Thief of Twilight

Part Three: Chapter 111

The emperor stood before dozens of bandits. He kept calm while thinking of a way to ease the tension. Sinopia glanced at the emperor while taking a breath. He was aware of the situation. The importance of finding Zurine and ensuring her safety. But he worried that the emperor would become impulsive and act irrationally.

"I believe it is safe to say that you are working with Lord Baldwin, correct?" the emperor spoke through the silence.

The bandits looked at one another careful not to respond.

The emperor narrowed his eyes. "Are you also the ones who have been attacking the villages in the east and the north?"

There was a subtle laughter that followed.

"We didn't think you would be this interested in our little acts of mischief." a bandit spoke up.

"Yeah, we thought you would be more interested in going after that woman."

The emperor took a breath. "What are you after? What do you want?"

The bandits looked at one another.

"What offer did Lord Baldwin give you?"

"He didn't make us an offer. At least not one that you can give us."

Emperor Kang narrowed his eyes.

"You see, before your family took over Sincheon, bandits were free to do as they please. But once your father became emperor, we were forced out if we didn't want to be arrested by the guards and executed for our crimes. Most of us went north to Jurza. Some of us stayed behind and tried our best to stay alive."

Emperor Kang lowered his gaze.

"I wouldn't say that we are working with Lord Baldwin. But he did offer us a bit of an incentive."

"And what is that?"

"If we manage to keep you entertained for long enough, we'll be granted immunity."

The emperor thought for a moment.

"It would seem that he has connections even the emperor is unaware of."

The bandits erupted with laughter.

"They're bluffing." Sinopia whispered. "I don't think they were offered anything except an empty promise."

The emperor nodded his head. "It would seem the only way to get out of here is if we fight our way through..."

"It would seem so..."

The bandits chuckled before looking around them.

One reached for their club while another reached for the dagger at his side.

The emperor placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.

A bandit rushed forward. The emperor unsheathed his blade to see another clash with his. He stepped back before swinging his sword in a fierce dance with the bandit before him. More bandits leaned forward before rushing in for a chance to fight.

Sinopia stepped between them, shoving his palm into the bandit's chest. While the bandit stumbled back, another came forward. Sinopia grabbed his wrist and pulled in. He drove his knee into the bandit's gut and then elbowed him in the back of the neck.

The emperor jumped back as he swung down his blade. The bandit fell to his knees as another took his place. Emperor Kang narrowed his eyes as he dodged a battle axe that was swung in his direction. He held up his arm before swinging his sword diagonally across the bandit's chest.

___

I was left hanging above the ground. The air struggled to enter my lungs. My throat felt tight. I don't know how long I have been hanging here. Or for how long Oliver has been watching me struggle. The moonlight flickered in through the cracks from above. It didn't seem like there was a way to untie myself or even loosen up the threads. If I moved in any direction, the threads would slowly tighten around my body. But that doesn't explain why I'm feeling so weak. Is it because I'm trying to hold myself up? Wait...I don't even think I'm doing that.