Swords of Justice
Chapter Six: The Assassination Attempt
A hand suddenly pulled Princess Hasna away, saving her from a spear that slammed into the wall with great force, causing a loud noise that caught the attention of Commander Jalal and his deputy Suleiman. The one who saved her was Hamza, who happened to be staying at the same inn. He lit a candle right after intervening.
Commander Jalal, Deputy Suleiman, and another guard all pointed their swords at Hamza, who was holding Princess Hasna's hand. Jalal shouted:
"Who are you? How did you get in here? Are you behind this? I warn you—if you so much as touch a single hair on the princess's head, I'll kill you!"
Hamza smiled and laughed at his words, which only angered Commander Jalal more.
"What's so funny? Speak!"
(He shouted.)
Hasna: "He saved me from the spear."
Jalal: "What?!"
Hamza: "Looks like you didn't notice the spear that was about to crush your princess's skull, oh self-proclaimed protector."
Jalal: "Are you mocking me?!"
Hamza: "You'd better focus on the real enemies in this room."
Jalal: "What do you mean?"
Suddenly, whispers, chuckles, and the tapping of feet echoed throughout the dark room. Then, silence. Hamza yelled:
"Get out of this room—now!"
Hamza grabbed Princess Hasna and jumped out of the second-floor window with her. They landed smoothly on the ground. Commander Jalal and Deputy Suleiman followed, leaping out the window and landing with force. The remaining guard wasn't as lucky—before he could jump, ten arrows struck him from all directions.
Deputy Suleiman cried out after recovering from the hard fall, but Hamza cut him off:
"It's no use. It's too late..."
Suleiman: "What do you mean?!"
The guard was thrown from the window and crashed to the ground in a pitiful state. Shocked by the sight, Princess Hasna ran into Commander Jalal's arms, weeping.
Hamza looked around and said:
"You're still in danger—they've left the inn."
Moonlight lit the area, and suddenly, a loud laugh echoed around them. A man's voice called out:
"I can't believe someone figured out our trick inside the inn... How did you know we were going to fire arrows at you?"
Hamza: "I have sharp hearing."
He turned toward the source of the voice and pointed:
"You're up there."
Hamza pointed to the top of the inn, where the man was watching them.
The voice: "Impressive... Let's finish what we started."
Then the man vanished.
Hamza drew his sword, scanning the area cautiously. He was certain the attack was imminent.
Suddenly, the assassins launched their attacks—targeting the princess. But Hamza was ready, blocking all the strikes. The enemies came one by one from the shadows. But then, clouds covered the moon, plunging the area into complete darkness again. One of the assassins laughed and said:
"How will you block our attacks in total darkness?"
The attacks resumed, and this time Hamza struggled to pinpoint the fast-moving enemies. One strike nearly hit the princess, but Hamza took the blow to his back instead.
Feeling insulted, Commander Jalal tried to locate the attackers, but Hamza shouted:
"Stop! You're not capable of countering surprise attacks!"
Jalal: "And who are you to order me?!"
Hamza: "If you act recklessly, the princess will die from a fatal strike!"
Jalal hesitated, unsure. Hamza, bleeding from his back, continued:
"Just don't move. Stay still... I'll handle this."
Hamza closed his eyes, listening intently to the assassins' movements.
One assassin mocked him:
"Closing your eyes? What a fool... You're all going to die now!"
The attacks resumed again in the pitch black, but this time, Hamza could sense their movements from the sound of their steps—no matter how fast. He started cutting them down one by one until the attacks completely stopped.
Silence fell. Then the lead assassin said:
"Looks like you killed all my men..."
The clouds cleared, and the moon illuminated the sky again. The assassin appeared, sword in hand, ready to fight, while Hamza stood among the corpses, prepared for the final battle.
They stared at each other for a moment before charging forward. Steel clashed as both fighters exchanged rapid strikes. The assassin was agile, dodging Hamza's attacks and retaliating swiftly, while Hamza blocked expertly.
Commander Jalal, Deputy Suleiman, and Princess Hasna watched in awe—they couldn't follow the speed of the fight.
As they battled, the assassin asked:
"Who are you, warrior? And why protect them? You clearly have no ties to them... You're a skilled fighter. You killed my men and you're still fighting me despite your injury... I'll spare you if you stop protecting them. What do you say?"
Hamza (blocking attacks): "You're a dangerous criminal, and I have to put an end to your filthy deeds... I don't know why you're targeting the princess, but I won't let you!"
Hamza smiled, confusing the assassin, who asked:
"Why are you smiling?!"
Hamza (attacking): "I laughed when you said I could match you despite my injury... I'm not sure what's funnier—thinking you're stronger than me, or believing this wound is serious. It's just a scratch."
The assassin, now furious, yelled as he launched a flurry of attacks:
"You think you're stronger than me?!"
Hamza (under heavy assault): "I don't think—I know I am."
Hamza kicked the assassin in the stomach to knock him back, then raised his sword high and said:
"Your time is up!"
Enraged, the assassin charged at Hamza, swinging his blade wildly—but Hamza brought his sword down, slicing the assassin in two. The battle was over.
He returned his sword to its sheath, then turned to Commander Jalal and the princess:
"You're safe now. You can move."
...To be continued.