What the actual void—Calista spat as the slaver's blade stopped short of her neck, courtesy of the rather unexpected intervention. She didn't duck so much as collapse sideways, shoving a small, terrified elf girl further into the underbrush before springing back up like a flame catching dry tinder.
Her twin daggers flashed in the weak sunlight as she turned on her heel to face the nearest slaver. The man’s surprise at the arrival of the newcomer cost him; Calista plunged one blade into his thigh and dragged the other across his throat in a seamless, savage motion.
She grinned, feral and sharp.
Not so tough when the odds aren’t stacked, huh?
The man gurgled a reply before crumpling, but she didn’t spare him another glance. Instead, her sharp green eyes flicked to the armored stranger now engaged in a furious dance with two more slavers. She hated owing people favors, but maybe this one could earn himself a pass.
She darted past a third slaver who lunged at her with a cudgel, ducking low under the swing and slicing tendons in his arm. The weapon clattered uselessly to the ground.
I’ve got the kids!she barked toward the armored man, hoping he’d get the gist and keep the bastards busy.
Crouching low, she waved her hand toward the underbrush.
Move, now! Quiet like mice, just like we practiced!Her voice softened for the children, though urgency still laced her words.
The little ones began crawling through the dense greenery, and Calista remained a red blur at the periphery of the slavers’ vision, cutting down any fool who tried to pursue.
You don’t get to touch them,she hissed at a particularly bold man who managed to get past her defenses for a moment—a moment too long for him to regret it before her blade found his kidney.
The stranger seemed to hold his own well enough, his movements efficient, deliberate. She recognized the signs of a trained soldier, but she didn’t have time to assess much further. Another slaver barreled toward her, forcing her to meet his charge head-on.
Could you maybe bleed faster? I’m on a tight schedule,she muttered as she sidestepped, dragging a blade along his ribs. When the man doubled over, she smashed the hilt of her dagger into the base of his skull, dropping him.
@Cassian Maxwell
01-04-2025, 08:35 AM
