Chapter 37 The Last Leaf to Fall
I swung my rope dart at my side, my weapon whistling as I stood my ground. I growled, “Nothing ‘fun’ is about to happen here.”
The duel-wielder snorted. “Come now, I’d hate to ruin such a pretty face. Tell you what, put that little knife down, and come back with me as my concubine. I’ll take real good care of you. You can sit on my lap all day and night. A little lady like you has no business out here—” He fell silent as I kicked my dart forward and it cut his cheek before flying back into my hand.
“Watch your mouth!” I snarled, pointing my dart at him. “I’m a knight, not some harlot for hire!”
His smirk remained, but his brown eyes darkened, sending chills across my skin. “So you’re saying these men are your equals? Very well, lady knight. You will be treated as such.”
He got into his foreign attack stance, and I mimicked the attack stance Jackson had taught me.
I still can’t find Jackson. Can I really fight this guy..?
The bandit was far taller than me and double my mass. My self-doubt burrowed its way back into my heart, crippling my confidence.
I’m not good enough. I can’t do this. I can’t beat him—
I shrieked when the duel-wielder lunged forward, and I narrowly dodged him, receiving a cut to my cheek.
“Where did that fire go, huh?” he mocked, relentlessly attacking. I dodged each one, grazing screeching lines across my armor. If not for Robin’s honed reflexes, I would’ve been dismembered. Each step taken on my toes. A split-second delay would send his swords plunging through my gut.
I twirled and leapt from side to side, evading his attacks. My gaze darted over his body, but his whirlwind of blades left me no opening for my attack.
The other knights were locked in intense combat, leaving none to come to my aid. Cedric tried to come to my rescue, but even he was blocked off by several bandits. By the time I spotted Jackson, he was surrounded by multiple bandits again.
Heavy footsteps and a battle cry charged at me from behind. The duel-wielder’s eyes snapped over my shoulder and he snarled, “Back off, she’s mine!”
The duel-wielder’s attacks slowed.
Now!
I kicked my dart forward, stabbing him in the thigh. He cried out in pain as I yanked my dart back into my hand. He fell to one knee, gripping his thigh. His pants gradually became soaked, turning red. But with a strained breath, he forced himself onto his feet again. A dark grin twisted his lips.
“You’ve got good aim, little girl,” he muttered.
My jaw clenched. I didn’t expect him to shoulder off such a deep wound. My gaze darted over his body again as I swung my weapon, looking for a way to disable him.
Disarm him.
The man panted, his movements slowing from blood loss. I kicked my rope dart forward, wrapping his swords together. As I yanked his swords away, at the last second, he ripped them free, snapping the rope. My dart took flight and stabbed the ground.
My face fell in shock, glancing down at my broken weapon. I’m the one disarmed. My blood ran cold as my gaze shot back to the bandit. A sickening grin stretched across his face.
“I was waiting for you to do that. You’re not as clever as you think,” he said, and pointed his sword at me. “You’re mine now, woman.”
The rope slipped from my fingers as my breath shook. I shrieked when he lunged at me. I ducked when he swung at me, slicing a lock of my hair in half. He kicked my torso, knocking the wind from my lungs and sending me rolling across the ground. I coughed and groaned in pain, holding my throbbing stomach. The world swayed around me, my vision fading in and out.
The bandit huffed, wiping his mouth before walking up to me. His heavy steps grew louder as he neared.
“You should’ve taken my offer. You have no place out here, and your death will be in vain,” he mocked. “You’re nothing but a cocky child if you thought you stood a chance out here. Women belong in the kitchen and in our beds, feeding us and spreading their legs for us whenever we demand it. Their only importance is to continue our bloodline.”
My blood boiled, vision turning red. How dare this disgusting bastard…! My aching stomach prevented me from screaming my words. Instead, I spat at his feet; my fierce glare burned with defiance.
His face twisted into a scowl. “I’ll teach you your place—starting by taking off your armor and then your clothes.”
His steps quickened, and I hurriedly glanced around. I spotted my rope’s dart sticking out of the ground and I crawled as fast as I could, my nails clawing into the hard ground.
“Whether a tool, a toy, or even a figurehead, women are meant to be used,” he snarled, raising his sword. “A pawn!”
I snatched the dart and spun around. “I’m a KNIGHT!” I roared, swinging my weapon. It stabbed deep into his neck as his sword stabbed the ground next to my head, nicking my ear. His blood splattered my face. Our eyes went wide with shock, and I released the dart. It remained dug in his neck as he stumbled backward, his voice gurgled on blood before he collapsed.
I— I… I killed him…
My breath quivered as I looked down at my trembling, bloody hands.
I just killed someone—
His sudden, gurgled gasp made me jump, watching him with wide eyes. I was shocked he was still breathing with how deep the dart was. Blood flowed from his mouth. I could tell he didn’t have long.
“D… Damn woman…” he breathed, bloody teeth bared as he glared up at the cloudy sky, the dying light in his eyes full of rage and regret. “Tricked us… I told the dumb bastard… not to trust her… Shit—” he coughed up blood. “I knew… she’d betray us. Liar…”
The defeat in his eyes and despair in his voice brought back the memory of Dale—the baker who was wronged and paid the ultimate price. Backed into a corner. Push came to shove. It wasn’t his fault.
My throat tightened, my body moving on its own, rushing to his side. His dull gaze drifted from the sky to my face as I dropped to my knees.
What do I do??
My shaky hands gripped the dart and carefully pulled it out. Blood flowed out like an opened wine bottle. The man groaned, eyes rolling back. “I—I’m sorry!” I breathed, holding his wound tightly, but blood still seeped between my fingers. Tears slid down my cheeks. “I’m so sorry…”
The bandit watched me before grabbing my hand, removing it from his neck. He croaked weakly, “Those who live by the blade… die by the blade… Remember that, lady knight.”
My head hung, helplessly watching the blood flow. My teardrops landed on his cheek. Sunlight peeked through the clouds.
He stared into my eyes, and the light in his eyes flickered as his jaw clenched. He wheezed, “The leader is at the dam. He plans to raid Embercrest. His…” The light in his eyes faded with his breath.
I stared down at him, gulped, and nudged him. “H—hello…?” I whispered, but he didn’t respond.