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Kirkwall (Part 4 - A Misunderstanding)

Two pulled out daggers, the other a normal longsword. Edvard ran right towards the one with the longsword, aiming for the man's blade as he was still struggling to recover from the surprise and get a good grip on his weapon.

Edvard's attack sent the man's blade into the air and opened him up for more attacks.

With no hesitation Edvard struck through the man's side, spinning around to place this now wounded cloaked figure between him and one of the dagger wielders.

His new opponent was surprised not just by Edvard's actions, but also that her friend had been disarmed so easily. Watching Edvard's every move, she faltered between trying to save her friend or going for their attacker.

Seeing her hesitation Edvard swung his blade at the wounded man. Seeing this, she rushed to block the attack and save the man. Edvard smiled as he jumped back and thrust his sword towards her.

She was quickly put at a disadvantage as she had to both protect herself and her friend.

She also realized that help was not coming as a clash of blades was heard off to their side. Informing her that her other partner would not be able to help her, and informing Edvard that he could fully focus on the one before him.

Knowing this, she tried to move the fight away from her wounded friend, and Edvard let her. Once she felt comfortable, he rushed in close, catching her completely off guard.

Grabbing onto her left arm, careful to not cut himself on her dagger, Edvard blocked her other dagger with his blade. Ending his move with a mighty kick aimed at her diaphragm.

Gasping for air, she just barely managed to keep her daggers in hand, and Edvard was not going to give her a chance. He kicked again while also slashing her right hand and crushing her left.

Screaming in pain the assassin failed to keep hold of her daggers. Staring at Edvard in hatred she spat, "Who are you?"

It made no sense that their preparations had been ruined. Weeks of planning down the drain, and they had not even planned to attack right at that moment.

"Who are you?" Edvard countered, glancing at the first one he had struck.

The man was still alive, though he was clearly bleeding out quickly. The blade had cut through him like a heated knife through butter. Blood was flowing freely and the man had just a minute or two of life left.

Naturally, Edvard had come to realize that the sword was beyond sharp. It cut through chain mail without much trouble, only plate armor was able to block it when he placed his full power behind the strike.

And even then, Edvard felt he might be able to get through plate armor once his body reached its peak such as near the end of the illusion.

Hearing Edvard's question the assassin stayed quiet and followed his gaze, her hatred growing as she realized she could not save her friend. She did not even consider that she might not be able to save herself. No, she struggled with all her might, hoping for revenge.

Edvard gripped even harder and gave her a knee in the stomach again. Doubling over from pain, she just barely managed to hear his demands.

Suddenly Edvard felt the hair on his neck standing up and his blood boiling. Throwing the assassin down, he jumped to the side. A throwing knife flying past where his head used to be a second ago.

"Run!" The second assassin shouted as she threw another knife, this one aimed at their wounded companion. Giving him a quick death and ensuring he could not talk.

"Seems you were abandoned," Edvard said, closing the man's eyes as he looked at the two female assassins running away.

He was confused why the one he had fought had tried so hard to save the man, and the other had ended his life without a second thought.

'No honor among assassins.' Edvard mumbled and turned to look at Boris, shaking his head in disproval.

"Sorry…" Boris barely managed to get the words out. He had a dagger stuck in his side and a few too many cuts over his arms and one truly close to his right eye.

'Seems I overestimated him,' Edvard thought, considering how easily he had dealt with two. Yet, this noble could not even handle one. Still, he was confused why Boris had even come to help him.

"Why did you fight them, weren't they your pawns?" Edvard asked, standing up and looking Boris straight in the eyes. Not caring for the pain he must be in.

"No… I don't... I have no idea who they were. Come, let's go to the manor. I need... Help…" Boris said weakly, stepping towards Edvard who dodged his hand searching for support.

"I am leaving, this village is a mess and I do not want to be part of it."

"Wait! You must... Know, that, I... Was the target." Boris coughed up blood and fell to his knees, realizing that the dagger must have been poisoned.

"So? It means that allying with you will create a target on my own back." Edvard replied and turned around, ready to leave.

"But… Then... You know that I... Didn't break-"

"But you were planning something, weren't you?" Edvard turned to give him a spiteful look and also looked at the guards rushing towards them. Knowing that if he did not leave soon then it would be a far bloodier goodbye.

"I swear... I wasn't. Please, help me." Boris said, falling forward. The dagger moved as he fell and his bleeding worsened.

"Why should I?"

"Do... You, not have a heart?" Boris asked, by now the guards of the manor were finally reaching their location. Having acted as soon as they heard the clashing of blades.

"No…" Edvard replied, rushing down the street as he said this. No longer willing to delay.

"After him, we can't let the assassin get away!" The lead guard shouted upon seeing their lord on the ground.

Quickly the group split in half, one heading after Edvard and the others quickly applying first aid to Boris.

Hearing the shout and the clashing of armor, Edvard cursed. Not having expected they would miss the entire fight and consider him the assassin. He had expected them to try and detain him, but their drawn weapons made it clear they would take him in alive or dead.

Not knowing the layout of the village, he dared not try and lose them inside. Instead, he kept on the main road and rushed for the gate.

As he neared it the guards shouted at those on the wall to close the gate and stop him. Yet, Edvard was too fast and having seen him fighting the other guards earlier, no one dared stand in his way.

They also did not understand what was going on. Many felt conflicted, wondering why their lord would have broken his word, and so quickly at that.

Disappearing into the forest the guards cursed as they quickly lost sight of him. They dared not follow any further with night approaching, and the danger of the forest grew drastically with it.

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