The bandits flinched, all except the leader. He scowled as he lifted his axe. To Crystal’s right, she heard Violet sigh and pull her greataxe off her back. The bandit on the ground stood up, and the unarmed bandit pulled his axe from the tree. The old man did not flinch.

All six of the bandits moved to form a semi circle around Crystal and Violet, the leader standing at the front. “This is your last chance, girly,” the leader warned. “I’d hate ta off a pretty young thing like you.”

Crystal jabbed forward with her spear, but the bandit stepped back. He nodded towards the other bandits, and they crashed in as one. Crystal pulled her spear back and held it in a defensive posture with both hands. The leftmost three bandits, two men and one woman, jumped towards her. All three struck at her with their axes, one from each side and one directly ahead. Crystal ducked underneath the swing to her left and jumped sideways to avoid the axe coming down in front of her.

With a flick of her wrists, she slapped the bandit on her left with the butt of her spear, landing a blow to the head. He lost balance and fell to the ground. The female bandit swiped at her again. Crystal ducked again but caught a sharp blow to her side. The other male bandit was smiling.

Taking a step back, Crystal tried to keep an eye on each of the bandits. The female bandit took a step towards her, and Crystal stepped back. Her foot struck something, and she had to catch herself from falling over with her right hand. Immediately, the two bandits jumped forward. Crystal held up her spear with her free hand and closed her eyes. This is it she thought. Dying like an idiot.

Nothing happened. Crystal opened her eyes and saw Violet standing in front of her. She held her greataxe in both hands. As Crystal stood up, she realized that the axe was embedded in the chest of the male bandit. Looking around, Crystal saw the other five bandits lying in pools of blood. Violet grabbed the bandit adorning her axe and ripped him off, throwing him to the ground.

“What the hell was that?” Violet demanded.

“I-I—“ Crystal stuttered.

“You nothing,” Violet shouted, turning to her. “The first thing you do in a forest is learn your surroundings.” Violet had tears in her eyes. “What is wrong with you?”

Crystal looked away. “I’m sorry, Violet. I…I got lost in the moment.” As she turned, she saw the female bandit with a large wound in her back. “Did you kill them?”

“Of course I did, idiot,” Violet yelled. “They were going to kill you.”

Crystal cringed. “I’m sorry.” The smell of blood reached Crystal’s nose, and she had to put her hand over her mouth. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

Crystal tried to stand up but found her legs weak. She fell to the ground, the edge of her travel gear landing in a pool of blood. The chief-to-be jumped back, letting out a quick shriek of surprise. Once the shock faded, her legs grew weak again, and she had to lean against a tree. Her stomach turned upside down, and she wretched.

As she threw up, she felt a metallic hand on her hair. She finished evacuating her stomach. Wiping the side of her mouth, Crystal stood back up. Violet allowed Crystal’s hair to fall back into place. Crystal coughed a couple times before managing a quiet, “Thank you.”

Violet nodded, looking away. “Is this the first time?”

“What?” Crystal asked. A terrible taste remained in her mouth. Talking made it worse. Crystal cringed.

“Is this the first time you’ve seen someone die?” Violet asked.

Crystal was quiet. Images flashed in her mind of funerals she had attended and of dead animals. But she could not remember seeing death accept its prize before. “Yes,” Crystal managed, tears coming again.

Violet nodded again.

“Um, hello,” a decrepit voice interrupted. “Did you forget about me?”