Leera and Laara

And why should I do that?” Durga asked with an insolent grin, his hand tight around the purse.

The redhead laughed, and then, quickly as lightening, spun forward, sword flickering out. Durga raised his own heavy blade, but before it went up more than a foot, the woman’s curved blade was at the pit of his throat, pressing in hand, a bead of blood forming around the tip. She laughed and pushed him back, Durga’s head bumping up against the wall.

“Drop the sword,” the redhead said, her own blade pressing against his flesh. Durga grimaced, but did as she told him, his weapon clattering to the floor.

“And the money, said the blond, sauntering up cheerfully, hand out. Durga, after a moment pause, handed it over.

“Big and stupid,” the blond sneered, pulling open the strings and looking in.

“How much do we have?” the redhead asked, looking away for a moment. That proved to be a mistake.

Durga seized the chance, whirling around, the sword raised a shallow cut in his throat, stinging a but not causing any harm. He granbed the redheads sword hand, twisting it back, the woman shrieking as her bade fell to the floor. The other cursed and jerked free her dagger, then flew back as his boot slammed into her belly, knocking her to the ground. Durga flipped the redhead over, throwing her to the floor, and stepped away, hands open, a mocking grin on his face. “Big,” he said, “but hardly stupid.”

“Uh...oof....” The blond sat back up, the wind knocked out of her. The other was slowly getting to her feet. Durga studied them both, appreciating their beauty. The Valai were a mysterious people from the far north, coning from a land, it was said, where the sun never set, and a verdant valley existed in the middle of a snowy waste. Their women were known across the world for their beauty and lusty nature. By the looks of it, these two fit that reputation to a detail.

“What are your names?” he asked, picking up his sword.

“Wha...what?” said the redhead, clambering unsteadily to her feet.

“Your names,” Durga said, the sword in his hands.

The blond answered. “I’m Leera and this is Laara. We’re sisters. Twins.”

“Kill one of us,” said Laara, “and the other will hunt you to the ends of the earth.” Though she looked afraid there was still a hint of defiance in her voice.

Durga grinned. A idea came into his head. It had been months sicne he enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh. And they had tried to rob him, though to be fair only of what he himself had stolen first. Why not? “You have cause me trouble,” he said, raising the sword. “You owe me a debt.”

“A debt?” said Leera, getting to her feet.

“But,” said Durga, “there is a way for you to pay. And you will pay me, one way or the other.”