The King's Edge

they approached the commotion. Debris from the fire f

ed a woman being threatened by two men in a tea and coffee shop nearby

lp that lady being ro

to be robbed once in a while. They control everything around here." Non

lves stacked with goods rose up on either side. The air was thick with the aroma of coffee and tea from all around the world, but the smell of

both heavily scarred and armed with swords and pistols. They were only slig

, nudging his accomplice. "Looks lik

t looked sweat-stained and well-used. One of them shifted to reveal a flintl

ds her sword, but she quickly checked herself. She c

e detained, I may be able to speak to the magistrate on your behalf. Possessing firearms, which according to Imperial C

sively, waving his hand. "Ju

sadvantage, outnumbered and facing experienced ex-soldiers who had undergone rigorous military training. Although she had received weapons

of the building, wondering wh

ifted his weight to

with full force at the two men. Both men reflexively lifted their swords to block

e men were not he

t open, and the thieves were bombarded with complete containers that relentlessly hit their flesh and skeletal structure. They flailed, stumbled, and fell;

thered their weapons. She handed the pistol to the merchant, who aimed it at the downe

oft voice said from the di

to identify the speaker, Hunter barged in from the rea

.." Hunter's mouth fell open as he stared past Xena.

elite bodyguards. Among them was a young man who appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen years old. He had soft, brown hair and gentle, dark brown eyes. Xena immed

g," the empe

mperor-like things? She searched her memory for the proper protocol and found...nothing. Emperors did no

ed deeply and said, "Your Highness, I

ou, madam, for allowing this—" he gestured towards the fallen thugs, "—to happen in the city." Fortunately, our enforcers are quite competent."

," she said. It fel

uired. "Both of your names?"

soon-to-be Sergeant Hunter," she added when

beads of sweat shining on his face. The emperor let out a si

fire has been contained. Would you

The emperor si

s Hollowcrest is waitin

gave a sorrowful look towards Xena as he

ffled through the tins and nudged Xena

orted.