[Lyra Greenleaf]

With an expletive that would have made her father blush Mara realised she had left her cloak at the inn. Turning, she began to walk back towards the inn, preferring not to put off the inevitable.

"Right, Menglin, I know, it won't be that easy. Funny, a stinkin' flower's gonna pay for our war."
"Yes, a flower of healing will be the death warrant of the Rohirrim."

Mara listened to the conversation of the two men with growing interest. She was so busy calculating the possible worth of such a flower to notice that the two men were coming towards her. Until one bumped into her with a thud. In her shock she paused for valuable seconds, her normal reflexes delayed. She cursed herself as he got the upper hand, grabbing her wrists. She dealt with him the way she had the miller, but the other threw a knife at her, nicking the skin. Then she made her second mistake, pausing again. She knifed one of the men, but it was too late. Her knife was knocked out of her hand and one of the men took her hands above her head.

"Well little missy, you put up a good fight, don't ya?"
Mara refused to give a reply, merely growling in her throat as the man chuckled.
"What did you hear?" the other screamed at her, rage in his eyes. Trying desperately to keep a cool head, Mara judged the situation. This man was obviously weaker than his companion, already injured and suffering, it seemed, her own problem with anger. He shook her, then cut her skin with his knife. Wincing Mara tried to block out the pain. She'd felt worse in her time. The other man rubbed the wound until it stang.

"Is it really worth my pleasure, little Mara, to not tell us what we already know?"
With another growl she jerked her hands free of his grip, taking advantage of his gloating. I've made two mistakes, now he's made one. One more and we're equal she thought with a grin, as she kicked his companion with the wild eyes to the floor. Without her knife her eyes raked the floor. She siezed a stone and jumped on the man's back, hearing a satisfying snap. She was gratified to hear his yell, and knew she had contained her pain much better.

She took the rock close to his head, then pulled him upright, taking her knife and his as she spoke. With a smile, for the fight was now on her terms, she faced the other man.

"Well, this little girl is obviously better at fighting than your- friends! She spat the last word. "Give me your knife or he dies" she finished with a calmness she didn't feel.
"No" said the man. "Kill him, if you will"
From the look on his face Mara could see he didn't expect her to. With a smile she slit the mans throat and threw the body to the floor.
"I'll be willing to do the same for you, Mister" she offered, with a laugh.

[ March 28, 2003: Message edited by: Lyra Greenleaf ]