90 Knights of Badassdom (2/2)

”Didn't you hear? I took down a general just the other night,” I countered, although I didn't really feel like bragging about it.

”Yes, I heard,” Azuma said, and there was a smile forming on his wraith-like face. ”Jimmy was always too soft on kids… and you're not used to fighting on a swifthart's back.”

After his obvious attempt to razz me, Azuma pulled his spear back and readied it for another pummeling of pincushions, but I had other plans.

He was right. I had no real talent for this mounted fighting, and as soon as Fiery Blessing vanished, I'd be in deep trouble. But he wasn't the only badass knight in this fight. So, it was time to level the playing field, or rather, time to return to the field.

As soon as Azuma pulled his spear back far enough, I did something no one should ever attempt while on horseback, or in my case, swifthart-back. Using all the bonus strength Fiery Blessing gave me, I jumped off Myth Chaser and launched myself at Azuma. And with my falchion raised high with both hands, I sent my shadowblade slashing downward with all my might.

Azuma blocked it. He raised his spear up with both hands and blocked my attack with the center of its shaft. I expected this. I'd be a fool not to think he could do at least this much even with all the strength I poured into my attack.

However, this first attack was nothing than a feint. My real goal was to take advantage of our momentary struggle to latch onto the thing I knew would really twist his bonnet. While my sword hand kept its hold on my falchion, my other hand reached out and grabbed as much of Azuma's annoyingly long hair as I could, right before yanking it down to the side as hard and as quickly as humanly possible.

The howl of pain that reached my ears immediately afterward was music to my, well, ears. But even this move was a feint.

Even as my momentum sent me down, I slackened my grip on my falchion and allowed it to fall to the ground beneath me while noting exactly where it would probably land. Then, with my now free hand, I reached out for Azuma's exposed neck—as I already turned his head to the side with my twisting of his hair—and hook onto it. Finally, I let gravity take the lead and send me and a surprised Azuma off his mount, forcing us both to go crashing onto the wet grass underneath us.

The ground beneath me was soft. It smelled of blood and dirt and fresh-cut grass.

I spent a second and a half feeling the shock of falling off a horse-like creature explode into my body before the last dregs of Fiery Blessing kicked in and helped me get back onto my feet.

A second or two passed before I felt Fiery Blessing leave me. My muscles tightened. Fatigue hit my bones like the splash of ice-cold water.

I stumbled, and I would have fallen to my knees with zero gas in the tank if I hadn't caught sight of the twin-headed falcon crossguard and the wooden handle of my sword-hilt a mere eight feet away.

I got lucky. My Fool's Insight was still active. This made catching sight of my sword-hilt easy. In fact, I also owed Fool's Insight for the earlier opportunity to grab at my Azuma's hair and neck without harming myself too badly. Seeing all of his minuscule movements in those few moments was really crucial.

”Come on, Dean!” I whispered encouragement to myself. Then I mustered all the remaining strength and ran for my sword-hilt.

Another five to ten seconds flitted by before it was in my hand again. Afterward, I felt the soft hum that came out of the falchion after the shadowblade had extended out of its hilt.

With my weapon ready, I turned my gaze on Azuma. He was already up and waiting for me, his spear tip raised forward with both hands.

”Ah, shit,” I swore. ”Guess it's time for round two.”