The Land: Anarchy

Chapter 29: The Maiden

Zuno and the others arrived back at Floran City safely. They brought some people back, but it was too few. Zuno insisted he wanted to go back and save more, but he knew that it wasn't possible, not now at least. Zuno and Wize reported back to Grim.

"Why the hell is the Levenhood princess doing here?!"Grim yelled.

"We couldn't just leave her behind to die, besides Levenhood is no longer a kingdom. Levenhood is no more." Zuno said.

"True, also the princess is undoubtly pretty." Wize joked.
The three laughed.

"Alright, fine. Well, that just made the situation worse. But I bet that the alliance won't last long, they both have their own interests. We must be prepared, a new battle is about to begin and we don't want to be the victims anymore." Grim made clear. "We must gather more people."

Sam was treating the survivors and also the princess in the city's infirmary.

"Are you feeling better?" Sam asked.

"Yes, very much better. Thank you." Princess Selena replied. Sam then went on healing others. Zuno and Wize entered and approached the princess who was lying down on a bed.

"Hello." Wize greeted.

"Hi." She replied.

"This may sound sudden but we are going back to Levenhood with more men to rescue more people. We just want to inform you because, ehm you know, you're the princess after all." Wize continued.

"Then I shall go with you." She said.

"No need princess, you've been through enough already. We'll take care of it from here." Zuno advised.

Then from outside the infirmary, Jennifer and Arya came in running while screaming "Zuno! Wize!"

The boys attention was averted to them. Arya came and hugged Zuno while Jennifer hugged Wize.

"Well this is surprising." Wize choked.

"We're so glad that you two are okay." Arya said.

"We heard about the news and we are coming with you to help more people in Levenhood territory. Grim's orders." Jennifer made known.

Princess Selena was sitting on her bed just staring at them, in utter confusion. "I'm guessing you two must be their couples." She greeted.

"I am his." Arya said as she placed her arm around Zuno while Jennifer and Wize just blushed. Then they all laughed. "Hi I'm Arya and she is Jennifer. You must be the princess" Arya replied.

"Indeed I am." Selena replied.

The city bells rang, signalling the people to prepare for the upcoming mission. Zuno, Wize, Arya and Jennifer left the infirmary and headed for the armory. They readied themselves and reported back to Grim. Zuno now has his own magic staff, Wize took two double-edged swords, Arya has her own elven arrow and Jennifer used her magic staff. They all wore their normal clothes, no full armors or shields because the rebels simply don't have them and the existing armors and shields were given to the knights. Grim waited at the gates with 40 knights on horseback by her side.

"Where are our horses?" Wize asked.

"I'm afraid we are short on horses, you will have to walk there with the rest of the people until you find horses on the way. We will meet you at Aluin City. Godspeed." Grim addressed.
The cavalry squadron led by Grim left and the four friends with 30 men and women walked on foot.

"This will be a very long walk." Zuno teased.

"Let's just enjoy the walk before the worse part starts." Arya cheered.

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They never found horses and they arrived at the city in 4 days time. Grim and the knights had secured the town and was ready to advance further into the territory to rescue as many people as possible from the manhunt done by the two kingdoms. Finally, Zuno and the rest were given horses. Grim took 30 knights with her along with Zuno, Wize, Arya and Jennifer. Amongst the people who just arrived, Princess Selena was amongst them. She hid her presence from the group and stayed at Aluin City to help with the healing.

Explosions were heard from afar, it came from the next city they were about to visit, Goodwin City. "Prepare yourselves, it will be rough." Grim warned. She didn't only warn about the fighting but also about the slaughter and destruction that they are about to face. They marched slowly, looking around for any signs of enemies or people.

"Stop! Listen." Zuno whispered. Mechanical clinging sound could be heard, it was Ravenrock landship.

"Quickly, disperse! Get out of the main street!" Grim ordered. They all went to the sideroads and hid.

"We can't defeat them, not yet." Grim said.

"You've never seen us in action right?" Wize smirked.

"W-what are you going to do?" Grim asked.

Zuno and Jennifer summoned their magic staff and Wize drew his blades.

"Just watch." Jennifer winked.

They walked to the main street facing the landship head on. A landship and 12 musketeers were there. Arya went in a building and went upstairs to get a vantage point so she can easily shot the musketeers down. Jennifer casted a magic shield in front of them, Wize charged at the musketeers while Zuno was behind Jennifer, placing his palm and staff on the ground. "Hold them off for a few seconds." He said. Jennifer nodded.

Musketeers focused their fire on Wize, who was moving in a zig-zag form fast. He broke the musketeers' formation and killed 5 of them. Arya shot her arrows down on the musketeers killing the rest. The landship opened fire on Jennifer. She was pushed back a little but managed to hold the bullets. Zuno's shadows went inside the landship, killing the people inside. And just like that, the fight was over.

The knights and Grim cheered. Wize opened the hatch on the landship and disposed the bodies inside. "Anybody know how to use this?" He wondered. Nobody knew.

"Let's just blow it up." Grim ordered. They blew up the landship using fire magic, took the muskets from the musketeers and continued going further into the city.

They had just walked a few steps when a mage appeared in front of them. The mage transformed into a minotaur and prepared to charge at them. From the sides, more mages appear with their spells ready to attack. "Knights, kill that minotaur!" Grim commanded. They were completely surrounded, nowhere to run.

"Here we go again." Arya said.