Through the darkness, RIdley led the small family through the hard winter night. Up the trail they went, taking quick glances behind them every few hundred feet. Not a soul was following them. When they finally got to the area where Ridley had originally met the tall man, he was greeted with the stillness of the wind. He looked around frantically. He looked down and spotted to stale piece of bread half buried in the snow. He sighed in relief he wasn’t lost. Then a large shadowy figure appeared from the trees. The family huddled and shifted away from the shadowy figure. Ridley drew his sword and held the lantern out, shining light on the figure.

It wasn’t just one figure. It was Tolmanak and the tall man. Tolmanak had chains wrapped around the tall man’s throat. Fresh bruises and cuts could be seen on the tall man’s face and arms. Tolmanak also looked like he was smack by a tree branch as his suit wasn’t so clean and his hat had a twing jammed into it.

“Ridley...my boy. You really should have just done as you were told.” Tolmanak started. “I would have given you gold, I would have had my cargo and you would have had a wonderful evening.” Tolmanak said with an evil grin. Ridley raised his sword to Tolmanak.

“Let him go.” He said firmly. Tolmanak gave a laugh.

“Him? Tolmanak questioned. “It...it’s property and nothing more.” Tolmanak said as he tugged on the chain wrapped around the tall man’s throat. The tall man let out a groan as he collapsed to the snowy ground. Ridley let out a loud grunt.

“Goddamn it, stop this shit! How the hell can you keep doing this? This is wrong, very wrong and you’re a rotten pile of shit for going about it. These are people you idiot. You crazed gibface.” Ridley shouted with frustration in his voice. Tolmanak only gave a slight shrug in response, his face unchanged.

“I’ve heard all of this before. Your words and pleas mean nothing to me. I do what I want, I have the power to do what I want and what I want now is for you to drop your sword.” Tolmanak said as he raised his empty hand. In a flash a bright orange flame burst forth and took the shape of a flaming sword. “Either drop the sword or I kill this one and the rest of them and then when you are filled with regret and grief I will kill you too.”

“Holy shit. This guy is mad as hops.” Ridley thought to himself.

“Mad as hops?” Tolmanak said. Ridley’s eyes widen with terror. “What does that even mean?”

“It means...that I can’t win this if he can read my thoughts.” Ridley thought to himself as he stabbed the sword into the snow. Tolmanak’s grin widened into a vicious smile of terror and delight. A low laugh came spewing out between his lips.

“Smart boy. Perhaps one day you’ll become a man.” Tolmanak said as he started to shift his way around Ridley, dragging the man with him towards the small family. Ridley started to move away from Tolmanak, rage started to fill his eyes. He heard the cries of panic from the small family.

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“Yes. I know what you are feeling. I can hear your thoughts. I knew exactly where my cargo was after you went into the inn.” Tolmanak said. His gold ring shined from the light of the lantern. “I can even see into your deepest desires.” Tolmanak said as he stepped in between Ridley and his sword. “You miss your family. Your precious little sister and dear old daddy. And now. Oh my you are angry.”

Ridley felt an unimaginable rage start to boil inside him. He felt like a helpless animal caught in a trap. He tried not to think of a way out. Anything he would think of, Tolmanak would sense it immediately.

“I shall take my cargo and banish you from the city. Don’t worry. The cold here will kill you before the wolves do.” Tolmanak said as he turned towards the small family. He stopped for a moment and stared curiously at Ridley’s sword. The sword slightly twitched in the snow.

“Hello there.” Tolmanak said with surprise.

“The sword! A…’Blade’?” Ridley thought to himself but immediately stopped himself from thinking of anything else. He suddenly got a funny feeling whirling inside of him; an epiphany. Something just clicked and a familiar voice gently crept into his ear that said, “Ding.”

“What about the sword?” Tolmanak said as he turned and faced Ridley, who at this point had a puzzled look on his face.

“Can it be? No...can’t be.” Ridley thought to himself. Tolmanak’s face became covered in frustration.

“What!?” He shouted. Ridley relaxed his shoulders and started at Tolmanak.

“Blessed are the first. Slow are the second. Playful are the third. Bold are the fourth. Brave is the fifth. Oh Leaf you son of a bitch.” Ridley thought to himself.

“I demand that you tell me who this Leaf is!” Tolmanak shouted. Ridley turned to him and only gave a grin. His mind was silent. And then he held out his hand.

“I would like my sword back now please.” He said with a devilish grin.

Tolmanak didn’t see it coming. He was facing Ridley when it happened. The sword leap from the snow at lighting speed and hit hard into Tolmanak’s back. The man spun as the sword’s hilt impacted his spine and he landed face first into the snow. The flame sword he conjured now went out and the chain he was holding was released from his grip.The sword landed in Ridley’s hand softly this time after losing most of its momentum from impacting Tolmanak’s back.

Ridley, with the sword in hand, leaped over Tolmanak’s body and stood between the family with his sword pointing at Tolmanak.

Tolmanak looked up with anger in his eyes. Ridley was at a loss for words but his face revealed a confidant, taunting expression. Tolmanak let out a roar of anger, rolled away and stood up with his fingers arched. Lighting began forming in the palms of his hand and suddenly that confidant look on Ridley’s face suddenly turned to doubt and fear but he did not waver. He suddenly felt direction coming from the sword, it was telling him to remain still.

The lighting arch across the air and collided with Ridley’s sword. There was a burst of light but it suddenly ceased. The air felt strange all around them. Ridley could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. No other signs of disturbance. The sword had absorbed the lighting blast. Ridley looked at the sword with shock and awe and then the confident look sprang back on his face.

“A cheeky toy you have there.” Tolmanak said with a disgruntled look on his face. “But how is your swordplay?” And as he stood up, with a flick of his hand the flaming sword ignited once again.

Ridley could feel his heart race with fear. The heat emitting from the blade could be felt gently brushing against his cheek. But a feeling suddenly washed over him, as if someone was telling him, ‘Trust me.’ Ridley didn’t know exactly what to do but suddenly the sword in his hand carefully guided him as Tolmanak lunged after him.