Counterpart

Chapter Eleven

Brutus didn't seem to appreciate Magnus' idea of bringing them anywhere near the bandits, and Rin doesn't blame him. They must be his biggest nightmare, given how much time he spends on the water.

They didn't sail any faster than they were riding, but it did get them to the other side of the stream. A village came into view, perhaps even smaller than Bakshir. The houses barely looked strong enough to withstand a good storm. Most of the mud brick walls were peeling away from their log supports. There was the corpse of a bridge up ahead, but it's center most section has long since fallen into the water below.

"Stay on your guard, both of you." The other two gave Magnus a curious look. "It's the middle of day, and no one's out. Some of the windows seem boarded up, too."

Rin didn't even notice until he took a closer look. "What do you think is happening?"

"My guess, either an attack by those pirates or the akuma, more likely the latter. If those bandits' hideout really is so close, they wouldn't want to bring any militaristic attention to the area by robbing any town near their own base."

Brutus eased the two at the side of the bank, none of them needed to be told to stay quiet. They swiftly pulled their horses up onto dry land as Brutus hesitantly eases the boat away. Magnus nodded farewell. "I'm sure we'll be fine. Thanks for the help."

The soldier motioned for Rin to bring his horse along as they neared the village. His head snapped to every sound, no matter how subtle. Shadows flickered behind the armored windows at Rin's glance. "They know we're here."

"Let's introduce ourselves." Magnus walked up to the furthest one from the cluster of homes. It was small, likely only one room in size. He gave a knock on the door, other hand resting on his sword hilt. "Hello? We're here for a welfare check, on the behalf of the government."

Moments of silence ticked by before they heard planks dropping to the floor. The thin door eventually creaked open, just enough for Rin to make out the face of an elderly man. He grimaced. "Visitors? Leave, immediately. Some akuma attacked just moments ago, far more than a couple of mages can withstand."

"If there are growing attacks here, we can have you escorted-"

"Where can an entire village walk to? Kluna?" The man scoffed. "It wouldn't even make a difference. There've been dozens of sightings of them breaching the southern border-none of which your men pay much mind to. Won't be long till' they tear down an entire village."

Rin's heart sank. Maybe one or two step foot into Evendal's territory every month, but far from dozens. And just after his own village was attacked? How stronger are they growing?

The man waved them off. "Shoo, before more come back." He opened the door a bit more, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Damn fools. Why didn't ya say a whole brigade was comin' to help?" The two looked over to see a cluster of gray figures descending from the horizon, towards the town.

"Magnus, didn't you say we wouldn't have the time to gather an army?"

He shook his head. "That's a patrol-a large one-but not enough to deal with akuma and survey the pirate's hideout." He sighed. "I was planning on backup, but we're spread too thin now." It was at that moment an arrow dug itself into Magnus' back.

Rin spun, locking eyes onto two figures tucked away behind one of the hovels. He didn't even have time to process what was going on before aibal flew from his veins. The orb went directly into the head of the first one.

The second didn't even hesitate before he took off towards the mountains. The other just stood there, almost in a dazed trance as the black matter circled around where he was hit.