The princess’ side came out victorious and defeated the group of bandits. The surroundings of the cathedral were covered in the blood of the two opposing groups.

“Ah, a good workout for my body, that was,” said Ingrid as she stretched her body and sheathed her heavy sword on her back.

The rain slowed down until it completely stopped. The clouds were still dark, the air damp and cool. While it stilled rained, Dana used the rain to wash away the substance on her eyes that blinded her.

“That damned bandit, I’d not be stopped with a little blindness,” complained Dana.

She wiped her eyes, removing the rest of the substance from her eyes. Her sight restored; she took in the sight of red in the surroundings. She felt despondent for having spilled blood in front of a cathedral of Ava. But she threw the thought from her mind when she remembered that the bandits were targeting the princess.

Leon, partially recovered, returned to his feet and stood upright. He looked towards the masked man’s corpse and felt admiration. The battle between them was fierce and he learned much from it. They say a battle to the death is more effective than sparring with wooden swords. He made his way to Dana as her vision came back until they heard a shout from inside.

“Release me, you rogue!” A scream echoed from inside the cathedral.

“Damn it, the princess!” shouted Dana.

“You two make your way to her. I’ll keep here to see if any others come to disturb us once more,” said Ingrid, directing the two to get to the princess.

Leon and Dana agreed and ran through the doors of the cathedral.

Inside the cathedral, the three knights that previously guarded the front of the cathedral were knocked unconscious. The elder priest was on the ground, struggling to stand back on his feet.

“You will unhand me, or else!” Princess Sylvette cried.

“Or else what, princess?” mockingly questioned Royland as he tightly held onto her wrist.

---

While Leon and his group were facing off against the bandit group, Royland hid in the nearby trees. He’d taken a bow and aimed an arrow towards Ingrid.

“This woman seems powerful, I’d even the odds with this arrow,” he said to himself.

The bow was tight as the arrow was nocked. He aimed towards the silver-haired woman’s head. Letting out a breath, he released the nocked arrow. It flew through the air, unhindered by the rain. However, to Royland’s surprise, the silver-haired woman shook her head causing the arrow to fly by her and piercing the man’s head behind her.

He watched as the group was surprised by the mercenary’s death.

“Did she notice? Or was luck on her side?” questioned Royland.

“No matter. Perhaps this will grant me a moments time.”

He vanished into the surrounding trees and made his way around the back of the cathedral. He entered through a back door and made his way to the nave where the statue of Ava was worshipped. Once he arrived, he found three knights, an elder priest, and his target, Princess Sylvette.

“Halt there! Who are you?” questioned one of the knights.

“Flee or be beaten,” said Royland.

The knights quickly drew their swords and rushed him. Royland took up his sword but left the sheath on his blade. Although the knights were recovered to the point of putting up a fight, the three of them were no match for the White Templar. They were quickly knocked out and fainted on the ground.

Past them, the old priest stood in front of the princess, trying to protect her.

“Pardon my actions, elder,” Royland reversed the grip on his sword and used the hilt to hit the gut of the elder priest.

Due to his old age, the priest quickly fell and struggled to keep consciousness. He tried to reach out to Princess Sylvette but was unable to do a thing. Then, Royland grabbed the princess’ wrist and pulled her as she screamed for help.

“Best you keep silent, your highness,” said Royland to Princess Sylvette, “wouldn’t want to disturb the peace of this holy place.”

Royland tried to drag Princess Sylvette to the second level of the cathedral that included a balcony. The princess continued to struggle under Royland’s grip, trying her best to free herself.

“Come now, we must move!” commanded Royland.

“As the princess of this kingdom, I will not follow your orders!” denied Princess Sylvette.

‘Orders…’ Royland began to despise hearing that word.

“Then let me help you keep quiet,” he whispered in her ear.

Bam.

With one hand gripping the princess’ wrist, Royland used his free one to jab her stomach, knocking her out.

“Forgive me,” Royland apologized to the unconscious princess. “perhaps if you knew who you truly were, you’d know which side to fight on.”

He carried her in his arms, holding her ever so gently and with care. He made his way up the steps, moving closer to the balcony.

“Stay where you are!” ordered Dana as she and Leon came to the foot of the stairs and found him.

Royland didn’t say anything as he climbed the steps and reached the edge of the balcony. He turned his head and looked at his pursuers. His eyes and Leon’s locked for a moment, but that moment felt like a lifetime for the two. Then, with the princess in his arms, he jumped off the balcony.

“Damn!” Dana shouted and made her way back to the entrance of the cathedral, believing she’d find her princess’ kidnapper there.

Leon stood still, shocked by what, or rather, whom he saw.

The memories began to flood Leon’s mind again.

‘How can he be here?’ he thought.

Leon ran to the back door of the church to see if he can catch up with the White Templar and confirm if it was really him. Just as he stepped out the door, a white horse swiftly past him. Riding it, was Royland. He held an unconscious Princess Sylvette close to his breast as his hands were on the reins of his horse, whipping it to go faster. Leon stood where he was and watched as the white figure grew smaller in the distance.

“How can this be?” spoke Dana as she just arrived on the scene. Along with Leon, she watched as Royland escaped from the cathedral.

And thus, the princess’ guards were unable to protect the princess herself, failing their only task. Nearby, Ingrid felt chills on her back. She sensed something was wrong and that she may not get paid for her work, unaware of the kidnapped princess.

‘These men we’d slain, why do they look familiar?’