Vincent the blacksmith, waited behind the huge tools cupboard, a spear in hand. He double checked to see the tip was sharp. One thrust was all he wanted to use. He wasn't very good with spears after all. His axe lay on his left in direct reach. He peeked out from the side of the cupboard and signalled to Jon sitting behind the closed shop counter. He smiled in reply.

Wilbur had given them clear instructions, lest they chose to fight. He had predicted that search parties would be sent throughout the town to scout out the people or the Priest. In any case, the parties would probably be small and would expect no resistance from the simple folk of the town of Andlenore.

And Vincent the blacksmith chose to fight. He felt it was his duty to fight.

He heard clanking of metallic armour outside and two pairs of footsteps. That would probably mean a low ranking knight.

He looked at the tip of his spear again. He may not be able to pierce the armour but chainmail would be easy.

The two soldiers opened the door and came in. Vincent crouched further behind the cupboard.

He tried to imagine the scene going on. The footsteps seemed to stop. They must have spotted Jon. Jon gave a small laugh. Vincent has asked Jon to cover his eyes when the soldiers entered. The soldiers must be baffled.

"Where are you elders, kid"

Now!

Vincent leapt from behind his hiding place. The element of surprise was in his favour. The one in chainmail had his back to him. His spear pierced straight through the chainmail, and his heart. He let out a blood curling scream. Vincent tried to stab the armoured knight. A vain attempt.

He threw the spear at him. It was easily deflected by the soldier's shield.

Vincent picked up his axe to charge at the knight. The warrior's shield again blocked his advance. The knight swung his sword, Vincent backed away as the blade narrowly missed him.

He is a trained warrior, not a blacksmith. I won't be able to win like this.

Vincent backed away as the knight swung again. He blocked the third swing by opening the cupboard door and using it as a shield. The sword got lodged in the cupboard.

At exactly that instant, Rose rushed forward and swung a bucket full of water at the knight. It was hot water.

The knight let go of his sword and started fondling with his visor as he screamed in agony. The water sept inside his armour and clothes.

The warrior's concerns were short lived as Vincent the blacksmith swung his axe with all his might. The axe split the armour and the cries of the man died.

"I take pride in how sharp my blades are after all. Keep your eyes closed Jon" said Vincent.

Vincent, Lara and Rose set to the task of dragging the bodies inside out of line of sight. Lara and Rose got to the work of covering any blood marks left on the floor. They washed fast, however best they could and laid a carpet to cover it. Rose and Lara returned inside.

"You can open your eyes now, Jon."

"Where did they go?"

"They disappeared. Dad knows some magic."

Jon chuckled.

Vincent knew Jon had understood he had killed the men who had threatened the followers of The White God.

****

The inn door broke as two soldiers in chainmail burst in.

A battle cry was heard as the wooden ceiling panels above one of the soldier gave in and a boy with a scar on face, draped in white, leapt on the soldier below. The soldier fell and the boy's sword was the end of him. The soldier's companion was ready by that time.

The boy unsheathed another sword. An all offensive player. He parried the soldier's first blow with the sword on his right and tried to hack with the one on his left. The soldier easily deflected the blow using his shield. He backed away a step to gain a stronger footing.

The boy charged in with another battle cry, both swords at the offensive. The soldier simply put his shield ahead to take the hit head on, and pushed hard as the blow was dealt. The boy fell behind, still clinging to his swords.

He got up and changed the grips for the swords. He charged again. This time the soldier parried his blows with his sword and swung in an arc as the swords met. One of the swords went flying to the left. At the same time the soldier's knee met the boy's stomach, and the shield pushed him. The boy cowered on the ground in pain clutching his stomach.

The soldier moved in to deal the finishing blow.

An arrow zipped at him and pierced his throat.

The last thing he heard before his breath gave in was, a fat innkeeper roaring, "Ain't noone gonna hurt my son as long as I take breath."

****

The five soldiers moved in the inner circle of the town. Here they moved in larger groups, lest they find resistance from the richer classes. They broke into a home. It was quite lavish. A large hall, and a painting to adorn the wall, with a light border formed on the wall around it.

A man in white armour sprung up from below the table. The soldier who he faced was prepared as he thrust his shield to meet the White Cape. The White Cape understood it was a lost battle as he quickly backed off and switched to defensive.

One of the five men, standing in the middle, in full battle armour, signalled the other to stop as one of the soldiers took on the White Cape. The men understood he suspected a trap. At that point, the man in red and gold armour unsheathed two knives.

He flung the knives from one hand to another. In one smooth stroke he killed the men on his sides. Knife lodged exactly in the neck. He used the back of his hand to hit the back of the soldiers to hasten their fall and with another smooth stroke he stabbed the man standing on his right.

The three men fell dead. The last man fought The White Cape. He fought valiantly. The White Cape could barely even hold his defence. He threw his knife at the soldier. It pierced his neck. Blood gushed of his mouth as the White Cape stabbed him in the stomach.

The man in red and gold armour lifted his visor, "Dress up as him." He pointed at man to his right. "His clothes barely have any marks."

"Thank the Gods it was you Sir Hill! I thought this would be the time I would finally meet the White God again."

"You have got a lot to learn before that kid."

He retrieved his knife and wiped it on one of the dead man's clothes, "That's why I like arrows. They don't leave a mess, dammit!"

****