Chapter 23: Learning the Rhythm of Two

The Corrompido army fell into formation behind them, black banners snapping in the increasingly strong wind. “Tell me if you feel uncomfortable at any point,” Luz called out over the rhythmic clatter of hooves on packed earth. The destrier’s powerful strides ate up ground rapidly, leaving the slower-moving infantry to struggle behind them. Luz kept one hand firmly on the reins while his other arm remained wrapped protectively around Amelia’s waist, ensuring she stayed balanced despite the jarring motion. “We will reach Montaxe Dividida by sundown if we keep this pace,” he estimated clinically, though his grip tightened slightly whenever they passed too close to Corrompido units whose eyes flowed with curiosity at their commander’s unexpected passenger.

Around noon, they were riding along a cliffside path, the ground beneath the destrier was uneven and rocky, with patched of dirt, loose stone and sparse vegetation. Small wildflowers and grasses clung to the edges of the path. On the right side of the path was the cliff face, a sheer rock wall that rose steeply, textured with cracks, ledges and patches of greenery– small trees and shrubs growing in crevices. On the left side of the path was a dizzying drop-off plunging toward the stormy sea. The sea churned against a rugged shoreline of rocks and outcrops. The coastline curved into the distance, fading into a hazy horizon and taking Amelia’s breath away because she had never even seen the sea.

Layered cliffs and hills recede into the mist, giving a sense of scale and isolation. The shy above them was partly cloudy, with large, soft clouds scattered across a blue backdrop. Sunlight broke through in places, illuminating parts of the path in front of them while leaving other parts in shadow. Wind whipped off the waves below, carrying salt spray that stung exposed skin. Luz’s destrier navigated the treacherous terrain with practiced confidence, its hooves finding purchase on loose stones where lesser beasts would slip. “Careful here,” Luz warned tightly, his armoured arm tightening around Amelia’s waist to steady her through particularly precarious sections. “The coastal winds can knock you off balance easily.”

His crimson eyes scanned constantly– upward at the craggy peaks looming overhead, downward at the roaring surf crashing against rocks below, and behind them where Corrompido supply waggons struggled to keep pace. The path curved and around the corner a raider suddenly appeared, holding two daggers. Behind him was another raider with a longsword. Both raiders looked rugged, and battle worn, with muscular, athletic builds and weathered, dirt-streaked skin. The raider holding the daggers looked tense, brows furrowed and lips slightly parted. He has messy, medium length brown hair, sweat matted with strands falling across his forehead.

His outfit is a patchwork of dark leather and fur, layered and worn, with frayed edges and visible stitching. A reddish cloth hangs in strips around his waist. His arms are bare from the shoulders down, showing dirt, scars and faint markings. He gripped the curved daggers firmly, holding them low but ready, the metal catching a faint glint of light. The raider holding the longsword stands more squarely, his posture is braced and defensive– legs apart, shoulders squared. He has long, black hair that falls to his shoulders, partially obscuring his face, along with a stubble. His expression is equally intense, eyes narrowed and fixed on Luz and Amelia on the black destrier, whose hooves skidded to an abrupt halt on the narrow path, its breath pluming in the cold air.

He is wearing similar rugged attire– dark leather and fur armour, heavily worn and layered with strips and tassels hanging from the edges. The large longsword he held was angled diagonally upward. The blade is long, straight and reflective. Luz’s armoured hand released the reins to rest on the hilt of his sword, his crimson gaze locked onto the two attackers, calculating distance and threat level with practiced efficiency. “One is a quick blade– he will go for the legs first. The other has a heavier weapon but lacks discipline,” Luz says analysing the situation. “You stay on the horse. If I fall, kick this beast into a gallop and don’t look back.”

Amelia nodded and remained on the horse. Luz steadied himself, one hand gripping the reins close to the destrier’s neck to keep the animal calm and still. His other hand pressed lightly against the saddle for balance before his posture shifted forward slightly as he prepared to move, lowering his centre of gravity. He frees his right foot from the stirrup, the movement careful rather than quick, because armour adds stiffness and weight. He leans onto his left leg, and he lifts himself upward with a controlled push and swings his right leg in a wide arch over the destrier’s back. The motion is far from graceful– it is heavy and grounded, the armour subtle clinking as plates shift. His torse rotates with the leg, keeping his balance centred over the saddle.

As his right leg comes down on the left side of the destrier, he slips his left foot free from the stirrup and lowers himself to the ground. His boots meet the ground with a solid, muted thud, and he straightens, releasing the the saddle to settle into a stable stance. “That is a nice sword,” the raider with the daggers said with a smirk. “And a much nicer lady...” Luz’s crimson eyes flashed dangerously at the raider’s words; his gauntleted hands flexed around the sword’s hilt. “The sword belongs to a commander who has killed dozens of your kind before,” he growled, his voice dropping to a lethal register. “And she is none of your concern.” Amelia quietly reached into a bag hanging on the side of the destrier, finding a small dagger. She pulled the dagger out and held it at her side.

The seconds raider, holding the longsword, shifted nervously behind his companion. “Jax, maybe we should take their supplies and go. That armour looks like trouble.” But Jax, the dagger-wielder, licked his lips greedily. “Trouble pays well. look at that horse– that is worth more than anything in these ruins.” He took a step forward, blades gleaming in the dim light filtering through the cliffside. Luz did not wait for another taunt.