Turning on Malik, the taller man put his sword at the ready. Malik retreated while pulling a dagger from his hip, the same spot he pulled it from when we first met. He backed away while diverting the blade from its course as best he could, trying to keep the longer deadlier weapon at bay. At this rate he wouldn't last long, but I had my own problems to deal with. My glance went to the man pointing his sword at my heart as the distance between us vanished.

With no sword or dagger, I reached for a nearby stool out of desperation. This was absurd. How the hell was I suppose to fight without a weapon? When we started out, didn't I promise to be careful and suspicious? Wasn't I always going to keep my guard up? How could I have gotten so complacent? Beat yourself up later Bill, right now you need to focus on the task at hand.

I held up the stool against the oncoming sword. A single strike shattered the thin wood in my hands. With nothing between him and I, he moved in. Intent on taking my life with the next strike.

Maddy ran towards us, gripping the dagger she carried at all times, letting out a scream of rage as she charged. The range of the dagger was short, forcing her to get much too close. A heavy, study boot kicked her stomach, snatching the wind from her. As she fell backwards she somehow managed to slide the blade across his leg, only to be met by the leather and light chainmail underneath.

They came prepared for a fight. If the other man was dressed the same than the light slash of a dagger would do nothing. You would need to stab with all your might to do any damage. That or the weight of a sword or ax would be needed to break through. With Maddy coughing while splayed on the floor, I again had his full attention.

He brought his sword up while i backed away. A piece of the broken stool found itself between my foot and the floor. I fell backwards, hitting the hard floor with a loud thump. I looked up, seeing only the sword as it flew towards my head.

Using a speed I had almost forgotten she was capable of, Meri appeared between us just in time to block the sword with her fox claw. A grimace of pain filled her face. While they may be deadly weapons, they weren't meant to stop the swing of a steel sword. Blood dripped from where the nails met the fingers as the soft tissue attaching them ripped.

She used her other hand to slash at his face. He raised his arm to stop the attack. Her claws scraped against a mix of metal, leather and flesh. The gashes weren't deep, but at least she managed to give him some pause. Meri closed in on the opponent forcing him back. Attacking with her good hand while cradling the other. After regaining his composure, a few swings of the sword forced Meri back.

This wasn't the kind of place where Meri's agility could be utilized to its full potential. There were far too many objects in the way. As Meri had yet to learn any magic, she was not use to picking up on the subtle movements and aura one gave off when gathering mana. I could spot the almost imperceptible tell tale signs from this man while Meri stood between us, unaware of the impending danger.

“Back up! He's going to use magic!” The words rushed out of my mouth, giving Meri just enough warning. As he pointed his left on towards her she jumped back. Something which reminded me of a Japanese throwing star came into existence. It flew at Meri with great speed, barely slower than an arrow. She dodged to the right, the metal nicking her left arm. It buried itself deep in the wall and faded back into nothingness.

I was worried about another projectile being launched, but it looked like a slight break was needed between castings. I thought of trying to close the distance to take advantage of the window in attack, but without a sword trying to charge him recklessly would be foolish. We didn't have any good options.

Maddy had gotten her breath back and was on her feet. Part of me couldn't help but think that she would be great to use as a sheild. Clearly they didn't want to kill her, but that didn't mean that accidents couldn't happen. I'll be damned if I was going to put her in danger to save myself. She clutched her dagger and pointed it towards our opponent.

It was no good. It would just lead to the same outcome. To make matters worse, Meri was down to one useful hand. We needed our swords. It was that simple. One of us would need to get them. Meri was the fastest, but she was the only one who could be useful without a dagger. “Maddy, toss me your knife and get our swords. If you run you can be back here in ninety seconds”

“But I can-”

“There's no time! Trust me and just do it.” She hesitated for a moment before tossing me the dagger. The town was small and the inn was just down the street. She could make it back even faster if she really moved it. While this was the best option, I couldn't help but think it would most likely be over by the time she returned.

As Maddy bolted towards the door the man moved in to attempt to block her escape. I grabbed another nearby stool and tossed it at him. Upon seeing the flying object coming at him he instinctively stopped and covered his face with his free hand. The interruption was just long enough to give Maddy time to rush out the front door. A Murderous glare was etched on his face as he looked in my direction.

He raised his left hand up towards me. The signs of mana being gathered were clear. I wasn't like Meri. I knew I didn't have any chance to dodge something moving that fast. I flipped over a table to my left and dove behind it. A thunk hit the wood. I looked up to see a piece of metal lodged half way through the table top before it disappeared.

I got up from behind the table to see Meri had close the distance once more. Not only that, she managed to get to his side. Did he really let himself become so distracted by Maddy running out of the tavern and his anger towards me that he completely ignored Meri? Could he really be so stupid?

It was possible. When this started he was the one who attacked first, and he went for June instead of Malik. Malik may have been able to block the surprise attack, but he was clearly the one he should have targeted first. Anyone with half a brain would have known that. The fact that he didn't do that and went for the closer more convenient target was imbecilic.

He yelled as Meri's claws dug into his side. The armor he wore saved his life and prevented major injury, but the pain was still there. He swung his sword to force her back. Sneering in disgust. “Ya fucking filthy lil' beastkin cunt. How dare ya! I'll strangle ya with ya own entrails for that.” He pointed his sword at me. “I heard what ye said about getting ya swords. Ye dare think you'd be a match for this here great Samwell with a sword in ya hand?”

He spat on the floor. Seemingly unable to think of a suitable insult. He gave me a murderous grin. “I've already passed da first test. Yet ya dare to think ye be my match? Let me show ya what a fool ye be!” He put his sword away as a great amount of mana gathered around him. So much so that even Meri noticed it and backed up to stand by my side.

Seeing my opponent was focused on whatever he was doing, I spared a quick glance towards Malik. His opponent looked stronger and far more cunning than ours. Maybe just a bit weaker than Malik in a fair fight, but this was hardly fair. Malik was being forced into a corner, both figuratively and literally. He had taken a few injuries and had managed to survive with a dagger against an opponent with both a sword and armor, but time was running out. Once he was forced into a corner he would have no way to dodge.

I wanted to help, but I couldn't dare turn my back on this man. Meri, after seeing the situation Malik was in, acted rashly. She closed with our opponent, trying to end the fight. The man's calm cool smile with Meri approaching didn't sit well with me. It hit me. He wanted her to attack. He stood there unmoving as he watched her get ever closer. Looking more pleased with each step she took.

My instincts screamed at me as I yelled. “MERI, STEP BACK!” This was one of the few times I was thankful for her instilled discipline. She immediately did as instructed. Like a bolt of lightning, a sword came down through the ceiling. Hitting the floor in the exact spot Meri would have been had her charge continued.

The man let out a short laugh before taunting us. “What? Why don't you try to attack me again you filthy lil beastkin?” He moved towards us slower than a tortoise. The way he walked had become odd. Like a man who moved while balancing many spinning plates on his head and hands. A strained look of concentration was clear to see.

Meri looked to me. “What's going on? Where did the sword come from?” She stood between the two of us. Appearing ready to dive back in, but kept an eye towards the roof. Her normal hesitation had disappeared just like last time. The fox blood in her veins causing her to become bold in the heat of battle. I put my hand on her shoulder to calm her. I didn't want her to do anything before I knew what was going on.

I was only just learning about magic in this world, but I had vast theories from the many fantasy stories I’ve read over the years. Combining that with what i knew of this world, I tried piece everything together. All magic had a nature and had to follow certain rules and exist within its specified limits. Everything this world had shown me so far led me to believe that was the case. I just had to figure out how his spell worked. Then I could deal with it.

We looked at the blade stuck into the ground. It soon faded away just like the throwing star. I recalled reading in one of the Armingtage books that only magically materialized things could do that. The only things you could make from magic that wouldn't fade was elemental magic. I still hadn't learned why. Perhaps because it existed in nature or was simpler in composition? That wasn't something to be concerned with now. The blade faded, that means it was created with magic.

Meri looked to me with a confused expression on her face. “How did the sword fall from there? Don't you need to be in direct contact with magic?” I'm glad to see she has been listening during our trips to the Magic Association.

I didn't know for sure. So I took a guess. “It's probably connected to him somehow. Maybe wires that are too thin to see from this distance. I think that's what he's concentrating on.”

I was just shooting from the hip. So I continued to do so. “It must have been a spell he learned after completing the dungeon. I didn't see anything like it in the books the Magic Association showed us. Judging from the way he's moving, I would say he's trying to hold everything up around him.”

Meri looked up, seeing nothing. “There aren't any blades.”

I shook my head. “They're probably just slightly above the roof and already fully formed. He pulls on his little string and down it comes on your head. If they weren't fully formed already that would mean he'd need to create and launch them at the same time. I doubt someone like him can do that.” Meri looked up ready to dodge and expecting an attack. I gave her a reassuring smile.

“Don't worry. If he could control them freely and send them anywhere he wanted we'd already be dead. How straight that blade came down the first time suggest his spell only works within a certain radius of himself . Not only that, the blade came straight down. He probably can't have them come at us from a sharp angle. As long as we keep our distance I don't think he can attack.”

The short man stood stock-still. Gawking stupidly in disbelief . “How da hell did ya figure that out?”

“I wasn't sure until now you fucking moron.” I guess in this world my special power is that I'm a hardcore fantasy nerd. After reading over one thousand books it was doubtful I would see anything that took me by surprise. As I learned more about this world, I could refine my knowledge. That was my gift. Well that and the gift of pissing people off.

He spat on the floor, unable to fight back in a war of words. “It don't matter none anyway. Even if ya know how it works, ya still can't beat this here Samwell. I'm gonna cut off ya wee pecker and shove it in ya smart mouth before I’m done with ye.” He was right. I couldn't beat him. If I tried to attack I would just get myself killed.

I whispered to Meri. “I want you to get close to him, but not too close. Try to get a feel for how far out his spell reaches. I would do it myself, but honestly I'm not fast enough to dodge the attack. Sorry to ask you to do this, but there's no other way.”

She nodded, showing no hesitation or fear. Darting in and out towards him. Working her way ever closer. Each time a sword didn't drop she went in a step further. The first sword came down approximately eight feet from his position. I needed at least one more attack from him to confirm my theory. A sword struck the ground were Meri had just been. With her expecting it, she was easily able to dodge. “About seven feet.” I muttered to myself.

He wasn't clever enough to hide his range. He'd go for the first opening he saw, just like he did with June. I figured that his range couldn't be any longer than ten feet at most. “Meri, fall back.” She stopped what she was doing and came to my side. As long as we stayed about ten feet away he couldn't do anything. From a safe distance I took the opportunity to close my eyes and focus my mana, turning my dagger red.

My eyes shot open, intent on killing my target. “Follow me!” I ran straight at the shorter man. When I was near the edge of his range I made a sharp cut and ran around him, Meri on my heel. He stood in shock as he watched us run around and away from him towards the taller man.

“Where the hell are ya going? Come back and fight ya damn cowards!” I ignored his pointless proclamation and charged towards the man fighting Malik, my dagger at the ready. He'd pinned him in the corner of the tavern and was looking to land the finishing blow. Seeing us coming, he backed away from the injured Malik and turned sideways towards us, attempting to keep his focus in both directions.

The taller man pulled a small dagger from his waist. Using the sword to try to keep Malik at bay with one hand and the dagger to block mine with the other. He shouted at his subordinate. “Do something you idiot!”

I wasn't going to give him the chance. Malik used his dagger to hold the sword back while my dagger cut into the taller man's with the use of burning blade. With both hands occupied he was left wide open. Meri's fox claw slashed him across the neck where there was little protection. His hands dropped the weapons and went around his throat in shock. He slumped to the floor, blood gushing from the wound as he choked to death on his own blood.

Malik looked down at the dying opponent. Picking up the sword and deciding to let him helplessly bleed out. He looked to the shorter man who was afraid and confused by what just happened. Malik walked forward, stalking his prey. “He's the one who killed June. Move aside, he's mine.”

The nervous look in the short man's eyes soon faded and turned to confidence as he jeered. “What are ye gonna do? Ya can't attack me while I have this spell!” Maddy ran through the door with a loud crash while holding two swords. She looked exhausted but ready to fight. Stopping dead in her tracks, she took in the sight before her, unsure of what to do. This situation was much different than the one she pictured.

I yelled to her. “Just stay there Maddy, let Malik handle this.” Malik either didn't notice her or didn't care. Not so much as sparing her a glance. He stood at the edge of the spell, somehow able to figure out where it was without me telling him. Could he have been observing the whole time while fighting for his life or was there a way he could detect magic? I wasn't about to ask right now.

An electric current covered his sword. The Lightning dancing around the blade. With a look of disgust Malik eyed the man up and down. “What a cowardly spell you use. It suits your character well. Hiding behind it like the scared pathetic little vermin you are.” He swung his sword. Lightning flying off his blade in a crescent moon shape towards the man.

Cutting him at the waist, the two halves of his body fell at the same time. Landing face up, screaming in horror in agony. His screams were cut short as the swords he'd been controlling above fell, impaling him in several places. Malik was disappointed by the result. He wanted the suffering to last.

The cold and distant look behind Malik's eyes vanished as soon as he heard a small moan behind the bar. June was laying on the ground, gravely wounded, but still drawing breath through gasp of pain. Malik shouted. “Get a healer!”

Maddy was already spent. Meri being the fastest one rushed out to bring the healer. We did all we could for June in the mean time, but the blood kept spilling out no matter how many pieces of cloth we used.

June looked to Malik, mustering the best smile she could. “The wounds too deep. Even I know that.” She placed her bloody hand softly on his face.

“The healer is coming. She will get you all fixed up.” Malik grabbed her hand and kissed it.

June Smiled. “She's a small town healer. Even if she wasn't, it's too late.”

Malik shook his head. Tears filling the corner of his eyes. “Don't say that. You'll be fine.”

June looked him in the eyes, hardly seemly to feel the pain anymore. “You're good looking when you clean yourself up, did you know that? These last few weeks have been some of the best I can remember. Even though you made me feel like a cradle robber.” She gave a small laugh which caused her to cough up blood.

She pulled Malik's hand towards her and kissed it. “Don't go back to the way you were. I remember the first day I saw you. Even then you were a drunken lecher that made advances on me. I always had a good sense about you. I knew you could be a good man if you applied yourself. I'm glad that you finally proved me right.” Malik couldn't think of the right thing to say. So he held her hand tighter.

“Don't disappoint me now. Remember, there are plenty of fine looking adventurers in the mother's keep. I'll not wait for you if you go back to your old ways.” She turned to look at me and Maddy. “Help these kids out for me, will you? They seem like a good lot. And get yourself a woman your own age. I won't hold it against you. A young man like you deserves a nice young lady. Not an old maid like me. Just remember, when we meet again I'm going steal you back.”

Malik shook his head. “You're the one I want. Those young silly girls are nothing compared to you.”

“A smooth talker to the end eh? I Can't say I hate that about you.” She smiled at him. Then her eyes went out of focus. A few gasped escaped her as her body finally went limp.

Meri arrived with the healer. she went to see June but it was far too late. It was always going to be from the moment that sword slashed through her. Malik held on to her hand in silence. Looking down at her now peaceful face. After a while without saying a single word, he stood. He grabbed a half empty bottle of red wine. Pulling the cork out he drank directly from the bottle until there was nothing left.

He tossed it on the ground and grabbed another. I nervously approached him. “Malik, I'm so sorry. I-.” He grabbed me by the throat and pushed me against the wall. Lifting me into the air.

“It's all your fault! They were looking for you three. If it wasn't for you this would've never happened to her!” He pointed his sword towards me. I could see the debate raging in his mind on what to do. After a few anxious heart beats, his eye contact broke and he let me drop.

He stood over me pointing his sword in my face. “What the hell are you mixed up in? Tell me everything. If you lie to me, I swear to the mother I'll cut you down.”