"Because you don't look like you can keep your mouth shut around these people. You know what? Cindy, you go wait with her. The two of you can talk about your problems, and I will deal with this," I told them, and Cindy gave me a hurt look.
"What, why can't I come? I am the strongest in the village!" Cindy complained as I pulled the pink robe on.
"For now, I am, so let me deal with this. I think you two have something between the two of you that needs to be talked about. Go do that, now!" I ordered, and both the girl turned and walked away, looking dejected.
The two had some tension between the two of them, so locking them in a room for a while might release some of that.
I turned north to look at the trail of dust coming my way, and Elder Lily walked up beside me.
"I see you noticed that the girls had feelings for each other. You are quite wise, but how do you deal with this problem coming our way?" Elder Lily asked me, and I shrugged.
"Don't know yet. Cindy told me a bit about Eliza and her guards, but I will remain just a traveling wander for now. I want to see how she treats others and how people see her," I explained, pulling my hood to hide my face.
"Interesting. Eliza is only just turned eighteen and has not dealt with her mother's passing yet. I would like to feel sorry for her, but she took one of our girls that last time she was here a month ago, and we haven't seen her since," Elder Lily replied, and I nodded.
"If she is still alive, I will make sure that she comes back here; that is a promise,'' I said, and Lily nodded.
I looked forward, and I could see five horses, one in the front and then two rows of two behind her. I had to assume the front one was Eliza, with her blonde hair blowing back with the wind tossing it.
The guards that were around her all wore light armor with a red uniform underneath. They were lighter than the rose-red dress that Eliza wore in the front.
[1 Karma point gained. ⅖ for first skill.]
Hmm? Why did I get that one?
I was distracted from the message as the group rode right up to the village at almost full speed, just stopping short. I had been worried that they were going to try going straight through, but I was glad they stopped.
"I am the Countess Eliza of Northwall. I have come to collect taxes! If you can not pay, I shall take another of your people to be my slave!" the woman yelled as she dismounted.
As Eliza did, her four guards did as well, taking position behind her. They did look skilled, and they had weapons, but I was not worried.
My blood had already started to pump at the excitement of battle. The green monster was one thing, but humans were something that I seemed to have a lot of experience fighting if my body's willingness was any indication.
"We only have enough food for ourselves, and your mother never needed anything from us," Elder Lily said from beside me, and Eliza's glare fell on her.
"Beat that old woman for speaking to me as such!" Eliza ordered, and I groaned.
Not even a second thought and this little thing barely reached my chest. Looks like someone has an attitude problem, and I felt like that was something I was going to have to change.
That was after I dealt with the four grinning women that were approaching me. Well, not me, but in my general direction, so I stepped in front of the old woman.
"Get out of my way, peasant! Unless you want to get the first beating!" One of the guards, who was about six inches shorter than me, said to me, and I sighed, kicking the feet out from underneath the first woman.
I dashed forward before the other three could react, slamming my shoulder into the first one. That guard was knocked into the second, sending the both sprawled on the ground.
"What?! Girls! Get up! What are you doing?!" Eliza screamed, and the one that was still standing pulled out her sword, and I shook my head.
The woman came at me with a slash, but I side-stepped her, punching the back of her wrist. Before the sword could fall, I grabbed it out of the air while kicking the feet out from underneath the guard.
I turned the Countess and advanced on her, kicking backward at the first guard who had unsheathed her sword. I heard the weapon hit the ground and the woman gasping for air, but I didn't stop my advance until I towered over the little girl.
Eliza no longer seemed to have words to speak as I stood over her.
"You are the Countess, right?" I asked, and I could smell the scent of urine coming from below me.
"Y-Y-Yes…" Eliza stammered, and I nodded, stepping back.
"Don't move," I said, looking at the sword.
"Don't hurt her!" One of the guards cried, and I turned my head slightly.
"Silence, I am not interested in what any of you have to say anymore," I said and then took the blade of the sword I was holding that was barely sharp and snapped it over my knee.
The blade split in two, just like I had thought it would, and I tossed the two pieces to the side.
"Garbage. Alright, like I said, I will go get the girl that was taken, and then we will be back. Guards, clean yourself up and put yourselves to work helping out while we are gone. That is not a request," I ordered and then looked over at Eliza, who was quivering with a wet spot on the front of her dress.