Finish him off.

Ava’s blade rose into the air and then in one quick motion swung towards the defeated man. The steel blade sliced through the leather armor with almost no resistance as a dark red line appeared from the man’s left clavicle and ended at his right hip. A spray of blood hit Ava’s exposed cleavage and right cheek as the body before her crumpled to the ground. She wiped her now crimson blade with the man’s clothes and cleaned her face with a torn banner on the ground next to her. Just as Ava turned to face the only living person behind her, the woman removed her cloak.

Ava was taken aback at the beautiful face now gazing back at her. The young woman must have been close to her own age. Her glowing cream color skin was surrounded by long golden hair that was only out-done by her sparkling turquoise eyes. The woman took a few steps closer and leaned over the now deceased man, almost making sure he truly met his end. After leaning back, her eyes met Ava’s.

“Thank you kind and honorable stranger,” she began, “while the battle was not lost, you definitely saved me from the same fate as my bannermen.” The ravishing young woman then bent her knee and placed a fist over her heart. “I am Lady Nyana Olso, the Steel Rose, and the Duke of Ursar’s daughter” nobly announced the blonde before standing straight back up. “Well good thing I went after him and not the duke’s fucking daughter,” Ava thought to herself.

“No need to thank me Lady Olso,” Ava replied, trying to match Nyana’s complementary tone, “I am glad I arrived when I did.”

“And what is your name brave knight?” Nyana asked with a smile. Ava hesitated, realizing Nyana would probably be more inclined to help her with the quest and maybe even find Agent Violet if she played along. The GDF cleared her throat and mirrored Nyana’s knee bend.

“I am Lady Ava, the red Banshee, of House Hope” she replied, thinking the name and title wasn’t too bad for thinking right on the spot. As she stood back up, she was met with a slightly wider smile from Nyana. “My lady,” Ava continued, “as luck would have it, I am actually on a quest to find my compatriot and I believe she may sought out to rescue your father.” Nyana’s smile quickly disappeared and her face suddenly became sullen. “I understand he is missing, but I believe our paths crossing means there’s a chance we can find both if we work together,” Ava followed-up, speaking in a cautiously optimistic tone.

The Steel Rose looked down at the fallen warriors around her, then her turquoise eyes met Ava’s which was accompanied by a smile and look of determination. She then put out her hand, which was quickly met with Ava’s own and the two warrior women shook. “Lady Ava, we have an accord,” Nyana declared.

The two women then gathered as much supplies and other usable weapons from the dead on the ground. They packed as much as they could in the carriage as Nyana hopped into the back. Ava stood outside and realized that she was the one to draw the horses. Having never driven a carriage but having some horse riding experience, the GDF agent slowly but surely got the horses to trot.