The oni-masked samurai’s blade nearly sliced him in two, but Lawrence dodged the attack. His opponent was very fast. Too fast, and Lawrence didn’t have the skill he needed with the similar, albeit much shorter weapon.

He stepped in for a counter attack but the general’s blade met his, a scrape of sharp edges sounding through the air.

Lawrence jumped back again before his opponent could come at him with a counter to his counter. He could barely get in close enough to land a hit, if he ever got the chance to land a hit.

He remembered now that this huge general Muji was often called the Masked Demon. There seemed to be no escape. His blade was at least half again as long as the one Lawrence had.

These katanas were cutting swords, not thrusting swords. He was never going to land the blow he needed, and if he did, his opponent’s red armor would probably sustain the blade’s edge, unless Lawrence managed a perfect cut.

They were beginning to surround him.

The failed mage considered using his destructive powers. A few fireballs would send a good number of his enemies running in agony.

It wouldn’t be enough. They would still take him down and he would die tired. Escape didn’t seem a very likely option either.

The samurai came at him again.

Lawrence parried the blow, elbowed the other warrior in the side of the head. The clout seemed to get him to slow down, but it clearly didn’t hurt. The man was too big!

Lawrence stepped back. If he killed this general Muji, the rest would close in. Finish off the “gaijin” who had killed their beloved general. “Are you their leader?” he asked, barely dodging another thrust. “The ones who attacked the palace?”

Muji ignored him.

Lawrence continued to dance about, trying to tire the other man out, but he wasn’t moving particularly fast, save for his katana thrusts. He could probably do this for half the night. Lawrence could not.

Something needed to change fast or he was dead.

Those sword strikes were getting closer. Much too close. Lawrence began to call on his magical reserves. Four or five fireballs would be enough to thin their ranks.

The Masked Demon stopped short of confronting him again. “Stop!” His men obeyed immediately.

Lawrence was confused.

“This is a dual among honorable warriors,” the giant declared. “Do not interfere.”

Lucky, he thought. But now what do I do? I can’t beat him.