FOREVER KNIGHTS: #13 Salvaging Souls
Essius & Lethal Confrontation

“Lord Danbury!” A panicked servant called. Begging for direction.

The man in the chair whipped his head to look at him. “Someone get out and fight him! Someone! Do none of you have a shred of courage?”

The albino man peeked a bald head around the door of the carriage, high enough he clearly knelt on a seat. Looking at Rhyers with eyes which were nearly white.

Sensing danger, Rhyers swung his arm down and gave the chain enough slack that the ball toppled loose from the door. A quick yank up had it flying upward from the carriage. Rhyers resumed spinning it. Shortening the chain as he went to keep it from whizzing back toward his face. Once the length of chain was short enough he caught the ball in his other fist and held it against his middle to decide what was needed next.

“Essius, go!” Danbury slapped the back of the bald, white man’s head.

Huffing excitedly like a hound in heat, Essius leapt from the carriage. It wasn’t a graceful landing. He rolled. Toppling head over rear in a manner that should’ve broken a normal man’s neck. Shaking his head like a wild dog he rolled onto his toes and palms to run at Rhyers.

What the hell is that?

I don’t like how it moves! Rhyers grimaced and his pace slowed as he watched the creature’s approach in horror.

A Firoque? It has to be! Though Rhyers had never seen one like it.

Essius charged Rhyers and leapt in the air.

Rhyers tossed the ball and hit the creature in the face but it didn’t slow him. It gave Rhyers time to move to the side but Essius was already back on all fours and hopping at Rhyers. Moving so fast that Rhyers didn’t have time to escape it when it lunged the third time. Landing heavily atop him and knocking him to his back.

Confident that they were winning, Danbury yelled for the Coachman to stop.

But Rhyers was learning. Fast.

How it moves. How it attacks. Dragging the chain back again he caught the ball in his fist and used its weight to punch Essius in the side of his jaw. Making it crunch at an awkward angle. Sticking out from the side of his face.

Essius yelped like a displaced hound. Whining and spinning circles.

Rhyers caught the hiss of a robe and the pad of a soft step disturbing the grass behind him. He ducked and tossed the ball passed his chest and face as he leaned backward. It hit Yuen square in the nose, smashing it into his face as Rhyers retracted the weapon back to his hand again.

Yuen screeched, choking on the blood moving through his throat and turning to spit it on the ground.

Rhyers was unsurprised to spot the blade in his hand. Guaranteed to be laced with Limilus.

Rhyers watched as a very large servant emerged from the carriage entrance. He stood tall enough his head was level with the top of the carriage when he was on his feet. He’s nearly as large as Acharius and Mardichi.

Rhyers winced. If he lands a punch he’s going to knock me out cold.

But Rhyers was quick. He stepped back toward the treeline so he could keep all three of his attackers in view.

Essius to his right scratching at his jaw pinched outward.

Yuen in the middle, using his robe to wipe away the blood from his face and turning to look at Rhyers.

Ready to attack me again.

And the new threat to his left. This large man that looks like he’s fought more men barehanded, then I’ve fought in battle. Not good.

Rhyers now knew Essius would attack his legs. Crawling at animalistic speed to bite or claw. Like a beast.

Yuen was steadying himself. Smearing blood from his face and fingering his blade.

He’ll wait for Essius to attack to distract me. Then try to nick me with that edge. Knowing he only needs to bite my skin a little.

And this new threat. With the rolling gait of a pugilist and the curved swollen ear to indicate it was likely exactly what he was.

A Lord’s bodyguard.

He’ll be quick. He’ll move side to side a lot and he’ll never swing at me with only one fist at a time. I’ll need to keep a careful eye on both. But Rhyers could tell the odds were not in his favor.

He’d thought he was pursuing a carriage with a disabled man his few servants and a frail creature that moved on all fours.

I underestimated them. A risky mistake.

Can anyone get to Rhyers? Warwood. Outside Nightway Castle! It was Sebastian’s voice. Sounding in an all call for help.