The Brazen Blade

by Billy Wong

"In any case, you already killed two of the would-be kidnappers, so it might be too late to open up a peaceful dialogue."

  "There is that too."

  "You want me to heal your wound?" Zack asked. "It looked bad."

  Sharp pangs still lanced ceaselessly through her torso, but she said, "No, it's fine. If you get sick for weeks now, that would make traveling pretty inconvenient."

  "So what now, do we just keep going the way we planned?"

  She looked towards the now close mountain capped with snow that towered above them. "Yeah, around that big thing and its brethren, then south to your home. Hope we don't encounter too many more monsters. I'm getting worn down."

  Zack averted his gaze in embarrassment. "Maybe the two of us need to begin pulling our own weight, me moreso than him."

  "I wasn't going to say that, but if you think so, I'm not opposed." They shared a brittle laugh.

  "Speaking of that, though," Marty said, "I don't know if I can keep going with you anymore."

  Kath blinked in surprise. "You waited all this time to tell us that now?"

  "I wanted to make sure you felt better before hitting you with this. I don't think I'm cut out for this yet. After seeing what we did in the village, I'm not sure I can handle any more. My heart was beating so hard as I watched that monster maim and kill, and then it came after me, its hot breath on my face—I thought I would drop dead from fear alone, and I... I pissed myself. And now I can't stop thinking about the dead, hearing them scream or gurgle their last again. I know it's selfish of me, I don't want to stop helping you. But if I push past my limits and break down, I might just become a burden to you. I'll give all my money to you to use, though I wish I could do more."

  "I understand you having a hard time coping with that experience. I am too. But you can't go back."

  "Why not?"

  She gave a sad smile. "Because, it'd be more dangerous than staying with us. You can't travel through the forest alone. If you encounter another monster like the ones we faced, you'll definitely get killed. And if you wait for people from the school to come and take you back, how do you know Zack's would-be kidnappers won't find you first? Sorry, but for your own sake you can't turn back now."

  Marty spread his arms helplessly. "You're not wrong. So I guess I won't be abandoning my friends after all. Hope my weak fortitude can hold up."

  "You can do it!" Zack said, slapping his arm. "You have the always confident, doubtless and unshakable Kath the Blade to inspire you."

  "Not very funny right now," she mumbled. "But I'll do my best to keep your spirits up, as I'm sure we all will for each other."

  "We need to," Marty agreed. "All right, I'm in this to the end now. Forgive my lapse before. So, when do we go on?"

  "Just let me finish mending my shirt."

  Chapter 5

  They were just past the base of the mountain and about to turn into the pass when a group of four figures walked into view from within it. Kath stared as she recognized their uniforms, and them. Leroy approached accompanied by three of their other classmates. "The school is sending students after a dangerous killer like me?" she asked coolly.

  "Not dangerous to me," Leroy said. "Be in your best interest to surrender now."

  She drew her sword. "We can't go back. Don't make me hurt you."

  He drew his in turn with a grin. "Bet your friends give up quick once I beat you."

  "Aren't we rushing this a bit?" Zack asked. "Leroy, come on, let's talk this out, aren't we friends?"

  Without responding, he rushed Kath. Their blades clashed. His blow felt a lot stronger than expected, and she stumbled back a step. She concluded it was partly her injuries weakening her, and partly him using his own heavy sword instead of the school's practice blades. "You hurt?" he asked, noticing her wince.

  "Not enough to lose to you." They exchanged a whirlwind of strikes, then she ducked a high slash while spinning into a kick to his chest. Twisting her body so made her gasp, but it barely moved him. He blocked her next cut, grabbed her by the arm and tossed her through the air. She managed to flip and land awkwardly on her feet in pain, but getting thrown around like that wasn't a good look.

  "Yeah, get her, show her who's boss!" one of the boys with Leroy crowed. "Show her the big knockout punch!"

  She charged Leroy with rapid pokes of her sword, putting him briefly on the defensive. He parried her blade downwards and struck out with a big fist. She leaned back to avoid it, but taunted anyway, "I'd hardly be put down by one punch."

  "Yeah, but can you knock me out with one punch?" he asked with a wink. After a moment, she understood. He threw an extremely telegraphed haymaker. She slipped it and countered with her own hook to the jaw. He tottered, collapsed slowly to his back and lay still.

  The other students' jaws dropped. "Gods, she's improved that much? Let's get out of here!" They turned and ran back into the pass.

  Leroy jumped up once their footsteps had receded into the distance, rubbing his jaw. "That was a little hard."

  "Wanted to make it realistic. So, what are you all doing here? They really sent you to get us?"

  "Not exactly." He pointed into the pass. "The real capture crew is back there. Me and a few other boys were just so vocal about wanting to see it, they decided to let us accompany them to 'assist' in a retrieval of deserters. I wanted to sneak ahead and warn you, but those three noticed so I had to bring them along."

  She hugged him. "Thanks. I would ask how you got here ahead of us, but I assume going across the plains is faster than the slow way through the forest. So this capture crew—don't think we can get past them?"

  "It's five experienced soldiers. You and me together, we'd have a chance. But I don't think I want to burn my bridges like that just yet."

  Going head to head against people other than Zack's kidnappers, which might end in bloodshed, wasn't what she wanted either. "What do you think we should do?"

  "There's a port about a hundred miles to the east," Marty contributed. "If we go there, we might be able to catch a ship to take us around the mountains and to Nurenon north of Apsenia. We can walk to Zack's home from there."

  A hundred miles wasn't too far. She didn't like having to turn around with the path right there in front of them and worried how much they might be delayed, but supposed they had little choice. "That sounds fine."

  "It looks like you've been taking some beatings since you left," Leroy said. "Meet more kidnappers?"

  "No, it was mostly monsters, and one mercenary who mistook us for enemies. Anything interesting going on back at the school?"

  "Not really. You've been the talk of the class, actually. Fill me in on what's happened during your adventure."

  She looked down. "Adventure is a bit overly pleasant a way to describe it..."

  They told him the story so far, and he nodded solemnly at the grim details later on. "Sorry you had to go through that. I hope everything works out in the end."

  "It won't for the people who already died. But we'll try to do as little further damage as possible from here on out."

  "Also, I've heard the name Deidre Wilde before. It's said she's the best mercenary in the world, and maybe the best who's ever lived. Her claims to fame include taking on small armies and dragons singlehandedly."

  "Wow. I guess that's not too surprising given her inhuman strength. But then, who was that man..?"

  "You want to come with us too, Leroy?" Zack asked. "We could handle a lot of things much better with another strong companion."

  He frowned. "I would, but... I don't think I'll be forgiven too easily if I do. So to preserve my hopes for a career, I'm going to have to say no."

  Kath nodded. "I understand. Well, it was nice seeing you again. Take care."

  "You owe me an embarrassing loss someday," he said gruffly.

  "I'll make sure to return the favor when we're back in school together."

  They parted ways, Leroy returning to his fellows in "shame" while Kath and companions went the opposite direction
. To their bodies' relief, after a few days of easy travel over gentle slopes they beheld the sprawling port of Genbald. The salty sea smell invigorated Kath somewhat. Closely packed, rectangular two-story buildings comprised most of the city giving a crowded impression even from afar, and the narrow streets between clusters of them didn't help. When they passed through the main gate, they found more support for that impression, as the square just within was packed with merchant stalls and bustling with activity. It proved difficult for three people to stay together among, let alone navigate, the crowd. Sellers called to them to replace their damaged clothes. Kath would have been more open to that if she had money to spare.

  Making it to a side of the square where it wasn't so hectic, they asked people where they could learn about upcoming ship departures to Nurenon. They were directed to speak with the individual captains at the docks, and after looking around for a while arranged for a ride on a merchant galley which would set out in four days. Not that bad, but it left the question of what to do until then.

  Kath suggested, "Maybe we could check out some clothing shops. Even if we don't buy anything, looking will serve to pass the time."

  "I guess you really are a girl," Marty quipped. "I'd prefer we go whoring, though. Haven't had a proper lay in ages."

  She rolled her eyes. "By we, I hope you mean you."

  "Zack can come along too. I'm sure his sweetheart will understand what with him being away for so long."

  "I-I don't think so," Zack said.

  "I hope they sell a bigger variety of travel-ready food around here," Kath mused. "It would be good to have differently spiced options than the bland fare we bought before."

  Marty looked around. "I wonder if this city has any nice art galleries or shows. Could be better for meeting someone more refined than some two-silver whore."

  Kath thought of something else. "I should try to find someone who can deliver a letter to my family. If they've gotten word from the school, they must be worried as hell, and I'd like to let them know I'm okay."

  "We can look for all that stuff later," Zack said, "but wouldn't it be a good idea just to rest for now and do that tomorrow? Kath you're pretty banged up, and I've been knocked around a bunch too. Marty's the lucky one."

  "I am, but the walking alone's wearing on me. I wouldn't mind us just taking it easy for the day."

  Kath certainly took no issue with that either. The matter settled, they asked around to find a cheap inn and made their way to the run-down looking Glass Oyster located on a corner in the poor quarter. "I wonder what that name comes from," Zack said. "Maybe somebody making fake pearls with painted glass, or such?"

  The interior was dark and stunk strongly of booze and sweat. "You can ask the barkeep," Kath replied, "right after we order." She walked to the bar, and was about to call to the man wiping a dish with his back turned when it dawned on her that the person sitting next to her who she'd just glanced over had been... familiar.

  Right as she started to turn, a hand closed around her neck, lifted her high and slammed her down on the counter. "Didn't I tell you if you followed us," the big redhead leaning over her growled, "that I'd kill you?" She pointed the bladed end of a buckler at Kath's face, and she swallowed.

  "Now now, Deidre," a deep voice said behind her, "remember we're in society now. We can't go around making good on our threats to kill people in public."

  Deidre let her go, and she slid off the counter to lean coughing against it. "But they followed us when we told them not to! What are you doing, what do you want with us?"

  "I doubt they were following us." The dark man Deidre called "boss" stood behind her, his strong face calm. "She looked more surprised to see you than the other way around."

  Kath finally caught her breath enough to talk, though her voice still came out rather thin. "That's right, we aren't! We just... needed a ship to get to Nurenon, that's the only reason we're here."

  Deidre turned away and sat back on her chair. "Fine, I believe you! Still annoying... runaways with no heart."

  "We ran away because there are kidnappers after my friend," Kath protested, but the mercenary ignored her.

  "Don't mind her," Deidre's boss said. "She is not the warmest person to those she's just met."

  Marty broke the boys' silence. "We've noticed. And you?"

  "I'm a tad more open to interesting conversation. The name's Gabriel."

  Now that the threat of imminent violence was over, Kath, Marty and Zack sat down next to the older pair. They ordered drinks, Kath glad to numb her lingering pains. "I see signs you have endured battle," Gabriel observed. "So your story is serious."

  Zack frowned at him. "Why wouldn't it be serious? Our injuries are from monsters we disturbed in the forest, though."

  "The scaled dog things, right?" Deidre asked. "Yeah, we saw a bunch of those. I punched the biggest through the mouth with my sword-buckler, and the rest ran." Kath gaped at how casual she sounded.

  Gabriel looked questioningly over the trio. "Then, are you sure you're even being pursued?"

  "We are," came Marty's hasty reply. He omitted the fact they had only confirmed pursuit from people sent by the school, though.

  "In any case," Kath asked, "what are you two doing here and moreover, what were you doing back there in the forest? I don't want to judge without context, but you sure killed a lot of people."

  Deidre gave a loud burp. "Should we tell them? We don't know if they can be trusted."

  "It's all right," Gabriel said. "Them knowing a little won't be of any help to our enemies, and besides, I sense they wish no harm towards anyone else, but just to be safe themselves."

  "Fine, then I'll tell them. We were in the forest to save someone from the dead men you saw. But by the time we arrived, they had already been moved elsewhere. So now we're here to find them and put them under our protection as planned before."

  "That's still a bit vague," Marty said under his breath.

  "What, you want names? You hardly need to know all that."

  "Is it a just cause?" Zack asked in a strange, soft... wistful? tone.

  They all looked at him. "What do you mean?" Deidre snapped.

  "Just the two of you, going up against that many men and then traveling all the way here for one person... maybe I'm being too optimistic, but would I be wrong to suggest you must be doing this for a good cause?"

  She guffawed. "Well if that's what you mean, yeah I guess you could say that."

  "Deidre is doing it for the sake of my payment," Gabriel clarified, "and the challenge to herself. But if we fail, the consequences will certainly be worse than if we succeed, and as such you could consider it a good cause."

  The next words that came out of Zack's mouth made Kath nearly fall out of her seat. "Then maybe we can help you."

  "Are you serious?!" Marty demanded, echoing Kath's thoughts. "We have problems aplenty of our own, not to mention our ship is leaving in four days, and you want to put all of that aside and join a couple of strangers on their quest?"

  Gabriel said in a neutral voice, "The place we are going is only supposed to be a day away. If we get there and back quickly, you should be able to catch your ride in time."

  Kath found the idea outrageous. "What would the point even be of going with them?" she asked Zack. "Deidre is a far better fighter than you and me—probably all three of us—put together, and Gabriel might be even better than her." She thought she saw Deidre smirk a bit at that. "What difference would us being there make? If the obstacles they face pose any difficulty for them, we'll be in way over our heads and likely die horrible deaths.

  "Hell, Deidre had terrible wounds the last time we saw her. Think what whoever did that to her would do to us."

  "Those ones were a lot stronger than most," Deidre commented, "but they also caught me off guard. Won't happen again."

  Kath pushed Zack's arm. "See? A lot stronger than most—we're not ready to handle that." Especially her friends.

  Zack's eyes rested on the ground.
"Yeah, maybe..." He looked up. "I still want to go. We may not be the strongest warriors, but these are two people, one of whom can't have fully healed yet from her extensive wounds, fighting against scores if not more to defend someone else. If we want to become honorable and worthy adults, should we not maybe start with this, by not turning our backs on them now?"

  She looked at Deidre and Gabriel, meeting their eyes. Though she tried to keep doubt in her mind, she couldn't help the sense that despite Deidre's rough manner and the mysterious air Gabriel tried to put on, they were sincere. It wasn't anything she should have put that much stock in, considering masterful liars existed and many people's intuitions had failed them before. Still... And she felt proud of Zack for his willingness to risk himself to help them, and wanted his desire to hold merit. While said desire might come partially from guilt over causing those villagers' deaths and wanting to start making amends for it, those things applied to her too.

  "Maybe we can come." Before Marty could protest, she added, "Besides, it might be good for us to stay on the move, rather than sit around in the city and make it easy for our pursuers to catch up."

  Marty exhaled. "I suppose you have a point there. But we still don't know if we can trust them."

  "If we wanted to hurt you, we could do it right here." Deidre raised the buckler menacingly towards his throat.

  Gabriel pulled her arm down. "In any case, you should decide soon if you wish to come. We go tomorrow morning."

  "I still don't want to," Marty said. "Can I stay here and wait for you two to come back? I followed because I wanted to help you, not... no offense... random other people."

  "But isn't that what being a good person is about?" Zack asked. "Being ready to help those in need wherever you come upon them?"

  "Like I said, I don't think they particularly need our help."

  Kath bit her lip. "It doesn't seem too wise for you to stay in the city by yourself. If our pursuers find you, you might have a hard time escaping all alone."

  "Or if it's Zack's kidnappers, maybe they won't even care about me and leave me alone. I prefer to stay."