[i]“What’s your purpose?”[/i]

The girl was awake. Good. Keys was about to answer her when an arrow plunged into the ground next to his head. Either the shooter had a great aim, or a poor one.

[i]”Get away from her , you [b]rakki[/b][/i]!” came a female voice, most likely the archer that planted the arrow next to his head. Keys put his hands up into the air, not bothering to stand. After his first fight in over four years Keys was exhausted. He was beginning to realize that at the end of his seven years with the Black Shields, he’d be in better shape than he was when he was a freshly knighted.

[b]”I’m no threat,”[/b] Keys waved his arms about as he spoke, “I saved the woman. If you’re friends of hers then I’m your friend as well. And if not…” Keys started to rise, dragging his bulk from the mud. He looked over to his sword, now tilted a little in the mud where he’d stuck it. Too far away to get to. He peered over to the archer. She looked strong, but Northerners always were. Obviously the one who had dropped the guards, her aim was no longer in question, she’d meant to miss his head. If Keys charged, she’d have to the time for one, maybe two arrows before he reached her. Not excited with his chances against the quick woman, he fixed her with a stern look.

[b]”I’ll have to kill you.”[/b] To emphasize this, he pointed to be broken body of the bandit, quietly groaning in the mud. Keys fists tightened and he imperceptibly began to lift his feet from the mud, freeing him for a quick charge if it came down to it. He looked down to Ellinor, who was saying something about Ivanna. Hopefully this Ivanna was the archer woman, because Keys didn't like his odds if she wasn't.