The Thousand Year Dynasty
21. Scrambling Strategies
Nata and Aksa's entourage arrive at a nearby village. Herld Village. When the sky was completely dark. Nothing could be seen from the village, except for a high wooden sculpture installed in the village square like a tower.
And once he knew there was Lugwin among the group who had just entered the village, the village head immediately approached and invited them into his house looking hasty.
"It's a good thing you're fine princess" said the village chief, who was relieved to find Lugwin safe.
"Why do you panic, Brian?" Tanya Lugwin who seemed to have known the village chief.
"I got word from the residents who were hunting on the west cliff, that twelve mercenaries were heading here. I think they are chasing the princess" explained Brian while rubbing his hair unsettled.
"Means we have to get out of here before it's too late" Lugwin said.
"Wouldn't have been a princess. Soon they will arrive in front of the village gate. You better hide soon. We'll try to get them out of here"
"Don't be rash, Mr. Brian, don't fight them. They're soldiers who don't care about anything but their wages"
"True Mr. Brian. I have a better idea" Nata later said. Everyone immediately looked towards Nata waiting for an explanation.
"We will use tactics to outwit them" Nata explained later.
"Scoffs?" Ask Lugwin.
"Ciasculature?" Ask Brian.
"We will make it seem as if the princess is somewhere else, while she is heading somewhere else" explained Nata later.
"So there must be people who become bait for these soldiers to chase after him. While after they are far away from this village we can escape the princess?" Brian confirmed after hearing the detailed explanation. "We just need to beat them. They were only twelve. Not comparable to us" he added then felt Nata's idea was too troublesome.
"The easiest thing is to defeat the mercenary. They won't win against the citizens plus us now. But that will add to the suspicion and soon more mercenaries will be sent here. Which could have ended with the scorching of this village" Nata replied later.
Brian seemed speechless to gulp after hearing the possibility that would happen if he did so.
"Let me be the bait. I won't be easily arrested" Loujze volunteered. Which is considered reasonable by everyone who is there.
"We will help him" Huebert said, standing with Deuxter.
-
Afterwards the village chief sent a young man to send Lugwin and his entourage out of the village through the south gate carefully while Loujze, assisted by Deuxter and Huebert, outwitted the mercenaries in the right direction opposite.
They wore the robes of Lugwin's daughter worn on Loujze, and then, using two horses, the three hunters went north in striking fashion.
While Aksa and Nata's entourage was outside the south gate when the mercenaries were fed the bait given, and chased in the opposite direction.
"Thank you for saving me twice" Lugwin said from a horse with the young man.
"Where are you going after this?" Ask Lucia later.
"We're going back to Kotaraja to meet my acquaintances" Lugwin replied later.
"Okay, take care of you"
And they split up the road.
-
'"I have a feeling that the girl will bring us trouble" Nata said as they prepared to rest not too far from the eastern border of Herld village.
"Maybe all the noble daughters of this world have a curse that always brings bad luck" said Aksa later.
"We should avoid interfering in this matter. We have to get to Dyms soon to meet the Oracle" Nata said later.
-
Shortly afterwards a silhouette of men approached their camp when the bonfire was lit up.
"Finally come also you" said Jean when he found the figure of Loujze approaching.
"Don't underestimate the Turgis hunters in tracking something" Loujze replied later.
"And have you begun to become infected with the conduct of our beloved princess?" Aksa asked then as he looked behind Loujze, Deuxter and Huebert were carrying someone.
"Who is he?" Lucia asked ignoring Aksa's words.
"We found it in the middle of the forest while we were outwitting the soldiers" Huebert replied. Lucia, Jean, and Lily were surprised to find the figure in Huebert and Deuxter's trunk and immediately helped him to sit between the campfire.
"He seems to be a slave" Jean said after noticing the young man Huebert and Deuxter were carrying.
"Help me. I beg you." said the frail-looking young man pleading. The traces of the chain link are still visible on his wrists and feet. His body looks skinny and there are so many wounds all over the body between his tattered clothes camping.
"How do you know he's a slave?" Ask Nata.
"A slave has a burning mark on his skin'" said Jean, pointing to the young man's arm. The burn marks are shaped like three-leaved clover.
"Where did you run away from?" Ask Jean later.
"From the city of Halmd" the young man replied.
"We can't just leave it in the middle of the forest" Huebert said later.
"really. You have contracted the princess' disease" said Aksa, who was met with a cynical gaze by Lucia.
"It is not so, Lord Aksa. We just don't have any healing magic" Deuxter said, making Aksa's look lethargic at once.
"Lately you love to bring people from the forest" muttered Aksa while taking the medicinal equipment that has been since the last week he and Lily prepared for emergencies.
-