25 Chapter 25 (2/2)
t.i.tles: Lieutenant of Sondano Bandits
Health: 125/125
Str: 18
Con: 23
Agi: 18
Dex: 16
Int: 12
Wil: 9
Wis: 10
Lck: 7
Skills & Spells: [Dagger Mastery Lv.1], [Trap Making]
Hmmmm no, seems rather normal he supposed. Nothing that they couldn't take care of.
Wilfred wanted to help but in a melee like, his spells would be too risky to use. Plus, they didn't seem like they needed the help. As he looked over the battle, he noticed more bandits to the rear now coming into view, there were about 10 of them and they each held bows. Not sure if his companions could defend against that, Wilfred shouted a warning to them.
”Guys! There's around ten of them with bows to the front!”
At that moment, the bandit in charge raised his arm and brought it down, the bandit archers all fired in unison at the command.
Arrows flew and stroke both friend and foe without prejudice. Alcot took a few of them head on but it did not appear to have much of an effect on him. Halam was able to dodge out of the way easily enough, only Fig was unable to defend against it and was struck in his right shoulder by an arrow. None made their way towards Wilfred but he cast a [Barrier] just to be on the safe side.
The fight was dwindling down and only 4 bandits remained, 2 having been struck with the volley of arrows and falling to the ground. Before the archers could reload, Halam and Alcot finished off the remaining bandits before facing the archers and the leader while Fig was tending to his own wound. Removing an arrowhead from skin is a task best performed by a medical professional and so Fig simply cut the extending wood part of the arrow and attempted to cover the wound. The arrow's design is that it easily penetrates and if you try to pull it out it rips an even bigger hole into your body.
The bandit giving the orders stepped down from the table and unsheathed two daggers from his belt. By now, the archers had time to notch another arrow and were aiming at the two adventurers in front of them, waiting for orders. A mere twenty feet separated the two groups and tensions were high.
”Fire!”
The lead bandit screamed and waited for the arrows to be in flight before rus.h.i.+ng into Alcot, using the volley as protection for his to cover the distance.
Being too close to be able to dodge, Halam s.h.i.+elded himself behind Alcot who withstood the onslaught without too much damage. A simple recurve bow did not possess the power to pierce heavy armor but he still felt the kinetic force of the blow and would have bruises in a few hours. Vincent, the bandit lieutenant, made his way towards Alcot and ducked low, barely escaping the swing of his war hammer. Near Alcot's leg he swung his two daggers into his Alcot's calf with full force, causing him to fall down painfully. Halam immediately stepped in, forcing him on the defensive with the long range of his spear but Vincent was nimble and managed to roll out of the way.
Seeing an opportunity to help Wilfred focused on the archers.
”[Wind Blade]!”
The leftmost archer fell backwards from the impact but Wilfred could not ascertain if the hit was fatal. Fig having finished tending to his injury, strained to pull back the bow but was able to snipe two more of the archers. In that time, Wilfred used two more wind blades and dispatched another two archers.
As he fought with Vincent, Halam shouted orders to Alcot.
”He's too fast for you, deal with the archers!”
Having been hamstrung, Alcot was slow but headed towards the archers with determination.
Halam dueled with the bandit leader, using his range to his advantage and not letting him get close. Seeing his allies fall however, spurred Vincent to act more recklessly if he wanted to survive. He could not win a 4 against 1 fight but if he killed this adventurer then perhaps with the other having a leg wound and their archer having taken an arrow in the shoulder that they would stance a chance.
With no regard for his safety, Vincent plunged headfirst into Halam, using is dagger to parry the spear to the side and make himself an opening. However Halam was also an agile fighter and used his left leg to kick him back, bringing the spear back around and smas.h.i.+ng it from overhead.
The blow staggered the bandit and Halam thrust with all his strength at Vincent's chest, penetrating him all the way through the back. The bandit fell to his knees, his hands going on the spear, trying to pull it out but with no power to do so. Halam stepped forward and braced his foot against his body, pulling the spear back with both hands.
The remaining archers, seeing the demise of all their friends ran as fast as they could towards the end of the cave.
The adventurers gathered around the table that Vincent was standing on and tended to their injuries. Alcot sat on the chair, removing his boots and looking at his leg.
”Argh, that one's going to leave a mark but nothing a good potion can't cure.”
Halam prepared bandages to temporarily stop the bleeding. Fig sighed and relaxed, speaking to the group.
”Well, it wasn't that bad I suppose. I guess the rumors were wrong!”
However Wilfred interrupted him.
'What do you mean? That wasn't the leader. I used [a.n.a.lyze] and it said he was a Lieutenant.”
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Wilfred incredulously.
”What!? You can't be serious, you mean there's still…”
Evil laughter resonated loudly from the tunnel the archers had escaped to.
”Oh yes, I AM still here and you'll pay for encroaching on my domain and killing my subordinates!”
<script>