Valry staggered back, enraged, and inspected the damage to the shield. Incensed, she threw it to the ground. Without the gem intact, whatever magical properties the thing possessed had been nullified. “You're going to be sorry for that,” she spat, taking the hilt of her sword in both hands.
Minx defied her opponent with an easy grin, nocking another arrow nonchalantly. “Are you sure it's a good idea to throw that thing away? You're going to need all the help you can get blocking this next shot of mine. It's bound for your black heart, Valry.”
The vixen gave a ferocious shout and rushed forward once again, her fangs bared and her muscled arms straining as they prepared a great cleave. Her speed was impressive, on par with that of the Fae, and she possessed a mastery of the sword that put just about any other warrior on this field to shame. Sweeping in with a chaotic leftward swing, Valry allowed the blade of her sword to strike the ground before she suddenly tucked and rolled backward, narrowly avoiding Minx's next shot. For an instant, the move had seemed foolish—poorly-calculated.
That is, until the cloud of dust kicked up by the sword's tip found its way into Minx's eyes.
“Ahh....” The Fae huntress staggered back, her eyes filled with dirt. She tried blinking it away, but her eyes only burned. Her vision had been muddied, and though she tried to clear the grime with the back of her arm, she succeeded chiefly in irritating her sight further.
Oh no, she realized as she heard the Wuff vixen chuckle. I'm a sitting duck... Minx lowered her weapon and frenziedly tried to clear her eyes, but even as the dust fell from her lids her field of vision remained blurry.
“Not so cocky now, are you?” taunted Valry. She raised her sword and began a casual stroll toward her opponent. “Beg for mercy. Go on, Fae. I want to hear you beg. Perhaps I'll change my mind and spare you if you beg.” A number of Wuffs on the sidelines cheered and laughed. “No, who am I kidding? I'm not going to spare you. You're dead meat.”
Minx, desperate to survive, raised her bow and narrowed her gaze. She was hardly able to see, her eyes stinging too badly to properly focus. I'll never hit her this way. I can't aim! But if I don't do something, she's going to kill me!
Guided by instinct more than anything, Minx nocked an arrow, strained to make out Valry's shape in her periphery, and then launched an attack.
The arrow flashed across the clearing, missing Valry by a sizable margin and landing in the gut of a nearby Krah. The warrior collapsed with a scream. “Whoopsie,” taunted the vixen with a click of her tongue. “You missed, sweetheart!”
She's coming up on your right, warned Mau from the sidelines. Get that bow up—I'll tell you where to aim! She's getting close!
Gasping, Minx raised her bow and nocked another arrow, pivoting slowly as if being guided by an invisible hand. Where, Mau? Where should I aim?
Keep going, suggested the Faelyr. To the right. A little further. A little further. Nearly there—!
Valry raised her sword to strike, preparing a deadly slash. “Time's up. Goodbye.”
Now!
Blinking her teary eyes, Minx followed the Faelyr's command and let the arrow fly.
What happened next sent a wave of cries and gasps through the crowd.
And pried a scream from Valry's lips as well.
Minx doubled back, lowering her weapon and batting the remaining dust from her eyes. Turning her bleary gaze to the makeshift ring, she found Valry on her knees. The vixen had dropped her sword, and was holding onto her left arm—which had been pierced just above the elbow by Minx's arrow. Valry hadn't expected Minx's shot, and had only managed to dodge in the last moment. Had she hesitated even an instant, it would have struck her in the neck. The shot to the arm had had the intended effect, however—she'd lost control of her weapon and was now seriously wounded. Minx grinned, teasing another arrow from her quiver and squaring Valry's skull in her sights. “Who's dead meat now, Valry?”
The vixen snarled, tugging at the arrow in her flesh.
“You've lost. As per our agreement, send these soldiers away from here. Call off the attack.” Minx's arm tensed. “I'll give you to the count of three to issue the order. At three...” She smirked. “Don't say I didn't warn you.”
Valry's eyes flared and she struck the ground with a balled fist. “I'll order no such thing! The fight will continue. The Fae will be destroyed, and I will have my dragon's hide.” She turned toward Kaleb, a cruel sneer on her lips. “That one, there. Kill him and bring me his hide.”
Minx's heart trembled at the thought. “Don't you dare!” she howled, drawing her bow to the breaking point. “If you lay a hand on him, I'll kill you where you stand!”
“What are you standing around for?” blurted Valry. “Kill them! Kill all of them!” she screamed.
As if knocked from a trance, the vicious warriors on the sidelines suddenly closed in, swords at the ready. These ruffians weren't going to honor the results of their single combat match; Minx should have known better than to trust their kinds in such a matter.
Minx sent her arrow flying in a rage, but it was blocked by the abdomen of an incoming Wuff who'd resumed marching on Valry's orders. Other warriors started past her, effectively shielding the vixen from harm. Valry's form quickly disappeared from sight—the wounded leader escaped stealthily as the hordes closed in.
Minx returned to Kaleb's side, two arrows pinched between her fingers. I
