Other Snips
One charges, swinging wildly. Dolt. Lean left. Trip it. Hit the neck as it stumbles. Next swings low. Leap back, block blow. Push sword high; spin closer. It grabs my shoulders; tries to push me over. Let it. Roll on the ground, hit back of its knees. Run dagger over neck as it falls.
“Dalo!”
Drop flat on stomach. Sword swings over. Roll to back. Five stand over me. Outmatched. Deep breath. Take what you can.
Three raise swords. Toss daggers. One crumples. Other blocks. Third drops sword over face. Move head. Sharp edge grazes cheek.
“I got one, Dalo!”
Jam leaps on one soldier, twisting it to the ground. Roll to the left; get dagger. Scream. Another sword runs shallow across hand. Pull dagger from boot. Roll over; block its blow. It falls on me. Get it off! It tries to pry dagger from fingers. Push it; it pushes back. Reach for eyes; it leans away. Cannot grip its hands. It cannot grip my neck. Other two watch and taunt.
“Stop playing with the girl and kill her.”
“Come now, she’s tiny! Be done with this!”
Yes. Be done. Give it the dagger; grab another from bosom. Lash its face quickly. Plunge dagger into its neck. Others cry out. Roll to feet. Bend in stance.
“Mine.”
Jam trips one to its back. Other swings at me. It has a saber, not a sword. Spin away. Pick up daggers. Jump back. It twists...nicks my stomach. Drop to the dirt. Saber swings overhead. Roll out of reach. Stand; block next blow with daggers. Twisting. Twisting. Hold daggers out. Which way will it attack?
Left. Too slow. Saber nicks my arm, then leg. Fall to knee; hold one dagger above head and other at chest. Saber hits both. Roll again. Toss a dagger. It twists saber down to block. Plenty of time. Run dagger over wrist. Saber drops. Grab its hair. Tilt head. Strike.
Fall next to it and scream. Release the pain.
Hate sabers.
No rest. Another sword swings. Push it to the dirt. Bring knee to chin. It stumbles; make it fall. Kick face and collapse on it. Raise daggers.
“It’s you!”
Soldier that grabbed me the day before. Grin.
Feign death no longer.
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