Chaos ensued after that!
The children screamed and ran taking off into the woods. Even in the darkness, the look of surprise was evident in the men's faces as they stared at the children who ran as fast as their tiny feet could carry them, heading straight to the woods just as I had instructed them
"Well, what the fuck are you all waiting for?" Finch yelled, veins protruding from his lungs as he yelled in anger, "GET THEM!"
The children screamed loudly, their sound filled with terror as they ran. The sound also mixed with the voices of the guards who appeared from every corner. Unsheathing my sword that was around my waist, I raced forward. I leapt in the air, sticking my foot on the wall as I did a little run and then leapt from it kicking one of the guards right in the face. The moment my feet touched the ground, I didn't waste any time in jabbing my dagger in the throat of another guard.
From the corner of my eyes, I saw one of the guards running after the children, his arms outstretched to grab one of the smallest kids who was a little girl holding on to her brother's hand tightly. Without hesitation, I twisted and threw my dagger at him.
The dagger spun in the air a few times before it landed on its target. It hit the guard squarely in the back, causing him to fall down to the ground. The boy, bless him, didn't bother to stop to see what had happened, he grabbed his sister and continued running.
Immediately the guards noticed I was unarmed they advanced with eager smiles on their faces, probably thinking I would be easier prey now. One stepped forward, giving me a kick to my stomach. I was quick to block it but the impact still made stagger backwards. I was lucky I planted my feet to the ground or I would have fallen down. I made a move to get attack when I notice a flash of silver from the corner of my eyes. Instinctively, I leaned backwards, the sword passing between me and the other guard. Grabbing the guards arm, I pulled him closer to me. Shifting my stance, I used my strength to lift him up from the ground and slammed him down, hard!
His body hit the dirt with a thud and I grabbed his arm, twisting it to the side till he let go of his sword. I immediately picked it up turning to face the other guards who were now advancing towards me. One advanced forward, aiming for my chest. I side stepped, narrowly missing the attack, I then knelt down on the ground, turning with my sword as I made a sweeping arc which sliced through the guards legs causing him to fall down while howling in pain.
Fucking cowardly cunt! I thought to myself as I stared at the guard who was still howling and clutching his leg, the cut I had made was not even that deep!
I moved backwards pointing the sword to the rest of the men who now advanced cautiously towards me now. They already knew I was a threat which was good but still they were much more than I anticipated and I needed to get to the children soon. My mind raced as I tried to figure out ways to get out of here.
If I ran, they were going to catch and me and there was a good chance the children would be caught too!
A guard lunged forward and I blocked his blow. He seemed to be an amateur because I wasted no time in disarming him and then spinning him so his back was pressed against mine and my sword against his throat, he was my hostage now.
The man whimpered as I pressed the knife tight to his throat and I glared at the rest of the guards, watching for any sudden movements while my mind tried to figure out a way out. My eyes scanned the arena when I noticed a torch on the wall to my right.
It was risky and probably stupid but it was the only chance I had.
I shifted my stance while still holding the guards against mine. "You know, this isn't really a fair fight!" I said gauging them before they figure out my real plan. "I mean I'm just one person and you lot? You lot are armed to the teeth, doesn't really fair now does it?"
The men exchanged nervous glances amongst themselves, not exactly sure what I was saying but not sure on how to proceed on the matter either. Finch stepped forward a scowl on his face as he glared at me.
"Do you have any idea what you've cost me, boy?" He snarled as he pointed a wicked looking sword at me, "You are going to pay for that? You hear me, you will pay!" He yelled in anger spittle flying everywhere as he did so.
Shit! I had made him mad! I thought to myself as I stared at Finch who lunged forward towards me. On instinct, I shoved the man I was holding forward, not caring that he stumbled into Finch's blade. I then sprinted towards the torch on the wall with speed, my heart almost bursting with relief when my hands closed around it.
"You fucking son of a bitch!" Finch roared in anger.
Smirking at him, I threw the torch forward, watching as the flames roared to life eating the oxygen around us. The men recoiled backwards, watching with a look of horror as the flames licked the path. Without wasting anytime, I dashed into the woods, removing my bow and arrow. I nocked it and turned behind me, pulling it tightly and let the arrow lost at the man who had dared to follow us.
I heard a grunt and a thud but I didn't stop running or dared to look backwards. I ran forward and saw the children hidden behind a tree branch. Heaving out a sigh of relief, I approached them. Upon seeing me, the children screamed in fear.
"Hey guys, hey guy's it's me! It's me!" I whispered, trying to assure them.
The children stopped shouting but there was a still a bit of uncertainty in them. I quickly scanned all of them, assessing them if they were hurt and if they were complete. "Is everyone alright?"
"Yes." A child from the back answered, "Or at least I think so!" He added.
That was good enough for me, there was no time to waste! "Okay, follow me!" I hissed motioning urgently to the children.
I led them down a narrow, overgrown path, the kind easily overlooked unless you knew exactly where to look. My steps were quick but deliberate, my ears straining to catch any sounds of pursuit. I found my horse, Cyrus exactly where I had left him, tied to a tree. He had a mask on his face and behind him was a huge wagon I had brought for Heather's children. But it should be able to fit them, hopefully!
I led them towards the wagon, ushering them inside. "Quietly now," I whispered carrying them inside the wagon. They all fit inside, even though they were cramped in. But it was just for a while, I was going to get them home.
I turned towards my stead and mounted him, gripping the reins I snapped it tightly, "Come on Cyrus, let's go!" I yelled at him.
Obeying my command Cyrus took off into the night. Running faster as I urged him while snapping the reins and together we left the den, taking off into the night.
When I was sure that we had left the enemy's territory. I rode carefully to the village, bringing them safely to the one person I could count to bring them home. I rode to a stop, getting down from the horse, I unlatched the wagon to the horse and unlocked the wagon, then I ran to the door and knocked on it twice.
I headed back to Cyrus just as the door opened. I turned to the side only to see Heather stepping out in her night dress.
"MOMMY!" A child yelled.
"Wha…What…" Heather seemed lost and confused as her children hugged her and she hugged them back, staring at the other children in shock.
Her eyes raised up to meet mine, I saw them swirl in confusion as she stared at me. "Who are you?" She asked me. standing up, she approached me, "Did you save these children? It was you, wasn't it?"
"Take care of them Heather!" I said in a deep voice before I snapped the reins and rode off, my mission for the night successful!