Young Writers Society

( it does end up as a fantasy )

Wataru gave a little nod , the men that flanked him moved purposely forward , six swords were drawn naked . They came steady over the little bridge , stepping in time , crouched and moving in perfect formation .

I could hear there footfalls , I could smell waturu’s after shave . I was under the bridge terror struck . marinating in my own sweat and keeping deadly still.

The moon lit stream was trickling loud enough to muffle my breathing , but Wataru was very, very smart – his men would find me , his men would kill me , and that would be that . The brain functions differently under such a fear , there was two options , doubtless you know them both. I felt the handle of my sword , grasped it even in a sweaty fist , did I dare , more importantly , was I capable of handling six of waturu’s best .

I took a deep breath and looked around one more time , savoring the world I may soon leave. Everything took on surreal beauty , On both sides of the stream there was thick horse grass bleached silver by the moon , an apple tree too , and in the distance a magnificent range of mountains . I craned my neck , the stars! How I would miss them - a million pin pricks of blue against the inky dark. My heart had gone mad by now , like machinegun fire. I tried to think of an appropriate last thought , an image of smeared fesses blossomed vividly in the back of my brain. Great .

Boss lords like Waturu had developed unique methods of torture , it was almost like a competition . If I was captured , which would probably be the case - he would order a grating. Something I wont explain .

I pulled at the handle , slowly it came out , the chrome gleaming , the tip forked .

Deep breath , if I was going out , I was going out in style. “ Waturu!” I roared , surprising myself “ How do you wish to die!” I launched myself sideways , at once they surrounded me , but they didn’t strike , not without his command .

A harsh chuckle came form the bridge , Waturu was there , leaning on his own sword , looking swarve in padded leather and white genes . “ cut his legs off “ he said bluntly “ and he wont need his eyes either”

Stuff happened -My sword went through a neck , my foot broke a jaw and my hands clamped a throat – two of them died there and then , the other writhed screaming , holding the bottom half of his face . I twisted to face the rest , two? , there was six so where had… my calculation came to a sudden halt , I heard an intake of air behind me , I side stepped but the blade snagged my arm , by snagged I mean a two inch wound .

They were fast , they were strong – but chufa was great. Only one remained now , a shivering wreck , but brave . And for that I let him live , relieving him of his arm though .

For the first time since the fight started I looked at the bridge . He was gone .

I sighed , with my fingers I began to dig a hole for the men . they deserved this at least .