Of Rats and Men

The narrow alley was just wide enough for two men to stand shoulder to shoulder. The restricting space was an advantage for Daniel and his men. No matter how many Rats there were, only four could engage them simultaneously. The members of the group were also well versed in swordsmanship. Kraft, Ashton, and Daniel himself participated in campaigns and had combat experience. In this sense, the Rats were at a severe disadvantage.

However, the restricting corridor was a double-edged sword. Daniel and his men wielded standard longswords. On a spacious battlefield, these were power, versatile weapons. However, in the cramped corridor, they were restricted to thrusts and stabs, lest they hit allies or embed their blades in the rotting wood of surrounding buildings. The Rats' daggers, though inferior in quality, were much more suited to such close quarters combat.

As the group pushed forward, the Rats, with surprising courage, closed in from both sides. The sound of clashing metal rang out in the alleyway as their blades met. Ashton stepped forward with powerful vertical slashes. The Rats were forced backward. Their daggers could hardly stop such heavy blows.

One Rat managed to duck pass Ashton's blade. But before he could attack, Daniel stepped forward to meet him. His first stab missed as the Rat dodged to his right. The Rat deflected his second stab with his dagger, stepping in to close the distance.

He was met by the sole of Daniel's boot. The kick knocked the air from his lungs and sent the Rat sprawling onto the muddy ground. Daniel didn't bother finishing the downed Rat. Their exchanged lasted hardly two seconds, but in those two seconds, he was not moving forward. If he fell too far behind Ashton, it would leave an opening for a Rat to get behind him. Daniel quickly advanced to fill in the hole again.

Horace was right behind Daniel. As the Rat tried to get back up, Horace stomped on his back forcing him back into the mud. Placing the tip of his sword between the Rat's ribs and he drove it through his back. The Rat released a gasp of pain. The blood entering his lungs rendered him mute. He shuddered, coughing blood. Then he was still. Horace pulled his sword out and moved forward.

The group, slowly but steadily, pushed through the Rats. Ashton held the front with Daniel at his side. Horace supported them both, watching the flanks and finishing downed enemies. Liam kept close to Lady Abigail, alert for further dangers. Lawrence and Kraft easily fended off the Rats from the rear. Their swords gave them the range advantage and the Rats were forced to come to them.

Bodies began accumulating as more Rats fell to Daniel and his guards. Cuts and slashes splattered blood against the walls. The ground was stained crimson.

A few meters away from the alley exit, Ashton literally disarmed his current opponent. As the Rat stared at his lost arm in shock, Ashton rushed forward, running him through with his sword. He didn't stop there. Using the body as an improvised ram, he barrelled forward. The Rats scattered out onto the street at the riverside to avoid him.

Ashton let the body drop as he exited the alleyway. Bracing his foot against the corpse, he pulled his blade out. His heaving breaths clouded the air as he took in the scene. The residents had long since disappeared. Their battle was hardly subtle. As a result, the streets were empty except for them. The Rats formed an arc around the alley, still unwilling to surrender.

His allies fanned out behind him as they left the alley. On Ashton's left, Horace twirled his sword, as if ready for more. On his right, Daniel wiped the sweat from his brow and readjusted his grip on his sword. Liam stood next to Daniel, keeping Abigail behind him. Laurence and Kraft stood firm at the exit, blocking the remaining Rats.

For several seconds, all was still as the two sides stared each other down. Daniel recognized where he was now. Sure enough, the hostel where he was to meet Viscount Somi was about one hundred meters down the street. So close, yet so far.

"We'll break through the right and hold them off." Ashton murmured to Daniel without taking his eyes of the Rats in front of him. "You and the Lady run for the hostel."

"Are you daft?" Daniel whispered back. "We aren't in the alley anymore. They'd swarm you like the rats they are."

"With all due respect, my Lord, let us do our duty." Ashton shot back. "We can hold them. Just send help as soon as you can."

Daniel gritted his teeth in frustration. "Fine," he relented. His free hand snaked back and clasped Abigail's arm. "If any of you die, it better be because of the cold."

Despite the situation, all the guards found themselves grinning. "Yes, my Lord," Ashton responded for all of them.

"On me!" Ashton suddenly shouted. As one, the group sprinted towards the hostel. The startled Rats scampered out of the way in a panic. One unfortunate Rat slipped and fill on his butt. A sweep of Daniel's blade kept him down.

As they broke the encirclement, Ashton slide to a stop and turned around with his sword at the ready. "We hold them here!" he bellowed to his men. They formed a line, separating the Rats and the Gilens. Daniel and Abigail continued forward. As the sound of battle resumed, they redoubled their speed.