《I Come From The Water》16: The Inn
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(Lave POV)
The inn was unusually quite when I got there. Granted people still gambled and drinking, but no one spoke above a whisper. As if afraid to make to loud noises. I walked up to the counter where the owner was talking to some really nicely dress people. Swords hang from their waist in intricately designed scabbards.
I stood off to the side waiting for the Owner to finish. Bored I watched the people gambling. Maybe tonight I can make some more money. A tongue click sounded from the table as three aces and a run from two to five was laid down.
The sound of a hand hitting wood came from beside me. I looked to see one of the men glaring down at me. Frowning I glanced at the Owner with an eyebrow raised. Yesterday he was able to explain my room number without using words. Unfortunately he was otherwise occupied having a quite shouting match with one of the other men.
I turned back to the glaring one. “አንተ look በእኔ ላይ እያወራው ጊዜ!” His hand was now resting on the hilt of his sword. With a sigh I turned back to the gambling game.
“I don't understand you.” I said dismissively. The game they were playing was different from yesterday. It looks like the game gets harder with every round you play. Last time it was a triple and a run. Now its two triples and a run. I really want to try.
“አንተ አታርክሰው የሚል መናገር አይደለም!” The annoying shout was accompanied by thick blood thirst. The inn fell silent and everyone turned this direction. I slitted my eyes and turned back to the group talking to the Owner. The Owner's eyes were trying to signal silently to leave.
All five of the men were now glaring at me with their hands on the hilt of their swords. “ስምህ ማን ይባላል?” One of them asked. I looked back at the Owner in hopes of a translation. The man closed to me grabbed my shoulder and forcefully spun me around to look at him.
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I swiftly pulled out my dagger and stabbed it into his hand making him jerk away. “Do Not Touch Me.” I ordered darkly. No one can touch me unless I say so. The other four were stunned by my action. I pulled on the wire retrieving the dagger and ripping the wound more making him grunt in pain.
As if the tension was snapped with that action the people ran from the inn. The men pulled out their swords while shouting in their infernal language. Blood thirst saturated the air making it feel heavy. I spun my dagger then slid it back into it's sheath. “I assume murder is illegal in this world as well. However maiming should be fine. I mean this is self defense.” I said with a cruel smile.
The men knew I was mocking them and became enraged. Rushing forward like a bull the closest swung his sword down in a large arc. It was a practiced move meant to impale the head. Well that is if it actually hits the target. I side stepped and slammed my elbow into his ribs hearing a satisfying crack.
He doubled over coughing trying to breath through his broken ribs. Ooh, maybe I priced a lung. I thought happily. Another man rushed forward while swinging his sword to the side. I pulled out my dagger and caught the blow. Surprising the man. Pulling out a second dagger I slammed it into his lunged leg.
“Really now. You shouldn't leave openings for your enemies to exploit.” The man cried out in pain and fell to the floor clutching his leg. This time two came together. They came from either side in hopes to get me off guard. I pulled the dagger out of the crippled one and flung it. It planted itself into the arm of the unsuspecting man causing him to drop his sword.
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The other man lunged forward in a piercing move. I slammed the hilt of my dagger down on the base of the sword braking it. Then pulling the man towards me I punched him in the neck. He collapsed on to the ground gasping for breath.
Sheathing both of my daggers I turned to face the last man. He leaned against the bar while clapping slowly. Is he an evil villain? Pushing himself off he made his way towards me. “ጥሩ ስራ.”
I tilted my head trying to keep an eye on all five of the men. The one walking towards me pulled his hands up into a shrug. “ይህ ብቻ ሳይሆን አንድ ሰው ይበልጥ የተካነ ለመዋጋት ይልቅ አሳልፎ መስጠት ቀላል አይሆንም.” I relaxed my posture purposefully creating holes in my guard. The man had a loose smile on his face as he stopped about two meters from me.
Suddenly he lunged forward with his sword. I pushed the weapon to the side making it miss me. However instead of losing balance he kicked his leg up aiming for my gut. Pivoting I caught the leg and yanked it forward pulling him. Quickly he brought his sword up deflecting the dagger aimed for his shoulder.
I slammed my foot into his hip making him fall back. Pulling out a second dagger I planted it into his foot and stomped down on it nailing him to the ground. He grimaced and stabbed his sword towards me. Grabbing his wriest I slammed the palm of my hand into his jaw pushing his head up.
Taking a step back he crippled to the ground. Putting my dagger away I looked at the fallen men while frowning. They had been incredible weak. The Owner stood behind the bar sighing at the sight. “አሁን ግን አድርገናል.”
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