[If you are tired of resting, now'd be a really good time to come out Adron.] I thought, but there was no reply. Are you really doing this right now?!

I turned around to see that guy, he had a wide smirk on his face now that he thought I am trapped. This worm!

For a moment I asked myself would I have gotten angry if I hadn't met Adron or would I be lying in their feet, begging them to let me go? It doesn't matter, I was weak then, I am not weak now.

A sudden veil of cold fell over me. I let go of the rope and grabbed that guy's forearm off of my shoulder and squeezed it just hard enough to bring him down to my eye level. I felt a tinge of content as I saw the fool's puffed face turn into that of horror like a mouse being held by its tail. 

I put my other hand on his head and turned his face towards the two guards who seemed much too eager to 'stop the fight and maintain order'. I don't know whether it was the horrified face of this fool or my glare that made them abruptly stop in their tracks.

"Scram" I said nonchalantly.

The guards just stood still as the man crawled away on all fours. It was only after I calmed down a bit that I realized I messed up really bad. I looked around the market only to see everyone staring at me and not long after that, footsteps and sounds of metal clacking became all too loud.

"Shit" I scoffed as I saw a dozen men circling around me, they all sported a bronze chestplate and held a weapon. Half of them had their weapons sheathed, probably thinking I am not worth all that effort while the others waved their swords at me like a toy.

"Hey I'll do it, just like Haggs said, slice 'em like butter." A very thin man asked pointing the tip of his sword towards my neck, he seemed no more than a few years older than me.

"But boy, your poor ass hasn't even had butter." A voice from behind me mocked.

"Do whatever you want, but don't touch that bird, I'll be taking it." A burly guy remarked pointing at Argen with his thumb.

I was fine, I was fine even though I was surrounded by a dozen soldiers, even when they bantered about slaughtering me...but a sense of panic took over me when I saw the two guards from earlier standing beyond the makeshift circle around me with wry sneers plastered on their faces. The reality sunk in as I looked at their faces; twelve men, the Grandth's men, armed and steadily surrounding me, a thirteen year old unblest who hasn't even hurted an ant before. 

Wait, I have trained for this, haven't I? But those were mindless beasts, these are real men paid for killing and torturing...I have Adron...bu-but he isn't there?

[All those babblings about getting strong and you pee seeing these rats? Ahh right, I had forgot, in the end you are a rat too.] A certain someone arrogantly remarked...in my mind, totally seeming disinterested.

What is it? Why am I having this feeling of joy on just hearing an insult?... I missed him? But haven't I been alone all my life, why would I feel so relieved on being insulted by someone I just met? Why would I miss him?

The sounds of swords unsheathing echoed in my ears as soon as a smile curled up on my face. [Pee? You talking about yourself?] I quipped, steadying myself. I sighed as a certain thought flashed in my mind. Alright, twelve or twenty, I am not dying till I go back and see them both, with a wide smile on their faces.

Just as that thin guy dashed straight at me with his sword, I stepped to the side and extended my arm towards his head. The air around us changed when I grabbed his face with my hand, all the other guards stepped back. In that moment I felt my heart pounding furiously against my ribs.

"This freak is smiling?" Someone remarked. Right then, my gaze fell on a mirror kept in a stall ahead of me, I was grinning. Hah, 'excitement of battle' that wasn't a fantasy after all, huh?

Not wasting a second, all of them charged towards me, I threw the guy in my hands to the side. I wasn't afraid now, worst case scenario, Adron would handle it but there was no other thought in my mind, just the sight of axes and swords headed staight towards my neck.

"Halt. Master Grandth will handle this one."