𝙳𝚊𝚜 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚣: 𝙱𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝙴𝚒𝚗𝚜

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟏 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

Back at the river, the group stares off into the woods up the ridge as the screams fizzle out. At even pace with each other, Eber and Koza look to the woman. Blandly blinking a glance their way, she then turns her head more lively. "What?" She narrows her eyes. "I do not like the way you are glaring at me so accusatorially," she bites. Another scream flails from the woods, a gurgle tailing its end. The men keep their eyes on Lorelei. "Alright! So, perhaps I mentioned Kasimir's riches atop the coach, and perhaps I suggested these fine gentlemen fill their pockets with whatever the Holy Highness didn't need." She crosses her arms. "I hardly think any of that was the wrong thing to do." Her head aims away from the men.

"Koza," Eber names calmly.

"Yes Sir." He moves to a rush for the woods and the coach over the ridge and up the way.

"Looks like I won't have much from tonight," the gypsy man says, turning from the woods. "But I will have that sword of yours." His focus moves to Eber.

Her attention drifting to the two men still by the river, she watches the gypsy man prepare himself against Eber. For a moment there is quiet, the flowing river sweeping over and around rocks being the only sound. The gypsy man suddenly leaps toward Eber with blade ready to slash. Grabbing a fist full of the man's dark oversized shirt, Eber throws him into the mostly dead fire, sparks and ash plooming.

Lurching from the pit of burnt wood, the man pats a small flame igniting on his arm. With it frantically brushed out, the man glares up at Eber's dead expression. The gypsy man reaches for a chunk of burnt wood, throwing it at Eber for a distraction. In a vibration of air, Eber is gone and the wood keeps going, barely missing Lorelei's head. The man's eyes widen and mouth drops open when Eber rematerializes to his side, striking him with an arm. The harsh blow sends the man into the water of the river.

Lowering a frown, Lorelei grumbles, "That wood almost hit me in the face."

"...Almost."