I called the Vice Commander of the Vanidestine Knights. "I want you to escort the young masters to the gate fortress."
"What about you? You're also the top priority of this escape mission."
I sighed. "You're wrong. I'm not from the House of Vanidestine, so I shouldn't be a the priority. Young Master Rupert and Beau should be prioritized on arriving at the gate fortress. As long as they are safe, the enemies won't have a choice but to fall back. They're also after me, remember?"
I clenched my fist. "If I stay here, they won't go after you, so please take care of the children."
The vice commander looked like he was hesitating, but ultimately, he gave up. I know I'm being reckless since I know nothing about coming to blows with mages and knights, but this isn't a simple escape mission.
This has already escalated into an all-out war with the Empire against the rebellious enemy forces. Knights of different houses, even the Imperial Knights, are already involved, so war will happen sooner or later.
I'm also worried about the Vanidestine Household since they're the family at the center of capturing the rebels. All I have to do is support them from behind and do anything to protect their children.
"What's the plan, Milady? How will you stop the enemy forces with the remaining knights and mages? I will follow your order if you have a good plan against our enemies." He looked at the state of his allies. "A lot of them are injured and won't be able to fight, so only ten of you could fight them off."
"Our enemies are composed of high dark mages who use curses and have knights whom they use in their experiments. We don't know how powerful their knights became after their dishonorable experiments."
He's right. Even if we somehow outnumber our enemies, the result of this fight solely depends on our skills and strategies. If we don't plan this right, it will be the end for us.
"What if we use our terrain to our advantage? This mountain is steep, and below us is the Witch's Forest. From what I know, the Witch's Forest has a barrier that, if you inhale its fog, it will give hallucinations to the people who are not permitted to enter its grounds. The fog is a simple hallucinogen and a deadly poison that could make a person mutilate. Aside from that, you can't use any type of magic when you're inside the barrier," the Vice Commander explained.
I looked at the forest and asked, "So, what you're saying is we don't have to fight them head-on but push them off and let them die in the Witch's Forest?"
He nodded. "This could work, but we have to be smart about this. Let's consider all the possibilities we might encounter during the battle."
"But we don't have time to consider all the possibilities and plan countermeasures. Our time is running out, Vice Commander. We just have to take a gamble and do whatever we can to make this plan work," I confuted without batting an eye.
"But, Milady–"
"Sir, she is right," one of the Knights of Vanidestine interposed. "We don't have any more time to spare, and let's just stick to this plan. It may be reckless, but even if it has a low success rate, it should be enough for the Vice Commander and the Young Masters to arrive at the fortress."
"Wait—hold on, am I hearing this right? As a Vice Commander, I should be responsible for your lives. Instead of me, don't you think it's more rational if she goes to the fortress, and I'll stay here to buy them some time?"
I sighed. If we keep this up, we will waste our remaining time.
"Listen, Vice Commander. I understand your point, but I am also responsible for the lives of the children. I think it's more efficient if you go with them because if there is a chance that we might fail with our plan, the Young Masters still have you to protect them. Am I right?"
"I'm with her on this, Vice Commander."
"Me too."
The other knights also agreed with my decision. I value my life, so I won't let myself be in danger, but I also don't want to surrender myself to them without fighting.
"Okay, fine! Just be careful—all of you. If you think the situation isn't favorable on our side, don't hesitate to back out. I will safely escort the Young Masters to the fortress and come back. 'Till then, please hold on."
"Yes, sir!" The knights saluted. "One of the knights of Augustine found a small cave nearby, and it's enough for the injured to stay and recuperate in the meantime."
I nodded and commanded, "We have four mages on our side, so let one of them make a barrier around the injured. Do they perhaps know any spell that will hide their presence?"
"I'll relay your orders, Milady."
"Help the other knights move the injured inside the cave. We'll discuss our plan of action after that," I instructed the other knight.
We hurriedly helped the injured knights move inside the cave.
I looked around to find Rupert and Beau, who were currently standing beside the Vice Commander.
I walked toward them, and Beau immediately ran toward me and hugged me tightly.
"Big Sister!"
I carried Beau, and he wrapped his arms around my neck. He must've been so scared.
"Are you ready to leave?" I asked the Vice Commander.
He turned his gaze towards Rupert and looked at me. Ah, I know what that look means. Rupert doesn't want to leave, and he can be stubborn.
"I'll prepare the horse outside," He said.
"Young master Rupert—"
He cut me off and protested, "No! I won't go!"
I sighed. "Young Master, it's for your good—"
"No!" He implored. "I can fight too! I'm..."
My heart sank as his eyes were filled with tears. I understand why he doesn't want to go, especially when he has been kept in the dark about what his parents had been planning. He was only attending a mini-banquet in honor of their efforts for the annual subjugation, and he must have had a great time with his family, but he didn't expect it to turn out like this.
Even if the secrecy was for his safety, it doesn't erase the fact that he must have felt betrayed and confused.
"I'm scared," Rupert admitted, slowly wiping his tears away.
I also hugged him, and their arms wrapped around my neck. I don't want to leave them, but I must be strong-willed. I know it's hard for them since their parents are in the middle of a battle for the future of the Tellus Empire.
It is natural for them to be attached to me because they saw how the count and countess trusted me and how I protected them from their enemies.
I gently caressed their hair. "It will be alright, Young Masters. The Vice Commander of the Vanidestine Knights is a trustworthy warrior, and I can assure you that he will protect you until you reach the gate fortress."
"What about you?" Rupert asked. "How can we leave you here? If it's about my attitude toward you earlier, I apologize for being rude."
"Please don't leave us, Big Sister." Beau's voice quivered as he kept crying.
"We won't be apart for too long. I'm just giving you both a head start... that's all. You'll arrive in the northern region with the Vice Commander first, and then I'll catch up. Wait for me, okay? Can you do that for me?"
Both of them nodded in response. I escorted them, and the Vice Commander was waiting outside with the horse, so I helped both of them mount.
The Vice Commander followed on mounting. "See you later, Milady."
I nodded. "I'll leave them in your hands, Vice Commander."
He smiled. "Next time we see each other, just call me Ethan."
After that, they went off. I looked at the small cave and took a deep breath.
Let's do this.