Isadora had never met someone as skilled as this scarred man. The only person who could probably be at par with him was the likes of Sir Gareth and the elite knights of Crescia. She was now having a hard time defending herself; she didn’t have the luxury to attack. The man was using the daggers expertly as if it was a thing he was born to do. Had it not been for Isadora’s fighting skills, she would have already been dead. The man could always target a crucial spot.

His movements were precise, and each attack seemed more fatal and deadlier than the first one. Sweat had already formed on Isadora’s face. She was having a hard time, and sooner or later, she might get defeated. Would this man spare her life? But judging from the deadly strikes he offered her, she knew he might book her a ticket to heaven. Or would she go to hell? Before she could think again, the scarred man brought one of his knives down to Isadora’s chest but she was quick to block his attack when she felt the other knife scratch through her hand. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Isadora looked at her hand as blood oozed out uncontrollably. She lifted her face to look at the scarred man and he was now wearing an evil smack on his face as he played with the tip of his dagger, wiping the blood on it in a mocking manner. He even gave her time to recuperate, something that Isadora was grateful for. Inside the untamed beast was a gentleman after all.

"What a disappointment!" He scoffed. "Thought you would at least last longer." He said, now bracing for what would be termed as round two.

Isadora’s hand had stopped bleeding. The wound was not deep, just a scratch on her skin. She held her dagger in a defensive stance. ’Act on the defensive side and strike when your enemy least suspects.’ Newton’s words echoed in her head. That was what she was planning to do now.

The scarred man charged murderously at her, and as expected, she was on the defensive while he was on the offensive. Isadora let him have the confidence that he was winning and she could see him relax. It was as if he was fighting with a child. Who would blame him for assuming the enemy? Now! She thought.

The scarred man had been having a great time, swinging his knives as Isadora blocked his every attack. He wanted to kill her sooner but instead found it fun to ’torture’ her before he sent her to Lucifer. He had been enjoying himself when suddenly the tables turned. The fierce lioness showed her claws and he found himself on the defensive side now. Her attacks were more fiercer and soon, he felt her dagger get buried in his belly. The world spun around him before he fell with a thud.

Isadora watched contentedly as the man groaned on the ground, a pool of blood surrounding where he lay. Her arms were twitching in pain due to the blocking and she had nearly felt as if her wrist had been dislocated. The burial! She walked towards where her backpack was. She needed to slip into her maiden attire but not here. She wouldn’t commit the same mistake again. But where then? Her dress looked tattered and going back to the busy capital was not a wise option now.

She started walking to nowhere in particular when she caught sight of a woman opening a door before splashing dirty water on the now-empty alley. A thought crossed Isadora’s mind and she knew that was it. Hurrying towards the door, she held it strongly before it got closed. The woman stepped out, her face laced with anger. She found Isadora staring at her apologetically. Letting her gaze travel her length, she could only presume that Isadora was attacked.

"What do you want?" She asked, irritation clear in her voice. She didn’t look like the type to negotiate either. In fact, no one in this neighborhood seemed like the type to negotiate, including women. That was what Isadora had concluded.

"I want someplace to change and take a bath." She said.

"I’m sorry but we don’t offer help to strangers." The woman said and turned to leave when she had the sound of coins. She halted in her tracks and turned to face Isa. And there, in her hand, Isadora was holding five silver coins.

"Five silver coins for everything I’ll use." Isadora offered. The woman looked at her before she nodded faintly. She stepped out of the alley and watched if someone else had followed Isadora before she gestured for her to step into the house.

The interior of the house was simple. Only one table and a few rocking chairs were present in the room. An old grey-haired man was sitting in one of the rocking chairs as he stared blankly at the ceiling. No! Not staring. His eyes were dry and almost white. Isadora wondered if he could see.

"That’s my father. And he is blind." The woman said.

"Oh!" That was all Isadora could say.

"The bathroom is on that side. You can leave your things here while you take the bath. And be quick. We don’t like visitors at all, strangers at that." The woman said in a not so friendly tone. A big contrast to the warm smile she flashed when talking to her. Isadora just nodded before she placed the silver coins in the woman’s hand.

"Thank you." The woman said after counting the coins. "The scrappers are in the bathroom. This way."

She led Isadora into another small room that was steaming. A hot pool stood in the middle of the room and Isa was surprised that they afforded such a high-quality tub. Even the one in her chambers could not match with this one.

"Your bag?" She said looking pleadingly at Isa.

"I can keep it here. Thank you." Isadora smiled. She couldn’t just trust anyone yet. Especially people from this neighborhood.

"Okay then. If you need anything, just call me right away." She said before leaving. Isadora placed her backpack on the floor before she untied the stripes of her dress. And with one swift move, the dress fell swiftly on the floor. She stepped out of it and walked into the pool. The water was warm and comforting, giving her a warm sensation. This would also help to calm her sore and tired muscles. She rested her head at the edge of the pool as she scrubbed the dirt off her body. And after she was done, she just lay there in the pool, staring at the ceiling blankly. Many thoughts had now flooded her mind.