Gods and Guardians

Chapter 45: Resisting Arrest

There were certain things Nimrod knew his father could never do. Among these was issuing a warrant for his arrest. What did all this mean? Perhaps owing to the slap, he could doubt his father was capable of certain things. Yet he couldn't see an arrest warrant from the man who had lovingly apologized and bade him fare well.

But the warrant was clearly his handwriting. No one would dare forge a warrant to arrest him under his father's nose. Did he miss something? Could Dasirus have issued the warrant?

More unanswered questions inundated his mind now. Who tipped Layman? Who could have? Only someone who knew about the escape plan. His father, his step-mother, Breth, Massey...

I'll give you a reason to leave forever...

But it was not Massey's handwriting on the warrant. What if he was wrong about everything? What if he was betrayed? What if...?

No! The shock transformed quickly into defiance. He would not be arrested. No, he would not!

'I don't believe you,' Nimrod replied finally.

'In any case, you are coming with us.'

Nimrod looked Layman in the eye. 'No!'

Layman shook his head compassionately. He scanned the faces of all others behind Nimrod and sensed their support for Nimrod.

'Challenging or resisting an order of arrest is a crime in itself. And it allows us the use of force to do our duties as Law Soldiers. I hope it doesn't come to that.'

There was no reply. Layman counted to 10 in his mind. The use of force was justified now. He took a step forward followed by all the other Law Soldiers. In reaction, the five soldiers escorting Nimrod and Damian charged to bar his way.

'Get out of our way. Or I will be forced to thrash all of you,' Layman warned.

The captain spoke. 'We are not here to give the prince up to you. We are here by royal orders to escort the prince and Damian. It would be tantamount to disobeying His Majesty's orders.'

Layman hid his anger behind a smile. 'Do you have a written order sealed by His Majesty?'

Silence. Only Layman had such an order. 'This is unbelievable.' He drew his right sword.

His four escorts drew their swords too, almost at the same time as Nimrod's escorts.

'Truman, Set, Shen, arrest Damian. I'll get Nimrod myself. Mish, you stand behind.'

Two soldiers charged towards Layman and the other three each engaged one of Truman, Set and Shen, pushing them back with wild swings.

'Oh?' Layman said, feigning amusement.

Masterfully taking in their every move as they advanced, Layman took a step back and halted quietly as if he were not under attack. What did he notice? When fighting beside a comrade, swings must engage your opponent as well as blend with those of your comrade in a synergistic rapport. Such rapport was often the result of common training. If they haven't been training together, it was best to surround the opponent.

This was basic knowledge, he supposed, but these two lacked it. All they had was zeal, no skill. In a fraction of a heartbeat, he had registered all these and made the decision to teach them both a lesson.

Layman parried a sword stabbing at his chest and in a single sweep redirected it upwards to intercept a second sword. He now had the two attackers swords crossed above. Then he drove one sword down to injure the second in the neck, a warning cut. He then cut the first close to the armpit. They fell back grunting.