Forged Destiny [Book 6: Ch. 12]

The Soldier lunged for me. I had a second to catch his Class – Knight, ironically the one I'd pretended to be for so long – and then he was on me. His sword cleaved down for my shoulder but missed as I stepped back. He prepared for a reverse-swing, but I stepped into it, blocking his wrist with mine and grappling with his armour. The Soldiers behind watched, content somehow to let what they saw as a desperate scuffle continue before they began the true assault. It would be over soon. I was, after all, only a Blacksmith.

Yet as the seconds ticked by and blood was not drawn, the Commander became restless. "Finish him already. Don't play around. The Treaty is already broken – two villages set ablaze. There is no point to it anymore."

"I-I'm not playing," the Knight cried, suddenly nervous. "H-Help me!"

"For the sake of our Lord, he doesn't even have a weapon!"

The Knight didn't respond. His eyes were wide through the visor of his helmet, wide and afraid.

—Forged Destiny [Book 6: Ch. 12]