"Because you look like you can't keep your mouth shut around these people," I said. "You know what? Cindy, go wait with her. The two of you can sit down, talk out your problems, and let me handle this."
Cindy gave me an injured look. "What? Why can't I stay? I'm the strongest in the village!" she complained as I pulled the pink robe over my shoulders.
"For now, I am," I replied, fastening the garment. "You two have unresolved issues that need to be cleared up. Go do that now."
Both girls turned and shuffled away, looking dejected. There was obvious underlying tension between them, so locking them in a tent for a while would force them to talk it through.
I turned north, watching a cloud of dust rising on the horizon. Elder Lily stepped up beside me.
"I see you noticed those two have feelings for each other," Elder Lily remarked softly. "You are quite observant. But how do you plan to handle the trouble heading our way?"
"I don't know yet," I admitted, pulling my hood low over my face. "Cindy filled me in on Eliza and her guards, but I'll play the role of a traveling wanderer for now. I want to see how she treats people firsthand."
"Fair enough," Lily replied. "Eliza only just turned eighteen and hasn't properly processed her mother's death. I would feel sympathy for her, except she forcibly took one of our village girls a month ago, and we haven't seen her since."
"If she's still alive, I promise I'll bring her back safely," I said, and Lily gave a firm nod.
Scanning the approaching dust cloud, I made out five horses—one leading the pack with four riders trailing in two pairs behind her. The front rider had long blonde hair blowing in the wind.
Her guards wore light armor over red tunics, contrasting with the vibrant rose-red dress Eliza wore up front.
[1 Karma Point Gained. 2/5 for First Skill.]
Hmm? Why did I get that one?
My train of thought was cut short as the group galloped right into the center of the village, hauling their mounts to a sudden halt. For a moment I'd been concerned they were going to ride us down, so I was glad they stopped.
"I am Countess Eliza of Northwall!" the blonde girl announced arrogantly as she dismounted. "I have come to collect taxes! If you cannot pay, I shall claim another of your people as my servant!"
Her four guards dismounted behind her, drawing into formation. They looked reasonably capable and carried weapons, but I wasn't intimidated.
My blood began to hum with pre-battle excitement. Fending off a wild beast was one thing, but dealing with hostile humans felt like familiar territory—my muscle memory was practically itching to move.
"We barely have enough food to feed ourselves, and your mother never demanded tribute from us," Elder Lily said calmly from my side.
Eliza's glare snapped toward the older woman. "Strike that old hag for daring to speak to me like that!" she commanded.
I let out a low sigh. Zero hesitation. This girl barely reached my chest, yet acted completely ruthless. She clearly needed a reality check, and I was more than happy to deliver it.
The four guards stepped forward with smirks on their faces. They weren't looking at me, but they were heading straight for Lily, so I shifted my stance to block their path.
"Get out of the way, peasant, unless you want to get beaten first!" the lead guard sneered. She was roughly six inches shorter than me.
I didn't answer. Instead, I swept my leg out, kicking her feet out from under her.
Before the remaining three could react, I surged forward, driving my shoulder directly into the second guard. The impact launched her backward into the third, sending them both sprawling onto the dirt.
"What?! Get up, you idiots! What are you doing?!" Eliza shrieked.
The fourth guard, still standing, drew her sword. I shook my head. She lunged with a diagonal slash, but I stepped inside her range, cracking a precise strike against the back of her wrist.
The blade slipped from her grip. I caught the hilt mid-air while simultaneously sweeping her legs out.
Turning toward the Countess, I advanced on her. Behind me, the first guard tried to pull a secondary weapon, but I delivered a blind back-kick straight into her sternum. I heard her weapon hit the dirt as she gasped for air, but I kept moving until I towered over the young noble.
Eliza's mouth worked, but no words came out as she stared up at me.
"You're the Countess, right?" I asked.
A sudden, sharp odor reached my nose. Looking down, I realized the scent was coming from right beneath her.
"Y-Yes..." Eliza stammered out, trembling violently.
I nodded and stepped back. "Don't move."
"Don't hurt her!" one of the downed guards called out weakly.
I glanced sideways. "Silence. I'm not interested in hearing another word from any of you."
I inspected the taken sword in my hand. The steel was cheap and poorly maintained. Setting the flat of the blade across my knee, I applied pressure and snapped it cleanly in two.
"Garbage," I said, tossing the broken pieces aside. "Here's how this works: I'm going to retrieve the girl you took, and then we'll be back. Guards, clean yourselves up and start helping around the village while I'm gone. That isn't a request."
I turned my attention back to Eliza, who was shuddering in place, a dark wet patch spreading across the front of her rose dress.