Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Attack

Karin screamed. She thrusts her long sword from below, delivering a fatal blow to her opponent's abdomen.Roland barely avoided the attack with a heavy blow from the blade of the sword and blocked her attack.He jumped back to take time to regain his balance.Karin took the opportunity to attack again. Roland laughed suddenly and jumped up, knocked her sword aside again, and then stepped forward to her side.Quickly throwing his sword from his right hand to his left, he grabbed her wrist holding the sword, pulled it sharply, and then turned around, almost causing her to lose her balance.And he had already stood behind her and hugged her.With his left arm wrapped around her waist, he carefully removed the edge of the long sword in his hand, and hugged her tightly to him.She struggled, but with him standing behind her, Karin could do nothing but curse angrily. "It's a hoax! A nasty hoax," she cried unwillingly.

She kicked helplessly while Roland laughed. "Don't rush and avoid what looks like a clean kill move. You have decent speed, but you're too impatient. Learn to be patient. Wait for a clear opening before attacking. If you lose your balance you will Die." He kissed her quickly on the cheek and pushed her away. Karin staggered forward a few steps before regaining her balance, then turned. "Rogue! Can't you come here in an upright manner?" She faced him, with the long sword in her hand, and slowly drew a circle on the left side.After her father left, Karin pestered Arusha to ask Roland to teach her swordsmanship.Her defense was, "What would I do if the Tsurani stormed into the castle? Stab them with embroidery needles?" Arusha didn't think she really needed a weapon, but after a long babble Had to compromise.

Karin suddenly sent out a series of furious attacks from above, forcing Roland to step back and walk straight through the small courtyard behind the castle. She didn't stop and wait until she found her back against the low wall.She roared again, and he swiftly stepped aside, allowing her rapier to stab the wall behind him.He then jumped forward, over her, and playfully slapped her on the hip with his sword flat as he passed. "Don't lose your mind, or you'll lose your life." "Oh!" she roared, turning to face him.Her expression is somewhere between annoyed and playful. "You nasty fellow!"

Roland posed, a mocking look on his face.She measured the distance between each other and began to move forward slowly.She wore tight men's trousers—almost to the desperation of Lady Marna—and a men's tunic with her sword belt tied at the waist.Her girly silhouette has become more defined over the past year, and the outfit accentuated her figure even more.Karin, who is now eighteen years old, does not show the image of a girl at all.She wore custom-made tall black boots, the heels of which tapped carefully on the ground as she shortened the distance between them, her long, jet-black hair draped carelessly over her shoulders in long braids.

Rowland enjoyed her time with her.They were back to the fun they used to have playing together, and Rowland still held out the hope that her feelings for him would develop into something beyond friendship.Since Lane left they have often practiced together, or went out on horseback rides around the castle when it was safe to do so.This time with her has nourished a friendship they didn't have in the past.Most importantly, she regained her light and sense of humor. Roland stood there blankly, lost in thought.That spoiled little girl princess is no more.She has grown into a girl with a strong spirit and will in the cruel lessons.

Roland blinked, and saw the point of her sword on his throat.He dropped his weapon playfully, "Miss, I surrender!" She smiled. "Are you daydreaming, Roland?" He gently pushed the point of her sword away. "I'm thinking about how Madame Malna was when you first dressed like this and went back in a mess." Karin smiled at the thought. "I think she was bedridden for a week." She raised her sword. "I wish I had an excuse to wear this outfit more often. They're really comfortable." Roland nodded and grinned, "And it's very charming." He purposely looked up and down Karin's curvaceous and graceful body. "I guess it's down to whoever's wearing it, though."

Karin raised her nose in a disdainful expression. "You're a rascal and a flatterer, sir. And a lecher." Roland chuckled and picked up his sword. "I think that's enough for today, Karin. I'm only going to tolerate this one failure this afternoon. Otherwise, I might have to leave the castle out of shame." She drew her weapon and opened her eyes wide, and he knew it hurt her. "Oh! Just because a girl beat you?" she said, moving forward with her sword ready to strike. Roland smiled, took his own sword, and took a defensive posture. "Now, miss. It's very indecent."

She glared at him and regained the distance of the sword. "I already have Lady Marna to take care of my manners, Roland. And I don't need a clown like you to guide me." "Clown!" he yelled, rushing forward.She blocked his sharp blade with her sword and stabbed back, almost hitting.He parried the stab with his blade and stepped forward until he was face to face with her.He smiled and grabbed her sword wrist with his unarmed hand. "You don't want to be in this position." She struggled to break free, but he quickly restrained her. "Unless the Tsurani start sending their women here, you will find that all the people you fight are stronger than you, and he will hold you firmly in this position." Roland said , suddenly pulled her closer and kissed her lightly.

Karin turned back, her face full of surprise.Suddenly the sword slipped from her fingers and she hugged him, pulling him with amazing strength, and she answered him with passionate kisses back. When he regained consciousness, she stared at him with a mixture of surprise and longing.A smile flitted across her cheeks, and her eyes sparkled. "Roland, I—" Sirens blared throughout the castle, and shouts of "Attack!" came from outside the fort's walls. Roland cursed under his breath and stepped back. "The curse of all the gods, it's time." He rushed to the hall leading to the main courtyard and said with a smile, "Remember what you said just now, miss." But when he saw her pick up the sword and follow him Then his humor faded away. "Where are you going?" he asked coldly.

"Go to the city wall." She replied defiantly. "I'm not going to sit in the basement anymore." "No. You have no actual combat experience at all." He said firmly. "As a sport, you're good with a sword. But I can't let you risk it, and you'll be overwhelmed at the first sight of blood. You're going to the basement and locked in safely with the other ladies." She was so surprised that Roland had never spoken to her in this manner.He used to play the mocking rascal or the gentlemanly friend.Now he was suddenly a very different person.She started to protest, but he cut her off.Taking her arm, he walked towards the basement door half-handled. "Roland!" she cried. "Let me go!"

He said calmly, "You will go where you are commanded. And I will go where I am commanded. There is nothing negotiable here." She tried to break free from his restraints, but to no avail. "Roland! Get your hands off me, now!" she ordered. He still ignored her protests and kept pulling her down the hall.In front of the basement door stood a guard watching the two approaching men.Roland came over and rudely pushed Karin towards the door.Karin's eyes widened with rage, and she turned to the guard. "Arrest him! Immediately!"—in an angry, high-pitched voice that made her sound unladylike—"he grabbed me with dirty hands!" The guard was a little at a loss, he kept looking at the two people, and then tentatively walked towards Jazz.Roland pointed a warning finger at the guard, missing it by an inch, almost poking him on the nose. "You will escort His Highness to a safe place. No matter how she protests, or she tries to leave, you must stop her. Do you understand this?" His voice was cold and could not contain any doubts. The guard nodded, but still didn't dare to hold Master Bao with his hands.Roland didn't even look at the soldier, and gently pushed Karin through the door and said, "If I find out that she left the basement before everything is safe, I guarantee that the prince and the swordsman will know that it was you who let Her Royal Highness step down." into danger." This guarantee is more than enough for the guard.He probably couldn't figure out whether to listen to the princess or the lord when he was being attacked, but he undoubtedly knew what the swordsman would do in such a situation.He turned to the basement door and said, "Your Highness, this way," before Karin had time to turn back, and pulled her down the stairs. Karin turned her back on the stairs, furious.Rowland stood by the door behind them.She turned away at the foot of the stairs, and walked down haughtily.When they reached the rooms where the women of the castle and village had been housed during the war, Karin found many other women already there, huddled together, shivering with terror. The guard saluted as an apology, "I beg you to forgive Her Royal Highness, but Sir Sir is very firm." Karin's scowl suddenly disappeared, and she smiled. "Yes, of course he is, isn't he?" The cavalry charged into the courtyard, the heavy gates closing behind them.Arusha watched from the ramparts and turned to Vannorn. "Unlucky things all collided," Van Nuoen said. "Luck has nothing to do with it. The Tsurani certainly don't attack when we have the advantage," Arusha said.All seems peaceful, save for the burning town as a reminder that the war is still going on.He knew that on the other side of town, in the forests to the north and northeast, armies were massing.More than 2,000 Tsurani are reported to be marching on Karid. "Come in, you rat-bitten stray dog." Arusha looked down into the courtyard and saw Troth roughly kicking a panicked fisherman into the shack built inside the city walls to house homeless villagers who hadn't moved south.Most of the villagers sailed to Keith after the death raid, but a few stayed on for the winter.Except for some fishermen who stayed to help the garrison solve the food problem, everyone else should sail to Keith or Tulan in the south this spring.But weeks had passed and there was still no sign of the boat.And since Amos's ship burned that year he'd been in charge of these people, making sure they didn't get in the way or cause too much trouble for the castle.The former captain has shown remarkable ability in the weeks since the village was destroyed.He possesses all the talents a commander needs to manage these rude, disrespectful and individualistic fishermen into submission.Arusha thinks he's a braggart, and probably a pirate, but is beloved. Gardan walked up the stairs from the courtyard, and Roland followed behind him.Gardan saluted the prince and the sword master, "The last patrol has returned, sir." "Then we're just waiting for the longbow now," said Vannon. Gardan shook his head. "No one on patrol saw him, sir." "That's because the longbow must be closer to the Tsurani than any other soldier before returning," Arusha said bluntly. "How long do you think it will be before all the Tsurani get here?" Gardan pointed northeast and said, "Not an hour, if they push straight here." He looked skyward. "It will be dark in less than four hours. We could be attacked before dusk. Or they could take a break and attack at dawn tomorrow." Arusha glanced at Roland. "Are the women safe?" Roland grinned. "It's all safe, but your sister may have some problems with me after this." Arusha smiled. "I'll take care of it after this." He looked around. "Now we wait." Swordsman Van Nuoen swept across the false calm scene in front of him.There was worry and determination in his voice, "Yes, now we wait." Martin raised his hand.Three of his pursuers stopped moving.It was silent, but all three knew that Martin's senses were far more acute than theirs.After a while he stalked alone and stepped forward to investigate. In the ten hours before sunset they had tracked Tsurani's march.He could tell that the Tsurani had once again been defeated at Ivanda along the Karid River, and now they turned their aim on Karid Castle.For three years the Tsurani fought on all sides: the Duke's army in the east, the elves and dwarves in the north, the steadfast Kared in the west, and the dark clans and goblins in the south. The trackers had come very close to Tsurani's advance party, apparently too close.Twice they had to flee from the attack, and the Tsurani warriors doggedly pursued the Khared's chief hunter.At one point they nearly caught up, and Martin lost one of his men in the fight. Martin imitated the husky cry of a crow, and soon the three remaining pursuers joined him."They're still going west and I thought they were going to turn there," said a long-faced young man named Garrett. Longbow thought for a moment. "Yes, it looks like they're planning to surround the entire castle. Or maybe they're simply looking for a surprise." Then he grinned, "But it's more likely that they simply wanted to check the entire area before attacking, Make sure you don't get attacked from behind." "They must know we know their route," said another tracker. Longbow smiled even more happily. "No doubt. I don't think they care about our comings and goings." He shook his head. "Those Tsurani are a bunch of arrogant guys." He instructed, "Great and I go. You two go straight back to the castle. Tell the swordsman more than two thousand Tsurani are marching on Kared ’” The two quietly set off towards the castle without saying a word. Martin whispered to his companion. "Come on, let's go back to the enemy and see what they're doing now." Gretel shook his head. "Your relaxed manner does not allay my apprehension, Captain Hunter." They turned back the way they came, and Longbow said, "A man dies only once. When she comes, she will come. Why don't you worry." "Yes," said Garrett, his long face expressing disbelief. "Why, seriously? I'm not worried about her coming when she's coming. I'm worried about your invitation to her." Martin laughed lightly.He motioned for Garrett to follow.They trotted across the woodland.The sun is shining brightly in the forest, but enemies may still lurk in the dark shadows among the thick branches.Garrett walked on the left side of the longbow, checking whether every hiding place they passed was safe.Then, the sound from the front made the two of them stop moving at the same time, and silently merged into the shadows.A minute passed and both were silent.Then they heard whispers, faint but distinct. Two figures came into view, walking cautiously along a path that divided north and south.Martin rose up.Both of them were wearing dark gray cloaks, and their arrows were on the strings.They stopped, and one of them dropped to one knee, discovering the marks left by the longbow and his pursuers.He pointed to the path and whispered to his companion, who nodded and returned in the direction they had come. Longbow could hear the faint breath of Garrett's breath, monitoring the terrain around the Dark Clan stalker.After searching for a while he finally turned and went after his companion. Garrett was about to get up when Martin took his arm. "Wait a minute," Longbow whispered. "What are they doing up north?" Garrett asked in a low voice. Martin shook his head. "They followed our patrol across the hills. We let our guard down a little to the south, Garrett. We didn't expect them to go this far north from the western mountains." He waited silently for a while. Yes, then whispered, "Perhaps they want to go through the Green Heart and try to join their fellow countrymen in the Southern Continent." Garrett was about to speak, but was interrupted by a dark clan who suddenly appeared.He looked around, then raised his hand to signal that another figure crossed the path Martin's men had taken.First one, then two, then three.The Dark Clan crossed the path and disappeared into the thicket again. Garrett held his breath.He could hear Martin softly counting each passing figure: "...ten, twelve, fifteen, sixteen, eighteen..." The flow of people in black cloaks continued, and Garrett almost felt like it would never end. "...Thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-four..." As the walk continued, more Dark Clans appeared, and after a while Martin whispered, "There are more than a hundred." And they're still coming, some now with packages and luggage on their shoulders.Most of them wore dark gray cloaks, and some wore green, brown, or black.Garrett whispered close to Martin, "You're right. This is an immigrant from the north. I counted to over two hundred." Martin nodded. "there are more." The Dark Clan army crossing the path continued for a few more minutes, followed by ragged women and children.After they had all passed, about twenty more fighters crossed the path, and finally the whole place fell silent again. They waited quietly for a while, and Garrett said, "They have elven blood so that so many people can pass through the forest together without being noticed." Martin smiled. "I suggest you don't mention this the next time you meet an elf." He stood up slowly, relaxing the muscles that had been stiff from squatting in the bushes for a long time.Some faint sounds came from the east, and Martin thought for a moment. "How far do you estimate the route of the Dark Clan's team is from the path?" "A hundred yards from the end of the line; maybe a quarter mile or less from the head. What's the matter?" Martin grinned, and Gretel felt uncomfortable seeing the sly smile in his eyes. "Come on, I think I know where to have some fun." Garrett moaned softly, "Oh, Hunter, the fun you mentioned makes my skin crawl." Martin tapped his chest kindly with the back of his hand, "Come, my brave friend." The hunter left the path, followed closely by Garrett.They move through the woods, easily avoiding obstacles that would give even an inexperienced Mountain Man a headache. When they returned to the path, the two stopped at the same time.Lying on the side of the road, at the edge of their vision, in the dark forest, a small group of Tsurani advance troops were approaching.Martin and Garrett disappeared into the bushes, and the hunter said, "The main force is behind. When they pass the intersection where the dark elves have walked, they may follow." Garrett shook his head. "Probably not. So we have to make sure they will." He took a deep breath and added, "Okay." The two made it to Kylian - the green and silent singer, god of the forest people - A short prayer, and at the same time untied the longbow from his shoulders. Martin got up and set out on the path to take aim, and Garrett followed him.The Tsurani advance party was already in view, and the path parted the dense undergrowth to make the target more visible.Martin and the Tsurani got close enough to fire arrows just as the first Tsurani scout noticed them.The first two men fell, and before their bodies hit the ground, two more arrows shot out.Martin and Gretel quickly drew arrows from the quiver on their backs, put them on the bowstring, and shot them with extraordinary speed and precision.Garrett was not the same Garrett five years ago before Martin chose him.Now even in the midst of a storm, he is as stable as Mount Tai, acting with orders and moving with skills. The ten stunned Tsurani fell before they could sound the alarm.Martin and Garrett calmly slung the bow over their shoulders and waited.Then a barrier of brightly colored armor appeared on the other side of the path.The Tsurani vanguard stopped the team, shocked by the corpse of the advance team that had fallen silently before his eyes.Then they saw two forest men running down the path, yelling.The entire front column immediately drew its weapons and gave chase. Martin slipped into the dense jungle on the north side of the path, with Garrett following close behind.They flashed through the gap, and the Tsurani pursued them. Martin filled the entire forest with the wild hunter's battle cry.Gretel, feeling an insane pleasure in terror, also roared meaninglessly.There was a loud noise behind it as if the entire Tsurani army had rushed into the village. Martin led them north, parallel to the line of the Dark Clan.After a while he stopped and gasped, "Slow down, I don't want them to get lost." Garrett looked back, but the Tsurani were no longer in sight.They leaned against a tree and waited.After a while a Tsurani appeared, hurriedly heading northwest. Martin said displeasedly, "It seems that all the real trackers in their bloody world are dead." He unhooked the hunter's horn from his belt and blew it so loud that the Tsurani soldiers were dumbfounded, even though The shock on his face was also clearly visible from where Martin and Garrett were standing. The Tsurani looked around and spotted two hunters.Martin waved for him to follow, and he and Garrett continued to flee.The Tsurani beckoned to their companions and began to pursue.They led the Tsurani across about a quarter of a mile, and then they turned suddenly to the west, and Garret gasped and called out, "The Dark Clan...they'll know...we're coming." Martin replied, "Unless they... suddenly all... go deaf." He smiled. "Those Tsurani...have a six to one...advantage. I think...the Dark Clan...will have a...ambush...to make it all fair." Garrett took a deep breath and let out a low groan and continued to follow his master's direction.They broke through the thick swab, and Martin stopped, grabbed Gretel's jacket, looked up and said, "They're just ahead." Garrett said, "I don't know...those rampaging noises are behind...how can you hear that." It sounded like at least a large group of Tsurani were following, though the noise was amplified and confused. their source. "Are you still wearing those... ridiculous red shirts?" Martin asked. "Yes, what's wrong?" "Take one." Without saying anything, Garrett immediately drew out his pocket knife and took off his green forest man coat.The inner shirt is a cotton lining with an exaggerated red color.He cut a long strip from the bottom and quickly tied the shirt into place.Garrett busily tidied himself while Martin tied strips of cloth to the arrows.He looked back in the direction the Tsurani had come from. "Those stubby legs, they can run all day, but swabbing isn't what they're good at." He handed the arrow to Garrett. "See that big oak tree in that little clearing?" Gregory nodded. "Behind that little birch tree, in the clearing to the left?" Garrett nodded again. "Can you hit it with this strapped arrow?" Gretel grinned and took his bow down, loaded the arrow, and shot.The arrow flew out and shot straight at the big tree. Martin said, "When our bow-legged friends get here, the bright colors will catch their attention and send them rushing. Unless I'm wrong, the Dark Clan are about fifty yards from your arrows." Garrett drew his horn as he reattached his bow. "One last time and we're off," he said, blowing a long, loud blast. The Tsurani swarmed like wasps, but Longbow and Garrett were heading southwest while the sound of the high horn still echoed through the woods.They left before the Tsurani saw them, and the plan was complete.They passed through the dense forest and suddenly rushed into a group of women and children.A young Dark Clan female stood at the head of the line.When she saw the two men stop immediately, Garrett stopped quickly to avoid knocking her out. He dodged around her, and her big brown eyes looked at him fearlessly.Without thinking, Garrett said, "I'm sorry, ma'am," and raised his hand to his forehead in salute.Then he followed the hunter and fled the crowd, and there were shouts of surprise and anger behind him. It took another quarter of a mile before Martin stopped and listened carefully.From the northeast came the sound of fighting, shouting and neighing, and the sound of clashing weapons.Martin grinned. "Now they're all busy." Gretel sat on the ground wearily, "Send me back to the castle next time, Hunter?" Martin Bin fell beside the pursuer. "This will prevent the Tsurani from reaching Karid before sunset. They cannot attack before tomorrow. They will not leave four hundred Dark Clans behind. We will rest for a while and then return to Karid .” Garrett leans back against a tree. "That's great news." He let out a long, relieved sigh. "It was a near miss," he said. Martin smiled mysteriously. "Life is a fluke, Garrett." Garrett shook his head slowly. "Have you noticed that girl?" Martin nodded. "What's up with her?" Garrett looked puzzled. "She's lovely. Beautiful, I mean, in some ways. She has long black hair, and her eyes are as bright as an otter's oily fur. Also With her pouty lips and vivacious features. Enough to attract a lot of men. That's not what I imagined the Dark Clan to be." Martin nodded, "Actually, dark elves are a beautiful race, just like elves. But remember, Garrett," he said with a smile, "if you still have a chance to flirt with a dark elf, she Will cut out your heart while kissing you." They rested for a while, listening to the cries and yells echoing to the northeast, then slowly got up and set foot on the way back to Kared.