The blood drained from Haldin's face as he nodded. "Hoofbeats."
Cyrus and Haldin jumped to their feet, and raced across the clearing. In the middle, they split ways, with Haldin heading towards Althea, while Cyrus dashed towards Harro. It seemed the old man was already aware, as he straightened his back, and clapped his hands.
"Up! Everyone, up! Grab something you can use to defend yourselves! Someone's approaching!"
The camp erupted as the men lunged towards the fires, and grabbed the flaming sticks. A few winced in pain, but they shook their hands, and got into a circle around the women. They also scurried to grab sticks and rocks, their bodies trembling as they frantically scanned the trees.
Cyrus stood next to Haldin and Harro, his arms raised as a circlet of thorns rose around them. He left a small opening near the back, in case they needed to retreat. The rumble of hoofbeats grew louder, a thunderous sound accompanied by the haws of their riders. Everyone held their breath as the trees in front of them swayed, then erupted as horses barged through, carrying knights garbed in heavy armor, and wielding double-edged swords.
In an instant, the villagers were surrounded, with the knight's swords pointed towards their throats. Cyrus eyed each one carefully, waiting to see who would make the first move. Suddenly, the group parted, and an older man with thick grey hair brought his horse closer.
He studied the villagers for a moment, then held up his hand. "Men! Lower your blades. These aren't the Dilthane."
As a collective group, the knights sheathed their swords, and brought their horses two steps back. The older man nodded, and climbed down from his horse. A few of the villagers gasped as he approached, his cloak billowing to reveal a flaming gold ring on his breastplate.
Cyrus furrowed his brow, but kept his aether flowing into the thorns just to be careful. The old man eyed them, and stopped a few meters away, tilting his head.
"I am Elrik, Commander of the Eldenfel Knights, and advisor to the king. I take it you are the villagers from Dowen. Who is in charge here?"
"I am," Harro said, stepping forward. "Forgive my rudeness, but after everything we've been through, I must ask. How can we be certain you're knights from Eldenfel, and not in league with the Dilthane?"
"I'm afraid you'll just have to trust us," Elrik said. "Though, I believe your companion there, the one using magic, might trust us soon enough."
Cyrus furrowed his brow, and stepped forward. "Why do you say that?"
Commander Elrik straightened his back. "We ran into your companion, Sylven, a few days ago, while investigating the strange occurrences happening around our land. He briefly explained the situation, which is when we headed this way. We were about to set up camp, when we noticed the smoke from your fires in the distance."
"You said you ran into Sylven? Is he alright?" Cyrus asked. He eyed the forest, wondering if Sylven had stayed back. "Where is he?"
Commander Elrik held up his hand. "You don't need to worry. He only had a few bruised ribs when we found him, and he returned to the kingdom with two of my knights. I'm certain they've arrived by now, and he's being cared for by the court alchemist."
Commander Elrik scanned the villagers. "I see a number of wounded among you who need urgent assistance as well. If you would permit it, I will provide several horses, and four of my knights, and rush them back to the kingdom. The rest of us will remain with you, and guide you back ourselves."
Commander Elrik studied Harro. "I'll give you some time to think it over. We won't be able to leave until morning anyway, so my men and I will set up camp over there. We have food and water as well, which we will be more than willing to share."
"Thank you," Harro said, lowering his staff. "I will speak with the others, and let you know our decision."
Commander Elrik nodded, and took his horse's reins. His men followed him to the far side of the grove, tying their own horses to the boughs of a young elm tree. The villagers chattered excitedly with one another, lowering their makeshift weapons with sheepish laughter. Cyrus glanced at Harro, who was studying the men with a keen eye.
"I believe we can trust them," Cyrus said. He released his magic, allowing the thorns to fall back to the ground. "If they're willing to provide horses, then we would be able to save most of the wounded, if not all."
Harro nodded. "You're right. It seems most of the villagers have already made up their minds as well, but I still want to speak with them first. For now, would you mind going over there, and gathering some food and water? Anything they're willing to part with would be helpful."
"Of course," Cyrus said. He stepped over the thorns, and approached the knights. A few of them glanced in his direction, though no one reached for their blades.
"Have you reached a decision already?" Commander Elrik asked.
"I believe we have, though they'll let you know themselves. For now, they asked if I could gather a bit of food and water. Perhaps some medicine, if you have it."
"Of course!" Commander Elrik said. He motioned towards his men, and they unhooked several sacks from their saddles, and brought them over. They also brought over all the leather mats, and a few cooking utensils. "Here. Take these as well. We may not have enough for all of the villagers, but the wounded can at least sleep a bit more comfortably tonight."
"Thank you," Cyrus said. He gathered what he could, and a few of the knights picked up the rest. Together, they carried it back to the villagers, who accepted it with tears, and an array of thank yous.
As the knights retired to the other side of the clearing, Cyrus divided the items, and helped the villagers lay out the cots. Once it was all done, he made his way back over the Harro, and the other elders. Celine stood nearby, bandaging one of the men's burnt palms.
"Have you made a decision?" Cyrus asked.
"Yes," Harro said. "Our elderly, and the heavily wounded will head back to the kingdom with the knights of Eldenfel. The rest will pick up the pace, and follow after. Without needing to worry about leaving anyone behind, we should arrive within two days instead of four."
Cyrus nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. I've also divided the food amongst the villagers, so everyone should be able to eat enough tonight. That includes you."
Harro chuckled. "You sound like my late wife. It seems I still have a problem with eating my meals."
Cyrus rose early the following morning, and joined the villagers in their preparations to set off. By now, everyone had grown used to the knights, who were taking it upon themselves to assist them.
After taking care of the wounded, Cyrus helped disassemble the rest of the camp, and then the remainder of the group was off. As they walked, he was soon joined by Haldin, who wore a scowl.
"Is something wrong?" Cyrus asked.
"You could say that," Haldin said. He nodded his head towards a group of women, one of whose light brown hair stood out amongst the rest. "Althea blatantly ignored me and refused to join the wounded. When I told her she was being foolish, she became mad, and now won't speak to me."
Cyrus frowned. "Did she tell you why?"
"Yes. She said that after everything we've been through, she wants to finish this journey with me, instead of leaving me behind," Haldin said. He scoffed. "Can you believe that? Why doesn't she understand that she would be safer if she were to arrive at the kingdom sooner. This woman, I swear to Osyras."
Cyrus stifled a laugh, and Haldin glared at him.
"What? What's so funny?"
"Well… Let me ask you this," Cyrus said. "Say you were injured, and she told you to head to the kingdom ahead of her. Would you?"
"Of course not," Haldin said, straightening his back. "I would never leave her behind after almost losing her."
"See? She probably feels the same way," Cyrus said.
"What? No, it's- It's not the same. Oh, you don't understand, " Haldin said. He clenched his fist, and stormed ahead, leaving Cyrus behind.
A while passed, and eventually the young man returned to his wife's side. They seemed to talk for a moment, and then the young woman leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. Haldin rubbed the back of his head, but he stuck closer to her from then on.
"It seems you're just as impressive with your words as you are with your magic," Commander Elrik said. He brought his horse next to Cyrus, and nodded to Haldin and Althea. "I watched what you did. It's not easy making a man admit his wrongs."
"I only wished to help," Cyrus said. "Everyone's nerves are high right now, and I'd rather lessen the tension if I can."
"A wise decision," Commander Elrik said. "I believe you would do well leading an army, given enough training. Tell me, what did you do before saving the villagers? Are you perhaps a warlock in hiding?"