Page 61 of The Anointed's Paladin

“This is your last chance. Repent, reject the witch’s sign, come back with us, and resume your duties,” said Laurel. “Else we will have to confine you and bring you back ourselves.”

“Over. My. Dead. Body,” hissed Kaine.

I adjusted the grip on my sword, anticipating this getting messy.

“Laurel! You don’t have to do this!” Nidori’s voice rose. “Just walk away! Let me go!”

“You leave me no choice.” Laurel took to the air. She let loose a screech and dove at Kaine and Nidori.

Chaos broke loose.

The sprites hovering behind Laurel launched forwards, all converging towards them as well.

Nidori dashed backwards, starting to fly towards me. Laurel was close behind her, but Kaine was upon her. There was a blur and a shriek, and Laurel crashed to the ground.

“No,” gasped Nidori.

I sprang forwards, landing in front of Nidori and baring my teeth at the approaching swarm.

To their credit, they didn’t hesitate before they were upon me.

Despite their relatively small size, I had to admit, this wasn’t a pleasant fight.

The two with spears flew up, out of reach of my sword but still close enough that they could jab me. I was trying to focus on them, but the others were darting all around me, jabbing at my face. One sank its tiny teeth into my wing, and I swore as the wound seared with pain. Poison. I swung out, trying to hit one with a spear, but it dodged out of the way, and the other jabbed down, hitting the side of my neck.

I tried again but couldn’t even hitone. I growled as one sank its teeth into my leg, causing another searing wound that was causing my muscles to shake.

This was fucking embarrassing.

I muttered a spell, delving deep into my magic and causing a fiery shield to burst into existence around me. I would have preferred aproper shield spell, but I was no closer to reconnecting with my oath magic than I had been the day the nagai had almost killed me.

Some dodged out of the way in time, but I heard shrieking and the sound of tiny bodies hitting the ground as the flames did their work.Finally.I regained the grip on my sword, trying to adjust my eyes to the sudden bright light illuminating the tunnel. One of the sprites with a spear jerked and fell to the ground. Kaine appeared, spinning his dagger and raising an eyebrow at me. He looked muchtoo amused. He vanished again.

The others had recovered from the shock of my spell, and I released the flames, sending the cave into darkness again. I heard another shriek that must have been Kaine’s work and swung blindly at where I guessed the sprites were. My sword connected with something. Thank the Gods, I had actually gotten at least one this fight. Damn things were much too fast.

I gritted my teeth while my eyes adjusted to the darkness, letting some healing into my wound to flush out the poison.

I glanced back, worried about Nidori.

She was behind me, bent over a limp form on the ground. Her hand gently shook the body’s shoulder.

“Retreat!” called a shrill voice.

I turned as the last two sprites fled. I started after them.

“No.” Nidori’s voice wavered as she looked at me. “Let them go. Please.”

I sheathed my sword, kneeling beside her. Laurel was motionless on the ground, and Nidori held her hand. A tear fell from her chin.

“Can you help her?” she asked, holding Laurel’s hand out to me.

I looked at the blood on the ground and the angle of Laurel’s head, but took her cold hand, anyway.

“There’s nothing I can do. I’m sorry.”

“She…she’s dead,” she whispered.

“I’m so sorry, Nidori.” I said again, feeling helpless. Laurel had seemed like an awful person, but Nidori clearly cared for her.

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