Blackbeard; The Legend

Evacuation

"How's the armor holding up?" Asmund asked. 

"It's...a bit heavy." Akahana said, and Asmund chuckled. "What is it even made out of?"

"The finest steel out there." Maiken said as she leaned back in her seat. "Or, something like that. Gjurd could probably tell you, but he's halfway across the country. Kinda like us right now." She chuckled, and Akahana turned to look out the window of the carriage. Snow-capped trees flitted by in white and green blurs as they traveled through the forest, the caravan jostling up and down as its wheels made contact with the rough road. When asking why they were going through this route instead of with the soldiers, Darby had given her an explanation.

"Its so that our enemies don't know that we're coming." The deer said. "If we traveled with the militia, any scout could see that this carriage is carrying us to the field, and thus, our foes would be ready." She straddled onto the driver's seat and grabbed the reins. "Plus, it helps to give hope to the people when we come in unannounced in our armor, don't you think?"

A sudden jolt brought her back as the carriage continued down the rocky path, and Akahana almost bumped her head against the glass window. "Woah!" Maiken exclaimed. "Darbs, what are you doing out there?" She called.

"Sorry!" She shouted back. "The road's filled with a lot of stones, some too big!" The cart bounced up again, nearly throwing everyone out of their seats. "Don't worry! We're almost there!" Darby called. 

"Ugh..." Maiken slumped in her seat. "Out of all the ways we could've gone, we had to pick the one filled with rocks." 

"I kind of like it." Eira said. "It helps to keep us from dozing off on the way there."

"Agreed." Asmund grunted. "We should not doze off. Especially during an important mission such as this."

"Speaking of the mission," Kanin said, peering out of the window. "I think we've reached our destination." She pointed, and Akahana leaned forward to gaze outside. Tens of hundreds of people, both soldiers and villagers alike were marching along in herds, their footsteps trampling over the snowy ground. Many of the townspeople were carrying sacks or bags, some heavy, some light; others carried rakes and shovels, the metal scraping against the dirt as they dragged it behind them. Soldiers ushered instructions and pointed to hundreds of wagons that stood waiting for their passengers. 

"Everyone!" A soldier shouted. "Proceed in a calm and orderly fashion! Take your most important belongings with you and no more!" Gazing at the scene, Akahana let out a nervous breath, and her heart thudded. Suddenly, the door of the carriage swung open, and Darby stood, expectant. 

"Let's go." She beckoned, and the others began hopping out of the carriage. 

Asmund stopped and turned to Akahana. "Aren't you coming?" He asked.

"O-oh, yes." Akahana wiped the small bit of sweat from the side of her head and exited the carriage. The six of them walked towards one of the soldiers, a badger, distinguished from the rest with a silver charm emblazoned on his heart. He turned to face them, a look of relief on his face as his mustache parted into a welcoming smile. 

"Sergeant Kenneth." Darby dipped her head. 

"Miss Darby." Kenneth bowed his head in return. "Glad you arrived. For a moment, I thought you weren't coming!"

"Well, it never hurts to be wrong, now does it?" Darby giggled. 

"In this case, it sure does." Kenneth's eyes turned to the other Vikings. "I see you brought the cavalry with you! Greetings, Maiken, Eira, Asmund." He tipped his hat to them. "And, oh! Who do we have here?" He asked, looking at Akahana.