The morning was peaceful and quiet. The only sounds marring the atmosphere were that of the horses hooves on the dirt path and the occasional squeaky wheel of the carriage. The troops were enjoying the easy travel and even enjoyed mild temperatures that allowed them to be comfortable even in their armor. Sten on the other hand was uneasy.<br/><br/>Never had he had a trip go this smoothly, and one of the reasons he was promoted to his rank was because he was always alert and seemed to have a sixth sense for danger. As they neared a bend in the road that would lead them around a hill and towards a town only a few hours away he felt that all to familiar twist in his gut.<br/><br/>There was a low whistle and then a hard<i>thunk</i>as an arrow landed in the side of the carriage a mere foot from Sten's head. "Defensive positions!" Sten cried and drew his sword from its sheath on his side as a slew of men started to rain down arrows from tree tops on the hill while another group charged them with weapons at the ready. The loud battle cry from the bandits caused the horses to upstart and several knights were tossed from their mounts.<br/><br/>Sten held onto his reigns tightly and called out orders to the others to organize some sort of reply to their attackers. It was a well coordinated and executed attack, however, and several knights cried out as swords or daggers found their way past the armor.<br/><br/>"Get the Princess out of here!" He barked at the carriage driver who wrestled with the horses but managed to get them going with a snap of his whip on their hindquarters. As the carriage started to pick up pace Sten kept up with it and parried away several attacks of passing men who tried to board the royal carriage as it made its escape.