The ones that entered, beat and in chains, were the mercenary that I encountered the first time I arrived. Thanks to their, far from gentle, actions I had the means to meet Llanfil and Ausas, so I wasn't particularly peeved. Also for my point of view three years had passed, for them the memory of me was still fresh so their expression was kind of refreshing for me.

Last time I saw them they were in far better condition, but, even without weapons and armours, I still recognized the whole group's component. When they passed near me, one by one, they all stared at my sat figure. Their reaction varied from stolen glances, to pure shocked expression.

Cawic, the chief of that band, closed the line but before him where the two people who looked the most beat of the bunch. They were the two that attacked me in the tunnel, the big, strong reptile-kin and the fast, slim bird-kin. They were also the most shocked to see me here, I thought they were also surprised for me being alive and all, but the bird-kin, I never learned his name, was the first to recover.

His facial features were deformed by few hit marks, but even so it was clear that from the initial astonishment he switched to a more feral expression. His intentions became clear when he came near me.

- It's all your fault! Why you didn't die you @#£$%&°!

He managed to free himself from the soldier that was watching him, For being what seemed elites they were doing a terrible job, and launched toward me. If the first time we meet I was untrained and unaware of the difference between gifted and humans, presently things were really different. In the meantime he was halfway into his attack, from his gaping mouth and bared teeth I predicted he was trying to bite me, I had all the time to thought of a solution.

I was still cuffed to the pole but I had enough degree of movements for what I decided. The best thing about the enhanced senses were that my mind, to assimilate all the information feed by vision and hearing, was capable of entering a state of "slowed time". What really happened was that only my perception of the surroundings were enhanced, but it still awed me like the first time I discovered that possibility.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

The bird-kin was also cuffed, a more simple looking chains compared to mine, but he was going straight for my neck. I still didn't have enough information, so I was going to play the safest I could. While still seated, and when his head was at arms length from me, I took advantage of his own momentum and, lightly slapping his face, made him kiss the wooden post.

A loud, honestly speaking satisfying for me, thud sound accompanied the meeting between his face and the pole. I thought I was going to need to act again, but maybe the hit rattled his brain too much or he was already at his limit, because he fainted on the spot.

In the few seconds the exchange took place all the eyes were focused on me, well I wasn't going to waste such an occasion. Also, thanks to the fact my senses were still on alert, I noticed that Athame exchanged a few fast glances with one of the soldier. One more entry on the list of her dubious actions, well better solve the mercenary problem first.

- Cawic, I thought you had more control over your men. Like I was trying to tell you last time, I am not your enemy, but the next attack will be the last. Did I make myself clear enough?

My declaration, bluffing wasn't my forte I know, made the seemingly frozen time run again. Especially the soldiers hurried to secure, almost tackle like, the rest of the men. The only words that crossed the jail's tense air were the one from Cawic.

- I understand.

Well at least he answered, but it became crystal clear to me that he was far more calculating than I thought.