Border forest, Torrs

Liger's base of operations was deep within the Border Forest near the Western Torrs Tower. From within the cover of a vast forest, there lay wooden huts and tents where Liger's men are stationed. So far, they are the only resistance movement within that area and ensure that no one ever discovers this. 

After their agreement, Pattou had begun to sleep in a hut provided by Liger as part of their deal. Liger would then be the one to take charge of the night watch as his band of warriors have remained vigilant over possible purge operations coming from the Corrvin empire. For him, the addition of manpower in the form of the defections from the earlier Royal contingent and Pattou would increase their strength to drive away their foes. However, this will merely increase the suspicion should there be more who are willing to join the cause. Given that the forests provide their supplies and natural defense, there will come a time when the forests will no longer be sufficient to sustain their ranks and their cause.

Bandit: Master Liger, what of these 3 miscreants from the royal army? Do we imprison or feed to the wolves and vultures? 

Liger did not think twice with his decision 

Liger: Surely they can fight as they had a cause. They told me upon pleading for their lives that they merely joined for family. They can wield arms. I say we integrate them into our numbers, but the minute they turn tail, we have ways to deal with their insubordination should we come to that. Am I understood? 

The 3 new members nodded in agreement and are now integrated to the movement.

Liger knew of the danger, but he was only one part of a looming threat over the Corrvin Empire's regime. There are those who have taken upon themselves to resist the regime's wanton use of violence in the name of security. But given the incident from earlier, Liger knew that he had to heighten their security as Corrvin will find out sooner or later that his legion may become the next victims to be put down.

And unfortunately, that fate may be near as sniper falcons have returned to their masters and informed Liger that a 50 man troop of Corrvin's forces have arrived to the forest as they were led by the general who was able to see Liger and Pattou resist arrest. Apart from their swords, the Corrvin troops had some torches ready to smoke out the rebels should it come to that. Liger would see smoke from afar and knew that the contingent is deadly serious in wanting them wiped out. He would send out his sniper falcon to the direction of the smoke and informed his legion that they had better prepare and snipe afar to ensure that the forest, their home and defenses, will remain intact and safe. Liger himself however will follow in the front lines as he needed to awaken his friend.

Pattou had only gotten some hours of sleep but was awoken by the commotion of footsteps and falcon shrieks. Liger then reaches the hut and tells him

Liger: Pattou, my apologies for awakening you at this hour but I will be needing your assistance. The Corrvin army is back and per the scouts, they were led by that general who tried to arrest us. Can I count on your sword arm to see us through this defense? 

Pattou, out of the urgency of the situation, replied with a brief, 

Pattou: Yes. Let us go 

Liger had then placed Pattou along with the 3 newcomers and some axe wielding bandits to be the ambush troops, while he himself along with the other snipers will be tasked to provide covering fire from afar and on the tree tops.

Corrvin's men had already stepped into the forest, with the torch men readying at any minute to commence their smoke out tactic. Their advance however was met with arrows flying to either blind, disarm or destroy them. Some of the soldiers however were still able to advance due to their armor and swords. Upon discovering snipers atop trees, the soldiers instead used their swords to attempt to cut the trees. 

However, from the bushes spring forth some bandits who would stop their attempt to cut the trees. This had left the leader of the troops to resort to the smoke out tactic but was then met with an ambush combination of axes and arrows as covering fire. The general, who had witnessed the resistance to arrest earlier is now left with a few men standing in the cover of darkness and nature. This led to the last of the ambush troops, now led by Pattou to finish the job.

The general sheathed his sword and proudly declared,

Corrvin General: You interlopers will fall to my blade. I shall become the hero of this era!

The general then charged at Pattou while his subordinates are dealing with the other ambush troops. Liger for the meantime was able to find some of the living from the enemy and had tasked the snipers and other axe rogues to gather them.

Pattou had wielded his Wanderer's blade and struck at the general with such swordsmanship, as if it were second nature. The general in a desperate attempt threw some dirt in the direction of Pattou and was able to get match his moves. Pattou still trying to rub the dirt off his face is now on all fours while the general was about to end Pattou's life with one fell swoop. 

Out of nowhere, the general would see his blade stuck in between Katar blades. This mysterious warrior would then use his speed to disarm and in the end, slay the general. While Pattou was able to wipe the dirt off his face, he was surprised to see a figure in the dark walking towards him. This dark figure was coming close to Pattou, as a result Pattou was scratching the dirt finding his sword, only for this figure to give the sword to him. The figure then saw the necklace on Pattou's neck and had said, 

?: So you do live

The figure then stretches his hand out to help Pattou up.

Pattou was shocked by his statement and points the blade at the figure, the figure then tells him,

?:  Be not afraid. Know that I am on your side, Young Master Patriarch Blade.

That was Chapter 2. Feel free to comment and until the next chapter comes out.

See ya!