Dread Guard

chapter 2

The mongol fell off his horse, his chest filled with arrows. Genji's twin katana flashed, ending his life in two quick slashes. Emma let loose a hail of arrows, riding the horse of a dead opponent. The now ten strong group of Mongols on horseback turned, galloping away and firing over their shoulders in a Parthian shot. A steel tipped arrow hurtled towards Genji's left cheek, and it was only years of training and preparation that allowed him to cut the arrow out of the air. Genji and Emma tried their best to chase down and kill all of the Mongols in vain, cursing as they rode into the distance.

"Damn. They'll probably raise the alarm." Genji growled.
"Then we better move fast!" Emma said, trying to keep upbeat. They sprinted through the forest on the mountainside, careful to stay in the shade where they were less likely to be spotted. When they occasionally spotted a patrol they ducked behind some cover before moving on. Just as they thought they had got away, they heard a gong ring in the direction of the wall. "Intruders have been spotted near The Wall! Keep your eyes peeled!"

Genji was confused. This was typical of the Nihon guards to say when they were patrolling the wall if they had seen something suspicious. Perhaps these people were friendly? He had a debate with himself whether to reveal himself to the people on the wall or not, but a sixth sense told him it would not be wise. Instead, he gestured for Emma to go and see what was happening on the wall, while he drew a bow he had taken from a mongol body and prepared to give Emma covering fire if she was discovered. She crept through the undergrowth, almost invisible in the lush green foliage. Just enough time passed for Genji to relax when a shrill scream burst from the mountainside close to The Wall.