9 Chapter 9

As I hoisted Brutus onto his horse he thanked me as I got onto mine and I began to steer my horse over to Shin Yu Quan and Marquis Brutus trailed behind me. "Is everyone ready?" "After you Cher." Shin just nodded silently. "Then let's ride." As we left out of the compound's gates in a huff and thunder crashed overhead as freezing rain began to pelt our cloaks. We made it to a meadow when fireballs, arrows and cannon balls began to barrage our position. "Cher! Take cover beyond the tree line!" "Shin, where are you going my friend?" Marquis shouted through the howling winds. "You two progress forward I will handle them!" Shin stood up and jumped off his black stallion and manifested a strange gauntlet and flicked the fireball and it exploded. "SHIN!"

I tried to go after him but Marquis held me back. "Let me go! I need to get him!" "Calm down Cher, Just look." As the smoke cleared I could just barely make out Shin just standing there as his horse whinnied beside him. "Shin, but how." That's when someone with some strange clothes and a weird hat appeared just at the hill. The British soldiers and The witches began to retreat but not the strangely dressed man. "This is bad..." Brutus whispered. "What do you mean?" "I don't sense any faith or hatred in them they're unreadable but they seem strong as Charles and Lady Agatha combined. "Who are you? Man on the Hill?" You all may call me Mr.Rain. I've come to face the one you call Jehanne D'Arc.Please allow me to see her power."

The stranger bowed and took off his hat. His breathtaking silver-like eyes and his curly black hair bounced as he fixed it. His physic is built as a viking of old yet tall like 7'7 or so his long well kept beard blew in the wind as it passed by. He stroked his beard as his skin was a glistening milk chocolate golden as the evening setting sun touched him. A scar across his face. "I'm sorry but Miss D'Arc isn't available you will be dealing with me." "Well you sure seem strong so let's begin but don't worry I'll keep ya breathing." Shin and Mr. Rain stood there sizing each other up neither one budging an inch that is until Shin vanished then reappeared flicked his index forward causing a huge sound sonic wave at Mr. Rain as the dust settled Mr. Rain just dusted off his cloak and dashed forward then slammed the palm of his hand into Shin as he coughed up blood and skidded back and gripped his torso. (Did he crack my left ribs.) Mr. Rain began to dance as he readied for the next attack. "We have to go now while Shin is distracting Mr. Rain." Brutus whispered into my ear.

"Right." We got back on our horses and began to head over the hill. Mr. Rain looked at Jehanne D'Arc and Brutus and disappeared and reappeared knocking Brutus off his horse and he gracefully wrangled my horse back towards him I was caught in his gaze next thing I knew I was on the ground. "Forgive me for the intrusion and unwanted contact Miss D'Arc. I just had to see how your beauty compares to the stories and in all honesty they don't do you justice."

I could barely speak let alone move as his sultry voice was like melted butter in my ears. He picked up my hand and kissed it as he smiled softly. "Oh I see you got hurt may I take a look at your wound." He touched my cheek and revealed blood on his finger. "Uh, su-sure." "My heart thanks you." Mr. Rain began to dress my wound as he finished. He looked up at the night sky. "Do you enjoy looking up at the stars?" I asked.

"Some say the best beauty comes from the day time because that's when we can see everything around us. But I believe the truest beauty lies at night it's mysterious, scary, adventurous, it's unknown but what completes the entirety of it all. It's the moon the brightest and prettiest thing I've ever seen at least next to your own beauty but that should go without saying." He smiled at me and his eyes were searching through my very soul.