After escaping the ambush, the atmosphere inside the carriage was tense, heavy with the lingering adrenaline of their narrow getaway. Bennet's heart still raced in his chest, and every unexpected sound from outside made his muscles tense.
He stole glances at his mother and brother, both of whom wore expressions of both relief and concern.
The carriage jostled along the uneven road, the wheels occasionally hitting potholes that sent shudders through the wooden frame. They could hear the distant rustle of leaves and the soft hoot of an owl in the trees, the sounds of the night a stark contrast to the turmoil they had narrowly escaped.
The two watchers occupied the seats facing each other at either end of the carriage. Despite their seemingly relaxed demeanor, their alert eyes scanned the surroundings vigilantly, hands resting on the hilts of their concealed weapons.
The road stretched ahead, winding through a dense forest that seemed to close in around them.
Bennet's eyelids grew heavy as the rhythmic sounds of hooves and wheels against the road lulled him into a drowsy state. He fought against the exhaustion, not wanting to let his guard down even for a moment.
As the landscape shifted from the dense forest to the arid expanse of the dry land, the journey continued. The carriage wheels kicked up small clouds of dust as they rolled along the uneven path.
"We are nearing the city of Aurelium," one of the watchers announced, breaking the silence that had settled within the carriage.
Aurelium, a name that resonated with grandeur and splendor, seemed to promise safety and respite.
"Echelon Academy is in the heart of the city," their mother added.
As the carriage continued its trek, the distant sound of hooves reached their ears, growing steadily louder. Turning to look out of the carriage's window, Bennet saw two figures on horseback closing in from behind. Recognition flashed in his eyes as he realized it was Robert, the steadfast captain who had fought valiantly during the ambush. Relief washed over him, knowing that their protector had caught up with them.
The carriage slowed as Robert's horse drew alongside it. His rugged face bore the marks of recent battle.
"Don't worry," he spoke to the watchers who were at the reins of the carriage.
"The two others are just injured, so we left them somewhere safe," he explained, answering the unasked question that hung in the air.
"Let's keep going," commanded Robert, his voice unwavering and decisive. "We can't slow down now."
"Yes, Captain," the watchers driving the carriage replied in unison, their tone respectful and resolute.
The horses were urged forward, the carriage picking up speed once again as it continued its journey towards the city of Aurelium.
Robert rode ahead, his presence a reassurance to the weary travelers. His strong form and resolute gaze were a symbol of protection and guidance. He glanced back at the carriage, making eye contact with each of its occupants, as if to silently convey his commitment to their safety.
After almost an hour of relentless travel, the walls of Aurelium came into view, rising majestically on the horizon. The city's grandeur was accentuated by its proximity to the vast ocean, its walls seemingly touching the water's edge.
As they drew nearer to the city's entrance, a sharp intake of breath came from Robert, his eyes narrowing in recognition. He pointed a weathered finger towards a ship that sailed on the sparkling expanse of the ocean. The sight of the ship's distinctive sails sent a ripple of tension through the carriage.
"Silver Blade pirates!" Hugo's voice was laced with anger, his fists clenching at his sides. The name carried a heavy weight of betrayal and tragedy for their family.
Before they could even reach the city's gates, a scene of foreboding unfolded before them. Men, dressed in a mix of rugged attire and dark leather, materialized on the road ahead. Their numbers quickly swelled, at least twenty of them forming an initial barrier. But the unsettling surprise didn't end there. As if conjured from thin air, another forty men emerged from the surrounding terrain, their sudden appearance almost surreal in its timing and precision.
A heavy silence settled within the carriage as everyone inside exchanged tense glances. The air grew thick with an unspoken understanding that this was a confrontation they could not avoid.
Tension hung in the air, the standoff between the two groups reaching a critical juncture.
"Give up the family, watcher. We will let you live." The words of Gabriel, Captain Orion's right-hand man, reverberated in the stillness.
The ultimatum was clear, the implication heavy with the threat of violence. The Silver Blade pirates had them outnumbered and outmatched. Robert and his small group of loyal men faced an impossible choice – surrender their family to the merciless hands of Captain Orion or fight against insurmountable odds.
"It's over," Robert's voice carried a weariness that seemed to encompass more than just this moment. The realization of the dire situation was etched on his face, his gaze flickering with a hint of resignation.
"You've left me with no choice," Robert's voice held a tinge of resignation, a heavy acknowledgment of the reality before him.
The pirates' grins widened, thinking they had broken the resolve of their adversaries. To them, it seemed like the watchers were finally bowing down to the inevitable.
"Lads, we die fighting tonight," Robert's expression shifted into a wry smirk.
But then, a voice that held a blend of desperation and defiance pierced the silence. It was Bennet, stepping out from the carriage as if driven by a force beyond his control.
"Why did you betray my father?" The question was raw, fueled by anger and grief. It hung in the air, a challenge that seemed to cut through the bravado of the pirates.
Captain Orion's expression wavered, a flicker of pain crossing his features, but he remained silent, his gaze distant and haunted.
"Answer me, you coward!" Bennet's voice cracked, his emotions barely contained.
"Kid, nothing personal," Gabriel's voice was mocking, his tone devoid of remorse. "I'd be more than willing to offer my head if it means that Captain Orion is stepping up the ladder."
"Enough," Captain Orion commanded sharply, his voice brooking no further discussion. "There's no point in explaining. What we've done is unforgivable."
"We might face our reckoning in the depths of hell, but at this moment, we are bound by a mission that demands completion," he pressed on, his words carrying the weight of obligation.
"Kill the watchers and capture the family alive," Captain Orion's command rang out.
Just as the clash was about to begin, a javelin suddenly descended from the sky, embedding itself into the ground in front of Captain Orion.
"Oopsie, sorry about that, my friend," a voice with a distinctive Middle Eastern accent emerged from the shadows, carrying a nonchalant tone.
Two figures stepped out, their presence unmistakably different from the surrounding chaos. There was an air of mystery and power about them that set them apart, immediately catching the attention of all who were present.
The first man stood tall and lean, while his companion was shorter and considerably plump.
"How dare you interrupt us? Do you even know who we are?" Gabriel's tone carried a mix of annoyance and arrogance.
"Mehboob and Manzoor, both commanders in one unexpected gathering," Captain Orion's voice held a touch of disbelief as he identified them.
Manzoor, the taller of the two, offered a casual wave in response, a smile playing on his lips. The presence of these newcomers had shifted the dynamics of the confrontation, injecting an element of uncertainty into the already charged atmosphere.
"I am also here, child," a voice emerged seemingly out of thin air.
Suddenly, an elderly man materialized next to Captain Orion, his presence so subtle that no one had initially noticed him. The unexpected appearance of this figure was enough to send a ripple of unease through the atmosphere. Captain Orion himself took two steps back, his usual confidence faltering in the face of this mysterious newcomer.
"Yes, we are with Mama Mustafa," Mansoor's voice resonated with respect.
In their language, "mama" meant uncle, signifying a close and respectful connection.
The pirates remained unaware of the old man's identity, but Captain Orion's recognition was immediate. General Mustafa, known as "Eight Fingers," was a moniker that carried weight even in the dangerous world of pirates.
He stood before them, a living legend with a storied past, having fought countless battles and emerged victorious. The name "Eight Fingers" spoke volumes – not of weakness, but of his unparalleled capability and the countless foes he had overcome, losing only two fingers in the process while taking down thousands. The realization of his presence was enough to send a shiver through the hardened hearts of even the most fearsome pirates.
"Are you here to interfere?" Captain Orion's question held a mix of caution and curiosity.
"No, not at all. Just my routine four a.m. stroll," Mustafa's response was accompanied by a touch of dry humor, the old man's tone carrying an air of nonchalance despite the situation.
"Mama Mustafa is merely a guest here. Mansoor and I, on the other hand, are here as emissaries of exchange," Mehboob clarified, his voice steady.
"Yes, we were invited to contribute our expertise at the academy for a week," added Mansoor, his words imbued with a sense of purpose.
"Those two children are students, which means we have a duty to protect them, my friends," Mehboob stated firmly, his tone carrying a sense of responsibility.
"I have no business with those children," Mustafa chimed in, his expression softening as he offered a kind smile.
"So, it's just the two of you who will aid them?" Gabriel's skepticism was palpable.
"We have our own contingent as well," Mansoor clarified, and with his words, about thirty warriors emerged from the shadows, revealing the extent of their support.
The numbers were now clear – roughly sixty on one side and thirty-five on the other, including the two children who stood at the center of this brewing conflict.
"Captain, we have the advantage in numbers, and I sense your strength surpasses that of these two commanders," Gabriel pressed.
Orion weighed the options before him. "True, but engaging them might result in the loss of a portion of our crew," he acknowledged with a hint of caution.
"Child, look at how beautiful this place is," Mustafa's interruption was marked by a soft spoken appreciation of their surroundings.
"I cherish peace, and I cherish life. Won't you find joy in it as well?" Mustafa's words carried a genuine invitation, his voice holding a warmth that contrasted with the tense atmosphere.
"Mashallah" both Manzoor and Mehboob said.
"General, may I have your assurance that you won't intervene in this matter?" Orion's request held a note of caution, seeking clarity amid the uncertain circumstances.
"Yes, yes. I give you my word – I won't intervene. I have no intention or reason of causing harm to anyone," Mustafa's words were accompanied by a warm smile, his assurance genuine.
"However, be aware, if even a single one of my men were to fall, I will find my cause to step in," Mustafa's statement was accompanied by the emergence of his aura, a tangible energy that radiated from his being. This aura held a weight that gave the impression of facing death himself, a presence that sent a shiver through everyone who stood witness.
"I find myself with no alternative but to withdraw," Captain Orion admitted begrudgingly.
"You're fortunate, my friend. You can't fathom the intensity of the desire I have to see your end," Manzoor's tone held a menacing undertone, his anger barely restrained.
"Enough. Let not your anger dictate your actions," Mustafa's voice cut in, a firm interruption.
"I apologize, Mama Mustafa," Manzoor's response held a touch of deference, acknowledging the elder's wisdom.
"May we all find a path to live in tranquility. Farewell, young one," Mustafa's voice carried a sense of finality as he gestured for the Silver Blade Pirates to retreat.
"Mashallah," Mehboob replied, an utterance that held a mix of awe and acknowledgment.
Manzoor and Mehboob stepped closer to Bennet and his family.
"Come along. We'll escort you to the academy safely," Mehboob offered with a reassuring smile.
"Don't fret. Your safety is our priority," Manzoor chimed in, his voice filled with conviction.
"Will you be accompanying us, Mama Mustafa?" inquired Mehboob.
"No, as I mentioned earlier, I am off for my morning stroll," the old man chuckled.