The journey back to the Varrow estate was far less peaceful than the journey to the northern outpost. The tension that had settled over Celeste since departing Lord Valtin's estate had not lifted, despite her success in the negotiations.
The carriage wheels creaked over uneven cobblestones as the forest loomed around them, its shadows lengthened by the faint light of the moon. Celeste sat upright, her gaze flicking between the window and Sir Edrick, who had remained uncharacteristically quiet.
"You're unusually pensive, Sir Edrick," she said, her voice breaking the stillness.
Edrick looked up from where he had been idly adjusting the buckles on his bracers. "I'm just thinking about what happened back there," he admitted. "Valtin gave in, but he didn't seem... defeated."
Celeste nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line. "That's because he wasn't. He's a man who calculates his risks, and he knows he can profit more from cooperation than resistance. But make no mistake—he's still dangerous."
Edrick frowned. "You think he'll go back on the agreement?"
"Not immediately," Celeste said. "But if he finds a way to turn the situation to his advantage, he won't hesitate. We need to stay vigilant."
The carriage jolted suddenly, throwing both occupants forward. Edrick's hand went instinctively to the hilt of his sword, while Celeste braced herself against the seat.
"What was that?" she asked sharply.
The carriage slowed to a stop, and the muffled voice of the driver drifted through the window. "Stay inside, my lady. There's something in the road."
Edrick was already moving, throwing open the carriage door and stepping out into the night. Celeste followed, despite his protest.
The road ahead was blocked by a large tree branch, its gnarled limbs sprawling across the path. The driver stood nervously beside his horses, his eyes darting between the shadows that clung to the edges of the forest.
"This wasn't here when we came through earlier," Edrick muttered, drawing his sword.
Celeste's heartbeat quickened as her eyes scanned the darkness. A chill ran down her spine, and she stepped closer to Edrick, her voice low. "It's a trap."
The words had barely left her lips when figures emerged from the shadows, their faces obscured by black scarves. There were five of them, armed with swords and daggers, their movements swift and purposeful.
"Hand over the cargo," one of them demanded, his voice gruff.
Edrick stepped forward, his blade gleaming in the moonlight. "You'll have to take it over my dead body."
The leader of the bandits chuckled darkly. "That can be arranged."
Celeste's mind raced. She wasn't a warrior, and while Edrick was skilled, he was outnumbered. She had to think fast.
"Wait," she said, stepping forward, her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her chest. "Do you know who I am?"
The leader hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he looked her over. "Should I care?"
"I am Lady Celeste Varrow," she said, her tone icy. "And if you think robbing me is a good idea, I assure you, you are mistaken."
The bandit leader's bravado faltered for a moment, but then he sneered. "A noble title doesn't mean much out here, lady. You're far from your fancy estate."
"Perhaps," Celeste said, taking another step forward, "but consider this—when word spreads that you crossed me and failed, do you think anyone will trust you again? Do you think Lord Valtin, who values his trade routes, will turn a blind eye to your actions?"
The mention of Valtin's name seemed to give the leader pause. Celeste pressed her advantage.
"You've already miscalculated once by underestimating me," she said, her voice cutting through the night like a blade. "Don't make another mistake."
The tension hung thick in the air as the bandits exchanged uncertain glances.
Edrick, sensing their hesitation, raised his sword. "Leave now, and we'll forget this ever happened. Stay, and I'll ensure none of you walk away."
The leader glared at them, his jaw tight. Finally, he spat on the ground and waved his men back. "We'll be seeing you, Lady Varrow."
The bandits melted into the shadows, their departure as sudden as their arrival.
Edrick lowered his sword but kept it in hand as he turned to Celeste. "That was... risky."
"It worked," she said simply, though her legs felt like they might give out beneath her.
---
Back in the carriage, Celeste leaned her head against the window, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.
"Do you think they'll come back?" Edrick asked, his tone quieter now.
"Possibly," Celeste admitted. "But we sent a message tonight. The Varrow name still carries weight, even here."
Edrick regarded her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "You handled that well," he said finally. "Better than most nobles would have."
Celeste glanced at him, a faint smile playing at her lips. "High praise from a knight."
He chuckled softly, leaning back in his seat. "You've got more steel in you than I expected, Lady Varrow."
Celeste turned her gaze back to the window, her smile fading.
Steel wasn't enough in this world.
She would need far more than that to survive.
The night had fallen silent once again, the rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels the only sound as it continued its journey through the dense forest. Celeste's eyes flickered between the road ahead and Edrick, who sat across from her, his posture tense but controlled. Despite their earlier victory, a gnawing unease tugged at her.
"They won't give up that easily," Celeste muttered to herself, more as a thought than a statement.
Edrick's sharp gaze met hers. "You think they'll come back?"
"I know they will," she replied. "Bandits like that don't abandon a target without trying again. Especially not when they've been humiliated."
Edrick's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his fingers flexing slightly. "Then we need to prepare."
Celeste nodded but didn't respond immediately. Her thoughts were already racing. She had learned the hard way that in this world, nothing could be left to chance. Every encounter, every decision, could have far-reaching consequences.
The carriage lurched suddenly, the horses jerking forward in a panicked response. Celeste's breath caught in her throat as the door slammed open. She turned just in time to see two bandits spring from the trees, their blades glinting in the low moonlight.
"Get down!" Edrick shouted, shoving Celeste to the floor of the carriage, his body following closely behind as he drew his sword.
The carriage was too small to offer much in the way of maneuvering. Celeste could barely make out the chaos unfolding outside as Edrick braced himself against the doorway, ready to meet the threat head-on.
Her heart pounded in her chest. "Edrick!" she shouted, panic rising in her throat.
"I've got this!" he called back, his voice steady. "Stay low!"
But Celeste wasn't about to cower in silence. She grabbed the small dagger she'd tucked into the folds of her dress, an instrument meant only for self-defense in case of emergencies. She had underestimated the bandits' persistence, but she wouldn't make that mistake again.
With one swift motion, she crawled toward the edge of the door, peering through the crack.
The bandits were surrounding the carriage now, grinning like predators closing in on their prey. The leader from before was among them, his expression more furious than the last time.
"Looks like we've got a little unfinished business, Lady Varrow," he sneered, raising his sword.
"Not quite," Celeste said, her voice unwavering despite the adrenaline coursing through her. She knew if they struck now, it could be the end of them all. But she wasn't going to make it that easy.
In one fluid motion, she threw open the carriage door wide, catching the leader off-guard. He stumbled back, cursing under his breath, as Edrick surged forward, his sword flashing in a blur of steel.
The two bandits nearest the carriage were momentarily distracted by the sudden shift in momentum, and that was all Edrick needed. He met the first bandit head-on, his blade clashing with the bandit's, the force of the impact sending a shockwave through his body. The second bandit lunged, but Edrick was quick, sidestepping and knocking him to the ground with a well-placed strike to the ribs.
The leader hesitated, eyes darting between his fallen comrades and the calm, unwavering figure of Celeste, who stood tall in the doorway.
"You'll regret this," he spat. "You think the Crown will protect you forever?"
Celeste's gaze flickered to the shadows beyond, a fleeting moment of calculation. She was outnumbered, but she knew she had one advantage. The bandits were still underestimating her. That, and Edrick's skill would see them through.
"You're the ones making a mistake," Celeste said coolly, her dagger now at the ready. She flicked her wrist, sending it glinting dangerously in the moonlight. "This isn't just about you and me. You've crossed the wrong family."
The bandit leader's eyes narrowed. "I'm done listening to your threats." He made a move to charge, but Celeste anticipated it. With a swift motion, she threw her dagger. It sliced through the air with deadly accuracy, embedding itself in the leader's shoulder.
He gasped in pain, stumbling back as the blade sank deep into his flesh. His weapon clattered to the ground, forgotten.
The other bandits, seeing their leader wounded, hesitated for just a moment. It was all the opening Edrick needed. With a battle cry, he closed the distance, his sword flashing once more.
The last of the bandits dropped, his body crumpling to the ground, before he could even raise his weapon. The leader staggered, clutching his bleeding shoulder, but before he could make a move, Edrick was upon him, disarming him with a brutal strike.
Celeste stepped forward, her breath steady. "Tell me, are you still willing to fight?" she asked, her voice cold as steel.
The bandit leader, bleeding and panting, glared up at her. "You think this is over?" he spat. "The King's men won't—"
Celeste cut him off, her tone sharp. "If you value your life, you'll never speak of this again."
The bandit hesitated, then dropped to his knees, his expression one of defeat. "You'll regret this. The shadows have long ears, Lady Varrow."
Celeste didn't reply. With a final glance, she motioned for Edrick to finish the task. Without hesitation, Edrick knocked the bandit out cold, rendering him unconscious and ensuring no further threats would emerge from him for the time being.
---
After the confrontation, the air around them felt still. Celeste remained silent, her gaze locked on the horizon. She could feel the weight of their victory, but she also knew that this wasn't just about surviving a single attack. This was the beginning of something far more dangerous.
Edrick wiped his blade clean and returned it to its sheath. He turned to Celeste, his expression one of concern. "Are you alright, my lady?"
"I will be," Celeste said, her tone unwavering. "We need to keep moving. These bandits aren't acting alone."
Edrick nodded, his expression grim. "They won't be the last, I'm sure."
Celeste didn't speak further, but she was already plotting her next move. The game had changed, and the stakes had risen. But she wasn't going to falter.
Not now. Not ever.