---

JAIME FONTOYA

The time had turned to night and the village went into lockdown.

All the fighters stayed with their platoons, guarding each cardinal direction and taking turns going on watch. The non-fighters huddled inside the common lodge—a handful of farmers guarding them.

Because of the exchange that transpired between the bandits, Roxanne made Ilias activate My Way, his ability-stealing ability. In her eyes, if she was going to die, she'd want a friend to have her Re-Flex.

Ilias was reluctant but activated My Way out of respect. Since she was the one who pushed for it, Roxanne agreed to the contract first. Tony's philosophy matched Roxanne's and he accepted the contract as well. Out of obligation, Roxy agreed to it as well.

The only ones who didn't were Askeladd and Mondatta.

Mondatta wasn't sure about the ability because her death was its catalyst. But just in case she changed her mind, she kept a paper copy of the contract. If at any time she wanted to agree to My Way, all she had to do was sign her name.

Askeladd didn't have an alchemy ability so agreeing to Ilias' contract was redundant. He patted the pommel of his blade instead. "If something happens to me, the sword is Jaime's."

Ilias, Tony, and the twins were on patrol.

Askeladd, Mondatta, and I made conversation to keep ourselves from succumbing to the type of sleep a heavy dinner brought.

Mondatta propped her feet against the fire, warming them up. "Jaime, if you had the chance to marry anyone, alive or dead, who are you picking?"

"Huh? What kind of question is this?"

"Have you never asked these types of questions before? What do you do if you have sleepovers with other girls?"

"I never had any. Ilias is my only friend."

"Oh, okay... Well, at night, questions like the one I just asked come up. It's nothing serious."

"You go first then."

Mondatta smiled. "I'd easily pick Ottawan the dragon rider. I saw a painting of him and, even though he's been for three hundred years, my stomach tingles every time I imagine his face."

"What about you, Askeladd?"

He giggled. "Guys don't usually have these types of conversations, but I'll bite. I'm going for Lord Vargo's wife, Blossom. I've met her once and she's probably forgotten me, but I haven't. She was gorgeous." He pointed at me. "Your turn."

I thought about my answer for one second. "Decan Lancaster the Thornless Rose. Without a doubt, I'm picking him."

"Decan, huh?" Mondatta said. "That's a name that's not really picked."

"He's a good swordsman, he was loyal to Joy—who I'm distantly related to by the way. But I believe that the history books are painting him to look like the bad guy. All I know is that he's the perfect man. Why else would his wife throw herself off the tower once she found out he was dead?"

Mondatta raised her hands in defence. "That's a good enough reason. You don't have to give us an in-depth explanation, but it sounded like you were ready to defend him to the death."

Silence once more. The three of us sat there, watching the wind shape the fire that cracked in front of us. I grabbed a piece of firewood and threw it in to make it bigger.

"You know what this feels like, Jaime?" Askeladd asked. "This is what it felt like when your father and I were in the military. We were always given the job of lookout or night watch."

"Did you like those jobs?"

"It was boring, but easy. It's a war crime to attack during the night and it was so quiet. Your father and I would be left alone for hours and we'd just drink and sing and have conversations just like this. And once morning came, we got to sleep for the day and ignore all the work."

"You and Father were best friends and I accepted that. But that was before I knew you were a farmer. How did you two meet?"

"Lord Vargo was worried about the crops, so he sent soldiers to our village to guard us. Your father was among them. We struck up a good friendship and he helped me join the Valois military."

"Any stories?"

"Well, let's just say your father was a troublemaker. He often pranked our superiors. He's a bit like you but you're more nosy than troublemaker. So you're more like your mom in that aspect."

"How nosy was she?"

"Gods, way too nosy for her own good. One time half of our battalion had to go somewhere for a week or two. She snuck into one of the carts and fell asleep. We found her after we'd already travelled seven leagues."

"Hehe, that sounds like something I would do."

"It's a real shame what happened to them."

"I wish you actually made it to them before they died. At least you would've been my legal godfather."

"Why don't you just go ahead with that anyway?" Mondatta suggested. "If your guardian gives you permission and signs the right paperwork, Askeladd can become your legal godfather."

"But what if my guardian isn't available?"

"Once you're sixteen, you'll be old enough to give yourself permission. That's four more years."

I turned Askeladd. "Are you still okay with me being your goddaughter?"

"As long as you are."

I nodded. "On one condition. Once this is all over, you have to get a tarot card reading."

He tried not to smile, but his eyes gave it away. "Okay, then. Once this is all over, I'll get a tarot card reading, escort you and Ilias home, and we'll ask your colonel if I could be your godfather."

Tony strolled by, reminding us that it was our turn to go on patrol in half an hour.

"What's the game plan tomorrow?" Mondatta asked. "We know four of them have alchemy abilities and that's a problem. We don't know what they can do."

"One thing's for sure," Askeladd said. "We have to split up into smaller groups."

I scratched my head. "Isn't that a bad idea?"

"It's the smarter idea. What if one of them has the ability to blow up a certain area? If we were all together, they could wipe us off the board with just one move."

"But won't all of them just focus on one group?"

"You have to remember, they know as much as us—nothing. In their eyes, one of us might have the ability to completely wipe them off the board as well. So they'll be splitting up to deal with each group separately."

Mondatta added, "And we'll be in groups. At least we'll have someone else looking after our backs."

Just then, the alarm sounded. The villagers looked at us for guidance so we hurriedly ordered them to armour up and head to the main gate.

Just as we got there, two riders rode past the entrance, slashing at one of the villager's heads. Lucky for him, Mondatta put him in a bubble and deflected the sword.

The riders rode into the village, disappearing into the night.

Farmers began lighting the unlit campfires that were placed throughout the settlement. The moon hid behind the clouds so there was no white light to illuminate the battle tonight.

Several more riders neared the gate, but Ilias struck the ground with a lightning bolt, startling their horses into a retreat. This gave the farmers enough time to move the barricade.

"What happened?" Askeladd asked.

"We saw them charging so we let two in," Tony said as he fired his pistol into the dark. "Those cheating bastards. They're trying to attack us during the night!"

"Other than the time of day, nothing changes. Stick to the plan. Don't let any more in until we've taken care of these two." Askeladd unsheathed his sword. "Ilias, Roxy, Roxanne—you three stay by the gate with the north and west platoons. Jaime, Tony, Mondatta—you three and the other two platoons are with me. We'll take care of the riders."

Askeladd led the charge with about forty screaming farmers armed with spears behind him. We positioned ourselves in the middle of the village.

"This is what I hate about defence," Tony spat as he climbed the well. "The attackers are the ones who are setting the pace."

"This isn't an all-out attack," Mondatta realized. "It's just a test. They're trying to see what we're capable of. We just need to hold out until they withdraw. If we show weakness now, they'll come at us with everything they've got."

"We can end this right now if we want." I gripped Clash, holding it out sternly. "Half of us can sneak out and pin them."

"That could work if we had soldiers," Askeladd explained. "But these people are farmers. We can't pull off a maneuver like that unless the enemy forces are small. We may get the jump on them, but they're more experienced and we'll get overwhelmed."

"He's right, Jaime," Mondatta explained. "We built these walls and dug out a moat for a reason, if we leave it then we built it for nothing. We can't leave until our victory is guaranteed."

"Tony, I'm putting you and Hanzo in charge of shooting down the riders. We'll do our best to throw them off their horses. Mondatta, stay with them and keep an eye out. Bubble anyone who's in danger."

"And us two?" I asked.

"I'll take the south platoon and you take the east. There are two riders, so we'll take care of one each." Askeladd spoke to the farmers. "Remember, they're on your field. We know the village more than they do. Let's kill some bandits!"

My platoon chased after the closer rider, jabbing spears near the horse but making sure not to injure it. The bandit took out his sword and began waving it frantically, deflecting all the weak-thrusted spears coming at him.

By this point, we had completely surrounded him. Out of options, the bandit had his steed buck its hind legs to keep distance.

"Stay back!" I ordered. "If the horse kicks you, you'll be out of commission. If it strikes your head, then you're dead. Let it tire out."

While the rider was preoccupied trying to get his horse to kick someone, Yumi charged in with his spear. He was aiming for the bandit's side, but the horse moved last second and he impaled the rider's thigh instead.

"Ah!" the bandit cried. "I'll kill you all."

The spear was stuck in his leg, so I grabbed Yumi and pulled him back in time to dodge the bandit's flash of steel. Just then, Hanzo was able to land an arrow in the rider's shoulder. I parried the rider's sword, grabbing his hand and pulling him to the ground.

My platoon was on him, stabbing him multiple times through his armour. It didn't even take five seconds for him to become a pin cushion.

"Get that horse under control!" I ordered. "We can't have it running around. Grab its leash and put it in one of the houses."

Just then, Tony managed to land a shot on the rider Askeladd and his platoon were focused on. A rose bloomed from the bandit's heart and, with the last of his strength, threw his sword at the distracted Askeladd. Luckily, Mondatta was able to bubble him in time.

The rider then produced a dagger and threw it at me. Clash had already deflected it by the time I realized what happened. Tony pointed the rose upwards and shot the rider in the head, this time killing him instantly.

"Hey, Boss, don't get distracted like that." Tony reloaded. "You would've been dead if Mondatta didn't react in time."

Askeladd pointed to what distracted him. "Two riders got past the main gate."

"How the hell did that happen?"

"Not important. We have to take care of those riders now! Good thing we're already in position. Jaime, you and your platoon will stay here. My platoon, circle around to trap them. Tony!"

The gunslinger readied his gun. "Got it!"

Tony, Mondatta, and Hanzo hid behind the well they'd been standing on. Askeladd took his platoon and hid behind the huts closest to the riders while mine stayed at the chokepoint that would lead to the northern part of the village.

When the hoofbeats rang loud enough, the farmers and I sprang outwards, screaming and stabbing our weapons. The ones with shields banged on them.

This caused the closest rider's horse to rear, throwing him off.

The farmers didn't even get a chance to surround the bandit before Tony put a bullet in his skull.

The second rider made his horse turn around but was met with Askeladd and the other platoon guarding their other way out. With no other option, the rider charged at me.

Seeing I was a little girl, he might have thought I was the weakest link. What he was actually charging into was a bastion.

I weaved out of the charging horse's way, changing my breathing to make my body more agile. I grabbed the reins of the horse, pulling it down to the ground with all of my weight.

At the last second, I let go, sliding under the horse as it collapsed on its rider. Since the horse made it impossible for Tony to shoot from his angle, the farmers disposed of the bandit themselves, chanting loudly.

"Is that it or are they sending more in?" Tony asked.

Askeladd passed the reins of the horses to one of the villagers who led them away. "I don't know, let's just stay here until Ilias signals us."

"Start making more fires! We need light!"

Wait, am I the only that can smell that?

I had smelled this scent before. But not to this extent. And there was something else mixed in.

"F-Fire!" Yumi screamed, pointing at the main lodge.

There was smoke coming from inside as orange flames danced inside. Now I could figure out the other smell mixed in. It was oil.

I grabbed Yumi. "Take ten people and—"

And just like that, Yumi slumped over as an arrow went through the back of his head and out his eye. He tried to mumble a few words but collapsed.

Tony and Hanzo fired their shots in the direction where the arrow came from as a group of men charged, yelling as they sliced through the farmers that were nearby.

"Bandits!" Askeladd screamed as he began duelling. "They've climbed the walls!"

Everything made sense now. The riders they sent in were just a distraction. The real attack was being set up while we were distracted.

I didn't know how many there were, but there couldn't have been many. If most of their forces were here, then Ilias and the twins would've figured out their tricks and rushed over.

One of the bandits fired six shots at me, but I deflected them at an angle into the sky.

I would've deflected them back at the bandits, but I can't see anything. I can't risk hitting our men.

Everything was chaos. Only a few fires illuminated the darkened battle, but the main lodge's growing flames were slowly lighting the place up.

The non-combatants rushed out of the main lodge. Most were unscathed, but some sprinted out on fire. The first ones out were met with the blades of bandits waiting for them.

The bubbled Tony, ignoring the bandits rushing at us, was fixated on the raiders by the main lodge. Bang! Bang! Bang! One after another they dropped without even a reaction.

Mondatta summoned Zenyatta, having it shoot out its compacted bubbles at the incoming bandits. Every time one of them got close to her, she would recall her Stand and have it defend her.

The bandits could've easily defeated Mondatta, but Zenyatta was stronger and faster than the average man. She would stick close to Zenyatta and have it attack anyone she knocked down.

"Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora Ora!" it would cry in a high-pitched voice as it caved their heads into mush.

Askeladd led the farmers like a lion leading an army of sheep. If it wasn't clear they were outmatched before then the bandits definitely regret climbing the walls now.

The knight would fluidly dance around them, duelling multiple opponents at once with just one sword. He rapidly changed his breathing style to keep up with the sheer number of foes he was facing. I don't know how he does it. He was even phasing his sword through his and the farmer's bodies to make it easier for him to cut the bandits down.

With Clash, I was able to hold my own. All I had to do was wait for an opening and I'd knock the bandit to the ground. Once they were on the floor, the farmers standing by my side would strike them.

Tony holstered his pistol. "Boss, Mondatta and I are going to save the people from that building!"

"Go! Jaime and I can hold our own!"

Tony, who was still bubbled, rushed into the burning lodge to help the non-combatants. Mondatta stayed outside to tend to the wounded.

As Askeladd duelled three bandits at once, one snuck up behind him. Just as they struck, I poked my sword and deflected them away, kicking them to the other three.

"Jaime! Thanks. They're not skilled so the two of us can take them. Worry about the left and I'll do the same for the right."

"Yes sir."

"Just like I taught you, let's go."

In unison, we took steps forward, matching our opponents' multiple barrage of swings. Even though we were outnumbered two to one, we were dominating, driving them back with each clash of steel. Each of them fought for themselves and while they were all focused on defending what was in front of them, none had realized we were leading them to the well.

Only when one of them fell backwards into it did they notice. By then we had split them—one for me and two for Askeladd.

The bandit I faced was better than the others, noticing my gimmick of mainly staying on defence.

He doesn't know how my ability works so I can take him off guard.

As we exchanged blows, I used my free hand to throw my dagger upwards so it would land directly on my head.

He momentarily looked up before fixating back on me.

When the dagger came plummeting down, my sword protected me, deflecting the dagger into the bandit's shoulder. When he winced, I swiped at his feet and stabbed him through the heart.

Askeladd was still locked in a duel. He had momentarily knocked one away. I dove into his fight, stabbing the bandit he was fighting in the oblique.

"Nice one, Jannalor!" he complimented as he decapitated the man.

The raider that Askeladd knocked away leapt at us, but he was pulled back by some force. It was Roxy, who was using Death Magnetic to pull him. Roxanne was beside her, slicing the bandit that was pulled into her domain in half.

Everyone who was supposed to be guarding the main gate was here.

"Is that all of them?" Ilias asked, putting out the fire with a Water Cannon as he hovered in the air.

I nodded. "It seems so."

"The bandits at the main gate retreated. They pulled off this night combat well."

"We won, so not well enough."

Roxanne gritted her teeth at the dead bodies of villagers, fighters and non-fighters. "Those sly bastards. Why are they just going around killing everyone?"

Hanzo was cradling Yumi's body. Toya dropped beside him and wept for his friend. The other villagers tried to wake up their family and friends' corpses.

The main lodge had burnt away, collapsing under its own weight. The worst of the burn victims was Akira, whose skin had turned into a red and bubbling mess.

Mondatta couldn't even look at him. "The old man wouldn't leave until everyone was out. He rushed in when he noticed one of the children was still trapped inside."

"The child?" Askeladd asked.

"He suffered a few minor burns, but he's fine."

Askeladd wiped his blade and sheathed it back into its scabbard. "Stack the bandits onto a pile and burn them. Put the rest of the bodies in one of the houses. We'll bury them once everything is over."

"Give them a moment for goodness sake," Roxy begged.

"This raid of theirs was just them testing the waters. They lost a good chunk of their numbers but they now know what we're capable of. Tomorrow will be the big battle. They'll come at us with everything they have. Take a moment of silence for the dead—and make sure their sacrifices mean something."