章節 4: Simon

They had chosen to hide behind a small ridge, overlooking a muddy path surrounded by the tall trees of the Kingswood. Simon had been gathering his thoughts when he felt Wenda move up next to him. "They're coming," she whispered, and Simon nodded. Taking his helmet from next to him, he glanced back at his compatriots, a large band of thirty men, all in ragtag armour. He grinned and raised his sword above his head, "Are you ready, men." They gave a suppressed cheer, causing Simon's grin to widen, and turning back to the road he put on his helmet.

It was only a minute later when Simon heard the sound of approaching horses. He crouched down further so as to not be spotted and next to him Wenda did the same. There must have been at least ten of them, causing Simon to grin, them, they could handle even if they were all trained knights. As they grew nearer he could hear that there was one more person among them, a girl. He frowned, the intel didn't state anything about a girl. But in the end, that didn't matter anyway, maybe they could ransom her off for a bit of money.

He could hear the group nearing their hiding spot and his heart began to race. His hand tightened around his longsword and he prepared himself mentally for the upcoming fight. They were nearly on top of them now, and could hear their conversation clearly. It was mostly banter but the girl kept giggling at the men's crude jokes. He sighed as the group passed under the ridge, the needless slaughter of innocent men saddened him but then again the people of the Kingswood needed the money.

"Charge!" he screamed, and with a loud cry, the band surged forward, Simon leading the attack. Sword in hand he lunged over the ridge, landing right next to a mounted knight with the sigil of house Cargyll on his surcoat. He saw the fear reflected in the man's eyes, but knew he couldn't hesitate and so, struck. The knight toppled off his horse, blood flowing from a wound in his armpit. Turning away from the man, Simon looked around, a lot of the knights were currently being either killed or subdued, but there was one who still stood firm. A tall man with full plate armour a sword and shield, bearing the sigil of house Langward.

The Knight, now on foot, was fighting off five of his men and had already killed two. Simon moved forward, ready to join the battle and slay the knight. But as he neared him he stopped as his eyes locked with the girl behind the man. He felt like she could see straight through him, her ice blue eyes sharp and vivid. He frowned, and shook himself, now was not a time to get distracted.

Advancing forward, he pushed one of his men out of the way and slashed at the knight, but his attack was blocked with the heater shield the man carried. The knight then struck at him, the blade passing only inches away from his chest. Simon let out a war cry and raising his sword above his head slashed down at the knight. But again the knight raised his shield, Simon didn't let up though and kept unleashing blows on the man.

It was sudden and unexpected, when the knight's shield finally fell allowing Simon's sword to hit the knight right between the neck and shoulder breaking the bone underneath, It was only then that he noticed that the man was already dead, a blade protruding from his throat. The blade then retracted, and the knight collapsed to the floor revealing the girl he had seen earlier, a bloody dagger clutched in both hands.

He raised an eyebrow, as he saw the clothes the girl was wearing. Dishevelled, dirty rags that looked like they hadn't been washed in weeks. Why would a group of highborn knights travel with a peasant girl? Had they forced her, so that she could keep them warm in bed? Simon knelt down before the girl and reaching out tried to remove the dagger from her grasp, but she didn't let go. He frowned, she had quite a bit of strength, enough to keep hold of the dagger at least.

Realising that the girl wouldn't release her blade he let go and placed both hands on his knee. "Are you alright?" he asked calmly. For a moment the girl just stared him dead in the eye, but then, "I'm fine." Simon smiled, "And what's your name, child?" She paused again, "Nalia, my name is Nalia." He grinned and stretched out a hand, "It's nice to meet you Nalia, I'm Simon, Simon Toyne, leader of the Kingswood Brotherhood."

Nalia's eyes widened, and Simon grinned, "So you've heard of us." She nodded fervently, causing a warm feeling to form in Simon's chest. Standing up, he looked up and down the road, he quickly spotted his closest companions, Oswyn and Wenda, who both came rushing over when they see him motioning to them. Reaching him first Oswyn with a bad bruise on his cheek asks, "What is it?" Simon didn't speak though, only answering when Wenda reached them. "I think I might have found ourselves a new member," He said, motioning towards Nalia.

Both their eyes widened and Wenda turned to Simon, "What are you thinking, she's way too young!" His eyes narrowed dangerously and he pointed at the dead knight, "She just killed a man with a single strike. I think, if we train her, she might become our strongest member, maybe even surpassing Ser Karron." Oswyn snorted and crouched down before Nalia, "You really think she could surpass him, I doubt she could even grow stronger than you." Simon turned away and looked down the road towards King's Landing, "We'll see."