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The three Atcardian men laughed once more as they watched their prey struggle in the net.
"How lucky we are, Cassan." Said the boy with a rough figure who appeared to be the youngest of the three bandits. "It is the most exotic creature we have ever captured."
ÂżCreature? ÂżWhat did they think she was? ÂżAn animal? Alana thrashed around once again trying to look for a gap in the fence. This time she had made it good. She had become overconfident and had gotten too close to the Boreas, the northernmost forest of Uselas. As a result, she had fallen into a hunter's trap.
"Who knew a wild woman could be so attractive." Said another of the men. The one who had a rather sinister look, and made Alana's stomach turn.
"Shaand, stop staring at that savage. ÂĄCome on! Help me get the woman out and tie her up. That one will sell for a good amount of coins in the Nuvah market." This bandit appeared to be older and was undoubtedly the ringleader.
"Ready to take the net off her?"
"Ready"
The three men grabbed the hanging bundle formed by the woman and the net. Then, two bandits held it and another began to loosen the net.Â
The trap began to open.
This was the moment Alana had been waiting for. She thrashed around as if her life depended on this last attempt at escape. And so it was, indeed. However, although she managed to hit the younger bandit and get away from him, the one they called Shaand grabbed her and lifted her over his head.Â
The next thing Alana knew, she was being thrown into the air.
She fell painfully against the trunk of an old forest tree. The air almost left Alana's body and her vision threatened to fade.Â
Alana let out a huff of pure frustration and fear. ÂżWhy had she such bad luck? Shiny dark boots appeared in her field of vision. ÂżA fourth bandit? When things couldn't seem to get any worse. Alana stifled a curse to save her breath. She was gathering her strength for one last escape attempt.
"What are you despicable bastards doing?!" A new voice sounded in the middle of the forest clearing. It was a male voice with a pleasant timbre, indeed. "ÂżDon't you know, ruffians, that human trafficking was declared illegal? ÂĄAt least since five years ago!"
Someone was defending her. Alana thanked the god who had taken mercy on her. Then, something red fell on the grass right next to her defender.
"Oh, those are brave words for a pretty, dying man." One of the bandits laughed.
"ÂĄShaand, you catch the woman! Me and Ulro will take care of the knight." The leader of the group dictated.
By that time, Alana had risen until she was sitting on the grass. She was leaning against the trunk she had hit earlier. The truth was, she didn't know if she could stand up and run. ÂĄWell, heavens! She was having a hard time just breathing. Alana couldn't even look properly at her savior.
"A dying man who is enough to take care of three rats." Hearing the gentleman say this, Alana raised her face with effort and saw a glimpse of pale hair and an elegant dark suit. "You are done, scoundrels." Said and done, the knight jumped toward his closest enemies.Â
With one single maneuver of him, the rough young bandit and Shaand were out of combat. Two seconds later, a groan was heard. And, when Alana looked towards it, the leader was falling with his eyes wide open. A small dagger appeared stuck in his forehead.Â
ÂĄGods!
Alana couldn't suppress a gasp of surprise. At that point, the unknown gentleman turned around, and she contemplated his appearance for the first time.
The elegant dark riding suit fit every line of his slender body. Slender and stocky. With hair of the palest blonde and gray eyes. He was like a vision. He was beautiful.
Alana blinked, wondering if she was imagining it. However, she recovered quickly. Just as the stranger took a step toward the place she was.
"Are you okay?" Asked the knight, who had not even unsheathed the sword he carried at his side. Then he let out an exclamation and fell on his knees.
One of the knight's hands went to his side, where his impeccable suit looked damp. Then he collapsed on the grass.
Alana took a quick breath and tried to get up. She failed at the first attempt. However, her second attempt was successful. With half-staggering steps, she reached the knight.
There he was. An Atcardian knight, a sworn enemy, yet he had saved her. She simply couldn't abandon him.
"Thank you," Alana told him as she leaned over him. Then she saw how the young man looked at her with surprised eyes. He was probably wondering how a gypsy knew the imperial language. Even with his face contorted by a grimace of pain, he was splendid. "I'll return the favor, gentleman," Alana said, and then she began to sing a song of life.