The silver arrow was lodged into Gabriella's body as Sera hugged her tightly in his embrace. The breath was still there even though it was weak but knowing the gravity of her injury, she urgently needed medical attention from the doctors.
" Boy, rub this on her wound. Get behind my back as we try to move closer."
Hasan covered them with his cloak while destroying the arrows with his scimitar. He wasn't cruel enough to let the younglings die before his eyes even if they hailed from another country.
He saw their love and knew they had a long road before them, so this was the least he could do.
" We need horses!"
Sera tried to get horses but Hasan pulled him down with a swift move. His cold eyes were focused on the silhouettes of the horses. The horses were already beyond salvation, so going there wasn't a good idea.
" Don't! We will die there in ambush. Hide her behind me."
Hasan carefully looked around himself with a calm face, deducting the overall positions of the enemies. He could tell they were constantly moving and they were outnumbered by them but that wouldn't last long unless he commanded them.
" Close the gap. Don't let them fool you. Don't panic."
He gave out orders to his men while paladins followed his words without any noise since he gave out the right command. Besides, they had superior numbers, so it was obvious to follow their formation.
The heavily armored paladins were the nemesis of assassins when it came to formation. They were the most difficult part of the army that could hard counter them as no dagger and short blades could penetrate their armor. Even artisan weapons would struggle against them.
" Focus! Follow Byzantine soldiers and protect them. Move to the safer location."
Alexis raised his arms while blocking the arrows, he quickly moved between the people while making his way to Sera and Gabriella.
" Children, are you fine? Let me look."
Marcus hugged Gabriella who was unconscious, he checked her breath and found she was still alive. Hence, he took off his robe and rolled her in it while blocking her blood with his cloth.
" I dipped it in clean water in my flask. This should do the trick for now but we have to hurry. Her life is in danger and infection might kill her."
Alexis was a veteran who had rich experience, he went through countless tribulations. Thus, he could tell Gabriella could make it alive with the help of a doctor. Unfortunately, they were far from the city.
" Lord Alexis, the nearest town is still far from his words. I have to protect her until then."
Alexis bit his lips while observing his men. The decision was on his hands and he didn't want to sacrifice anymore. However, leaving him with her meant the line would weaken considerably since they lacked men.
" Fine. But, don't leave her side. You have to protect her with your life since you chose this way."
Alexis decided to be cruel once, leaving no choice but to fend for themselves. He was the leader of his men, not their parents.
" I understand. Thank you."
Sera bowed his head in silence, thinking this was the biggest challenge that he faced in his life. His brows crossed upon seeing his loved one's face, swearing to protect her until his last breath as his warm embrace coiled around her.
He gently lifted her from the ground, looking for a method to save her. No one dared to help them in their despair, fending their lives from the claws of the hidden.
The young paladin darted between the lights, trying to find solstice among them. Finally, a single horse came into his view, calming down his beating heart.
His mind raced against time, calculating every way to get it since assassins were targeting them.
" No thinking."
He put his focus on the sole objective, running away from the shouting people. Hasan seemed to understand his intent as he threw something into his pocket.
The young paladin caught it without thinking, making his way up to the horse.
" You!"
The assassin said in Persian, but Sera didn't heed his words. With a single slash of his sword blood splattered on the ground.