The Righteous Way

Chapter 4

James received all of Alex's gear, with the exception of his shield, which he held securely in his left hand, as the men began to close in.

As he gripped the hilt of his sword, he said, "I will ask you men to leave us be." "I do not wish to fight you and my skill will outmatch yours." "Sounds like someone needs a lesson in humility," the leader said as his men got closer. "Kill them, that shield will be a good enough prize for such easy work."

Alex drew his sword from James' shield and pushed him to the ground without warning. Alex slammed the first of the men, knocking him to the ground, as the others charged. After using his sword to stop a right-handed swing, he spun and kicked the man in the hip, sending him flying backwards and into the roadside dirt. After that, he spun with his sword low and shield high to stop another attack, swiped at the man's feet, cleaving his right ankle halfway through, then retracted his weapon and stood straight. As the wound dripped blood across his foot and into the soil, the man screamed and fell over clutching the wound.

He got a worried look from the leader and the last two men. Alex said, "Leave now and take your wounded." The two men sheathed their weapons and went to lift their friend with the bleeding ankle. I didn't want to fight you. After that, the two other confused men stumbled off, leaving only the leader, who had no plans to step down.

“Cowards, get back here!” He yelled at them, "All brigands are cowards, that's why you prey on those weaker than you," Alex said.

The man had a dagger in his left hand and a sword in his right. James, who had not moved in a while, dashed to the edge of the trees to get out of the way. Alex moved his shield to shield him from the dagger as the criminal attempted to stab him as the bandit swung his sword at him. He tried to kick the man's left knee, but it moved away and he missed.

Alex moved first this time as they both stared at each other for a moment looking for an opening. He charged at the man and threw his shield at his feet. Alex dropped his sword and jumped at the leader, slamming him square in the chest with both feet and avoiding the leader's jump. As the bandit let go of his weapons, he flew backwards. He hit the ground hard and fell backwards into the dirt until he stopped and didn't move.

Alex got up and took his shield and weapon with him. After that, he went to James and demanded his bag.Before sheathing the sword, James used a large rag to wipe it off as the shaking James handed it over.

Before moving on, he secured the remainder of his possessions.James hurried to Alex, who had made the decision not to travel any further, after giving the bandit, who was no longer moving, a quick glance. He exclaimed, "That was incredible," "You gave them what they deserved," "No, they’ll most likely regroup and continue preying on travelers, but now they’ll be more cautious of who they choose as targets," "Then why spare them, their obviously, killers," "It is not my place to judge and execute every bandit on the road, that’s up to the authorities of the province," "But they’re bandits, murderous knaves who have no honor," and "May

“I see your point, but I am not a murderer, and I would never kill for money,” "I'm sure those men thought that once as well," "And yet they made their choice," "Yes, they did, but I am not to judge them for it," and "How is it you can be so forgiving?"

“You must have done something horrible for this level of redemption, yet you say your king still holds you blameless... did he order you to kill unjustly?” "I simply must, there is no other reason."

Alex slowed down and let James go, saying, "Don't worry, if there's one thing I’m good at it is-- Ahh!" "No, my king is a good man, he would ask for no one's life unless it was absolutely necessary," adding, "One day you’re going to tell me what it was you did." James was suddenly caught in a net. Alex mocked him, saying, "Oh be silent and cut me down," "I don't know, this is a good net, I don't think the owner would appreciate me destroying it," and "Just get me down!"

"Alright, settle down."Alex located the location where the net was attached by following the lines. James fell with a soft thud as he untied it.

“Ow!I could be warned!

"I might."

James got up and brushed the leaves and dirt off of his clothes. Who are you, sir? “What was that?” a voice from the trees asked. James inquired as he braced himself and drew his dagger. He was asked to put it away by Alex. They recognized the female voice as saying, "If you are travelers, then why not take the road? We are only travelers looking for the nearest village." He continued, "I see the warrior leads this little duo."We have no fear of the forest and decided it would be safer. There are numerous dangers in the forest: Bandit camps, predators, and traps are just a few examples. Predator? Bandit? Or do you create traps merely for fun?

James said, "I did not panic; I was simply startled." Alex said, "Hold on, you set off my net and it took a long time for me to set it up alone, you should at least help me before you go." "That is fair, would you mind showing yourself first however?" James asked. "I make traps to capture my food and maybe to watch silly men panic when they’re snared in them." It would be hard to assist someone we cannot see.

A woman soon fell from the branches after hearing some rustling in one of the nearby trees.

Her headdress was made of a bear skull, and she was covered in a thick coat of fur. Additionally, she wore bracers on her forearms made of two hollowed-out panther skulls. A cloth that was attached to her headdress covered her nose and mouth, and her feet were covered in thick fur and boots made of leather. A lance was held in her right hand, reinforced by leather strips that ran the length of the staff.

She took off the cloak, and the fur clothing she was wearing only covered the parts of her body that were considered modest. She had an impressive for-woman build despite being bare and well-tanned from the sun.She had a quiver at her hip and a bow draped diagonally across her chest. James was caught staring when Alex struck him in the chest.

"So you're a hunter?" Alex questioned, "And not one I'll take for profit?"

"No, I only kill what I need," you respond. "And the skulls on your head and arms?"

“Impressive, so how would you like to reset your snare?” "Warnings to any animal that gets the same idea as they did, it also serves as a formidable armor, not many wolves or jackals can bite through a skull,”

She showed them how she had set it before and led them to where it was anchored. The two began working.Alex noticed that she kept staring at him repeatedly throughout the work. He saw recognition rather than attraction in her eyes.

"Something about me piques your interest?"After they were done, he inquired, "I know you," and she responded, "And how do you know me?"

"You are a Korryn knight?"

"I am," you respond, "And are you not one of the Nine Knights of Omega?"

"No longer, but how would you know that? "

Her face was exposed when she took off her headdress. You, or at least one of the Nine, saved me once when my family and I were attacked by a warlord in my village in Korryn and the legendary Nine Knights showed up. As they approached our village and began to fight off the enemy, I can still hear the war cry. You made them run and cower despite being outnumbered five to one, and you chased them. "What was your village?"

"Thynne," "You're a long way from home," "My father was killed in the raid, my mother lost all hope, and I decided not to degrade myself to a life like that." “So your father was a hunter?” I asked, "I ran away and used the skills my father taught me to live in the wilderness."

“He was not a tavern master; however, he understood the significance of wilderness survival,” “A wise man; “I’m quite adept at surviving on my own, but also enjoy—” he was silenced as he was lifted into the air. "Our luxuries make us weak in that regard." "Speak for yourselves," James yelled.With his leg caught in yet another snare, he hung upside down.I'll just swallow my pride now, so don't say it. "Why does a great knight travel with a fool?" As she untied the trap, she inquired, "I may be a knight, but I am not great, I am exiled from Korryn." James responded, "By his own doing, the king still reveres him." "What could a man of highest honor have done for such a punishment?"

James replied, "Don't even bother," "I've been asking him that since we met, he's a sealed book," "Well knight, you hold no ill in my mind, anything you may have done was repaid when you saved me," "Hmm, it's curious you hold him in such high regard even when your father was slain," and "James!" "No, it is quite alright, my father’s death saddened me, but my family believes in the eternity of family, he shall find me and we will be together again in a place where there is no sorrow or death," Alex snapped at him. "You too, huh?" Alex scolded James, "Fine, fine, I shall say no more, except that it simply alludes me how such fantasies spread like wildfire," "Ignore my friend," Alex, "his soul is a rose though his words sting as thorns from its stem," and "Did you just call me a rose?" James asked, "How is it I only know pious fools?" Alex asked, "What have I told you of tolerance for religion."

"Would you like me to call you a thorny weed?" I asked.