Chapter 12
The man in the mask held no response to the insult to his group, rather backstepping against Ulric. Ulric kept his eye on him, his blade twirling around his finger as an image of the moon that rested far above the pair reflected off of the blade. Ulric made the first move, rushing after the masked man who responded with a forward stab. Ulric sidestepped the man, grasping his wrist that held the blade as his arm was extended. His other hand came to the back of the masked man's head, pulling it down and lifting his knee into the covered face of the man. A loud groan escaped his mouth as blood began to spill from underneath the mask. It was clear that something had broke in the man's face. He didn't stop continuing to rush as Ulric danced around him.
Ulric threw a heavy right hook with the dagger, expecting to slash at his throat. The masked man saw it coming, and the man responded with something that wasn't expected. He dropped his blade, lowering his level and sliding onto his knee. His hands went behind his knees, his shoulder into his belly as he rose onto his feet. He pulled the back of his knees whilst running, throwing the man onto his back as he landed on top, mounting him. In the modern day, this would be known as a takedown. However, not a tackle but more specifically a takedown often used in jiu jitsu and wrestling; a Double Leg takedown. This takedown had also caused Ulric to drop his dagger.
Ulric was baffled, not knowing what to do. He was never put in a situation where he had to grapple, and he was beginning to panic. The man mounted him and lifted his posture, his legs around Ulric's as he took top mount. He began to rain down strikes on the man, throwing punches to his nose and hooks to his temple. He reached for his dagger, the man in the mask lifting it and ready to bring it down. Unfortunately for him and fortunately for Ulric, he was forcibly pushed off of Ulric by the side. A figure had seemingly dashed towards him, tackling him off of Ulric. Ulric turned his head to see, the blood from his nose dripping down and splashing against the floor. His palm lifted to his nose and did his best to plug it and stop the bleeding. His eyes finally focused on the sight, seeing what it was that was happening.
Avice had tackled the man off of Ulric, taking her turn on him. Unlike Ulric, Avice seemed to know what she was doing as she threw her leg over one of his, her other leg on the outside. Her ankles crossed, wrapping around his leg and stopping any attempt to change the position. This was called half guard, a position in grappling that was one of many. The man couldn't move against Avice's pressure, Avice moving her hand to her waist and unhitching her hatchet. She lifted it up, looking down at the man with a face void of emotion. It was here that he finally spoke his words.
"YOU DAMN-" He never got to finish his sentence as the hatchet was brought down on his face, splitting through the mask. A scream of agony echoed through the forest but it was quickly silenced as the blood began to clog the throat of the masked man. He was quickly dying, dark blood spilling through the sides masks and through the crack of the mask. His eyes rolled back, not returning again as it was finished. Avice let go of the leg lock, pulling the hatchet out of his head and swiping the air to clear off the blood. She hitched it back on, looking at Ulric with a dead face.
"You hedge-born! You get yourself killed by someone like this and you lose all respect." She commented, scoffing as she returned to Anamarija who continued to sit at the rocks by the lake. She saw the two come out through the shrubs, an excited smile on her face as her hands flailed in the air in a wave. She was excited to see the pair again, already having gained care for them even if she wouldn't care to admit it.
"Guys! You took your time!" She called out with a laugh. Avice responded with a hearty one, Ulric looking at her in confusion. She had just killed a man and yet she acted like nothing happened. It was a scary sight in all honesty. She walked up to Ana, throwing an arm around her head and bringing a fist to the top of her head, scrubbing profusely in a nuggie. She laughed, but Ulric noticed something. Her eyes trailed to her hatchet which still had wet stains from the blood, her mouth drooping slightly before returning to her smile and continuing with laughter. 'She knows.' Was all Ulric thought as he returned to the shade of the tree, beginning to doze off into a slumber.
Ulric soon woke up from his sleep, looking around. Ana in her unique clothing was still in rest, Avice in her red tunic... Wait, where was Avice? Ulric scratched his head, dusting off his clothing as he stood himself up. Anamarija was smiling in her sleep, presumably having a swell dream. The shade gave him comfort, a soft breeze coming against him and brushing against his body. He let out a quiet shiver, enjoying the peaceful silence before it was suddenly pierced.
"Ulric! You're finally up, huh?" A feminine voice called out. Ulric turned towards the direction it came from, finally spotting Avice. She was in the lake, naked as her clothes were off to the side. The water came up to above her breast, concealing her body from Ulric as his cheeks went a shade of red in a small blush, turning from her.
"Oh? What's this? The brave man Ulric is embarrassed infront of a naked woman? Guess this would be your first time, huh?" She teased, Ulric refusing to break in. She finally got out of the water, throwing her clothes on and approaching Ulric, slapping her hand onto his shoulder. Ulric turned to face her, shaking his head as the tinge of pink faded already.
"Geez, you need to relax. We're all just people." She said, clicking her tongue and giving a playful push. By now, Ana was beginning to wake up as she rubbed her eyes with her fist, letting out a quiet yawn as she looked around. She spotted Ulric and Avice chatting. She stood herself up, looking at her forearm and reaching for it. Her ropes had loosened. Ana tightened the rope and made her way to them, her signature smile being shown off. She couldn't hear what the two were chatting about within her distance but it was quickly closing.
"That guy from last night, how did you match up with his grappling?" Ulric had asked quietly.
"I had a good teacher." Avice responded.
"What guy from last night?" Ana asked, finally coming into earshot. Ulric and Avice's heads snapped towards Ana.
"Oh! Uh- There was a merchant last night. Trying to sell us stuff but it was overpriced." Avice attempted to explain. Ulric could understand why they were keeping the secret, not wanting to involve Ana in something that could make her constantly paranoid. She was just a teenager after all, she didn't need to be involved in a life like this if he could atleast try to keep her away from it.
"Oh..." Ana responded, her ears drooping slightly.
"Well, what's done is done. Let's go guys! Dupar is calling out name!" She said, running over to Athos and mounting her farther on the rear. Athos and Moe were simply drinking from the lake. Having caught Athos by surprise, she stumbled slightly before regaining her balance. She walked her way over to her rider, Ulric, the clopping noises coming into earshot was well. Ulric mounted her, watching as Avice mounted Moe and the three made their way.
"Today, we should be making it into Fallkirk." Ulric said, looking at the map as they came across a wooden bridge. His ears perked as he heard quiet rustling in the bushes beside them. He knew it, this was how they attacked him. They were most likely tracking him since that original attack on him. They knew he was Ulysses. Or atleast, that's what he was thinking. He had no clue if it was right or not, as there were still many things that wouldn't make sense if that's the case. Why wait until he was alone? Why only send one man after him. Why not attack during their sleep? It didn't make sense.
"Hello? Are you there?" Ulric was finally broken out of his trance as a knuckle tapped against the back of his head, bouncing as he let out a quiet "Agh!" He turned his head to face Ana who smirked with pride, Athos giving out a huff as if laughing and mocking Ulric. Ulric muttered something inaudible as he turned back to the path, seeing Fallkirk.
"Ooh! There it is, Fallkirk! I hear this is where the Moonlight Blade was born!" Ana said excitedly. Ulric tilted his head, Ana rolling her eyes and letting out a sigh.
"Were you never told tales as a child?" She inquired, more sarcastically than anything.
"No. I was just taught how to fight, that was it." Ulric answered, Ana and Avice's head both going backwards slightly in surprise.
"Well... May as well tell you who he is." Ana responded, a cheeky grin as she raised her arms, interlocking her fingers and cracking her back.
"The Moonlight Blade was the nickname given to legend of the modern day. No one knows his real name, but it's said he's a master of two short swords. A man of the army who left their men in arms to live a peaceful and quiet life, but once found to be alive was hunted. However, the Moonlight Blade is strong enough to turn the predator into their prey. It's said he could rival The Holy Patriarch Guerinet himself. They called him the Moonlight Blade because they say his style is more of a dance than anything. It seems much like the "Moonlight Dance" often performed in the streets of Brevell." Ana finally explained, Ulric raising an eyebrow.
"Sounds a little too good to be true." Ulric responded.
"That's what you think, but I know that he's real! And this is the place of his birth right here, Fallkirk!" She exclaimed excitedly, a squeal coming from her. Ulric scoffed, shaking his head at her immaturity. She reminded him much of Fleur and Yahil and their playful natures. Maybe that's why he hadn't pushed her off Athos just yet.