Kanin & Anika: No bloodshed?

Sir Brenium stood at attention, making what he probably thought were subtle hand and hand movements getting his men into position. Giving Kanin all the indication he needed to understand that this wasn’t a proper talk, and likely barely a conversation. He started tapping his foot rhythmically on the ground, slowly raising his heart beat to an adrenaline pitch.

“Well, Speak.” Kanin finally said, not bothering with civility he knew these types.

“We have been tasked with delivering a message from Lord Calabrix.” Sir Brenium said. “He wishes for an audience with the warrior capable of taking down scores of royal guards.” the man paused. “I was also informed that my lord would offer you a full pardon for your murders of Lord and Lady Krüger.”

Anika began to speak but Kanin stopped her. “A pardon. So your boss must be pretty powerful.” Kanin said.

“Lord, not boss…” the man said in a tone that seemed like the word boss made him ill. “My lord is a very powerful man.” Sir Brenium said and looked at the young girl. “I am sure he could pardon you for that as well.” His tone disgusted Kanin, with all the implications it carried with it.

“And what if I don’t take the offer?” Kanin asked. “How would your boss take that?” he said, meaning the disrespect.

Sir Brenium strained a smile trying to not get angry at Kanin not respecting his nor his lord station. Seeing Kanin as nothing but a blood thirst vagrant.

“He would be most displeased. We were told that if you would not listen to the reasonable offer that we were to bring you to him under lock and key.” Sir Brenium smiled genuinely now. “That is to say the offer is simply a formality to gauge if you are reasonable and can be convinced to see the offer before you is the best choice for your survival.” he said now resting a hand on the pommel of his sword and gesturing with the other. “Becuase…” he was showing his teeth. “If we have to take you, I can’t promise the girls safety.”

“Are you threatening me?” Kanin said, trying to sound shocked. “If my reputation proceeds me, you are well aware of the damage and chaos I can bring and you are telling me you feel confident in your chances?” Kanin let out a little chortle. “Are you honestly telling me that if you were a betting man you would favor your chances here? Really?”

Sir Brenium looked confused. “You are surrounded. You have men in front and behind. You are outnumbered by a real trained company, the only people you’ve managed to kill so far are disorganised mercenaries, and unarmed civilians.”

Kanin laughed, breaking Sir Brenium flow of doubling down on the threat. “Oh. Your intelligence is a bit lacking. You should ask the other Lord Krüger.” Kanin said. “I’m sure if you hurry they’ll still be cleaning his men off the walls.” Kanin said, a little angry he had to say it around Anika. But it had done that job it was meant to as Kanin heard some of the men behind him shift back half a step.

“Lies!” Sir Brenium spat. While he didn’t respect Lord Krüger, he was well enough aware the had real soldiers in his employ and to have escaped unharmed with the girl in tow from the center of that manor the rabbitman either had help, or was lying.

Kanin sighed, “And what would your boss tell you to do if I fought back?”

“Lord! He is a LORD! You welp!” Sir Brenium finally cracked, taking a stomping step forward but Kanin had to give him some credit for how quickly he stopped himself. Standing back at attention and running a hand over his head to fix the mussed hair. “Our Lord has a great healer on his employ, we would simply bring you in mostly alive.” Sir Brenium said, looking over Kanin and all his scars. “I am sure you will survive.”

“A great healer you say.” Kanin scratched his chin thoughtfully. “What can they heal? Broken bones? Ruptured organs? Severed or destroyed limbs? What about eyes? Or depictions?”

“Decapitations don’t be foolish, nobody can heal that, as for the others, yes. Our lord would hire nothing but the best.” Sir Brenium said.

“Hire?” Kanin said. “Hire like me?”

“Everyone eventually sees the light and works for Lord Calabrix willingly. Some just take more convincing than others. So…” Sir Brenium was obviously tired of the conversation and stalling. “Are you coming willingly or will we have to take you.

“Are you an honorable man Sir Brenium?” Kanin asked.

“Of course.” Sir Brenium said standing proudly.

“Are your men?” Kanin added.

“They are, what is the purpose of these questions?” Sir Brenium asked.

“I wanted to know if you would honor a request. Warrior to warrior.” Kanin said.

“I can’t simply let you leave because you are a warrior.” Sir Brenium said.

“I just want the girl safe before you try to take me.” Kanin said. Hearing the men drawing their swords at the utterance of ‘take me’ but Sir Brenium put up a hand.

“Fine, but she mustn’t interfere or I will not be responsible for what my men do.” he said, motioning to the few men with crossbows.

Kanin motioned for her to run to the tall grass near the road, but leaned down to whisper to her first. “Sorry I couldn’t do this without bloodshed.” he said, Anika nodded.

“It's okay, just don’t leave me alone here.” she said.

“If they do take me,” he said. “Go back to town and find the icy woman and the odd elf.”
“Why them?” Anika asked.

“I don’t have a reason that makes sense, just trust me.” he said. “Now go hide.”

True to his word, Sir Brenium and his men let Anika hide.

Stupidly one charged Kanin early, not waiting for a signal. Kanin did a little hop off the ground twisting his body at the same time delivering a flying roundhouse kick. His foot connected with the soldier's helmet. At first it seemed like the kick was placed accurately enough and well enough to have simply spun the helmet around that was until the man fell rigidly back and blood poured from the helmet.

“Stop him!” Sir Brenium shouted.

Kanin caught a wrist of a sword being swung at his head. While still holding he be kicked backwards like a mule into the next man’s chest, denting in the armor the man let out a panicked breath as he was cut off from air. Kanin then punched the man he was holding with his free hand, in a water like motion he swept his leg back and kicked the man’s feet from under him, ax kicking him on the way down.

From the corner of his eye a steel glint he moved away from just in time as a flurry of rapier thrust forced him to be on his back foot. Managing to get him with a few superficial cuts. Taking a moment to time it out, Kanin lunged into a tackle. Taking the man down, both going towards the ground Kanin put his toes horizontal and the moment they hit the ground and before the man could try to put him in a lock, he launched forward again and into a roll then back to his feet.

“It’s just one man! Stop him.” Sir Brenium shouted.

The remaining men started to encircle Kanin, as he stood there letting them think he was running out of energy and will to fight. “3…2…1…” he said counting their steps as they unknowingly got into position, in a barrage of kicks and knees the men all dropped, and Kanin’s eyes locked on Sir Brenium. Kanin sprinted to close the distance in bounding hops.

In a panic Sir Brenium started to take out a palm sized, sea polished quartz stone. But before he could call up the words of magic to escape, Kanin landed a devastating kick to the man’s arm and hand leaving it looking like nothing but gelatin poured into a sausage casing. And Kanin was preparing for the killing blow when one of the men underfoot grabbed Sir Brenium's ankle and they both vanished. And soon after the rest of the dead or critically injured men also vanished.

Kanin was already tending to the cuts on his arms when Anika came out of hiding. “Who were those people and how did they know about my parents?” she asked.

“I don’t know. But I don’t think that’s the last we’ve seen of them.” Kanin said.