The Epic of Dalen Grey

I got up early in the morning. I wanted to seek out Delvori and see what he wanted to say to me. I can only imagine he would not be happy with what happened. I might have to avoid that conflict for awhile if I was able too. I know what I had promised to Elizia, but after one night in Jail and all of the conflict surrounding me. I Just wanted one day off.

I stayed inside most of the morning. It was nice for a chance to try and relax. The girls staying with me were very helpful. Maybe they felt bad for hiding here. They cooked and cleaned for both of us. I don't remember eating so well since the last time I had since the day my mother was killed. It brought up good and bad memories. They really want to keep company with me. At one point during their stay they both tried to be more the Just a guest with me. I won't say I wasn't tempted after a few stressful days, but my conscious would never forgive me. I kept thinking of the girl I left behind. Sometimes I want to curse my loyalty, the rest of the time I'm glad I have it. I knew that I could not give up on Jalyn until I knew what happened to her. She would do that for me I was sure of.

I was content to stay there all day. I think everyone was at least today. That hope seemed shattered with a loud knocking at my door. We rushed all three girls downstairs. It must have seemed strange that we never mentioned the basement before. They trusted us anyway. I opened the door Just before they were able to break it down. There was six guys with armor and swords outside my door. They did not look happy either.

"Dalen, prepare to die."

I was without armor on and was at a disadvantage. I figured if I could hold them at the door, I would only face one at a time. I didn't expect all six to charge in all at once. I was nearly knocked on my back. They were quickly distracted by a little surprise. Ondre was hiding behind the door and as they ran in he ran a long and narrow blade in one of there backs peircing his leather armor. They were distracted Just long enough for me to regain my balance and strike the man ahead of me. The only place on his body not covered with leather and iron was a small area on his neck. He wasn't prepared to defend himself completely and he soon fell grabbing his neck while the blood flowed out beneath his fingers. They were expecting six on one and now it was four on two and they were greatly out numbered.

The group split and two of them faced each of us. I was facing and dueling with two swords to my one. I tried to keep moving so they could not surround me and attack from behind. It was easy to deflect there blows but sword only barely cut through there leather. Our swords kept clashing and it seemed they only had light scratches on there body and they weren't fatal at all. I needed to try something else. During the next advance, I grabbed his hand and used his momentum to force him one of the men on Ondre. I saw him Jump and roll and when he got up there was a dagger poking out of his neck. The other struggled to crawl out from under the dead body on top of him.

He made it to his feet and came after me. I again had two guys attacking me. I couldn't do much but chip away through their leather. I was starting to get angry. In my favor, that skin tight leather slowed them Just enough to counter most of there strikes. I saw a dagger fly by and stick his leg. As he almost fell back, I thrusted deep into his stomach finally piercing through.

My guard was down for Just a moment, but it was enough to feel a sharp pain in my ribs Just below my left arm. The anger had filled me and I lead an aggressive assualt on him, pushing him further and further backwards. I scored a hit on his hand and his sword flew away. I slashed at his body and he stumbled backwards. I plunged my blade deep into his heart while he laid on the floor.

I turned to help Ondre, but Just as the last man fell to the ground. He was sliced all over and the loss of blood must have finally took its toll on him.

"They are all dead, I wish I could have interrogated at least one of them."

"They are hired assassins Dalen, they aren't likely to speak of there clients. Some foolish code of honor I think."

I realized we both had a cut or two on us and a few bruises.

"I need to move these girls, they aren't safe here anymore."

"I'll take care of the thugs. When you get back you won't even notice six men died in here. And hopefully the authority won't find out either."

I took all three girls to Elizia and she hid them in the basement. I still didn't know what was down there. After they were safe one of them told me to check in the basement because they found something down there. They all thanked me with hugs and a kiss on the check. It feels good to be a hero. I made sure Elizia was all settled before I left.

I returned to find no trace of a battle. There were blood spots on the wooden floor, but they were black spots on gray wood. No one would know the difference.

"Where did you put all of the bodies?"

"I can tell you my hiding spots, what if you use them all on me and I have no where to stash people?"

"You keep way too many secrets."

"I have some friends, they take care of me and I take care of them. I won't name them no matter how much you beg."

"Fair enough."

"I found this note with them. You might like to read it."

It read "If you are reading this Dalen that means you have bested my best warriors. I have escaped from prison and you won't be able to catch me. I will return for your life when my empire can be rebuilt. You may have lived through today, but you made a powerful enemy" signed Brick.

I knew that someday he would come back to haunt me. I brought him down once, maybe the next time he wouldn't be spared.

I checked the basement and noticed they had opened a secret door. It was only cracked open but I could see it let to a tunnel. I closed it and locked the basement. I was too tired to crawl in a hole in the ground. I wasn't able to sleep much that night knowing that the tunnel network led beneath my bed.