Patch of Druid-Chapter 28 – Meeting the Merchant, Part 1/2

As they approached the campsite, Lyra and Alex immediately sensed that something was wrong. No one was sitting by the fire. The tracks in the sand looked like they had been deliberately wiped away, and the only sign that anyone had been there were the three camels tied to stakes driven into the ground.

"You think they saw us?" Lyra whispered, gripping her dagger tightly.

Alex furrowed his brow, staring at the darkening horizon."Could be... but that doesn't mean we're backing off."

At that moment, a sound came from behind them—a soft rustle in the sand, like someone shifting suddenly.

Lyra spun around, ready to strike. Alex also took a fighting stance, even though he had no sword on him.

From between the rocks stepped a man in ornate, though worn, robes, followed by two guards in leather armor, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons.

"And who do we have here?" the merchant spoke with a wide smile. His eyes sparkled with intelligence, but there was something predatory and insincere in his grin. "Travelers sneaking into my camp... or perhaps runaway slaves?"

Lyra and Alex exchanged a glance."We're not slaves," Alex said firmly.

The merchant raised an eyebrow and stepped closer."Every runaway says that, doesn't he?" His voice was calm, almost friendly, but his gaze was cold and calculating. "Out here, escapees don't have many options... death or being returned to their owners."

"We're not escapees," Lyra repeated in a frosty tone.

The merchant tilted his head slightly, as if weighing her words."Travelers, then?" His eyes swept over their meager gear. "These are not good times to be wandering alone."

"We're not looking for trouble," Alex added, ignoring the man's provocative tone.

"Ah, but trouble seems to have found you," the merchant chuckled softly and nodded to his guards. "Surely you didn't think we'd just let you walk away?"

The guards immediately flanked them, cutting off their retreat.

"Maybe your owner will pay handsomely to get you back... and if not, I'm sure we can find some other use for you."

Alex clenched his hands, ready to fight."You're starting to piss me off."

"Ooh, a warrior," the merchant mocked. "Let's see how much your honor is worth once you're chained and bleeding."

Lyra growled softly and took half a step sideways, preparing to strike."If it's a fight you want..." she muttered, tightening her grip on the blade.

The merchant sighed dramatically."Ah, they always choose to fight. Very well, your choice."

He gave a nod, and his guards drew their weapons.

One of the guards charged Alex, swinging a short sword. The blade sliced through the air, whistling just past his face. Alex dodged, narrowly avoiding the blow, but the guard pressed forward relentlessly. Another attack forced him to keep retreating.

Lyra had more space. Her opponent lunged with a quick thrust, but she dodged and immediately retaliated. Her dagger sliced across the guard's arm, cutting through the leather armor and leaving a deep, bleeding wound.

The man snarled, ignoring the pain, and swung wide.

Lyra closed the distance and blocked the blow with her forearm, but the force of the strike rattled her. Before she could dodge, the guard punched her in the stomach. The air rushed from her lungs, and she staggered back, coughing.

Alex fought desperately. He tried to summon magic, but nothing happened, and he didn't have time to figure out how to cast properly. The guard kept pushing him, each blow coming closer. Eventually, Alex wasn't quick enough—a slash caught his arm, leaving a bleeding wound.

He gritted his teeth, ignoring the burning pain. But the weeks of training with Lyra paid off. His dodges were quick and agile—otherwise, he'd already be dead in the sand.

When the guard swung again, Alex ducked at the last moment and struck his wrist, knocking the weapon from his hand. That was enough.

He lunged forward and rammed into him with his shoulder. The guard stumbled back...

Straight past the protective barrier.

Before he could even scream, the darkness came alive.

A massive claw pierced through his face, tearing straight through his skull. He howled, but his cry was drowned out by the frenzied roar of the creatures.

The remaining demons pounced on him like starving beasts. Claws tore into his flesh, ripping skin and entrails apart. Alex managed to snatch the sword from the man's hand before he was devoured by the shadows.

Meanwhile, Lyra was still fighting. Her opponent had managed to knock her down and was pinning her to the ground, holding her wrists in the sand.

"Got you," he growled, leaning over her.

But Lyra had no intention of giving up.

She headbutted him. His nose cracked, and blood sprayed, covering her face. The guard howled, his grip loosening.

This was her moment.

She reached for the dagger at his belt and plunged it deep into his neck.

His eyes widened in shock, and a gurgling noise escaped his throat. Blood gushed from the wound in a thick stream, soaking his chest and her face. He tried to speak, but the hole in his throat left no room for words.

Moments later, his lifeless body slumped on top of her, warm blood running down her arms.

She pushed him off with effort and gasped for air.

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Her eyes darted toward Alex to check if he was alright—and to her relief, he had dealt with his opponent. Their eyes met.

Only the merchant remained.