The Crimson Magister Chapter 2: V1-C2: Ambush

Read chapter 2 of The Crimson Magister by Okram on NovelPedia.

An ornate carriage rushed through the narrow forest path. Ebon Forest was one of the largest forests in the world. From above, its dense canopy resembled a green sea. Traveling through it without flight or established roads was nearly impossible. The carriage was guarded by a host of armored knights and a unit of spellcasters. At the head of the convoy rode Azure, buried beneath so much armor that one could have mistaken her for an automaton. A green cloak with her kingdom’s insignia billowed in the wind. They were escorting a carriage with a single passenger: a princess in every sense of the word. She was a young elf woman with flowing platinum hair that reached her hips, and crimson eyes like pristine rubies. However, their travel was to be cut short. The trees fell, blocking the path of the elven convoy. Before panic could grip them, Azure raised her sword. "Ambush! Prepare for combat! Archers and casters, give us cover!" Soon after, the escort was beset by attackers on their flank. The ambush was brutal, leaving not even a moment for her troops to defend themselves. What was even worse was that these attackers were each more skilled than her. In all her years as the champion of the elves, Azure had never been truly challenged. Every opponent before this had fallen with little effort. She was the undefeated champion, the one warrior her people trusted when monsters and southern warbands threatened the elven homeland. And yet these bandits, no, she couldn’t call them bandits, they were far too strong to be simple criminals. Her sword had never failed her before. Now, it could not even scratch them. It was frustrating. Worse still, her own comrades were falling as if they were nothing. As she looked at the scene around her, a fireball hit her helmet. Due to its magical effect, it was able to resist the heat, but even with the heat gone, the force knocked her back, letting the enemy fighters use the opening. "Shit!" she exclaimed as one of the hooded fighters struck right in the armor gap, piercing her flesh. Before she could hit him, he retreated, letting more bulky fighters take the front. She was sure these people were not mere criminals, but what were they? They were near Red Dawn’s border, so her first thought was an Elf Hunt party. But that made no sense. Hunters captured elves. They did not slaughter them. Even a common elf could sell for thousands of crowns in human lands. These attackers were not hunting slaves. They wanted someone dead, or someone taken. However, the elves had no choice; if they were to have a chance against the southern savages, a deal had to be struck with their king. "Who are these people?" she muttered as she slashed at them. With each passing moment, her men were getting fewer and fewer in number; she needed to think fast. Azure had carried the Lady of Misfortune’s blessing since birth and had spent her entire life refusing to call upon it. Some kingdoms would have waged wars for such a gift, if only it were granted by a more gracious god. The price could be her body, her soul, or every fortunate day she had left. But Sheira was inside that carriage. So Azure knelt. "Men, form a shield around me! Casters, erect barriers! I need time!" she barked an order as the rest of the guards formed a shield, giving her a moment to pray. She gently removed her helmet, and as she kneeled, she stabbed her sword into the ground before uttering a silent prayer, relying on her comrades to buy her the time she needed. When she closed her eyes, the battlefield vanished. She stood upon endless water, yet she did not sink. Above her hung a full moon in a starless sky, and beneath it sat a young human girl playing with a stuffed toy. She took a step before the girl turned herself toward her. "My Azure, you are finally here. Are you finally ready to accept my gift?" the girl said gently while staring at her. Usually, talking to such a young child wouldn’t invoke fear, but Azure knew better. She knew this girl was