Enigmas - Chapter 18

Hilia lifted up the curtains, observing as the world zoomed by and the carriage rocked gently every now and then. Despite it being a blur of colours, Hilia still found it serene in its own way. It was her first time riding in a carriage, and it was also her first time experiencing something like that. She smiled, melancholic and Yoan noticed her dampened mood, frowning.

“What’s wrong, Hilia?”

“I was just wondering…if grandmother was still alive, it would have also been the first time riding a carriage too.”

“If she was still alive, she wouldn’t even allow us to step near this carriage, since we almost killed ourselves by fighting that man.”

Hilia snickered, nodding in agreement. “Sounds like something she’ll definitely do.”

“That man…was an Enigma, wasn’t he? That’s the only explanation.” Yoan stated and Hilia’s smile faltered.

“Whether he is one of them or not, I hope to never encounter a man like him again.”

“Why?”

“Yoan…you almost died out there.” Hilia withdrew, closing the curtains in carriage, no longer in the mood to admire her surroundings.

“Hilia, I’m sorry. I was arrogant and I didn’t expect the man to be what he is.”

Hilia shook her head, ducking her head down. “It doesn’t matter, just promise me, you’ll be careful from now on.”

Yoan moved his hand, patting Hilia on her head. “I promise.”

They smiled at one another, until the carriage did a sudden swerve and Yoan halted himself, realising he was inches away from Hilia’s chest. He gasped, recoiling back and Hilia winced, rubbing at her throbbing head.

“What’s…going on?”

“I’ll-I’ll check, hold onto something.”

Yoan lifted up the curtains to reveal the front of the carriage, realising that the driver had been pierced by an arrow at his chest. The horse was clearly uneasy, galloping aimlessly, trying its best to break free of its rein. Yoan reacted quickly, replacing the driver as he tossed him into the carriage. Hilia shrieked in alarm when she saw the man, while Yoan shouted towards her, trying to gain control of the horse at the same time.

“Hilia! An ambush! Stay inside, and see if you can help the driver!”

“Al-alright, I got it!”

Yoan grew alert, clenching his jaw as he tried to regain control of the horse. He heard the whistling sound of another arrow behind shot, his instincts taking over as he leaned forward, the arrow going past behind him.

Damn it! What the hell is going on here?!