Chapter 30: The Rule of the Pack

Getting to his feet Vincent puts his spear in his left hand before breaking the end of the spear in his shoulder just before the entry wound and tossing it to the side. Ignoring the blood stain on his shirt Vincent proceeds to pull out the other end out of his back. However, as he does, two of the last soldiers remaining charge him.

Getting the spear out in time Vincent holds out his spear in front of him to block the two, unnerved swordsmen's downward strikes. He pushes them up before charging them with the spear held out horizontally in front of him with both hands on the spear. Mowing them down.

Without stopping Vincent pins another spear down before turning to the side with both hands on the spear in his hand landing a blunt blow to the side of the spearman's head. Catching sight of a swordsman on his side Vincent knocks away his first strike, but the soldier manages to bring back his sword blade down with a diagonal block.

He tries to force Vincent's spear down by turning his blade with both hands only for Vincent to disengage with a turn. The motion allows Vincent to land a hit to his head, but not without Vincent realizing something. He moved some ways away from Colin.

"Go for the boy!", another order rings out as Vincent curses himself. Two soldiers back on their feet go after Colin. Vincent acts fast only for the sound of an arrow launching to reach his ear.

He doesn't hesitate though and continues back to Colin. The arrow lands in his leg stopping him, but at the same time Vincent moves both his wrists to cause a a knife hidden in each of his sleeves to fall. Catching them he throws one at each soldier landing in one of each of their legs.

Vincent looks at the arrow in his leg and it barely misses a vital spot. That moment the leader of the soldiers gets to his feet and goes for Colin himself.

"No!", Vincent shouts. His eyes shoot to Colin. Without thinking Vincent pulls the arrow out his leg and immediately begins to heal while also enhancing the strength in his legs. The amount of magic in them manifests as a faint mist around them. Vincent pushes off his feet sending him flying toward Colin easily over taking the leader of the soldiers.

Reaching Colin first he barely avoids knocking them both over wrapping his arms around Colin. The sudden force surprises Colin who seconds ago was too frightened to move. Before he comprehends what's going on Vincent pushes his face into his shoulder.

The sound of a sword cutting through fabric fills his ears. Colin gasps as Vincent's grip tightens even more. Vincent feels his back burning as a deep cut has been put in it. The leader is so shocked by Vincent's sudden appearance he takes a step back.

Vincent, however, doesn't hesitate as he lets go of Colin and turns around with an uppercut that sends the man falling back with a grunt. Vincent falls to his knees catching himself, but with a look of agony on his face.

"Sir Vincent!", Colin cries as he goes to Vincent's side.

"I'm fine.", Vincent tells the boy turning to him with a smile on his face. Vincent brings himself up to lean back on his feet and his hands on his upper legs. Colin sneaks a glance to see the wound on Vincent's back healing.

With a look of cold determination Vincent faces the crowd. There are no more soldiers left, but something within Vincent tells him it's not over yet. As the thought crosses his mind a mist starts to spread among the crowd. The sight catches Vincent off guard. His attention goes to Bishop Patrick who starts speaking.

"You are remarkable, Sir Vincent. Perhaps your strength is enough, but not alone.", as the bishop speaks the mist becomes thicker and rises from among the people's feet. Sounds of shock and worry rise in the air. A few even try to run away, yet another sound rises above the people's questions.

Vincent recognizes the sound of a flute as it grows louder. A pan flute. Vincent's eyes widen in realization as people start falling unconscious. Thinking quickly he stops his healing and instead focuses on creating a barrier around himself and Colin. At the same time he scans the area with his eyes infused with aura.

"Ah! Wait, that's Amelia and Luke!", Colin says suddenly.

"What?", Vincent responds, turning to Colin. The boy nods. At this point the land around the river is shrouded in mist.

"Don't worry my spell didn't even reach you.", Luke says as he hurries over to them with Amelia. "I have better control than that.", he goes on.

"Enough talk! Hurry up we need to get out of here!" Amelia says urgently helping Vincent up.

"What are you talking about?", Vincent asks quickly.

"If you would've gone to the Customs House today or anywhere else there would have been soldiers waiting for you. We got here as fast as we could, but I had to get Luke. They're on the way. Come on!", Amilia replies.

"Let's go! We'll cross the river here.", Luke says as the soldiers show up. Vincent turns towards the river and gathers his and Colin's bags.

"Come on and stay close.", he says to Colin before manipulating the water lapping at the shore into a swirling column with a flat top to carry him and Colin across. He keeps it just above the surface of the water as to not make so much noise.

Once across he turns back to see Amelia riding over on a hill shaped wave to them. Luke, however, stays back. The soldiers are making their way to the river's edge.

Luke lifts his pan flute and plays a low note. The energy infused sound causes the soldiers to be pushed back on to the ground. He then transitions into a soft melody that lulls them to sleep. Only once they are all out do Luke turn around with a grin and rides a wave to Vincent and the others on the other side.

Once he joins them they all turn and make their way into the woods. When they are a distance away they stop to rest. Vincent sits down and immediately tends to the wound in his shoulder. Removing his shirt he channels his aura to the tip of two of his right hand's fingers and points them at the wound. The aura in his tips extends into the would like a dagger and collects the splinters inside.

"Let me help you.", Amelia speaks up from her spot. Vincent looks up to her.

"I'm fine. Thank you.", he responds.

"Let me just make sure it doesn't get affected.", she insists.

"I'm sure he's skilled enough to tend to his own injuries.", Luke tells her. Amelia doesn't say anything, but she continues to watch Vincent as he finishes cleaning and closes his wound before doing the same to his back.

"Are you okay Colin?", Amelia asks as he does. Colin nods his head.

"I'm fine. Thanks to Sir Vincent. I just…reached my limit.", Colin admits.

"Come here. I know something that can help.", Amelia says. Vincent looks up as Colin slides closer to Amelia.

"I didn't expect you two to come to the rescue.", Vincent says.

"Is that cause you didn't know we knew magic?", Luke replies.

"Well…"

"We decided to hide it from you when Colin was helping us at the amisher. He found out.", Amelia reveals as she massages the sides of Colin's head. Her palms are glowing as she does. Vincent can tell it has a relaxing effect on him.

"I see, but why did you help us?", Vincent asks curiously. Amelia stops her treatment on Colin and places her hands on her lap. She looks down before looking at Luke who nods silently. They both turn to Vincent with cautious expressions.

"Because family sticks together.", Amelia says.