Chapter 62: A Father's Fury

The campfire flickered in the center of the bandits' hideout, casting long shadows over the makeshift fortress. Robert crouched in the underbrush, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched the scene unfold before him. Lily, his daughter, sat by the fire, her shoulders hunched, head bowed, the firelight barely illuminating the exhaustion and terror etched into her face. Every moment Robert looked at her, his rage simmered closer to boiling over. He had to hold himself back, had to follow Aiden's plan. But the sight of her like this was unbearable.

Aiden was beside him, quiet and calculating, his eyes never leaving the bandits. They were waiting for the right moment, for the leader to be alone so they could strike. Every second felt like an eternity, and Robert's patience was hanging by a thread.

Just then, a burly bandit, his face scarred and cruel, approached Lily. Robert stiffened, his pulse quickening. The bandit spoke to the leader, who gave a nod of approval. The man's grin widened, and he reached down, grabbing Lily by the arm and pulling her to her feet.

Lily struggled, but she was weak, and the man’s grip was too strong. He dragged her away from the fire, toward one of the tents on the far side of the camp. Robert's vision blurred with rage as he realized what was about to happen. The man was taking her to rape her.

"No..." Robert whispered, his hands trembling with fury. He turned to Aiden, his voice shaking. "I can't wait anymore. I'm going in."

Aiden's eyes flashed with alarm. "Robert, stop! If you go now, you’ll get her killed! We need to stick to the plan."

But Robert was beyond reasoning. His daughter's terrified face was all he could see, and the image of her being violated by these monsters consumed him. Without another word, Robert rose from his crouch and sprinted toward the camp, his sword drawn, a primal roar escaping his throat.

"Robert, no!" Aiden hissed, but it was too late. Robert was already charging toward the camp.

The bandits barely had time to react before Robert crashed into them like a force of nature. The first man he reached didn't even have a chance to draw his weapon before Robert's sword plunged into his chest, the sound of steel slicing through flesh filling the air. Blood sprayed across the firelit ground as the man crumpled to the ground.

Chaos erupted.

The bandits shouted in alarm, scrambling for their weapons. Robert didn't hesitate. The next man swung a club at him, but Robert ducked under the blow, driving his sword into the bandit's side, his blade slicing through ribs. The man let out a strangled gasp before collapsing.

Two more came at him from either side, but Robert's fury gave him strength. He parried one man's attack and slammed the hilt of his sword into the other’s face, knocking him to the ground. In a blur of motion, he spun and buried his sword into the chest of the first man, ending him in an instant.

By now, the camp was in full chaos. The leader of the bandits, the man in the long coat, stood from his place by the fire, barking orders to his men.

"Get him! Kill the bastard!"

Robert turned, his breath ragged, his eyes wild. He saw Lily, still being dragged toward the tent by the scarred man. Rage overtook him, and he charged, intent on saving her before anyone else could stop him.

But before he could reach her, more bandits swarmed around him. They came at him from all sides, their blades gleaming in the firelight. Robert fought with everything he had, cutting down another man, but the sheer number of attackers was overwhelming.

He managed to kill one more, his sword slicing across the man’s throat, but the others seized the opportunity. One bandit struck him from behind, a heavy blow to the head that sent Robert to his knees. His vision blurred as he struggled to stay conscious, his grip on his sword weakening. Before he could rise again, they were on him, wresting his weapon from his hand and kicking him to the ground.

The leader approached, his cold eyes glinting in the firelight. "Tie him up!" he ordered. "I want him alive."

Robert fought, but his strength was gone. The bandits bound his hands and feet with rough rope, tightening the knots until his wrists burned. He was dragged toward the fire and thrown down in front of the leader, who looked down at him with a twisted smile.

"You should have stayed hidden," the leader said, his voice smooth and cruel. "Now, you're going to suffer for your stupidity."

Robert's head throbbed, but he forced himself to look up, his vision clearing just enough to see the man who had caused his daughter so much pain. His heart ached, but it was filled with hatred as well.

"Where's Lily?" Robert growled, his voice hoarse. "What have you done to her?"

The leader chuckled, shaking his head. "So, you're her father? Interesting. I’ve wondered when someone might come for her." He crouched down, meeting Robert's eyes with a gaze that sent a chill down his spine. "Lily is mine now. We found her wandering after a raid, lost and vulnerable. We took her in. Fed her, clothed her. But she needed to learn her place."

Rage surged through Robert, but the ropes held him tight. "You sick bastard," he snarled. "I’ll kill you."

The leader laughed, standing up. "Kill me? Look around you. Your daughter's already broken. She belongs to me now, and you'll be dead by sunrise."

Robert’s chest heaved with fury, but before he could say another word, the bandits dragged him toward a wooden post, tying him to it with thick ropes. The leader watched with a satisfied grin before turning away, leaving Robert bound and helpless.

From across the camp, Robert caught a glimpse of Lily being pulled into the tent. His heart shattered.
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Meanwhile, Aiden watched the scene unfold from the shadows, his jaw clenched in frustration. He cursed under his breath. Robert had ruined everything, charging in like that without a plan. Now, not only was Lily in danger, but Robert was captured as well.

Aiden knew he had to act fast. Storming the camp on his own was suicide, especially now that the bandits were on high alert. He needed reinforcements—more men, people who could fight.

His mind raced, and the answer came to him: the community. Gabriella. There were skilled fighters there, people who would be willing to help if they knew what was at stake. Aiden could return and gather a group, but it would take time. He hated the idea of leaving Robert and Lily behind, even for a short while, but there was no other choice.

He slipped away from the camp, his movements silent as he disappeared into the trees. His mind was already forming a plan as he mounted his horse, glancing back at the distant glow of the bandit camp. He had to be fast. Every minute counted.

Without hesitation, Aiden urged his horse into a gallop, racing back toward the community. He would need Gabriella's help—and quickly. They would have to plan a full-scale rescue mission, and this time, there could be no mistakes.

As the wind whipped through his hair and the moon rose high in the sky, Aiden made a silent vow to himself: He would not return without reinforcements, and he would not leave Robert and Lily in the hands of those monsters.

The stakes were higher now. Two lives depended on him, and failure was not an option.