Racing through the trees he steered his horse as if they were one. His men behind him tried their best to keep up. The whirlpool of wind that followed them cut through the low vegetation that lined their path.

Catching up to him a young soldier signaled for his attention.

"Sir! Sir...might you slow down before we wear the horses out? If we continue at this speed we won't even break free of the woods before nightfall."

Without even looking over at him, Vestin kept his pace.

"Nonsense Gidens, we will make some great time if we keep pressing on at this speed. We must reach the end of the woods by nightfall if we plan to get to Ay Su by morning two days from now."

"But sir, it normally takes about four to five days by horse if we stick to the main route."

"All the more to make haste. We've ordered to see if the daughter of the late king is still alive and bring her back. Do you wish to go against orders?"

"No, sir! I just worry about someone getting hurt because of the speed we are going. The horses can only go at such a speed for so long."

"Just a bit further and we will slow our pace. We just can't miss this opportunity to get our hands on the princess before anyone else finds her."

"Yes, of course, sir. She has been missing for some time now and is thought to be dead even. To hear the news that she lives and that she resides in Ay Su. I wonder if she even knows of her origins."

"The sooner we get there the sooner we can find out for ourselves."

"Sir, do you happen to know how we will be getting the princess out of the school? I'm sure whoever put her there is now her legal guardian. If she were to just go missing it would seem suspicious."

"Young man, you ask a lot of questions. In some cases that can cost you your life and the life of those around you. Trust me in my actions and judgment. You need not worry about anything else."

"Yes, sir. I will watch my words more carefully."

He looked over at the young man and smiled. The young lad had to be about five years his junior. So young to be heading out into the world with a sword.

"Relax, boy, this mission is an easy one. There should be no trouble waiting for us in Ay Su."

The boy's face was easy to read as his jaw relaxed and he smiled.

"You think this mission will be easy?"

"Yes, the main portion will be done solely by me."

"Then the rest of us are just merely backup?"

"More or less. That's why I only took a few with me."

The sound of horns being blown was suddenly heard right behind them and the whole company became alert. Gidens looked back quickly as he tightened his grip on his horse reins.

"What has happened?"

Another soldier came flying up towards them, blood visible on his face.

"There is trouble in the rear. Seems like a band of Hitchers is on our tail."

Vestin scoffed and clenched the reins in his hands and pulled his horse to turn back.

"Who holds the rear?"

"I believe it's Jensek, sir."

Vestin's eyes narrowed as he looked past the soldier. He could see a few of the Hitchers making their way towards them. They were most likely the ones who set out to capture the soldier who came to warn him of the situation. He looked over to Gidens and sighed.

"Crap...alright, lad, I need you to continue to lead the men here onward. I will fall to the rear and help keep the lads back there safe. Whatever you do, keep pushing forward."

Gidens looked over at Vestin, the fear and panic that filled his eyes said everything he wanted to say. An arrow shot from behind hit the soldier that had given them the warning and he screamed. Hunched forward on his horse Vestin grabbed the reins and handed them to another from his party.

"Go now before you get hurt. You lot haven't been trained to handle Hitchers. I will go give aid to Jensek and whoever else may still be alive with him. No one is to stop or come for me. Head straight for the city."

"But sir..." Gidens said.

"No time to argue the matter. Remember to keep moving forward and don't try to be a hero. That may very well get you killed. Go..."

Vestin pulled his horse reins to turn it around then raced towards the Hitchers, his hand on his sword at the ready. He had to time it just right if he wanted to make it as clean death as possible for them. Even creatures who have lost all reasoning still deserve a quick end.

The Hitchers were a combination of tribal clans, the hybrid offspring of elves and fairies, that lived mostly in the woodlands. Unfortunately, they went mad a long time ago due to a toxic smog they breathed in close to the swaps they took over and inhabited for a brief time. Many of them became violent and highly intelligent savages, and some even began to practice cannibalism. It was a pity to watch such a once respected race fall so low. The minds of a race that surpassed even the religious Gryme, at one point, now dying from a mistake of their forefathers.

Unsheathing his sword he led his horse right at the ban of creatures, his blade cutting at the wind and then swiftly through each of their necks. He pushed onwards to Jensek, not looking back as the Hitchers fell dead to the ground. Vestin saw one of the creatures take aim with an arrow for Jensek and he pressed his horse to move faster as he drew his sword back and readied his next strike. He moved his sword through the air and blocked the arrow then whirled around to check on Jensek. Frozen for a moment, Jensek stared at Vestin.

"Jensek, move your ass, or are you trying to die on my watch?"

Snapping out of it he saw Vestin was in the middle of an intense sword fight. Wiping the thick blue blood that covered his face from the Hitchers he'd managed to kill from his face, he tightened his grip on his dagger and sword.

"Sorry, sir, my horse was going as fast as it could. It may need a rest."

Vestin peaked over and saw that Jensek's horse was a bit tired and having trouble. Smashing the one he fought with the back of his sword he turned his horse around and made his way over to Jensek. They wouldn't be able to outrun the Hitchers at this point and if they died there the men in front would end up dying a painful death and most likely ending up as one of those things' dinner. He knew they would have to fight it out, the question that crossed his mind was if they would last long enough for them to live another day.

"No time for a rest, unfortunately. We will have to fight our way through. Are you as good with your sword as they say you are?"

Jensek smiled and then threw his dagger towards Vestin and it passed his head hitting a Hitcher in the face, it screamed as it fell to the ground.

"No, sir, I'm even better."

"Cheeky brat, well let's test your ego right now."

"With honor, sir."

Jensek pulled another dagger from his belt, quickly tossing it at another Hitcher. He held his sword and slashed at anything that came close to him, only using the daggers to take out the ones behind Vestin.

Vestin held his sword firmly in his hand as he made it dance across the flesh of each victim that came for him. Occasionally moving to one side or another as Jensek's daggers came flying passed him.

Sweat trailed down both their faces as the Hitchers closed in on them. They prepared to make a break for it, Vestin taking the rear as Jensek tossed dagger after dagger, catching one each time as he flew by on his horse. Vestin took his sword and stabbed it into each Hitcher that was hit with a dagger. Making their way through the tree they could see Gidens and the rest of the men not far in front of them, Hitchers still on their tail.

Gidens looked back briefly and saw his captain at the rear fighting off the creatures as they tried to run past him. His eyes grew big as a Hitcher almost caught Vestin in the back and ended up on the tip of his sword instead. Vestin looked forward and saw that Gidens horse was falling a bit behind and grit his teeth.

"Gidens, don't you dare try to be a hero. Get these men out of here, now!"

Gidens shook his head and snapped back to reality, eyes opened wide. He faced forward and signaled his horse to go faster.

"Yes, sir!" Gidens yelled, "You heard him, men! Move out on the double! Anyone who falls behind will have to worry about me skinning them!"

Vestin watched as they passed a bag around to each other and took something out of it. He saw a few from either side vanish off into the trees and looked at Jensek to see if he was in the right mind for battle. His breathing was off and he was starting to show signs of panic.

"Jensek, I need you here with me. Get out of your head and think only of the now."

"Yes, sir..."

"Alright, I don't think they want to kill us. They seem to be planning to capture us alive. Most likely for a tribal ritual, we sacrifice. I can hear the ones on my left getting into position. Can you make out where the two on the right are?"

"Not completely, but I have a general idea of where they might be."

"It seems the ones that are still visible are supposed to detract us and then they will make their move. If we time this right we might be able to use this to our advantage."

"Just let me know when, sir."

Vestin nodded his head, leaned into his horse, and closed his eyes. Remembering his training from Gotte he listened for his cue. The Hitchers slowed their horses down and he could hear them speaking to each.

"Get ready..."

Jensek gripped his swords and took in a deep breath.

Right then something shot out of the trees and Vestin's eyes opened.

"Block the darts; they are more than likely poisoned."

Using their swords they deflected the darts as they raced through the trees. Leaves rustling overhead they pushed on hoping to make it out of the forest. Leaping from the trees, Hitchers aimed for Jensek and Vestin. One managed to knock Jensek off his horse and they went rolling on the ground and slammed into a tree trunk. Jensek groaned and saw a Hitcher pass out on top of him and then pushed him off.

"Filthy rotten savages get your muddy hands off of me!"

Jumping up to his feet quickly he looked around him and took his stance. All he had left was a few throwing needles and a small blade.

Vestin jumped down from his horse and made his way over to him. Seeing him standing with a blade in hand he sighed.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, sir, just when we reach Ay Su can we please visit a bathhouse first."

"Still cracking jokes after getting the wind knocked out of you."

"It's how I deal with stress, sir."

"There's only five more left. I got the three over to my right. Can you handle the two that are coming on my left?"

Jensek smiled at him and took some needles in his hand.

"The first to finish wins a pint at the bar."

Vestin clutched his sword and returned Jensek's smile. If they were to go down then at least it would be with pride.

"I'll take that bet. I like a flavored ale so don't think of buying any of the cheap stuff."

"Remember your words."

The five Hitchers came rushing in on them one by one and the two men danced about with their weapons clashing with the Hitchers. With only one Hitcher hanging on to life Jensek held his blade to its neck and stared it down.

The creature hissed and its eyes become glossy. It began to mutter something.

"Sila...sila..."

Jensek peaked over at Vestin as he walked up behind him.

"What is it saying?"

Vestin looked at the Hitcher as it held onto its side. It was bleeding out and suffering in pain.

"It is saying death...it wants you to kill them."

Jensek looked at the creature and pictured the men who fought by his side that were slaughtered.

"You wish for mercy when you know not how to give it? Filthy creature..."

The Hitcher hissed again.

"Sila...sila... gon paté fo neh...gif heh don...sila..."

Jensek pressed the blade deeper into its flesh. His eyes boiling with rage.

"I don't speak hitchese."

Vestin's face grew pale as he watched Jensek take his sword and drew it back. He wanted to grant the Hitcher's final request and give her a much clearer death. Watching her lay there begging her demise as Jensek hacked at her made his stomach turn.

"Just kill the thing and let us be on our way. She is the last of her clan, they all wished for death. Says they have to die to be reborn into a new self."

Jensek's hands began to shake and he watched the blood on his knife drip off the edge of it. He pulled away from it and looked at Vestin.

"We should take her along with us as our prisoner. It would teach the other tribes to steer clear of us."

"And what if she breaks free or tries to kill us in our sleep?"

"Captain, think about it. She could be useful to us."

"The damn thing is half dead. Now end her pain and let's be off."

"Fine, if you want to show her mercy by giving her a quick death then you kill her"

"Jensek, I think you misunderstood something about me..." Vestin walked over to the creature and with a swing of his sword took her head clear off her shoulders. "I am not showing mercy by getting rid of a threat, but showing I will kill whoever and whatever interferes with my main objective and that is to secure the lost princess of Serenity for Her Grace."

Jensek looked at the headless Hitcher and then at Vestin.

"Message received loud and clear, sir."

"Good, let's not have to repeat this conversation. Now get your horse we may be able to catch up to the others if we make haste."

Jensek cleaned his knife and looked once more at the headless Hitcher shook his head then went to look for the horses.