บท 7: A Contract to be broken.

While the man was paying more attention on getting out the small wooden box, I managed to get a lot closer.

"Are there any more of our family near here? You might want to introduce us." I offer to him, checking if there are any more hidden people waiting to attack us. The amount of ambushes I got screwed over by were uncountable back when I was in gangs. I can't afford to make a mistake with Elyn nearby.

I walk towards him, slowing down as he glances back up again with a small box in his hand, standing a few meters away from him he looks at me and throws the box towards me.

"Put on the gift and I can take you to the leader.." He begins to speak but before he can finish I rush him down, taking long strides hoping to catch him before he can respond.

The problem for me, is that he is a trained fighter and I'm not. In a split second he goes to draw the bow he was holding, drawing it to shoot me in the chest. I dive trying to go for his legs.

I slip barely under the arrow he was aiming at my chest, stumbling as I dash to block his next shot. He goes to grab a knife by his waist but by the time he has a hold of the handle I stab forward with my knife at his upper right arm.

That was my first mistake, but I tried to make sure my next move wasn't one. reaching my leg forward to catch his ankle I manage to make him trip as he stepped backwards I stab again at his stomach, making sure to actually do more than cripple a limb, I stab a few times before rolling away trying to not be hurt myself.

My jacket covered in a bit of his blood from where I cut his right arm. He howls in pain while trying to grab his knife with his left hand instead. I glance over my shoulder to find Elyn safe and then direct my attention at him again. He crawls to his feet, when I go to kick him he tries to slash at me, thankfully it caught my clothing but now I have a hole in my right jean leg. I decide against kicking him again.

There is only one thing I can try. I try to quickly focus on the ground beneath him, trying to picture the plants around him holding him down. Forcing my mind into the plants I force them awake and moving, I can feel myself feeling sick, but hold back from collapsing to trap him.

After a small period of struggling, he ends up covered in plants face down on the ground. Taking no chances I move around to his legs and start cutting away at them a bit to limit his movement should he try to flee. Trying to make him unable to move, I walk to his right arm stamping on his hand and start cutting at the joints in anger and partly fear.

Exhausted I sit down near him watching his movement as I recover my breath. Thanking that I'm not afraid of blood and violence. The voice sounds once again in my head like an annoying mosquito buzzing near my ear.

- -

Skill discovered: Bladed Weapons (Knife)

Resulting grade: Adept [26]

- -

I sigh as I collect myself, cleaning up a bit before stabbing the unmoving mans neck and cleaning the blade on the plants that cover him.

I go back to Elyn knowing she wasn't harmed in the middle of this.

"Ellie, next time I think if that happens, I want you to duck on the ground, it might be dangerous if you stand there even though you were a good girl" I pat her head softly and give her a hug as I praise her.

After that whole encounter, I decide to take a few more minutes to rest as Elyn complains about the hole in my jeans. Afterwards we head to the city sitting on the golden horizon.