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Gion danced backwards and to one side, closer to one of the men. Getting them one at a time, he would have a much better chance of coming out on top - and since they were spread out, he would have at least a few seconds to do just that.

He ran at the one who was closer now and raised the sword slightly, preparing for a lunge but ready to block any attack the man might put up.

You'll want to roll to the right and get up quickly.

Daemon suggested, though it was more in the tone of do it now. Things were getting quite messy, and it felt strange just saying what would happen.

((I bs it.. I don't know which direction the other man is approaching from.))

The man was too far into his stabbing movement to stop his blade, and it stuck in the ground, leaving him open to the elf's attack. Lights flashed before his eyes as he was filled with an excruciating pain - but he was too proud to scream, though the effort caused him - mercifully - to pass out.

The final human was still facing Gion but rushing backwards - not forwards. His face was an expression of terror, and though his sword was still raised, it was held defensively, not offensively. As soon as he deemed it safe, he turned and fled as quickly as he was able, back in the direction from which he had come.

No amount of gold could make him finish this fight - gold did him no good if he was dead.

If anything, Gion replied, his heart pounding as he watched the last human running away, they'll chalk it up to elvishness. The humans, despite several thousands of years of having the opportunity to observe elves, look at us sort of the way we look at the Valar - which, if you think about it, brings the Valar down a bit.

He was feeling ill now as he looked at the bodies of the men he had killed. But still ... whatever they had on them was his by rights. He might as well take advantage of that, before they started stinking or going cold.

He swallowed down bile and knelt beside the closer of the two, and started searching through his pockets.

This is the second time I've had to take a life to save my own, Gion replied slowly without answering Daemon directly. Why are people like that? Things shouldn't have to be this way ...

He pulled a coin purse from the man's waist and decided he didn't want to look for more. Already, the stench of the man's blood was filling his nostrils, choking him. He moved on to the other quickly.

It would be a miracle if there were any that tried talking before attacking - especially if they're intending on attacking in the first place, Gion replied dryly, searching the second body. From this one he pulled not only a heavy coin purse, but a pair of beautifully crafted throwing knives. He put all of it in his bag, then left the area quickly, using some leaves of a nearby bush to clean the blood from the sword where Daemon resided. He would wash it better once they came to the river ...

On me, no, Gion agreed. They must have been looking for someone. And as much as I'm curious as to who it was they were really targeting, it really doesn't matter anymore, since two of them are dead, and the third headed south again and is probably too scared to come back.

He picked up his pace.

Gion thought carefully for a moment, then chuckled silently.

You know, he thought with amusement, I don't believe there are. None that I know of, anyways. Though who knows? Perhaps someday we'll find one. It would make for interesting travel. What do you think?