The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 21: Enin Valley

Far East of Rendarg, after checking with the residents of a local village, Cavell confirmed sightings of a katana wielding man last seen near a lake in Enin Valley.

As he approached the lake, a light but strong gust of wind brushed across his face and the leaves danced in the wind gracefully, little did he know, this was the calm before the storm.

"Huh?" he said turning around after hearing the sound of something behind him.

He looked but no one was there. Squinting, he scanned both the path in front of him as well as behind, then to the right and left but nothing could be seen. Not even a small animal scurrying on its way, there was total stillness.

The trees and bushes swayed lightly in the breeze carrying the scent of fresh pine and wild flowers. Distracted by the beauty of the countryside, Cavell thought that all around him life goes on. Whether they won or not, nature feared not the evil of man.

"Okay get it together Cavell, stay focused." he said under his breath while lightly slapping himself on the cheek.

Turning around to continue on the path he started, he noticed footprints not far in front of him. Sensing eminent danger, his eyes widened as he turned back around but not nearly quick enough. He stumbled backward as the blood dripped from the torn skin on his arm, trailing its way to his fingertips.

"What the hell?" he said while glancing down at his arm. Realizing that unlike one of Krinx's minions, this fight could very well end his life if he wasn't cautious.

Before his very eyes, stood a man with long brown hair that gently fell over a light rugged beard. It concealed most of his dirty face. He was very lean, malnourished and wearing filthily tattered old clothes - what looked to be a kimono.

Studying the stranger, Cavell asked, "Is that you..... Curran?"

With clouded eyes, the stranger did not respond; rather charged him with a steel tempered katana in hand. Cavell leaped to the side, drew his scythe and quickly slammed the unknown warrior's katana to the ground.

Preparing to try and reason with the man, Cavell looked upon the stranger just in time to see him drop the blade while shifting his body onto one hand and landing a kick to the back of his head.

The forceful blow projected Cavell, sending him stumbling forward. Using his free hand, the man retrieved his katana then spun and flipped forward to a crouching position. A fluid motion that sliced the back of Cavell's leg.

In pain, Cavell limped forward trying to regain his balance. He turned to see the unknown warrior standing with his head lowered and an outstretched arm displaying his glorious blade.

The silent warrior finally spoke. "I was sure that I had killed you the last time we fought, you should not have come here." his raspy voice carried in the wind as he spoke.

Confused but in an attempt to introduce himself, "Huh, what are you talking about, my name is Cavell. I am a member of Rendarg's Steel Guard, I've come requesting..."

He stopped talking and readied himself as Curran shifted the katana into a two-handed hold placed in front of his body, the form of standard katana wielding.

Preparing himself for the next attack, Cavell came to the conclusion. Okay.. this is going to be a lot harder than I thought.

The stranger leaped into a dash screaming, "Krinx, I swear on this blade that I will kill you this time. You will suffer for the death of my wife!"

At the last second before his opponent's charge, Cavell rolled out of harm's way, confirming to himself. Okay yeah... definitely Curran.

Curran quickly adjusted as he turned, dragging along the ground the katana was swung barely missing Cavell who evaded by contorting himself slightly to the left. He then unleashed a full swing to Curran's midsection.

Not one movement was in vain, flowing like a dance Curran quickly blocked the attack by flipping his katana downward.

However the impact from Cavell's swing broke through Curran's block, forcing his own blade to dig into his wrists.

Leaping backwards to put minor distance between them, Curran paid no attention to his wound and instead charged back in with vengeance in his eyes.

"Why Krinx, why would you take her away from me?!"