Blade

Standing on the edge. I always seem to be standing on the edge.

I was not looking for this fight, they always seem to find me though. I list my options quickly, I know I only have moments to act, and as usual it does not take long to size up the situation. The three of them were there to kill me and I only had my sword and wits to prevent that.

The moment hung in the air like a change in the weather. I know the effect of my dark cloak moving in the air and my black hair shifting slightly in the breeze, making me seem a creature of the night. I had hoped it would of giving at least one of them pause. But then the first sword sliced the air to my left, as I quickly dodged the impetuous move and set my plan in motion.

Each step seemed to blur in the action of real time, but played out slowly and precisely in my mind. I saw how I rounded on short fast Ugly 1, catching his shoulder in a long cutting swipe causing him to drop his sword as he gripped his bleeding wound. First blood always gets their attention; their thoughts, like many before them, were that I would be an easy target due to my gender, and that my skill with the blade would not even compare to theirs. I am trying my best to make that first thought their very last action. As Ugly 1 staggered back, Ugly 2 gave me a thoughtful nod. He thought he was gonna think his way out of this, unlike his premature friend.

Uglier 3 took the moment to show of his impatience as well. Bending out of the way of an intended strike while keeping my balance tapped only a quarter of my skill, and I did it easily to Uglier's sweep. Shifting my weight my blade glided on it's course. Uglier's loss of his ear did not much improve his looks, but fueled his anger and more opportunities for him to make mistakes. As he rushed me I readied myself for what was next, turning my upward slice across his belly, carving an exit for Uglier's viscera to rush to the ground before him. Ugly 2 thought he had a plan until he witnessed my strength, so he let Ugly 1 make his last move.

Though he was faster than the other two, he was disabled to only using his dagger, I let a small smile play across my face, probably the coldest one he had ever seen. Sending in his best attack and thrust, I quickly transferred his speed into the unseen tip of my sword as I lodged it through his neck. Grabbing my baselard, I kicked Ugly 1 off my sword and turn to the attack coming from 2 who has waited his turn. Deflecting the blow, I swung around and caused him to spin onto my sword. It's that look I get, the one that says how did such a sweet creature as yourself cause my end, that makes this move one of my favorites.

A bit of smoke drifted over what was left of the battle field. I turned on my heel and made my way to where I had left Jaklin. One of the best battle beasts I had the luck to work with, he has never failed to feel and anticipate my next move, never wandered off while I dispatched the unfortunate. At one soft command, Jaklin started our journey to the nearest rest stop.