Chapter 347 A Small Disturbance (1/2)

The climb to the mines' upper levels was easier than before After the lower levels were cleared, the rusty old ladders had been replaced with new ones, to allow the mercenaries to haul up the ore they mined

Still, only a few mercenaries could make their way up at a tied frouarded the tunnels did not i

”Where's your ore?” one of thenized the captain ”What are you doing here?!”

The captain did not reply Instead, he walked toward the group of soldiers, a slight spring in his step as he approached them

There were half a dozen soldiers, each of the armor But even so, they hesitantly stepped backward at the captain's casual approach

”Stop!” the lead soldier said, drawing his sword in a clumsy motion ”If you don't stop, I'll cut you down!”

”Is that so?” the captain asked Then, in a suddenthe soldier's weapon aside and striking the man in the face with his fist

The bloas powerful enough that the soldier collapsed instantly The other soldiers immediately reached for their weapons, but it was already too late — before they could even draw their swords, the captain and his commanders were upon them

Taken by surprise, all six soldiers lay unconscious on the ground onlyfrom the mineshaft

Several minutes passed as the mercenaries ed into the cramped tunnels, the captain nodded in approval

”Let's go,” he said ”And remember, do not kill any of theroups of soldiers as they made their way to the surface, but none of those caused more than a moment's delay Even without weapons, the mercenaries overpowered theht better of it, however, and fled the tunnels as thethem would have been a si so

”We're not looking to escape,” he said ”We're ed fro for them, weapons drawn and cautious looks on their faces

”Stop right there!” one of thery scowl ”Another step, and we'll cut you down like the dogs you are!”

Yet the captain ignored thebehind hiered in the back — Sassun, who still carried a chunk of starmetal ore

Arran had no time to consider the matter, however, because at that h on his threat Face twisted in anger, he raised his sword and dashed forward

At that, the other soldiers set into erly But reluctant though theythe others could not stay behind

The lead soldier was the first to reach the mercenaries, and at once, he struck at the captain — only to find his blade stopped rabbed it And before he could pull the weapon free, the gianta dozen paces

The other soldiers fared no better Armed or not, none of them could match the captain and his coed to the ground and beaten senseless A few mercenaries received shallow cuts in the process, but none were seriously injured

Yet even as the group of soldiers went down, more soldiers arrived — and not just soldiers Roused by the coers had arrived as well, and Arran knew that they would not be defeated as easily

When he saw the new arrivals, the captain called out, ”Form up!”

At once, thea dense square with the captain and his coers, Arran realized that Sassun had disappeared