IL SIGNUM

Ambush

Chapter 7,

Ambush,

The bandit scout returned to his group of six and reported his information to the one in command. Each one carried ragged blades of iron and wore animal hide for protection. Their mounts though eager for the taste of battle were frail and weak, not the best warhorses. The roman wars in Britain had left many warriors trained and armed scattered around the country side. Some had re-joined the legions and some searched for riches in less honourable trades such as these men.  

The leader of the group spurred his pathetic excuse of a mount forward and led his men towards the two young men riding in the distance. Their speed though was no match to a single rider upon a horse like Arbus was able to match the duo. Finally closing in on the two teenagers they were surprised to see the young rider switch places with his companion and reach for a bow. 

Maximus turned his attention to unlatching his hanging bow and quickly stringing It." keep up the pace Dante for i shall shower them with my arrows". With a shaky nod Dante rode on while Maximus drew the sleek bow that was now armed with an arrow. The fastest of the bandits looked up from his crazy pace just in time to hear the whistle of a loosened arrow. His eyes rolled to acknowledge the shaft embedded deep in his forehead. The body of the man tumbled and fell off the horse only to be dragged along by its foot. 

The other bandits rode on, gobsmacked but now filled with fury due to their felled companion. Maximus loosened another two shafts closely after with deadly precision each striking home and being buried in flesh and bone. His lack of hesitation in the face of death earned him the growing respect of his companion. The four remaining bandits were closing in and soon Maximus was struggling to unsheathe his sword. He was too late, the blade fell fast and clean only to miss its target for it was no longer there. 

Maximus fell hard, rolling and tumbling in the grassy field holding on to his sheathed sword. Thankfully he had not loosened his grasp upon it when dodging the sharp blade. The bandits had given up the chase on Dante due to his decreased weight and increased speed. They now rode directly towards him one after the other, separated by only a few seconds. Maximus shook the blade free from the scabbard and faced his aggressors. He had to admit they were terrifying, gnashing their teeth in anger while their overgrown hair flailed around them. Setting his footing Maximus was able to presume the first bandits course of action. Suddenly the horseman was within range and Maximus feigned a lunge before jumping to the other side of the bandit’s sword arm in the last minute. 

Maximus slashed towards the bandit’s stomach and watched in satisfaction as the blood splashed through the air. This was closely followed by the screaming man's intestine and stomach. That wound was fatal and Maximus knew it. The next riders saw their friends doom and were no longer fooled, choosing to circle Maximus together and close in. The three riders were closing in slowly as Maximus pivoted on his angle.  

The sudden sound of an arrow soaring through the air broke the silence as Maximus was showered with blood. No words could express the state of the man’s head facing Maximus. Half the skull was missing exposing a steaming brain. Blood began to gush from the opening like a fountain drenching everything around it. 

The remaining two bandits turned to see Dante riding Arbus while loosening another arrow which managed to strike home into one of the bandits. Due to the impact he was wiped clean off his saddle. The deep shaft in his heart made it obvious he had died before hitting the ground. The bandit leader dismounted his horse and pleaded for his life like a beggar. Dante knew better than to trust him and relieved him of his head with one clean slice. 

Maximus embraced his companion "thank you my friend without you I would not have survived that episode" Dante gave his friend a comforting smile then replied "now we both owe each other our lives, for now let us loot these bandits and I can ride upon the leaders horse so we may move at a quicker pace". They both began to gather some of the few possessions of the bandits. Dante returned Marcus's bow to him and found himself another reliable one. They took some of the dried salted meat from the buckled horses and were then ready to continue upon their journey. Maximus felt the adrenaline seep away after the battle and was able to take in the physical gore they had left the bandits in. He then remembered how now he was a man and these images haunted every warrior.  

Finally, all saddled up the duo began to trot off veering their course towards the settlement Dante had told Maximus about. Hopefully they may find some shelter but it may be more likely that they would scare away the residents with their blood stained bodies.