CHAPTER 2: MIDNIGHT FIRE

Thane

“Dammit not again. I won’t lose again.”

“Of course you were going to lose, your arm hasn’t even fully healed yet”

That match with Bardon was not as close as it was when we last fought. Though fights with him are never boring to me. Even if he is a real asshole to others he doesn't like for no reason. I find he is different when we fight. To me, he seems truer to himself when he is fighting, more straightforward. I slow my breathing trying to catch my breath and with each exhale a white cloud covers my vision. Looking straight up to the sky the moon shines down on on the pond.

“Come on get up. We have to get back.”

Picking Bardon up we both slowly walk back home. I was curious to know why Bardon acted the way he did with everyone.

“Hey, why do you act like an asshole sometimes?”

“...”

“You don’t have to say anything I was just curious.”

We keep walking down the path. It was kind hard to walk on while supporting Bardon with all the stones embedded into the ground and larger ones lining the path.. Until I see two figures ahead of us. I couldn’t see in the darkness cast by the trees and their branches. There shouldn’t be anyone on this path.

“Who’s there?”

As soon as I call out to them. A bright is lit blinding me for a second. Adjusting my eyes to the bright light I look to towards the light. Just to realize I was panicked for no reason. It was just Alma and Ezra. I make my way towards them meeting them halfway.

“What are you guys doing here?”

Alma clearly not amused.

“Well, I heard you guys outside the building when Bardon called you out.”

“Yea it was mostly Bardon loud voice.”

Bardon glared at Ezra. He stared daggers at Ezra. Ezra then move moved back behind Alma.

"Anyways since you were going to fight again I brought some supplies with me."

Alma pulls out some bandages along with some her medicines out of the shoulder bag.

“Now sit here and let me take care of what we can here and head back.”

While Alma patches up Bardon I noticed Ezra walk to the side of the path.

“Hey, you alright?”

“Yea, yea. I'm okay.”

We both don’t say much for a minute. We both just stare at the winding path down the steep hill leading out of the forest until Ezra breaks the silence.

“It’s just why is he such an asshole all the time?”

He makes a quick check to see if Bardon heard him and continues.

“I'm mean come on why it always me?”

I really didn’t know how to respond to him. He never seemed to mind it much when it came to Bardon’s constant teasing I guess he reached his limit today.

“I just don’t want to deal with him anymore.”

I never saw him more disheartened before. I mostly thought of Bardon’s words as something not to take to heart and assumed Ezra didn’t. I guess he was really hurt by them.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Ezra, how about I talk to Bardon see what I can do. Though it probably would only end up in another fight.”

Ezra gives a soft smile.

"Let’s go back they should be done now.”

At the last second as I turn to go back I see a group of lights down the trail. I turn back and try to figure out what it could be.

“Ezra, do you see that?”

“See what?” He takes notice of the lights making their way up the path.

“I think it’s some merchants.”

“At this time of night?”

Ezra shrugs “Maybe?”

We stand there and watch as the parade of torch lights make their way up the path until they are right below us. That's when I notice that everyone single one of them is carrying weapons. I feel my heart sink for a moment. I grab Ezra’s arm and put a finger up to my lip.

“Don’t make a sound.”Whispering softly.

I walk as softly and quickly towards Alma and Bardon. As they notice me and Ezra coming back I motion to them not to make a sound. I get as close as possible to them and mouthed “Get to the bushes!”

Bardon usual expression made a quick change to a serious one. Without making any loud noise we hide just off the path in the trees. I look at everyone and they look at me scared and confused. I can feel my heart beating faster and harder as the lights from the torches got closer. We all hold our breaths as we watch the group pass us. All of them are wearing cloaks with hoods covering any distinctive features. They get what seemed like a considerable distance away.

“Seriously what is going on!” Ezra softly yelled

Bardon puts his hand over his mouth. We sat there wide-eyed. In the distance, we hear someone speak.

“Did ya hear something?”

“What... no, well it’s probably just some animals.”

“I’ll go and check it out. you guys start without me.”

“Alright.”

“Alright, you guys know what to do. Start by setting up the roadblock and we’ll start once we get the signal.”

Shit, Shit Shit. He’s coming over here.

“Guys, I’ll distract him you guys run back to the village and tell them whats going on.”

“Wait!”

I couldn’t let anyone stop me I had to get this guy as far away from them as possible. I jump out and run across the path in plain view.

“Hey over here!”

“I knew it! Hey, we got one over here.”

That’s right, come on. I'm right here.

“Idiot, what kind of kid jumps out and starts calling out to you. He has friends nearby, we don’t want any witnesses.”

“NO!”

I rushed the man in front of me and raise my practice sword bringing it down on top of his head. He rubs the spot I hit him with his free hand.

“Alright now you’re going to get it. Once I'm done with you. Ima gonna make sure you friends follow after.”

The man attacks with a downward swing. On reflex, I prepare myself to block. I understimat the sharpness of the blade as it cut through and almost through me if i didn’t jump back. Before I could realize it he grabs me by the head and slams it into the ground.

Bardon~

Goddammit hes knocked out. They’ll find us sooner than later or rather me. Fuck why am I so weak.

“Hey, Bardon what should we do?”

“Shut up!”

They’ll hear us. Why don’t you ever think?

“I know there someone here come out and I’ll make sure you die painlessly.”

What's the best possible outcome. Think, think!

“We should run, come on! I’ll carry you Bardon.”

“Shut up weakling! I'm done I'm staying and helping Thane.”

“Wait no, thats suici-”

I don’t need to hear that I know what I'm getting into.

“Alma you got any painkillers in that bag of yours.”

“Yea but-”

“Just hand them over.”

I can see she is reluctant to hand them over.

“Hurry!”

After taking the painkillers my whole body feels numb. I can’t really feel anything ugh it's kinda hard to walk.

“Now you guys can’t do anything here. So get out here weaklings.”

I stay hidden for a while longer making sure they escape.

“Come on out I know you're there.”

Gotta make sure he thinks I'm the only one. I hide my practice sword on the ground covering it with some plants. I whip up some fake tears and begin sobbing slowly walking out of my hiding place.

“Please ddoN’t kill me. I won’t tell anyone!”

I reveal myself to him. As I adjust my eyes to the torchlight he speaks.

“Oh good, now let gets started.”

Pulling a sword from his waist he brandishes his sword flaunting it almost.

“But now that you made me wait I'm gonna have some fun with you.”

Swinging his blade he aims for my face. I didn’t feel much of it but I could faintly tell there is a shallow cut on my cheek.

I continue with my acting while he makes his way closer smacking his lips to me replacing his sword with a knife. Wow, this guy is really a sicko.

Now he just a meter away I pick up my sword and aim for the throat. He gags produces a noise similar to a toads croak. Lucky for me he drops the knife and reaches with a hand for his throat. I stumble as I drop my weapon and go for the knife. As I get up with the knife in hand I look at him and scowling at me with murder in his eyes. Picking up my the sword I drop and in a desperate attempt I throw it at him and it hit him in the head. At that moment I charge in with the knife stabbing the knife in between the ribs. I twist the knife and blood begins to pour and splatter onto the ground.

“YOu BAstard!”

He manages to croak out a few words as he tries to pull out the knife.

“ahhhhhh!”

I pull out and stick it back in. Suddenly he stops, everything stops. All his weight is then put on top of me and I fall to the ground with his body on top. I notice the torch fall out of his hand into a bush.

“Ah shit!”