Death would come by swords today. Whether it was by mine or theirs, the next few breaths would determine the outcome.
I saw the smirks cross their faces as they glanced at one another. Slightly laughing at what they had found, thinking good fortune had blessed them. That it was luck they had stumbled into a cave seeking refuge from the chaos of the Army of Darkness.
I knew what they saw when they looked at me. A defenseless girl, covered in rags, equipped with rusty cooking gear. Easy prey for those on the hunt for more than meat on a fire.
Though many things had changed, most stayed the same. The grisly behavior of unsavory men, for instance. That hadn’t changed, and with the realm divided into war, it wouldn’t any time soon. I had changed, and these decorated thieves were about to find out just how much.
Cod pieces, the three of them. They saw only what they wanted--a fresh body to be soiled and discarded. Their tunnel vision and need for evil deeds would be their undoing. Today, good fortune would not be a blessing for them. No, this day, they will meet death.
What was unknown to them, as they made their advance, was a benefit in my favor. Years ago, I traded in my gown for armor, my scrub brushes for swords and daggers, and my innocence for life lessons.
They spotted the slits in my dress, but not the knives strapped to my thighs. One even commented on the fullness of my chest but was unaware of the dagger hidden within. When they advanced, to begin the dance of dominance, they never spotted the sword covered by my bedroll.
While they were herding me, they did not know I was taking the lead. Corralling them to my rage-filled dance floor. With years of training, my steps were already choreographed, the steady beat of my heart, my battle song.
I let loose the pans I had been holding, hot stew spilling between us. The metal pans bouncing against the rock set the war drums in motion.
The battle had begun.
They paced my steps, and soiled the air, as foul comments passed their lips. While they wasted their breath, I counted mine.
I feigned a fall to the floor, my hand covertly slipping beneath my sleeping cloth. They laughed, but I struck. I wasted no time pulling my sword and slicing at the legs of the men towering above me. They yelled in pain, scrambling for their weapons. I flung my dagger, ending the fight for the one to the left. I spun, sword in hand, and opened the throat of the man before me.
Now, I stood, face to face, with the only one left. His words were cursed, but his confidence was shaken. Surprise had gotten the better of him, and so did a woman. His gaze darted to the dead men at my feet, then up at me. I smiled, showing my teeth. I had him dead to rights, and he knew it too.
He glanced at the entrance of the cave. I stood between him and his escape. This man, so sure of the outcome a few moments ago, fidgeted nervously as he tried to work it out, balancing his options. I waited to see what he would do. I offered no comment or dialogue to encourage or discourage his plan. Whatever that turned out to be. When he moved, I matched him, keeping myself in the way.
Finally, with no good alternative left to him, he glanced at me and tossed his sword away. He followed this by dropping to his knees and bowing his head in defeat. His words were sorrowful, his eyes filled with tears.
“Please, don’t kill me. I didn’t mean it,” he pleaded.
I laughed. “Yes, you did. I saw in your eyes, and your friend’s, what the three of you meant to do.”
He begged, his hands folded as if he were in prayer, “Please, I beg you. I am unarmed, and mean you no further harm.”
I kept my sword at the ready, lest he get any wicked ideas. That was a lesson I only needed to learn once. I still bore the scar across my chest, as a reminder. I let him sputter on about death, and how he deserved to live, as I thought about what to do. I couldn’t kill him; he was unarmed. Well, I could, but that would certainly put a black mark on my white soul. Of course, if I let him go, he could just sneak back in and try again later.
Decisions. Decisions.
I had a plan. I wouldn’t have to kill him and could put something else at the forefront of his brain, aside from revenge.
“Stand,” I demanded.
More sputtering and prayers, but he did as instructed.
I motioned with my sword, “Drop all of your belongings into a pile, over there.”
The expression that laced his face was one of horror. As if parting with his belongings was worse than death itself. Incoherent curses flew past his lips in a fevered frenzy. His soft demeanor gained strength as his anger grew.
When his weapons, belts, and coins were scattered at my feet, I spoke again.
“I’ll be needing those clothes as well.”
“What?” he yelled. “You mean to disarm, and disgrace me?”
I shook my head. “Disgrace, or death, your choice. It was certainly nothing to you when you chose to enter here, with the intent of leaving me to be disgraced. Now, hand them over.”
“My lady...”
“Oh, My Lady, is it now?”
He moved on with his objection, ignoring my comment.
“...I will catch my death out there, in this weather...”
“You almost caught your death in here. At this moment, you have better odds out there. I am losing my patience, and rethinking letting you live.”
It felt weird and uncomfortable watching him, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I compromised with myself and just kept an eye on his movements and the shadows, out of the corner of my eye.
“You can keep those under clothes. I won’t be needing those.” I said quickly before he could expose himself fully.
Once he was down to his skivvies and bare feet, I set him on his way. Though he groveled the entire time, he went, nonetheless. Even if it was almost at the state of a tyrannical toddler.
Keeping to the shadows of the opening, I watched him trek through the muddy terrain, weaving his way through the trees, until he was gone. When I could see him no more, and my ears could no longer hear, I finally lowered my sword.
I was sure he would be back, but it wouldn’t be soon. Either way, it was time to leave. This cave had served its purpose, and now, it was time to move on. I dressed in my armor and headed out.
The Army of Darkness would be arriving soon, and with them, the HiSkale.