Garinor raised his hands into the air in supplication. He closed his eyes to the nearby parchment and pushed himself to a standing position. He turned around and faced the crazed woman who snickered at him.
She didn’t say anything, but her intent was clear. Two steps into the room, she reached back with one hand and slammed the door shut, preventing him from leaving. Her other hand sought the hilt of her short sword and drew it deliberately from the scabbard.
“Please,” croaked Garinor. “Tell me what’s going on.”
She cackled at him and took a step closer.
“I—I don’t understand. Why are you after me? What did I do?”
“Not what you did, deary,” she drawled in a sickly sweet voice. “What you might do.” She drew closer still, her eyes darting fervently about the room to ensure there was nothing for the boy to grab and use against her.
“You would kill me for something I might do?”
She laughed, taunting him by jabbing the sword forward. “That’s what I’m paid to do, yes.”
He gasped in fear and the color drained from his face. “But I—”
“Silence.” She sniggered and jabbed at him again, this time seeking his shoulder and scoring him.
“Ow!” He backed away, thinking he might get himself into another room before she went for the fatal blow. She seemed to sense this, too, and moved closer to him, twirling her blade as if trying to decide what wound would disable him without quite killing him yet. There was no doubt in Garinor’s mind, as he gazed into her frightful eyes; he wouldn’t survive this encounter with her. But he had to try.
“If you could only tell me…” he started and then let his voice drift off, pleading sadly, but using her responding laughter as cover while he drew a deep breath. Then, he twisted sharply and bolted for his room.
The woman cried out and brought the blade down angrily, catching the calf of one of his legs. The pain was unbearable, but he launched himself forward and rolled into his room. Blinded by tears, he turned to slam the door shut, but he wasn’t fast enough.
The woman was there. The gleaming sword swung in the air, but he could barely see it, as the tears of pain in his eyes blurred his vision. But he knew what it was. And he knew what was coming next. He tried pushing himself back with his one good leg, pulling with his arms. He gazed up at the shining silver blade as the woman leaned over him angrily. The blade streaked downward, growing as it approached him rapidly. Garinor never saw anything else ever again.