The night was quiet along the edges of the village but Protector was still keeping a vigilant watch, his eyes keen enough to penetrate the little light the campfires gave off. Nothing moved every beast and bird was still, Safely sleeping in their nest or hole. He still kept a close eye out runners have claimed raids on nearby tribes and Protector was going to let his village be caught off guard. He crept his hand up to the hilt of his bastard sword on his back and then felt the short sword at his hip, the only inheritance he had from his father The Wanderer; Little Sister and Strength. Though he never understood why his father traveled and left his home, customs and all that which was familiar behind but still he cherished those weapons greatly. Since he owned them they had given him no taste of defeat. He hoped if the raiders come this would still hold true. . .
Protector looked up at the sky the moon was a little over halfway across the night’s path. “Only another hour or so and I can sleep” he quietly mumbled to himself. He quit his pacing and leaned up against an oak tree small bowls with smaller candles in them hung from the branches of the tree, the candles had all but burnt out in the late hour and would be replaced by the one who would take Protectors place. He dug his bare feet into the soft soil and dead leaves it felt cool and wet and calmed him. His eyes scanned the trees, something didn’t seem right but he wasn’t quite sure what it was. Then it hit him. The crickets, the frogs, and the owls! All the nocturnal animals were silent! What was it? What could make all those creatures suddenly stop their noise? Then his ears picked it up: the notch, draw back and release. Protector dropped to the ground just as an arrow hit the tree where his head had just been. He jumped to his feet and took off towards the attacker drawing the swords in his hand, Strength in his right and little sister in his left he veered left just as another arrow flew by, the archer was close then he saw him, he was in a black cloak and clothes the only thing that gave him away was a metallic brooch on the cloak reflected in the moonlight. “There!” he said under his breath he swerved towards him flanking the archer but he was prepared for such a move and dropped his bow and produced a rapier from within the folds of the cloak. Lunging towards Protector, he parried and countered with a cross from little sister the assassin raised his hand and blocked it with his right forearm. He’s strong! Protector thought, almost losing his footing as the force of his blow recoiled throughout his arm and torso. I won’t make that mistake again; he thought and slashed with Strength at the assassins solar plexus. He jumped back and lunged for Protector’s heart “Ha!” Protector yelled as he sidestepped the move and stabbed with his left at his opponent’s chest, he parried and struck protectors chest with his right fist. Winded Protector kicked out his leg and attempted to trip up the assassin. He stepped into it just as Protector pulled his foot back in. The assassin fell backwards just as the hilt of little sister tapped his temple knocking him unconscious. Protector sighed in relief knowing victory was his. He took the hood off his opponent to see his would be assassin; he was a she, long silk like brown hair tied back in a ponytail. “Well then . . . this changes things” Protector said
* * *
She woke up with a pounding headache, trying to get up she realized her hands and feet were bound and her mouth gagged. Her armor and weapons gone left in nothing but leggings and her undershirt. Quickly surveying her surroundings she was in some crevice with a wide mouth, a small pool of water on the north west end from a water fall about six feet high.
“Well glad to see you’re awake finally” a man said. She looked up to see him he stood about the same height as the waterfall at by his feet, short messy brown hair, and sharp hazel eyes, his back and hip carried swords and a dagger strapped to his calf, he wore no armor at all only loose cotton or wool clothes, he was even barefoot!! He smiled a crooked smile that seemed almost like a child’s, a cocky child. He spoke with a serious but caring tenor, “I suppose you’d like to be able to speak right?” she nodded. “Fine but don’t scream, no one can hear you and there is no point and wasting a rather calm and quiet morning understood?” again she nodded “Good” he said as he jumped down and took the gag out off her mouth. “Now on to more pressing matters, who are you and why are you here?” the smirk was gone. “Isn’t that a little cliché?” she asked. He smiled for a brief moment “yes but they’re the most important questions right now so the deserve to be answered first next we’ll discuss what to do with you”
“If you really do have to ask” she said “My name is Rose, what is yours?”
“Protector” he responded
“You’re kidding?” Rose raised an eyebrow.
“No I am not I am a guardian of the village so my name is Protector, now why did you try to kill me?”
“I was hired to but that isn’t important anymore” she said looking off to the pool of water.
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t return this morning therefore I am assumed dead and where the dagger fails the broadsword succeeds”
“Meaning?” his turn to raise an eyebrow
“They’re sending in an army for your ass” She said smirking looking Protector Right in the eye.
“Who are they?” he clutched the hilt of his short sword.
“My employer, he paid a good amount to ensure your families death”
“Why my family? I have only two brothers. And none of us have left the woods” he said kneeling down to her level.
Smiling at him “the sins of the father are paid for by the son.”
“My father?!”
“Yes, from what I know your father did something to piss off my boss and since he is dead he is taking out his anger on you and your kin.” Protector looked over at the waterfall deep in thought. Finally he spoke. “When is this army supposed to get here?”
“Within a month if they march everyday starting today”
“Where can I find your employer?!” he said anger seeping into his voice.
“I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to, I was contacted and paid through a middle man.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“Yes”
“Tell me?”
“No”
“Then take me”
“What?”
“I didn’t stutter, I want to meet your boss I want this settled away from my home”
“You’ll be killed for sure!” she looked at him as if he had gone mad, he might as well have been. She knew what kind of man “Protector” was messing’ with he couldn’t just knock on his door and expect diplomacy! Who was this guy?
“That maybe but I don’t want my family put in danger thanks to my father”
“Fair enough but I can’t well take you to him tie up and all but naked!” Protector jumped out the crevice and kick her gear back in, bundled up nicely. He jumped back in pulling his dagger out he cut her bonds and offered her a hand up she knocked it off as she stood stretching her tense muscles. “Do NOT do that again” she said to him “only if you give me no reason to” He chuckled. What is with this man? She thought he’s so strange.
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