A Blade in the Dark

Seraphine's hand was already at her sword before the hooded figures could take another step.

"You should have run when you had the chance," she said coldly.

The first attacker lunged. Seraphine sidestepped, her blade flashing in the moonlight. Steel met flesh—a choked cry, then silence.

The others hesitated, but only for a breath. Then they rushed her.

Seraphine spun, using her horse as a shield. Another blade swung toward her—she ducked, feeling the cold wind of its passing.

Her counterstrike was swift. Steel sliced through fabric, then flesh. The man staggered back, clutching his side.

The next attacker was faster. He lunged low, aiming for her legs. Seraphine leaped back, but her foot slipped on the damp earth.

A hand grabbed her arm.

She twisted, slamming her elbow into her assailant's throat. He fell back with a strangled gasp.

Three down.

Two remained.

One of them—a woman—watched her warily, a curved dagger in hand. "You fight well," she admitted. "But you're outnumbered."

Seraphine exhaled, steadying herself. Blood dripped from her blade. "Then I'll have to kill you quickly."

The woman smirked. "We'll see."

And then she attacked.

To be continued…

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