The kensei moved like greased lightning. Aelek felt no pain as the masked samurai slashed down across his chest, then up again and hopped back. Had it been that quick? Was the kensei's katana really that sharp?
Two more Regal Legion soldiers clad in all white charged in to take him down and Aelek instinctively lifted a hand to his chest, fearing the worst. He felt no blood and looked down. While his outer, thick leather vest had a wide gash sliced into it, the chain mail underneath remained completely intact.
Then Aelek realized what he had just seen and sprang into action. His fellow soldiers tested the kensei's skill by attacking at the same time, one from the van and one from the flank. The coordinated attack combined with the confined terrain was enough to overwhelm the kensei's duck-and-dodge tactics.
They had him trapped between their shields and a raging fire consisting of wrecked Regal Legion banners and supplies. Their anger had gotten the better of them. As his allies inched forward, pushing the Kensei closer and closer to the fire, Aelek slammed shield first into the one on the left, knocking him down like a thin tree caught in a strong wind.
Aelek brandished his sword at his downed ally in outrage.
"You dare disrespect that uniform?"
Now he had absolutely seen it all. Representatives of the Regal Legion devolved to classless, wild animals. Sure, this was the samurai ground commander and slaying him might even halt the siege, but he had gotten himself cut off from his battalion. Had they forgotten their training? Or their humanity?
Aelek ordered the other soldier to stand down and for them both to return to the line. He'd deal with them later. For now, he had to show this samurai how a true Regal Legion Soldier handles intruders. With honor and dignity. Even if the opponent doesn't. Especially when they don't, Aelek thought.
That was what separated the Regal Legion from all the rest. Even the brutes among their ranks understood that the enemy is to be treated with respect as a warrior. Regal Legion heroes never strike a downed opponent, nor will they ever consider double teaming a single opponent under any circumstances. The gross misconduct those two had just displayed ensured that this was their last battle under the Regal banner. Such filth was better suited for the Wolf Legion.
Aelek allowed the kensei to step safely away from the fire, out of the boxed-in space to meet him on level ground. The kensei bowed in respect, and Aelek reciprocated by crossing his sword over his shield. Then the two warriors charged at each other with weapons poised to strike.