Carmine

The eyes that penetrated us were cold and uncompromising. There were no friends here.

We stayed on our horses. Janilla shook behind me, while I looked around at all these poorly drab peasants. Either way, they had their weapons out, while a few wore some dirty pelt armor.

Honestly, we had a plan, Five and I concocted it as we approached. Whether it would work or not was anyone's guess.

We were surrounded and outnumbered. The way this town was set up, mud-lined thatch wooden houses made in sunken ditches. From afar you never saw a town and it gave them some measure of protection from cavalry.

These brigands were not dishonorable thieves, if they were they would not be hesitating as Five held his sword at the bleeding man's neck as they sat on top of the horse.

Among the crowd were women, some were children which made things difficult.

The black glove I had on, I lifted the latch. I knew the one I needed for this situation.

“Lodiwell travelers.” Our eyes moved to one figure. He stopped as our eyes met. He was tall with deep brown eyes and long arms showing through his rather short linen shirt.

“Barth, where are the others?” this tall man asked.

“Speak and you will be killed.” I stared daggers at the tall man who matched my frown with his. “I will be speaking for him. They are in our captivity. That is all you need to know.”

The tall man shifted his eyes to the bleeding Barth who became stoic all of a sudden, but I detected they were making communication with their eyes and subtle movements.

The tall man said, “You are not from around here, your language is rusty.”

“Your people attacked me and my companions and I am injured. You will fix this and give us provisions for our pain and suffering,” I replied.

The tall man's eyes widened. His face scowled instantly after. “Woman.” He sighed. “I will tell you what, release my men and I will let you go, freely, deal?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Do you realize who you attacked?”

The man sighed further. “A princess?” he asked mockingly. A few snickers. They felt like they had the advantage, for I noted some of the men were getting bolder as they inched closer to us.

My performance was initiated at that point. “No, a witch.”

The tall man did not react, but murmurs started immediately as his men started backing away and holding their weapons nervously.

The women grabbed the children and sent them inside their houses.

The tall man flung his eyes around in dismay at how he was losing control of the situation. He should not be surprised. The common folk were still scared of witches.

“A witch ah?” He nodded his head as he stepped forward, hands behind his back. “So—”

Five's voice boomed. He is planning to throw a knife at your head.

What?

A chill went up my back. I pushed Janilla down as I moved my body backward. The knife slicing through the humid air, sailed over me.

The horse moved about as I quickly grabbed the reins. I shot the man a dire stare.

The tall man quivered slightly backward in fright. “How—”

“You bastard, I asked for one thing and you try to kill me, again?”

I hid my hands in Janilla's clothing as I plucked the last string on the left.

A loud deep murderous roar ripped through the forest. The women screamed, and even I shivered at hearing it.

I may have tested it previously, but it sounded more vicious at this point. I looked at Five. “Looks like Yeezus is awake.”

“Shall I put him back to sleep, my lady?” Five asked.

I pulled on the reins and spun my horse around as I waved my arm flamboyantly. “No, no, these people deserve to die. They dared to attack me twice. Let my pet demon slaughter them and eat their children.”

More screaming, shouts, and chaos, I breathed out with a load of stress, yet held my composure. I finally looked at the tall man.

He stared at me open-mouthed with clenched teeth. I plucked the string wider making a high-pitched, but more gut-wrenching roar that had Janilla's nails biting into my arms for dear life.

Seriously, which animal made this sound? I had to find out. At that point, the other men ran off.

Only the tall man stood strong before me. Yes, he must be the leader to stand so valiantly before his worst nightmares. I knew the feeling all too well.

“Sir, I can call him off, you only have to surrender. No?—” I let him shimmer as I looked away. “Five we are leavi—”

“Wait! Do-Don't kill us! We'll surrender!”

I smiled. “Good man.”