Move upstream

"Let's look up a bit further," you tell your companion. He nods and follows with eager obedience.

After some twenty minutes of walking up the bank, the fanfare of an arriving party plays overhead. With that motivation, you quicken your steps around the next bend.

Ahead of you is a bridge. An old, wooden bridge wide enough for two people side-by-side (three if they were packed shoulder to shoulder...and didn't have the typical female rogue's exaggerated bust size). It runs from the crest of the east bank to the west, leaving enough space for you to crawl under it without having to wade into the water.

"Here," you state. A plan is already forming in your mind. It's a good thing, too, because above the roar of the river you can hear the drumming of horse-hooves. "Fly over to the other side and wait right beside the bridge. I'll attack on this side; when I do, jump out and attack from the other side."

"Yes, Mistress!"

He hops over to his new post, and you settled into the shadows beneath the bridge on your side. It isn't long before the sound of approaching horsemen becomes clear. They're definitely going to cross this bridge. Just wait for it... wait for it... NOW!

You roll out from you hiding place. Two heroes on horses are just starting across the bridge. With skill beyond the total two strokes you've used it for, you lash out at the leader with your Lust Whip. It misses the rider, instead striking the horse he rides. The beast whinnies and rears up, the rider working desperately to stay in the saddle. His companion fights to keep her horse from running into them, almost tumbling off herself as the horse grinds to a sudden stop.

"What the He-!" is all the man can get out before a dagger buries itself in his larynx. Your eyes widen in surprise at the precision of that throw.

"DICK!" the woman shouts. She pulls out two large knives and leaps from her horse, charging at the small imp that has appeared to block their way.

Now's not the time to be surprised. You pull out your own dagger and add it to the man's chest. Where the first dagger did some good damage by being a critical, yours simply plows through his HP with your much-improved attack. He cries out in pain as the dagger in his throat vanishes, reappearing in your helper's hand. Against that woman--a rogue in black leather--he doesn't stand a chance alone.

"HEY!" you shout at her before she reaches him. The call is just enough to dissuade her from attacking, as she slows down to glance back over her shoulder. Catching sight of you, she skids to a stop and whirls on you.

The man turns to you, too. He brings out a crossbow and trains it on you. Not good. With few other options, you rush in close, summoning your dagger to your hand.

You hear the click, and a sharp pain digs into your left arm. Then your knife sinks into his chest again and he goes down. You fall on top of him, your momentum still carrying you. Hand still on the hilt, you draw out the dagger and stab it in again, and again, not stopping until you hear the ding of a level-up.

One down. You look up--just in time to find a knee aimed at your face. You try to duck it, but it smashes into your forehead, creating stars in your vision and sending you tumbling off her companion. You roll back to the end of the bridge and lay there, until your vision stops swimming. You can vaguely hear the squeak of your little imp calling out to you.

"Dick! Dammit, this was your plan! I swear, if you die-!" the rogue cursed. But his body was already disappearing. "Don't you dare try to blame me for this!" she screamed after his departing spirit. Turning her attention back to you, the rogue looked furious. "You bitch! I'll kill you! He's totally going to say this is my fault! If she gets away, he'll make me into his new dump!" Brandishing both her daggers, the rogue stalks over to you.

Your hazy consciousness starts refocusing as she comes nearer. Fear can do wonders. With nothing but **** hope and a wish to the Archfiend of Misfortune, you lash out with your Lust Whip.