Chapter 14: Ambushed

AUDEL EMPORIO - FOREST OF TRITINE - NORTHERN BORDERS

A trail of carts and wagons stretched endlessly along the dirt road, their wheels carving deeper grooves into the already worn path. Each hoofbeat churned the mud further, a clear sign that these roads were traveled by common folk rather than the nobility. It made for the perfect place to disappear.

Seated beside me, Maria kept her face hidden beneath a tattered cloak, yet even that did little to stop the wandering eyes of those around us. She deliberately avoided my gaze, turning away whenever our eyes threatened to meet.

I couldn't blame her. After what had happened, I had embarrassed her—enough to make this entire journey unbearably awkward. But while she struggled with the tension between us, I had far greater concerns to worry about.

"The lover's quarrel—how nostalgic!" scoffed an old man seated across from us, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Maria was quick to protest. "We are not love—"

Thwack!

Before she could finish, an elderly woman—presumably his wife—smacked him over the head with her cane. "Don't go embarrassing the young ones, Leon."

The old man rubbed his head sheepishly before flashing us a wide, apologetic grin. "Sorry, kids. Just a little Tuesday morning tomfoolery."

"It's Sunday today, gramps," another voice chimed in.

A young man, likely around Maria's age, smirked as he leaned forward. "Did you forget your pills again?" His tone was laced with amusement.

Leon scoffed, puffing his chest. "I need no such trivial spells to keep me alive, boy. The mighty Leon still wields a sword!"

His wife sighed. "Apologies. My husband gets a bit too jolly at times. Once he starts, I can't stop him."

"Don't worry about me, dear," Leon said, waving her off. "Worry about the bandits who are about to ambush us—for I am the seer of truth!"

Maria let out an exasperated sigh. "How pessimistic." Her gaze remained fixed outside.

But I froze.

The old man wasn't joking. He was amused—too amused—as if he knew something.

I closed my eyes and focused.

There.

At first, I sensed six… no, twenty distinct mana signatures lurking in the forest. A coordinated ambush. The others, unaware of the looming threat, continued their chatter. Unlike them, I was trained in mana detection.

I bolted from my seat and leapt to the ground, landing with a splash of mud that splattered onto the guard beside me.

"What the hell are y—" The guard's reprimand was cut short as an arrow struck his leg, sending him collapsing to the ground.

Before I could reach him, a barrage of arrows rained down upon us. Horses shrieked as they were struck, collapsing and blocking any chance of escape.

I, however, remained unscathed.

With a swift motion, I caught an arrow midair, my grip tightening around the shaft as I finally laid eyes on them.

Twenty bandits.

Ten archers, five mages, and five melee fighters wielding long spears—all cloaked in black, marking them as part of the same group.

And then, their leader stepped forward. He was taller than the rest, his voice carrying easily across the terrified crowd.

"We are looking for a powerful spy among you." His words sent a ripple of fear through the travelers. "We know you are here. Show yourself, and we shall spare the rest."

They're looking for me?

I clenched my fists. There was no time to question why. If I did nothing, innocent people would suffer.

Steeling my resolve, I drew my sword from beneath my cloak and, without hesitation, vanished into the shadows of the forest—my target locked.

Their leader wouldn't even see me coming.

UTAH BOLTAIRE - FORST OF TRITINE

Damn it. I cursed under my breath, realizing I had lost sight of Audel.

Wait— that made me sound like a stalker.

But the truth was far from it. My father had ordered me to keep an eye on the boy, acting on a special request from Mr. Vestiron. For his safety, they said. The so-called boy wonder needed protection, though I doubted he'd appreciate knowing he was being watched.

Dressed in a simple leather jacket, I kept my identity hidden, blending seamlessly with the travelers. As I walked alongside the narrow trail of carts and wagons, I noticed something unusual—the convoy had come to a halt.

That was never a good sign.

Sensing a disruption ahead, I quickened my pace, slipping away from the main road and into the dense underbrush. The forest closed in around me, the damp scent of moss and earth filling my lungs as I moved through the shadows.

Then, I felt it.

Twenty distinct mana signatures lurked ahead.

"Bandits," I murmured, my fingers tightening around the hilt of my sword as I leapt forward.

Instinct urged me to intervene, but I knew better. I couldn't afford to reveal myself—not yet. Unless the situation spiraled beyond control, this was Audel's fight.

Instead, I settled into position, watching from the shadows.

I wanted to see him in action.

MARIA VOLKSLOVA

Inside the wagon, I focused on my task, hands glowing with a soft green aura as I healed the injured guard. The man had taken an arrow to the leg during the first wave of the ambush, and his pained groans had stirred panic among the passengers.

Terror hung thick in the air. Some cried. Others prayed. A few just sat frozen in place, their wide eyes darting between me and the chaos outside.

It wasn't often that common folk witnessed a blessed healer in action.

As the magic faded from my hands, the wound sealing, I turned my attention to the old man across from me—the one who had predicted this attack as if it were nothing more than a passing joke.

But when I opened my mouth, the words died on my lips.

Even now, with death looming outside, he was grinning.

Unease prickled at my skin, but I forced myself to speak. "How did you know?" My voice was steady, but my eyes bore into him. "Who are you? Did you order this ambush?"

His expression remained unreadable. Calm. Amused, even. He simply crossed his legs and leaned back, watching me as if I were some puzzle to be solved.

Then he said, "What do you know of pain, child? The pain of knowing the future—of watching an inevitable fate unfold, powerless to change it?"

A chill ran down my spine.

I glanced at the others for reassurance, but—something was wrong.

They were still. Too still.

No movement. No breaths. It was as if time itself had stopped, freezing them in place.

My blood turned to ice.

I snapped my gaze back to the old man. "What did you do to them?"

His laughter sent a shiver through me. "They mustn't overhear," he said, his voice almost teasing. "Knowing too much is a burden, and I am doing them a favor. After all, they mustn't know who I am."

I clenched my fists. "Then who are you? And why tell me?"

For the first time, his grin faltered. A shadow flickered across his face, his eyes darkening with something unreadable.

"Because," he murmured, his voice lowering, "you are the descendant of my arch-enemy, mortal."

My breath caught.

His smile returned, wider this time. Hungrier.

"And you deserve to know the future that awaits you."

Silence stretched between us. Then, he leaned forward, his grin twisting into something even more sinister.

"Perhaps, you deserve to know my name."

The air around us hummed.

"I am the Diviner of Light—Agriveous."

A sharp pulse of energy radiated from him, making my skin prickle.

"And I am here," he whispered, "to offer you a path of salvation."