During the last few days Maxwell sisters and Kate were practicing a joint attack which would inflict the maximum damage they physically could muster. It consisted of a single slash they performed together at the same time and at this point it was the only move they knew.
Clayton, who supervised their training, was experienced enough to understand that there was no way the girls could learn a fancy technique while on the road in this short period of time. Therefore only a simple, but well timed attack was the best and only thing they could use and, despite the panic they were in during the incoming assault, they managed to perform it well, albeit against relatively defenseless attackers. The only downside was the bloody mess they crated, but there was no way around it – no head could remain in tact after slashed by three simultaneous desperate swords.
Of course, the bloodthirsty eyes everyone saw behind their covered faces were actually full of panic and the careless way they continued on their way after brutally murdering the 'poor bandits' was, in fact, the only way they could manage to still stand on their shaky legs. They were completely misunderstood, but Nick with a wide grin decided it was for the best.
When he was greeted with tens of gazes carrying mixed feelings, Nick politely greeted everyone back, smiled and brought out few bottles of booze. He was not 'allowed' to drink, but that didn't mean his new colleagues could not.
The atmosphere that was tense in the beginning, quickly loosened up and they had a simple chat, mostly listening to more experienced guards talking. At some moment one of them couldn't hold back and brought up the today's incident.
Everyone turned to Nick awaiting for the explanation, but the latter was already prepared.
"I'm sorry guys you had to witness that, but I think it's partially everyone's fault." He said looking at their surprised faces, "If there was a chance for the attackers to die, I doubt anyone would come to try out their luck."
"Sigh, you might be right, but the way … the way your friends did it … it was way too brutal." One of the older guards shook his head.
"I'm sorry about that as well, but even I don't dare to mess with the 'Hyena brothers'. Sometimes even Boss seems to be wary of them and my guess is that their bearing has something to do with their childhood." Nick spread his arms wide and shrugged, "But if you get to know them, they are really nice people. Just don't anger them and they might even become your best friends!"
Everyone looked back at him in shock. Like hell! If even he has to be weary of those then what can a simple guard do?
"It really doesn't matter anymore. What's done is done." Another older guard said, "But you created a big mess today. I recognized few of those faces you killed. They've been roaming around Beliz for years and there would be many others who won't let it slide like this. My bet is that they are gathering force somewhere nearby and tomorrow will come for you in a large swarm."
"Thank you for your the warning." Nick seriously nodded, but then grinned, "Since you mentioned a bet, would you like to make one?"
The surrounding guards were confused and he continued.
"I would like to bet that we will deal with the attackers easily. The heck, I would like to bet that we'll deal with them even while the three Hyena brothers are watching from the sides!"
"Boy, I admit that you're strong, but there is no need to brag about the things you can't do." The older guard who warned him earlier got angry.
"I didn't intend to insult you." Nick smiled and shook his head, "You are an elder to me and that would be unacceptable. But let's make this bet between us two. I'm not allowed to drink, therefore can't bet on alcohol, so let's have the looser hunt a wild pig for the other side two days later. What do you say?"
"Who will hunt the pig for me when you're dead?" The old man grumbled.
"You can hunt it yourself then and have a feast as well!" Nick laughed and the others joined, even the older mercenary. They confirmed the bet and the atmosphere got friendlier again.
Half an hour later Nick got back to his friends with a serious expression. The girls already washed their attire and now wore it wet for it to dry faster.
When everyone gathered around the campfire, Nick checked the surroundings and whispered.
"There are good and bad news. The good news is that the three of you," he pointed at three 'flowers of Aurora', from now will be called 'Hyena brothers' and will be feared by everyone. I doubt there will be anyone in the caravan who will try to mess with you, so keep your angry stares up at all times, yes exactly like that!"
He smiled back at the three girls who were glaring at him.
"Alright, now the serious part. Just like we thought, few guards are acquainted with the attackers, probably childhood friends, neighbors or something like that. Because of that the tradition of these laughable robberies existed and no one really cared about it. We killed a bunch of these locals and, from what I understood, they are gathering a small force to avenge their buddies."
"Damn it! It'll be much harder to protect them if they come in a big swarm." Clayton cursed.
"You don't have to worry about that. I made a bet with an older guard that the three Hyena brothers will stay out of this and we alone will deal with the attackers. I'm sure that the robbers will receive these news soon or maybe already know of it and would gladly let the three bloodthirsty murderers stay out of the fight to finish them off later. Clayton and Steven will hold the left side of the caravan while YunYun and I, the right. When one side is done, the free pair will go over to help the other." Nick sternly said, raised his fist in front and Steven as well as Clayton bumped it. It was an old habit for Nick and Steven, but during this trip Clayton naturally started doing it too.
"What does that mean?" YunYun was confused.
"The boys at home do that all the time when they agree on something or crack a stupid joke." Conny sighed and shook her head. She loved her husband, but there were some things from his childhood that she still needed to 'work on'.
"Oh!" YunYun's eyes lit up and she excitedly stretched her fist out and the three bumped it one by one while widely grinning.
"Alright! Everyone, rest well. We'll take the first watch as always." Nick clapped hands, ending the discussion, "I'll prepare the herbal tea for everyone, just like yesterday."
The others nodded and went to have rest, except for YunYun who was, in fact, keeping watch while Nick brewed something in a big pot. It's contents were the reason why the girls could march the whole day without tiring themselves out. He boiled a ton of herbs according to his own recipe and the 'tea' he got as a result could alleviate fatigue, increase the Qi replenishment and even cure light wounds faster. The single pot was worth more than the total daily salary of all the guards and servants in the convoy combined, but Nick, of course, couldn't care less.
When after midnight he woke up Clayton to have a rest himself, before falling asleep YunYun whispered to him.
"Do you want to have a bet with me as well?"
"Huh?" Nick was confused.
"Whoever kills more attackers tomorrow, wins." She grinned.
"Alright, but what does the winner get?"
Now it was YunYun's turn to become flustered. She didn't really have anything, in fact, everything she was currently wearing came from others.
"Let's do it like this – whoever looses will have to massage winner's shoulders every evening before the sleep for ten days!" Nick smiled at her. He understood her predicament and there was no reason to make this silly bet serious.
"Deal!" She stretched out her fist and after receiving a bump back fell asleep with a pretty smile on her lips. He was her fiance and she was not worried about the intimate part of the bet at all. In fact, she was more excited for the upcoming battle.
The next morning they got up with the sunrise and practiced as usual. The guards around them were confused by their actions, but didn't care enough to think much about it. It was more important for them to have a good breakfast that was provided by the caravan and to prepare for the long road ahead.
Until midday nothing noteworthy happened. The small skirmishes which took place yesterday didn't resume, but the caravan guards got more tense the longer the peace lasted. The news of some newcomers brutally slaying attackers spread throughout the caravan and caused different reactions from merchants and guards. Merchants were, of course, delighted – they were long fed up with the pests who were stealing their stuff all over the place, even if the losses weren't too big. But the guards knew there will be an armed response and were preparing for it. It was expected only for the 'guilty' party to get attacked, but it was not easy to say if they situation might get out of control.
Nick didn't enjoy killing the attackers the day before, but he had to protect his friends at the time. On the other hand today was completely different situation altogether. There will be a ton of attackers coming for their lives and these attackers were supported by quite a few of the allied guards as well, albeit only morally. To bring fear into the hearts of those traitors so the group could stay safe for the rest of the trip, today Nick, Clayton, Steven and YunYun had to kill as many as they could.
"They're here." During the hottest part of the day Clayton loudly said.
The four of them already were in a square formation with the three girls in the middle and, immediately after Clayton's shout, the three 'Hyena brothers' mounted their horses and positioned themselves as if they had nothing to do with the rest.
As expected, the attackers were preparing their 'ambush' from both sides, but unexpected was that they came in really big numbers. At the each side of the road there were over fifty of them and with a loud roar they swarmed out of the jungle towards the 'evil murderers'.
The road of the Golden triangle was wide and the sides were well cleaned out, at least this close to Beliz. There was a distance of twenty to thirty meters till the closest trees, but the attackers didn't manage to cover the gap at all. As soon as they showed themselves between the trees, four shadows darted towards them. One of them, obviously a youth, even hysterically laughed in a high pitched voice in the faces of the confused bandits.
It was just normal for hundred people to think they would scare four random mercenaries whom they came to punish as a lesson to others, but while the ones in the back were roaring to boost their morale and scare people escorting the caravan, the first ones who stepped out the jungle were already lifelessly lying on the ground.
At the each side Nick and Clayton were basically invisible death incarnates as they darted around while leaving corpses behind them. Steven only picked up those who for some reason got past Clayton and didn't charge further, but YunYun, laughing happily, jumped around and cleaved attackers left and right, sometimes even together with a tree or two.
The biggest reason for the downfall of the robbers was their slow reaction. Not that a better one would give them any chance to win, just that if they could've noticed the disparity in strength sooner and try to run away – maybe the crazy four people wouldn't follow them into the thick jungle. But there were no 'if's' – a minute later the slaughter was over and the four returned back to their positions at the carriages and they were even not out of breath!
When a nearby guard heard a sigh of regret from one of the Hyena brothers, he understood this was not even a half of the strength these people possessed – the three monsters on the horses who didn't take part in the massacre were upset they had to stay out of it just because of the bet!
Of course, the one sighing was Conny. When Steven returned to her side, she sighed in relief and stealthily touched his hand as if to make sure her husband was alright.