Gideon
“Fortify the borders!” Keeley commanded. “Move, sir knight!”
Gideon jumped out of the way, searching for any way to assist, but this siege was unlike anything he had ever witnessed. The front of the manor was under heavy attack, with Valiant Guards battering the gates with a ram while others fired arrows over the walls. Yet, the Malevolent Guards stood fearless. With fierce battle cries, red clashed against silver. Though fewer in number, the Malevolent Guards matched their enemies in ruthlessness.
On the high rampart at the manor’s front, Keeley held a match to a glittering pumpkin projectile. The king might not have such weapons in his arsenal, but Gideon had seen them in action before. One light of the magical vegetable, and it would incinerate as many as fifty knights in a single drop. Instinctively, Gideon gripped Keeley’s wrist, knowing the men below. “Don’t—they’ll burn.”
Keeley sneered, shaking off his grip and shoving him until he stumbled back. “Until you figure out whose side you’re on, go mind your sister. It’s the only task you can be trusted with.” She stared him down as she ignited the charge and hurled it over the edge, her face glowing orange in the flames.
It seemed inappropriate to find her beautiful at that moment, amidst a brutal battle, but there was something splendid about her in the light of the…flare…that had likely just injured or killed his former comrades… Oh gods.
Edwin appeared at the flank, holding a tray of bread, interrupting Gideon’s spiraling thoughts. One of the Malevolent Guards jumped down from the rampart, sweaty and covered in blood. “Edwin, I don’t think we need bread just now, but maybe some cake when we’re done.”
Edwin shook the tray. “This bread isn’t for eating—it’s stale. Harder than a rock.” His eyes twinkled. “Perfect for throwing.”
Gideon grinned. “Attaboy, Edwin.” He grabbed one of the loaves and chucked it down, knocking a knight clean off the ladder he was trying to climb. He turned to Edwin with wide eyes. “What did you make these with? Cement?”
Edwin smiled and tossed one of his own over the side.
An office pixie fluttered out, plugging her tiny green ears to block out the sounds of battle. “Keeley!” the pixie screeched, her voice high-pitched like a bell. “The back gates—they’re getting through! They’re lifting the grate to the guvres’ enclosure!”
Keeley paled. “I’m coming.” She shouted to the crowd, “I need any available Malevolent with me!”
Gideon grabbed her arm before she could run. “I’m available.”
An arrow whizzed by, and without thinking, Gideon pulled her close and shielded her head, feeling the thickness of her braid doubled up under her helmet. To hide the length? That was curious. But the scent of lemons and sweat was not curious—it was glorious.
Her sharp eyes were fixed on the arrow embedded in the wall, then shifted to him. “Alright, sir knight. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
He saluted, then leapt down from the rampart first. And when he glanced back up at her, he couldn’t resist—it was a moment that demanded it… “Keeley, oh Keeley, let down your—” A hard piece of bread hit him square in the gut. “Oof.”
Keeley grinned as they dashed through the office corridors, taking the stairs two at a time. She spoke into what Gideon had slowly realized wasn’t a ruby at all, but a communication device—or a malfunctioning one, judging by Keeley’s growl of frustration.
“Wherever the boss is, he’s out of reach,” she muttered.
Gideon pulled a sword from a wall mount before they burst into the courtyard, swinging. Knights charged at him, and he dodged until he could no longer, cutting down men he once guarded and protected, one by one. He panted with relief as they found a brief reprieve, his back bumping into Keeley’s. When he glanced over, he noticed blood caked on her cheek and stray wisps of hair coming loose. His hand itched to brush them away.
“I’m sure he’ll return to the manor soon enough,” he said instead.
But as he scanned the courtyard, where the knights far outnumbered the Malevolent Guards who were desperately trying to hold them back, Gideon feared there might not be a manor left for The Villain to return to.
