In the heart of Whispering Woods, a boy lay nestled in an ancient tree's branches, his sworud cradled in his arms. The bark was rough against his cheek, smelling of moss and old rain. Exhaustion caught up with him, and he dtozed off. The rusetling of leaves woke him. He peered down to see a squirrel scoping out his stash — a half-eaten apple and a strip of dried meat wrapped in cloth.
As he climbed down, bark biting his palms, a group of burly men burst into the clearing, chasing the squirrel away. They dragged a girl with them, rope chafing her wrists, her eyes flashing defiance even with dirt smeared across her jaw.
The boy watched, calculating. The men forced the girl to kneel. One raised his hand to slap her. The boy's instincts kicked in. He hurled a stone, hitting the man in the back. The men spun around, swords out.
"Who are you?" one growled.
The boy stood tall, leaves in his hair. "Just passing by. And I hate what you're about to do."
The men laughed. "Mind your business."
The boy's jaw set. "That girl's mine to save. And I must save her."
"Watch it, boy!" one of the men snarled. "She's ours."
The boy's eyes narrowed. "Why? What'd she do?"
"She stole from us, shared it with outsiders, helped a prisoner escape," a man spat.
The boy's laugh was low. "Sounds like she's the good guy."
The girl stood taller. "You should be running. He'll join you soon."
The boy picked up another stone, weighing it. "You sure about that? Think you can fight me?"
The men shifted, uneasy. The boy's gaze locked on them. "Write this: she stays. I'll handle her debt."
The first man charged, blade swinging wild. The boy dodged and weaved, boots sliding on damp leaves, avoiding the man's wild swings. He seized the opportunity, grabbing the man's head and twisted hard. The man's neck gave with a sick crack. The boy didn't wait to watch him drop. He yanked the sword from the dead man's grip just as the second man charged, sword flying. The boy sidestepped, caught the man's arm mid-swing, and snapped his elbow backward. The man's scream echoed as the boy pulled the sword free from his twitching fingers.
The girl, meanwhile, had slipped her bonds and stood, dagger at the ready, chest heaving.
The last man, eyes wide, dropped to his knees. "Please, girl... I'll let you go."
The girl's voice was cold. "You'll just cause more trouble."
The dagger plunged into his neck. Silence fell, except for the drip of blood on leaves.
"Don't expect me to say thanks," Lyra said, eyes flashing, wiping the blade on her skirt.
The boy met her gaze, breathing hard. The air smelled like copper and crushed grass. "I'm Kaelin... Kaelin Vex, but you can call me Kae."
Lyra tilted her head, studying him. A slow smile touched her lips despite the bodies at her feet. "I'm Lyra."
"What are you doing here alone? Lost?" he asked while cleaning his sword on a dead man's tunic, the metal coming away red then silver again.
The girl raised an eyebrow, arms crossing. "I should ask you that. You just swoop in, fight people. What's your deal? You collect trouble like trinkets?"
Lyra's grin widened. "You fight strangers you don't know."
The boy shrugged, sheathing his sword. "They made me lose my breakfast. That squirrel had the last of my meat."
Lyra chuckled, surprised. "So you killed 'em... for your food?"
"But saved you, milady," he said, giving a mock bow that made her snort.
Lyra's eyes sparkled. "Heading somewhere, milady-saver?"
The boy nodded, kicking a sword away from his path. "I'm on a quest."
The girl scoffed. "What kind of quest? Killing strangers?"
"Yeah, kinda. But my master needs me at the Big House, so I'm making sure I help as much as I could before getting there."
Lyra leaned in, suddenly serious. "Sounds like we have something in common. Quest to save people."
"You can come with me, you know," Kae requested. "I'm heading to my master. He'll have requests. You seem... helpless."
Lyra's smile vanished. "Helpless? I had it handled."
"Did you?" Kae asked, gesturing to the corpses.
The girl hesitated, looking past him into the trees. "No, I can't."
"Why not?" Kae asked.
"Those men... they're known as the Black Face. They'll come after me. If they notice their men are dead and my... cuffs aren't there, they'll know it was me. They'll come after me – and if they find me, they'll find you."
Kae's expression turned serious. "So what's the Black Face? What did they do?"
"They're kidnappers. Trade women for money," she explained, voice dropping. "Branded girls, sold to lords across the river. I've been saving as much as I can."
The boy's eyes narrowed. "You've been risking your life for people you don't know?"
Lyra nodded. "That's what I do. Someone has to."
"Hm," the boy said, eyes scanning the surroundings, hand back on his hilt. "I think they're still around. Trees are too quiet. We gotta get outta here."
Lyra nodded. "Okay."
The boy looked puzzled. "Kelly?"
Lyra chuckled, shaking her head. "No, I said 'okay'. Let's find somewhere safe. And it's Kae, right? Not Kelly."
As they walked away, a voice cut through the air. "Hey, stop right there!"
Lyra's eyes widened. "It's one of the Black Face!"
They bolted, sprinting as fast as they could. Branches whipped their faces. The men gave chase, determined to catch them.
Spotting a horse tied to a low branch, foam at its mouth, they swiftly took it and rode away, leaving their pursuers shouting behind.
The chase was on, with the Black Face hot on their heels, hooves thundering.
"We need somewhere to hide," Lyra said, scanning the area, hair flying.
They spotted a thick cluster of trees, shadows deep and tangled, and rode towards it, hoping to lose their pursuers.
When they were hiding, horses breathing hard, Lyra peeped out. "I think it's just two of them now. Coming in hot."
The boy, Kae, walked out of the bushes, standing tall on the road. His sword hung across his back, sun catching the pommel. The men rode up to him, pulling reins hard.
"See a girl around here?" one asked.
"A girl?" Kae replied. "What girl?"
The men growled. "She was wearing a purple gown and scarf."
Kae shrugged. "Haven't seen a girl like that. But I do see a girl..."
The men tensed. "What girl?"
"The one that made your prisoner escape," Kae said, eyes glinting.
One man went for his sword, but Kae was faster. He drew his sword, pressing it to the man's throat. The other man froze.
"What do you want?" the man asked, hands up.
"Where are you taking them?" Kae asked.
"Tell me, and I'll let you go."
The man spilled. "You are a fool if you think I'll say a word."
The other man came down off his horse.
"Hey, let him go," he yelled, making Kae shift his gaze — but the other Black Face immediately hit Kae's sword with his and sparks flew. Kae turned the hit into a circle, guiding the man's blade down into the dirt. He kicked out, catching the man behind the knee. As he buckled, Kae reversed his grip and drove his pommel into the man's temple. He dropped. The first man tried to use the moment, scrambling back, but Kae was already moving. One clean arc. The man's head hit the road three seconds before his body.
Silence fell. Kae walked back to Lyra, flicking blood off his blade. "Let's ride."
As Kae and Lyra prepared to ride off, they spotted more Black Face men closing in through the trees. They fled towards the riverbank, horses and all, and crossed to the other side, water churning white around the horses' legs.
The Black Face leader found his dead men and seethed. "This is bad. I must kill that girl... Find her, spread out, and bring her to me – alive...!"
On the other side, Kae and Lyra were about to leave when Jasper appeared from behind a willow. "Hi, guys."
Kae eyed him, sword half-drawn. "Do we know him?"
Lyra shook her head. "No, but he looks like one of them. Same boots."
Jasper chuckled, holding up empty hands. "No, no, I'm not Black Face. I used to be. Retired. I'm Jasper."
Kae raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"
Jasper grinned, jerking a thumb at the river. "Fishing. Saw a beautiful lady with a man. Decided to say hola. Lucky catch, eh?"
Lyra smiled despite herself. "We're being chased by some... old men."
Jasper nodded, face sobering. "Black Face. I know the look. You can come with me. I have a place you can hide. Maybe I can find you something to eat."
Lyra was hesitant, but Kae said, "Not a bad idea. River's cold and we're out of options."
Jasper beamed. "I'll get food. You're hungry, right?"
Kae's stomach growled loud enough to scare birds. "Yeah, I lost my breakfast thanks to her."
Lyra rolled her eyes. "Let's go."
"No. Not until I eat my fill," Kae said. "Aren't you hungry?"
"I don't care about it," Lyra snapped. "Guess it's goodbye if you really wanna go. Bye. But as for those soldiers, I don't care about them."
Lyra sighed. "Okay. I'll give you some minutes. I don't really want you to follow me anyway. It's just... I have to thank you before we depart."
"It's your choice," Kae replied.
They followed Jasper to a small village — four crooked huts and a well, all of it hugged by the forest. A few villagers stared, then quickly looked away as they walked into his little house.
Jasper's house was small but warm. River-stone walls, a thatch roof, fishing nets drying on hooks. Bundles of herbs hung from the rafters, and the whole place smelled like smoke, damp wood, and thyme. A black iron pot already bubbled over the fire.
"Fish stew," Jasper said, stirring with a wooden ladle. "Caught 'em this morning. Perch and root vegetables. Keeps a man alive." He ladled it into chipped clay bowls, the broth thick and peppered, steam curling up. He tore off chunks of hard bread. "Eat. Drink."
They ate, the stew salty and hot, burning away the river chill. They drank water from a wooden cup, and he served wine — sour, but strong.
After some minutes of chatting, Lyra's eyes grew heavy. Her spoon clinked into the bowl. She slumped, deep asleep.
Jasper turned his focus to Kae, talking low about river paths and Black Face patrols. Kae didn't answer much. After a moment, he stood, found a spot near the hearth, and lay down—sword in arm, held tight to his chest, eyes never fully closing.
The house went quiet, except for the sound of Lyra's breathing... and Jasper watching. After a moment of watching them, Jasper took out rope, thick and hemp. He tied Lyra up, wrists and ankles, and waited. Soon, Black Face men pushed into the house.
They hoisted Lyra over a shoulder and took her away, her head lolling. One pointed his sword at Kae. "How about the old man?"
"Stay away from the boy," Jasper snapped. "You won't have interest in him."
The soldier prodded Kae with his sword. "Hey boy. Hey boy, wake up."
"I'm warning you," Jasper said. "Stay away from him. I'm only paying my debt. The girl is my payment. The boy can work for us though. He has a sword. Must be a good fighter."
"I said get away from him," Jasper growled.
They argued, voices low and vicious. The soldier turned back to Kae—only to find Kae already on his feet, sword pressed to the man's neck.
"What did I tell you?" Jasper said. "You shouldn't have touched the boy."
"Take your sword off me," the soldier hissed. "Or I'll call my men and you'll be butchered."
"You think I'm scared to be butchered? Scared of death?" Kae said, cold.
The man coughed. "I don't care. Get your sword off me."
"Where is the girl?" Kae asked, shifting his gaze to Jasper.
Jasper shrugged. "Don't know."
"She's already gone," the soldier said.
Another soldier stepped in from outside. "You should get going—" He froze, seeing the blade at his comrade's throat, and drew his sword.
Before he took a step, Jasper flicked his wrist. A small jack knife flew—caught the soldier in the neck. He dropped, gurgling.
The first soldier tried to move, but before he could, Kae's blade was already through his throat.
Silence. Blood on the floor, soaking into the rushes. Jasper looked at Kae. "Told you not to touch the boy."
Kae stared at Lyra's ropes, cut and empty on the floor. "Which way did they take her?"
"Which way did they take her?" Kae said, furious, sword still dripping.
"Calm down now, boy. Calm down," Jasper said, hands up. "What do you mean I should calm down? You lied to us. You betrayed us!"
"No, I didn't betray you," Jasper said fast. "I was trying to help. The Black Face—they manipulated me. Killed my family. Forced me to do things I didn't want. That's why I ran away. But their leader's been after me. Said I owe them. One more kidnap. One more payment."
Kae's grip tightened. "So you used her?"
"With you, I knew we could take them down," Jasper said, voice cracking. "That girl—Lyra—I know her. She's escaped them many times. She'll do it again. Make more prisoners escape. I've seen her before. Three times they caught her. Three times she slipped the cage."
"Then why tie her up?" Kae spat.
"So they'd trust me. So they'd leave. If I didn't give them something, they'd burn this house down with us in it. I had to make a move to stop them." Jasper's voice cracked. "That's why I didn't drug your drink. Didn't poison you. Check your bowl. No powder. If I was Black Face, you'd be dead too."
Kae's face twisted—confusion, surprise, rage. "You're lying."
"A small move doesn't make me a whole bad guy," Jasper said. "But now I need you, man. With you, we can kill their leader. That's the only thing I can do for my family they took from me. For my wife. For my mom and dad. Please help me."
Kae stared, then said low: "What's your plan?"
Jasper exhaled, running a hand over his face. He described the black market—cages stacked three high, chains, auction block made of old stone, where people are sold like cattle. "They'll take Lyra there. She's been caught before but never made it to market. This time they will. They'll sell her to the highest bidder."
"How do you know?" Kae asked.
"Because now they're desperate. They lost men. They need the money. And if she wakes up..." Jasper trailed off, then met Kae's eyes. "We don't know her plan. But I know the layout. I know the guards. Four at the front, two on the ridge. We ambush them. Hit the market. Free her. Free everyone."
Kae lowered his sword an inch. "If you're lying to me, Jasper, I'll gut you myself."
"I'm not," Jasper said. "Now are you with me?"
"Hi buddy, are you with me?" Jasper said again.
"Ready. So we can save your little girlfriend—"
"Point of correction," Kae cut in, still angry. "She is _not_ my girlfriend. I only _met_ her this morning."
"What? You _met_ her this morning? How'd you get into this trouble with her?"
Kae shrugged. "Guess that's what I do. Save people. Fight their problems. Bad habit."
Jasper smirked. "She must be the one... you must be the pilot."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. Better be nothing," Kae said.
They sat down and planned—how, when, where to hit the Black Face. Turns out Jasper was a damn good swordsman too, his style ugly but fast, like a fisherman gutting a catch. They sparred for hours in the yard, blades singing, training until both were slick with sweat and the sun bled out behind the trees.
Then they rode. Thirty miles from Jasper's house, deep into forest, back of a mountain. The air got thinner, colder. Guards posted up high on the ridge, crossbows glinting. Below was the black market—small village of tents and cages, people buying and selling women like cattle. The sound of it carried up: crying, shouting, the clang of coins.
Kae and Jasper hid behind rocks, watching. The smell of unwashed bodies and smoke drifted over. Then—newcomers. And in a cage, dragged toward the market, hair down and face bruised... Lyra.
Kae twitched to move. Jasper grabbed his arm. "Wait. Count the guards first."
Too late. A scuff, a sound—Kae's boot slipped on gravel. Guards spotted them. They came one by one, then all at once, shouting.
Those two swordsmen? They draw out their swords and became a storm. Kae took the first three. He parried high, spun low, and opened a man from hip to ribs. Blood sprayed the rocks. Jasper fought dirtier — knife in one hand, short sword in the other, hamstringing one guard and putting his knife through another's throat before the man hit the ground.
A crossbow bolt whistled past Kae's ear. He threw his dagger without looking. A scream from the ridge told him it landed. More came. Kae and Jasper moved back-to-back, steel ringing, cutting a circle of dead around them. Kae caught a sword on his blade, twisted, and drove his elbow into a nose. Jasper headbutted another and laughed, blood on his teeth.
But the pack with Lyra... they didn't notice. Kept moving her towards the market, the cage wheels squeaking.
Kae and Jasper fought until the ground was littered with bodies, until their arms burned and the living guards broke and ran.
Breathing hard, they retreated into the trees, chests heaving.
"New plan," Jasper panted, wiping his mouth. "We hit them different next time. Smarter."
Kae stared at the market, eyes on where Lyra disappeared behind canvas tents. "Next time we don't miss."
The end.