Nice One

The first bandit attacked alongside his companion, one coming from the front and the other from the left. Instead of backing off, Esvor dashed forward, meeting the bandit in the middle. He dodged the bandit's attack with ease and plunged his sword into his face, the blade came out from the other side of the bandit's mouth. Esvor pushed against the bandit's stomach with his leg and pulled his sword back.

He put one knee on the ground and executed a 360-degree swing of his sword, slicing through the hands of the bandit who approached from his left. Just as the bandit opened his mouth to scream in pain and horror at his maimed hands, Esvor's sword found its mark and severed the bandit's head from his shoulders.

The other two attempted to flee the scene, but the Rebel-King was not about to let them escape. He ran after them, tackling one to the ground and slamming the other's head against the ship's walls with a forceful impact.

"Were you the ones harassing these poor people for those Lindworm's scales?" he demanded, gripping one bandit by the head while pressing his knee into the other's back, ensuring they couldn't escape. "Tell me!"

"N-no...we just asked them to lend us a few scales! I swear! We didn't harass anyone!"

"Liar!"

"I swear! I swear! Let us go! Plea –"

He thrust his sword into the bandit he held by the head, silencing him instantly. Then, he tightened his grip around the other man's throat. The bandit's face turned from normal to red, then purple, as he struggled for air. After a few agonizing moments, his body went limp.

The Rebel-King turned toward the girl, making sure she was safe. But the girl cowered, shielding her head in fear.

"How many times do I have to tell you, girl," he said, his voice softer now. "I won't hurt you. I can understand if you don't want me near you. That's fair. You can follow me to Redhaven. Does that sound good?"

"No... I have to bury my mother," she replied.

He sighed, sheathing his sword. "Okay. I'll help. Do you know where we can find a shovel?"

"I-I know… would you really help me?"

"Yeah… come on, where do you want her to be buried?"

After about half an hour, the grave was finally ready. Esvor carefully picked up the mother, her body wrapped in a blanket, and placed her in the grave. Then, he filled the grave as best as he could. The little girl watched nearby, her eyes still red from crying.

He wiped the sweat off his forehead and let the shovel hit the ground. It was done.

"Come on. Let's go."

"Will you really help me get to Redhav –"

"Ssh!"

Esvor crouched upon hearing some distant chatter. He sneaked his way through dense trees toward the voices. The little girl trailed behind, trying her best to be quiet.

"I told them to meet us here!" said a stranger. "These fucking idiots!"

"Boss, what if something happened to them?" another man asked.

"Everyone is dead. What do you mean by somet –"

The little girl accidentally stepped on a branch, a crackling sound rising in return. The one called 'boss' drew his bow and shot an arrow in the direction of the sound. The Rebel-King moved quickly, unsheathing his sword and blocking the arrow aimed at his throat.

Hiding would be pointless, so he stepped out from his cover.

Over twenty men were looking at Esvor, all ready to fight. The Rebel-King thought they'd be like the last group he encountered, but he quickly realized how wrong he was.

"Ooh," he said, clicking his tongue. "One, two, three, four..." He counted the rest of them silently. "Twenty-two bandits. That's... that's a lot. That is a… a lot."

"You…"

"Stop!" Esvor interjected. "Before you start, I'd like to say someth –"

Before finishing his sentence, he turned back, grabbed the little girl, put her on his back and ran with all his strength. He knew that without Gale or her daughters, it would be unwise to try to take them all. His best bet was to run without looking back.

"Oi, the fuck..." the boss said. "They are running! After them!"

"Shit, shit, shit." Esvor turned left. "Come on, come on…"

He heard the crackling roar of a fireball spell tearing through the trees in a straight line toward him. He spun around, swung his sword, and deflected the spell, sending it crashing into the ground nearby. He resumed running, sword in hand, with the little girl clinging to his back.

"Arrows, idiot! Arrows!" yelled the boss.

The little girl gasped, and Esvor turned back again. This time, he didn't have a chance to determine the direction of the incoming arrows, so he raised his sword instinctively, hoping to block them. He could have kept running, but the arrows hitting the little girl was a risk he wouldn't be willing to take.

The high elf conjured a barrier, and the arrows thudded harmlessly into a tree.

"Nice one," Esvor said.

"T-thanks."

They kept running, the sound of their pursuers close behind. Suddenly, they burst into a small clearing, and Esvor skidded to a halt. A massive bear stood in their path, growling menacingly.

Esvor tightened his grip on his sword. "Oh shit!" he shouted.

Without hesitation, they veered to the left, getting back into the dense forest, hoping to lose their pursuers and the bear in the maze of trees.

Just as they thought they might have a chance, the boss cast an air spell. A powerful gust of wind hit them, lifting Esvor and the girl off their feet and sending them toward the edge of a cliff.

They went over the edge and the Rebel-King managed to plunge his sword into the rocky cliffside, stopping their descent. He hung there, the girl clinging tightly to his back, the strain on his arms immense. He felt the sword slipping, unable to hold their combined weight for long.

As the girl started to slip, Esvor grabbed her, pulling her into his arms. But, the sword finally gave way, and they plummeted downward. Esvor held the girl tightly, positioning his body to absorb the brunt of the impact as they crashed into the ground below.

The fall was jarring, pain exploding through Esvor's body, but he kept the girl shielded, taking the worst of the damage himself. Groaning, he checked to make sure she was unharmed before struggling to his feet,

"Agh… my back." He said. "Fuck – oh, it hurts. Oh…"

"I can use healing spells!" suggested the high elf, fear still in her voice.

"Okay – we don't have much time. Do it fast."

"Right."

As the high elf began chanting her spell, they heard a rumble from above. The bear, unable to stop its momentum, went tumbling over the edge of the cliff. Esvor and the girl watched in horror as the massive creature crashed to the ground, shook itself off like nothing had happened, and then turned its attention toward them.

The elf yelled in fear and used an enchantment spell on Esvor, making his body glow and setting his weapon on fire. Seeing he might have a chance, The Rebel-King dashed forward and swung his sword. It cut the animal as if it were a birthday cake.

The bear let out a deafening roar of pain and fury. With one final, desperate swipe, the bear collapsed to the ground, defeated.

"That was close," The Rebel-King said, still feeling the adrenaline. "You good?"

"Y-yes. Are we safe?"

"No, we gotta run. Can you move?"

"I can."

"Okay, Redhaven is close… or it should be close. I don't know where we are… just stick close to me, okay?"

"Okay…" she replied shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"They'de down there!" the boss yelled. "Follow them!"

Esvor shook his head. "Give me a break."