly exhausted himself fighting with the human he had nearly no demonic energy left, using the last of it he attempted to fling himself off the ground, But Before Eduard could steady himself an arrow pierced his chest right on his ribcage.
Grunting in pain The injured Demon rolled to the side but no more arrows came, Instead A large group of green hooded figures emerged from the woods. Half of them started Rushing towards the unconscious maiden on the horse, while the other half kept their bows trained on Eduard. One of the elves who had a gold rim along his cloak and carried a glowing bow approached Eduard who was attempting to recover his strength and struck his boot down on the demon's horns.
With a sudden strong kick the world started going dark, Eduard had been knocked unconscious.