[IRP] As Firm as a Mountain

[Lavi]

There was no end to the assassins. The tent was shredded by the multitude of blades thrown and swung around. Several bodies already laid at his feet, but Theodore could already feel the fatigue of battle. They managed to cut him several times, across the shoulder, on the thigh, along the cheek. But he knew that the longer he stayed alive, the more time it would give Cecily and that Ostian to get away from the camp. He dodged another attack and delivered his counter in kind, finding the muscle in the assailant's shoulder with his blade. Another assassin took the wounded one's place before Theodore could finish him off and the process began anew.

There are too many. They are definitely Lausian trained. Even though they lacked his level of skill, they were of respectable caliber. But Theodore could feel the poison sapping his strength. His movements were dulling and his parries were less stable. He saw the final blow sweep before his eyes, but there was nothing he could do. The former royal bodyguard fell to his knees as blood oozed from the deep wound.

"My lady..."

Cecily gasped as her eyes flung open. She raced her fingers along the bed sheets, which were started to wet in her sweat, in search of someone's hand. Theodore's. Satsu-something's. Anyone's. It is hard to focus on anything in the poison-inflicted haze over her eyes.

"Where's Theodore?" she rasped.

Her mind was racing faster than she could control it. When her hand found something, she clenched it as tight as she could, even though her grip was weak and shaky. She didn't care who's or what it was. Her anchor of stability was out there fighting for his life, as well as for hers. Or he already died on her orders.

"Where's Theodore?" All she could feel was fear. She could hear people talking, but she couldn't comprehend anything.

"I can't die like this..." she whimpered.

"I can't die yet."