Arlo and Inara had unraveled the river's mystery, but a new challenge arose. A band of men on horseback was closing in, their intentions murderous for breaking the magic spell.
"Hunt them, hunt them," a bald man commanded his men, his voice echoing with deadly intent.
Arlo rose, his hand firmly gripping the katana at his waist, and began to stride towards them. Suddenly, Inara interjected,
"Arlo, sit down. This is my fight."
"I can assist; we can end this swiftly," Arlo proposed.
Inara shot Arlo a frosty glance and retorted, "Have you forgotten your words about me?"
Arlo's mind echoed with his past words: 'What about all the big talk about 'I can handle everything'? You are an assassin; all you did was cause trouble for me.' As he remembered, he swallowed hard.
Inara declared, "Once I've dealt with them, you're next." No sooner had she spoken,
SWOOSH!"
