Game Of Survival •in editing•

8 Judge And Executioner

"General. Such a surprise." The voice is scratchy and dry, as if he'd been dehydrated for days. A thick accent, lilting and hard to understand. He glances at the wounded man with a dagger in his stomach, still alive and breathing. Another helps him nurse it, already tending to him like we weren't in the middle of a fight. The men wore masks made of silver and white, stretching from their hairline to the top of their lips. Mr. Smoke A Pack A Day drags his eyes over me. A sinuating gaze enters his eyes and he scans my wounds and the bare leg that is revealed from the torn skirt. I hadn't realized I'd torn it until his gaze burns my skin more than the wound itself.

"You're attacking a member of the Royal Guard and are trespassing on leased property that does not belong to you. Give up your weapons and surrender." Oh, poor boy.

"As you can see General, there are five people here. There's only two of you, well, one I should say. Since missy over here looks like she'd be...down for a while." He smirks and I think I throw up in my mouth a bit. "You aren't leaving here alive."

"Who do you work for." A command, not a question. His naivety is killing me.

They laugh, teetering on the edge of insanity from the way they wipe their tears. "Like we'd ever tell you. Really, General, that's the first question you ask? Why does it sound so personal coming from you?"

"I'd like to think you know why."

The man does not respond. Answer enough.

"Grab the girl." He says. Two of them dart for me and I gear myself for a fight. A flash of red invades my vision. The General stands there with his sword drawn, towering body and broad shoulders my shield.

"Lay a hand on her and I'll skin you before your trial even begins."

"Who is she to you, General?"

"None of your business. I'll repeat; stand down."

With a glance, the bowmen draw their arrows, ready to fire at my shield. Only two bowmen. I slowly draw a dagger from the sheathe at the back of the General's thigh, disguising it with the layers of my skirt. Thank God for the awful thing. He flinches, but he stays steady, as if reading my plan. I ready the dagger.

"I'm sorry General. This may not be my own task but...it may serve a purpose." A flick of his finger.

I throw the dagger sideways, directly below the man's teres major muscle. The arrow flies and we both roll sideways. One of the arrow pierces the second man in his throat. He sputters, blood pouring like honey from his mouth; crimson bubbles burst around the arrow before he plummets to the afterlife. They attack instantaneously.

When I'm back on my feet, I dart towards the bowman who already is in the middle of notching his second arrow. I grab the wood, wringing it out of his hand and knocking it against his nose before grabbing his quiver. He rebounds almost instantly, punching me in my stomach. I double over, the breath instantly knocked out of me. He grabs my hair and tries to throw me but I grasp both of his hands and swing down, my right foot connecting with his kneecap. He tumbles over my body, landing with a grunt. My unharmed foot comes down on his temple and renders him unconcious. The second bowman is already down, Big Red stands next to him with his broken bow in his hands. The second bowman is knocked out, hand bent all the wrong ways...but breathing...hopefully.

The others attack. I notch an arrow and pull, it lodges into a man's knee. I draw another before Scar face can draw his blade. The arrow pierces his shoulder. I glance to the General and he catches my eye. He doesn't need to respond. Three paces in, he grabs the man by his throat and knocks him unconscious.

I notch a third, pointing it at the man who first addressed us. The wind picks up and I smile, Mr. Smoker does the same, almost mockingly. "The princess can fight."