A short distance ahead of him, Alex saw the gang members come to an abrupt halt. Looking around them he saw Rowan and Soran accompanied by a boy. Amazingly it was the boy who attacked one of the gang members first... and with a certain amount of skill too. “Humm...”
As Alex moved closer he saw the boy fell one of the gang members. Then to his surprise, Soran took off running and most of the gang members took off after him. Alex looked from Soran to Rowan and the boy and made a quick decision. He started off after Soran. He was so intent on keeping Soran and his pursuers in sight that he didn’t drop any more of the black powder. By the time he caught up to them and saw the perdicament Soran was in he felt the invisibility spell falter then fade completely leaving him visible to the gang members and on the tired side. “Ohh not good.”
One happened to look in his direction and rushed toward him. The rest held a quick conference while they held Soran in a firm grip. Alex didn’t have time to activate his shield or gather enough energy to cast any spells. All he had time for was to draw his sword and steel himself for a fight. The first gang member reached him and attacked. Alex met his attack and was able to parry his thrusts receiving a few minor cuts in the process. Then a second gang member attacked. Alex managed to parry his attacks and while he was doing so the first one rushed him and got past his defenses. The youth’s sword bit deep into Alex’s side causing Alex to gasp in pain as he stepped back and the youth pulled his sword free. The second one thrust his sword toward Alex but he managed to parry it along with a few other strikes from the first one recieving a few more minor cuts. Then the second youth got past his defenses again and managed to drive his sword into Alex’s other side. Alex cried out and reeled backward a bit then went down on one knee, gasping in pain.
The two gang members rushed toward him and Alex thought for sure he was going to die. He raises his sword to defend himself but it was kicked out of his grasp. Instead of killing him the first one moved behind him and crouched down grabbing him in a vise like grip forcing him down on both knees. The second one crouched at his side and a little behind, grabbed his hair and pulled his head back placing a knife against his exposed throat. Alex gasped again and tried to remain as still as possible. The position he suddenly found himself in was not comfortable and his sides were ablaze and screaming at him. Both youths looked up at Soran.
“A friend of yours?” asked the first one. He noted the look on Soran’s face and smiled. But it wasn’t a pleasant smile. “Yes I do believe he is. Now then, you’ll give us the broach or tell us where ya hid it or we’ll kill your friend. He’s bleeding pretty badly and sounds to be in a lotta pain so ya’d better make a decision real quick like, ya hear.”
To emphasis they meant business the second youth pressed the knife against Alex’s neck breaking the skin and drawing blood. Alex gasped but didn’t say anything. He could feel the warmth of his blood soaking into his clothing and flowing down both sides along with his neck and from the other minor cuts. He could also feel himself weakening and knew he wouldn’t stay conscious for much longer.
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