With Avaleras invitation accepted, Tarquin inquired about a possible departure plan. She smiled warmly at him. "My legion is scheduled to depart in the morning. We will be marching west and northwest toward the western border of the nation. It is possible for you to join us for the journey. The temple is located to the north of the legion's planned camp so we could pass it and visit the temple."
"Excellent, we will find a room for tonight and join you in the morning." Tarquin stated.
"It would be my pleasure to have you both aboard." Avaleras' face lights up with joy. " I look forward to seeing the temple through your eyes. If you require accommodation for the night, my general's camp is located near the city gates. You may rest there before the legion departs. I will make arrangements for both you and your companion's horses as well." She gently squeezes Tarquin's hands. "I look forward to your company tomorrow."
As Avaleras walks away Lexi turns to Tarquin with a big grin on her face. "It looks like someone has a fan. I guess we have a place to stay for tonight."
The next morning, Tarquin, Lexi, and Avaleras set out with the legion towards the temple of Mount Heursos. The sun was still rising over the horizon as they departed the city, the sound of clanking armor and the rustling of cloaks filling the air. The air was crisp and cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and moss.
As they walked, Tarquin and Lexi fell into step beside Avaleras, chatting with her about the temple and the secrets it held. The legion's soldiers marched in formation; their eyes fixed on the path ahead. The rocky terrain and sparse vegetation stretched out before them, punctuated by the occasional boulder or cluster of trees.
As they journeyed on, the landscape grew more rugged and unforgiving. The air grew cooler, and the wind picked up, carrying the sound of distant waterfalls and the rustling of leaves. Avaleras led them through a narrow pass, where the walls of rock seemed to close in around them.
As Tarquin, Lexi, and the others made their way down the winding dirt road towards the temple the afternoon sun cast long shadows over the landscape. The peaceful ambiance of their journey was abruptly shattered by a rustling sound from the dense foliage on either side of the path. Lexi's hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the surroundings.
"Stay alert," Tarquin whispered, his senses tingling with the presence of unseen danger.
Without warning, a dozen bandits emerged from the trees, their weapons gleaming menacingly in the sunlight. The leader, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward and sneered.
"Hand over your valuables, and we might let you live," he growled, his voice dripping with malice.
Tarquin's eyes glowed with a fierce determination as he stepped forward, his robe billowing in the breeze. "We won't be intimidated by common thieves," he declared, his voice echoing with authority. "Prepare to defend yourselves!"
Lexi drew her sword, its blade glinting in the morning light. "Let's get them!" she shouted, charging towards the bandits.
Tarquin followed close behind, his magic at the ready. With a flash of a bolt of lightning he struck down two bandits with swift precision. Lexi fought hard, her sword slicing through the attackers with ease. Avaleras joined the fray, her sword flashing in the sunlight as she dispatched several bandits with swift efficiency.
The bandits continued to charge in, their weapons raised high. Tarquin quickly summoned a protective barrier of shimmering light around himself and his companions. Arrows and blades bounced off the magical shield as Lexi and the guards braced for combat.
With swift motions, Lexi used her sword and dagger, her movements a blur of lethal precision. She engaged another bandit, parrying his clumsy strike and countering with a swift slash that left him sprawling on the ground. Her reflexes were honed to perfection, each movement fluid and efficient as she danced through the fray, dispatching foes with deadly grace.
Tarquin, meanwhile, unleashed his formidable magic. He conjured a ball of fire in his hand and hurled it towards a group of bandits, the explosion sending them flying in all directions. He followed up with a bolt of lightning, striking down another pair who had managed to close the distance. The air crackled with energy as he manipulated the elements to devastating effect.
The soldiers fought valiantly, their swords clashing with the bandits' weapons. They formed a defensive line around Tarquin and Lexi, their disciplined training evident in their coordinated strikes and parries. One of the guards, a burly man named Orin, swung his axe with brutal force, cleaving through an attacker's shield and armor. His companion, a lithe woman named Elara, moved with agility, her twin blades weaving a deadly pattern that left her enemies no room to counter.
Despite their initial bravado, the bandits quickly realized they were outmatched. Lexi's blade flashed in the sunlight as she cut down another foe, her movements a blur of speed and precision. Tarquin's magic continued to wreak havoc, a swirling tempest of fire and lightning that left charred and smoking bodies in its wake.
The leader of the bandits, seeing his men fall one by one, let out a roar of frustration and charged directly at Tarquin. Lexi intercepted him, her sword clashing against his with a resounding clang. They exchanged a series of rapid blows, sparks flying as metal met metal. Lexi's agility and skill soon overwhelmed the brute force of her opponent, and with a final, decisive strike, she sent him crashing to the ground, his weapon clattering from his grasp.
As the last of the bandits fell, the forest grew eerily silent. The acrid smell of smoke and the metallic tang of blood filled the air. Tarquin lowered his hands, the glow of his magic fading as he surveyed the scene.
"Is everyone alright?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Avaleras and Orin nodded, though they bore a few minor cuts and bruises. Lexi wiped her blade clean and sheathed it, her eyes scanning the fallen bandits for any sign of life.
"We're fine," Lexi said, her voice steady. "They won't be troubling anyone anymore."
Tarquin nodded, his expression serious. "Let's move quickly. There may be more of them nearby."
With a final glance at the battlefield, the group continued their journey, the weight of their victory mingling with the knowledge that more challenges lay ahead.