Finch could physically feel the heads turning. He took that exact moment to jump, turning to the nearest. A bird woman up to her neck in dark gold armour.
He was at his feet by the time she could get her sickle on him. He kicked out while holding her helmet, she ploughed into the little bit of rear carriage left and bounced. Finch didn't know if it was out of shock or skill, it didn't matter. He managed to pull off the helmet, getting the head exposed.
She was oddly beautiful, gaunt but attractive for a savage. He did little to help when he smacked her temple with her helmet with all he had. She buckled and slumped into Finch's waiting arms. Blood spurted onto his face. An armoured bird-woman came from behind, but he turned and spat blood into her eyes, kicking out and sending her away. He lifted his hostage and ran.
She was remarkably light, he had armour that weighed more than her.
"Back off or I cut her throat!" He demanded brandishing her sickle.
They backed away quicker than he'd expected. Some were preparing bows, none looked ready to shoot.
One of them took the lead and raised their hands, every arrow was dropped.
The forest was at his back. He had a chance.
Finch managed to bite a leather latch and pull another two, getting her breast plate off. She was even lighter.
"Nobody move!" He screamed "I'll disappear in the forest. You lot do whatever you like on this side, and your friend keeps her throat."
The biggest of all started to make a very wide circle towards the trees. He didn't trust the hairy ones, there was something very, animal about them. Yet it was the birds he found himself staring at, they hadn't moved.
The lack of concern was disheartening.
"We have our own work to do" The one he'd kicked said and turned away.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go but he'd take it. He kept walking before throwing the helmet back. Finch wasn't one for complacency, ever, but even as he examined her body piece by piece, he started to smirk.
He was good at dealing with forest, he'd know if they were following.
He was fine. He just had to hide, move around for a week, by then they'd be missed.
One week living off the fruit of the land. He could do that. He looked at her as he disappeared, running with her slung over his shoulder.
At least he had company.