The Price of Victory

The old warrior advanced with a grizzled snarl. He hesitated momentarily as he glanced off toward the cliff edge, wary of the fact that he now fought alone. The moment of consideration was brief however, as he raised his blade to head height and charged in with a stabbing thrust.

For her part, Islana didn't hesitate, she moved back and deflected his sword with her own. Then made her own move by side swiping at the man's sword arm.

She caught him a glancing blow and he bark a curse as he was forced to adjust his grip on the weapon.

"You're luck can't hold out forever girl." he advanced again with a swipe for her torso. As he did so Islana noticed that Madaya was climbing down once more from her vantage point with a look of fierce determination on her young face.

"Its lasted this long," The redhead moved quickly but the bounty hunter's sword sliced her through her robe, just nicking her skin.

"You were never able to capture me. Where you? After following me for all that time." Islana could see the anger in his eyes as she mocked him.

Lunging forward, the huntress went for a thrust to the man's chest as she tried to keep Alcuin's focus directly on her.

Alcuin barked a laugh, "You are wily as a fox, I'll give you that lass, but the hound has your scent now and...agh!"

Madaya had gained solid ground and darted forward blade in hand, seeking to repeat her previous trick.

"Little bitch!" the man stumbled in pain and turned thrusting his blade toward Madaya, at the same time leaving his back exposed to Islana.

Madaya was quick and sent the blade into Alcuin faster than Islana thought she would.

Alcuin was suddenly turned, his focus on the young girl, back in full view.

Adrenaline pumped through the woman's veins, seething anger propelled her and Islana ran full force and speed with her sword into Alcuin's back.

The sword seemed to stick for a moment as the old man stumbled forward before it was pulled out and back into Islana's hand.

Green eyes watched as red blood oozed from "the hound's" back.

Islana moved closer to the edge of the cliff.

The mans blade fell from suddenly trembling fingers. He staggered round once more to face Islana with a visage of shock and pain. Silently he dropped to his knees as a thin trickle of blood escaped his lips.

Behind him stood Madaya still holding her bloody dagger. Her eyes were wide and he skin was pale as a small bloom of red blossomed in the centre of her chest. She looked down and then up toward Islana in confusion.

Between them Alcuin coughed a harsh laugh as his life blood escaped his body. "Got.. the brat." he spat blood at Islans feet.

"No!" Islana yelled and ran straight towards the man delivering the final blow directly into his neck.

Her legs took her quickly to the side of Madaya, her adopted little sister. The young girl had to be alright, she just had to.

Acluin dropped hard and even as the blood pooled from his body, Madaya fell to her knees, her eyes not leaving those of Islana. Tomen ran forward and knelt at her side, his face filled with concern.

"It... it is just a deam." Madaya smiled weakly.

"Just a dream." Toman assured her, but the scene was no less horrifying with that assurance.

"But I have failed?" the girl asked, her hand pressed to the painful wound.

Islana felt a hand press gently on her shoulder, "Tomen will take care of her from here." Melandra said.