Thread: In a Kingdom of Unrest [Seraphina X Just Another King]

The weasel faced man didnt like Clara, or the way she spoke. His sickening grin soon turned sour as she spoke, her voice dripping with contempt and sarcasm. His eyes narrowed suspiciously. Everything about her screamed of the high and mighty, those who think themselves better than men like him. The nobility. This whole affair suddenly became much more interesting now that he imagined her as some noble lords daughter, sneaking out to well just to sneak out, as an act of rebellion. He chuckled to himself as he too stood up. Now that wasnt very nice, was it? He said condescendingly once her tirade was over. He nursed the hand that she had slapped as if she had done any real damage. Tell me, does your father know youre out here? Wandering the streets as if youre some noble hero? He asked, before nodding to one of the huge men behind her, who moved to grand subdue her, to wrap his large, muscular arms around her in a constricting manner. The weasel faced man just continued speaking. You can keep your sacks of food, after all Im sure your noble father will be grateful for your safe return. Oh and the disciplining of your disrespect. To emphasise his point, the slender man lashed out at her face with the back of his hand. You see, you nobles can dress up like common adventurers all your want, you can play at being heroes or being like us common folk all you want, but the truth is that youre all the same. He snarled. Kadens eyes snapped open at the distant sound of an impact. A fist landing and the sounds of a struggle. Leaping to his feet, he rushed to the edge of the roof. Scanning the river bank, he quickly spotted Clara, surrounded by the five men. Shit. He muttered, an irrational rage filling him. It wasnt for any kind of connection to Clara or a particular sympathy or protectiveness he might have felt for her. Instead, his rage was fuelled for his hatred of bandits, thieves and rogues of all sorts. He had seen first hand the work of bandits and men like this. Hed seen the way theyd treated people, the dead and ruined left in their wake. As he stepped back from the edge, there was no doubt in his mind how this would end. Seconds later and her ran at the edge and threw himself off the roof, Magic cushioned Kadens landing as he rolled, coming to his feet in the middle of the group and drawing his longsword in one swift, laid motion. He levelled it at the weasel faced man, his posture and confidence marking him out as the leader. One chance. Let the girl go. Kaden snarled. His dark cloak billowed around him. The weasel faced man laughed ecstatically. And just who are you? He asked. A valiant knight, stalking the streets to save pretty damsels? Or a noble protector bound to his charge? Kadens eyes narrowed ever so slightly he didnt like the second option. He wondered what shed told them or said to them. Hed find out afterwards and then hed lock her up in her damn chambers! An almost imperceptible nod from the leader gave Kaden his clue to move. Stepping to the side, Kaden spun and raise his blade to meet the overhead slash of one of the thugs behind him. The blade bit into his wrist, before proceeding to severe hand from arm. The brute screamed in agony and staggered away, as another charged. A lightning fast thrust from Kaden saw the longsword pierce his chest. It dripped with blood as he pulled it from the attackers chest, who fell to the ground with a heavy thud. The third thug was lucky and managed to deflect Kadens first blow, but the second cleaved downwards, where shoulder meets neck. With a sickening squelch he pulled his blade free and his palm connected to the bandits chest in a blast of magic, sending him into the river. Turning to face the weasel faced leader, Kaden watched as he ran away, followed by the first thug clutching his bleeding wrist. The bodyguard took a step to follow, before forcing himself to stop. He turned and levelled his blade at the fourth of the huge thugs, who had moved to restrain the princess. Hed barely broken a sweat, but there was an angry bloodlust in his eyes. It didnt take long for the final attacker to flee, leaving Kaden facing Clara, a dead bandit between them, blood seeping from his chest. Are you hurt? Was all Kaden asked, lowering his sword, hands still shaking with anger.