BRING SWORDS AND FLOWERS

EPISODE 7- THE FIRST ENCOUNTER

Raul Adara and Gaga were out in the town to investigate the case of the Demetros when by chance they came upon the Voda cousins.

"That redhead who disappeared into the jewelers, is Ares Voda." said Gaga "And that one in the blue Beret is his cousin."

Raul looked at the cousins. The younger cousin seemed to be looking around for something.  He saw her eyes fall on his car.
He saw her disappear into the jewelers and Ares coming out of it and running into his car.

'Is he leaving his cousin behind?' thought Raul. That or he has not noticed us. The cousin probably sent him away. How loyal!

Raul watched Gaga taking his sword and getting out of the car. 

"Stop." Raul caught Gaga by the hand and pulled him back to his seat."I'll handle this."

"But my Lord." said Gaga but Raul was already out with his sword.

Gaga watched with surprise,his Lord following the Lady into the street.

Raul moved following the blue beret. Even though she was walking fast, she made no attempt to run.

Prudent but proud, thought Raul.

When they reached the middle of the square he had caught her by the sleeve and forced her to turn around.

A set of deep blue eyes stared at him from under the beret.
"Are you ..Lady Voda?" he asked looking at her. This person had a slender frame and barely reached his shoulders.But she was powering up. Like a rabbit getting ready to fight a tiger. Why did he feel as if he was the bad guy here? No way.

"I am Raul Adara. Looks like you already know what business you have with me."

Tyde looked at the man who had caught her. Raul Adara. Wasn't that the name of their family head? Jet black hair, purple eyes. She did not know that the Adara family head was a handsome young man. She would not have believed it had it not been for the power that she sensed in him. This man has come to settle scores with her. Today was not her lucky day.

"This place is too crowded. Let us do this elsewhere." said Tyde.

As if trying not to let her get away, Raul took her by the hand and made their way through the crowd. A sudden nostalgia hit her. Ten years ago she had come to the town square with her father and he had in a similar fashion, lead her eleven-year-old self through the crowd. Even though she was being led to be butchered, she could still think about such memories, but was this really the end for her?

Tyde began to look around. She had to think fast.

"It is surprising that the family head himself is here." she said.

" I happen to have the leisure." said Raul and Tyde gulped.

"Let's go to the back garden there." she said pointing to an old abandoned building.
Raul nodded and they made their way to the back of the said building.

After reaching there, Raul saw an elaborate fountain that was surprisingly still functional. Was this the reason she had suggested coming there?

He drew out his sword and faced her. Tyde drew a deep breath.
Jets of water from the fountain rouse up when she drew out her sword.

Raul let out a short laugh." I see that you are giving me a fine show."

With one strike of his sword, he let out his fire energy which turned the water jets into those of steam.
Before Tyde could power up again, he struck again and she fell backward.

Another strike and she would be done for. She set up a water barrier before he struck again. The barrier looked like a blue semi-transparent shield to Raul.

She soon realized why she was having difficulty getting up. It looked she had broken a bone . But the next moment Tyde watched him slice through her water barrier in one go. Impossible! Was this the power of  a true fire clan noble? 

It was her father who had taught her to make barriers. She remembered her father saying clearly. "Now listen little Tyde, if you see anyone break your water barrier like as if they were cutting  a cake, then you should run for dear life."

But how could she run away now?
She desperately made more shields before trying to get up. Raul sliced through them all one by one.

Tyde now had to make a quick decision, her pride or her life.