The Thousand Year Dynasty
25. Travel to Zeraza I
The group of Aksa and Nata arrived at a cliff slope road that the left side of the road visible from the sea from far away. So beautiful the reflection of the sun made him flicker like a diamond from a distance. The day after they left the city.
Their party only used one horse carriage. The chariot had Aksa and Nata's entourage which they had overhauled. Which will always attract people's attention when the horse carriage passes by.
The train was filled with Nata, Aksa, Lucia, and Lily. Jean and Caspian were riding their horses. Walk beside the left right side of the train.
Aksa and Nata were amazed to see the beautiful scenery. Things Lucia hasn't seen in a long time. The hillside road was a little uphill and quiet. The cold wind blowing from the top of his hill carried the scent of grass.
It was really a quiet day until then it seemed someone was lying in the middle of the road after the climb.
"Who is that? Is he hurt?" Lucia asked as she got off the train.
"Daughter! Don't haphazardly get off the train" cried Jane who also got off her horse then ran after Lucia.
"Hey, Lucia! Don't be rash" Along with Jane, Caspian also shouted. However, he did not get off his horse but instead drove his horse to chase Lucia.
"The girl has not changed at all" Aksa looked at Lucia's behavior while shaking her head.
"really. Looks like our journey will not be quiet" Nata agreed Aksa's remarks.
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"Are you a Baron sir?" Lucia asked a Morra man wearing noble clothes who looked rowdy, when he was awake in the carriage. That man was the man lying on the street earlier. It seems that he fainted from thirst and thirst.
"True, I am a Baron from Kotaraja, My name is Pietro" explained the man who introduced himself named Pietro.
"What happened to you, Mr Pietro?"
"Just yesterday we spent the night in the east of Karas hill, suddenly we were attacked by a horde of bandits. They call themselves Midas"
"Mountain of Midas?" Caspian seemed to know the name.
"really. They suddenly attacked, and out of panic I ran and broke away from the others"
"The others?" This time Nata asked, which indicated that Pietro was not alone.
"really. Although I traveled alone, yesterday I spent the night with a group of traders from Azure" explained Pietro again.
"Azure Traders? Is Lumiere?" This time it was Aksa who asked in a worried tone.
"True, do you know him?"
"We know him" Lucia replied, nodding.
"Have they been captured by the bandits?" This time Caspian asked.
"I'm afraid they might get caught" Pietro replied hesitantly.
"Where were you last night? Can you get us there?" Lucia Pinta.
"Back there? Are you sure, miss?"
"Are you going to save the Azure Merchant?" Tanya Nata judged Lucia's actions.
"Right" Lucia replied firmly without thinking.
"With your number now, it is seeking death for its name" said Pietro who began to worry. He had just escaped danger and now he was asked to return.
"There is finally a logical person who speaks up" Aksa said. But not by Lucia.
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"So who exactly is Bandit Midas Mr Caspian?" Nata asked as they began walking towards the rest of a campfire near a large tree.
"This Midas was a bandit mob that often robbed traders in this western region. Their horde was famous for its leader who was nicknamed the cursed hand. A very good combat witch. And because of that also the royal soldiers had difficulty to quell their hordes" explained Caspian at length while observing the situation.
Many visible traces of grass that was trampled in that place. And what concerns them is a trail like a train wheel away from where it's heading north of the hill.
"There are tracks of several chariots heading north. Let me and Miss Jean check it out first. All of you just wait here" said Caspian. And then along with Jean, they both drove their horses north.
"So Mr. Pietro, what are you in need of traveling?" Lucia started the conversation when they were ready for lunch.
"I'm on a regular visit to Zeraza. I run a bar in town"
"Oh, you run a bar?" It sounded like Nata was interested in Pietro's answer.
"really. I have a Bar in the city of Zeraza and in the western region of kotaraja"
"If I may know, where did you take the alcoholic beverages you sold in your bar Mr Pietro?"
"Oh, that's me taking it directly from the northern vineyard"
"Are all those drinks made from master's wine?"
"Of course, what are alcoholic beverages made of if not wine?"
"All right then. Thanks for the information, Mr. Pietro" Nata replied, ending the conversation, leaving Pietro's face confused.
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Before long, two horsemen approached. Jean and Caspian are back.
"Hows it? Did you find them?"
"After this hill there is a camp of the bandits. And it seems that Mr. Lumire and his family are being held there" Jean explained.
"There were about eight people there. Actually we could have directly attacked them at that time, the number of them we can still both handle. But we are worried about the Azure sword" this time Caspian added.
"Therefore, we will attack as soon as night falls" Jean chimed.
"All right then"
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As soon as night picked up, they started moving towards the bandits' camp. Their horse-drawn carriages stopped quite far from the visible area where several tents were mounted circling a bonfire. There were about five horse-drawn carriages surrounding the tent.
Caspian and Jean begin to walk towards the camp. Their horses were left with Lucia and the others.
Lily also stays in the horse-drawn carriage to look after Nata, Aksa, Lucia, and Pietro, while observing Caspian and Jean as to where they both need her help.
Shortly afterwards there was a scream of restraint from the camp. Then a long cry, then the sound of metal clanging.
Just listening to those voices made Aksa and Nata shudder.
"I think it's safe. The bandits had all fallen" Lily said shortly afterwards.
"You can see it from here?" Ask Aksa doesn't believe it. While squinting his eyes stared at the orange glow of the campfire far ahead of him.
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