Chain the Bandit Eater 9

“I believe you have made a mistake Bandit King.”

“Somehow I doubt that boy.”

As the owner of the voice who addressed Roc listened to the Bandit King’s reply they leapt with inhuman lightness from the top of the train and landed just as gently between Chain and the giant. That they knelt as they joined the fray seemed little more than for dramatic effect as they rose to their full height and looked back at Chain with a kind and gentle smile from a strong yet soft, gentle, and beautiful face.

♪~ Gentle prince with golden mane ~♪
♪~ Knight of crown and goddess loathed ~♪
♪~ In silver plate and azure cloth ~♪
♪~ With gifts of man, god, and Builder all ~♪
♪~ From emerald eyes he views a dream ~♪
♪~ With sword of hope he strides undaunted ~♪
♪~ Ever noble the vanquisher ~♪

“Great… Just what I needed… another Hero…”

Chain’s sarcasm seemed to truly harm the young man who stood between her and the giant who meant to crush her but he quickly regained his exposure and again offered Chain his gentle smile.

“I understand adventure, but to my knowledge you also understood the situation that you had stepped into.”

“Yeah… I had a good idea… But I didn’t plan to encounter three heroes in one day…”

“Admittedly the archer’s involvement was unexpected by men and I as well. But you should hold your head up proud adventurer; few can say that they have stood against a Hero, no less two, and have lived to tell the tale.”

“No doubt because of her Relic boy, but I plan on resolving that small matter as well. Then boy, then it’ll be your turn.”

A sigh escaped from the young man as Roc interrupted him and Chain with his violent intentions. The Bandit King found the exasperation of the young man amusing and his toothy grin returned to his face.

“I’m afraid I have already failed too many this day Bandit King so I must insist that you prepare yourself to face me.”

Having addressed Roc’s interruption the gentleness returned to the pleasing voice of the young man as he again offered Chain a smile.

“My apologies adventurer, I know it’s rude to interrupt another’s battle but as you involved yourself first I’m certain you understand…”

“Don’t mind me… If you want to finish off this idiot be my guest.”

“Gladly.”

Having acquired Chain’s permission to take over her fight with Roc the young man turned away from the maid. Narrowing his eyes with the determination befitting a veteran warrior he strode up to the Bandit King and looked up to lock eyes with the giant. Roc was far from impressed and offered the young man another toothy grin.

“So you’re going to interrupt after all, eh boy? Not how I planned to do this as I thought with the Bandit Eater here I might add two verses to my song today but if you insist. I can always break the Bandit Eater to heel and make a bandit out of her that’ll elevate my song all the same.”

“Don’t make me sick you grinning idiot.”

A bellowing laugh burst forth mirthfully from the giant in response to Chain’s disdain to which the maid spat out more blood to emphasize her disgust. The young man who had seemingly been forgotten however drew forth the exquisite two-handed long sword from its scabbard on his hip with a flourish and pointed its tip up into Roc’s face.  The motion at last broke the lumbering Bandit King’s good cheer and he frowned as he looked down the blade at the young man who challenged him.

“I don’t believe I expected to be so disappointed today boy. First the Bandit Eater turned out to not be much and now you’re continuous disrespect and lack of manners is making me wonder what makes you out to be a Hero. You haven’t even bothered to provide the name of the Hero who has travelled so far from the scorned Kingdom of Lumirest in the east.”

“A simple highwayman such as yourself has no need to know my name.”

“Then die nameless in the wilderness boy.”

The sound of Roc’s hand cannon bellowing as a fiery shot exploded forth from its muzzle marked the beginning of the fight between the two Heroes and drew the attention of all gathered by the train wreck. For Melody the distraction of the blue uniformed soldiers was the opening she needed to get past them and she ducked as low as she could and sprinted around them. Coming into the view of the fight she nearly stopped from the impressiveness of the display before her.

The young man had not yet moved from where stood and issued his challenge to Roc, nor had he even removed his left hand from his scabbard. The shot meant to drop him on the spot had not been fast enough to reach the young man before he could turn his blade down and swipe it away forcing Roc to leap back in the same motion. The opportunity for the Bandit King to escape proved useful offensively as well as he again had the room to put his spiked ball and chain to use. Snapping his arms about he released an assault of chain and spiked ball upon the young man who was finally forced from his spot. He did not however yet remove his left hand from his scabbard and deflected all of Roc’s attacks with just one hand. Watching the devastation that rose up from the assault terrified Melody and as a result the harpy quickly remembered why she was even in position to see such a display in the first place.

“Link!”

Melody could not help herself from shouting out as she laid eyes on Chain who had looked as though she had obviously experienced that devastation herself and was clutching at her abdomen with her left hand while still propping herself up wither sword. Wanting to join Chain as quickly as possible Melody took one more glance in the direction of the fray and risked sprinting to Chain’s side.

“Link! Thank goodness you’re alright!”

“If this looks alright to you Melody then I’m going to have to ask if you took a blow to the head.”

“Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha!~ ♪ That’s the Link I know~♪”

Though Chain leveled the harpy with a dirty look she was grateful to hear Melody’s laughter. Combined with the pain that racked her entire being the pleasant sound told her that she was still alive. For how long was a different story though as her fate was currently out of her hands and she and Melody both turned their attention onto the battle.

“So who do you think is going to win Link?”

“I wish I could say, but if you want to get out of here alive you better hope our nameless Hero is more than a match for the two we’re up against.”

Copyright © 2018 Joshua D Tarwater