Fred Scatters Ten Highwaymen

Fred was a trained warrior, and fully armed and outfitted. Fred sized up his opponent and acted quickly. He faced a rabble. The highwaymen had weapons but no real protection. He liked his chances at dispersing this mob.

He yelled, "All right, sweethearts, come and get it!" He picked out one of the axemen, crouched, and closed, sword ready to parry or thrust. The man retreated a few steps and prepared to block Fred's blow. "Damn it! He is not a total fool." His opponent was right handed, and holding the axe vertically. Fred's sword flashed. The axe head swiveled left, but it was too late - Fred had drawn blood. The man screamed. His left shoulder had been pierced.

Fred felt a sting above his left foot. Another axeman had hooked his foot and trying to trip Fred up. Fred raised his leg and maintained his balance. He turned to his new opponent. "When you swing at the king*, you better not miss", Fred thought. Fred slashed deeply across the side of his opponent's right calf. "Son of a bitch!" his opponent yelled, as he dropped to the ground. Fred glanced around. The other highwaymen had run away. He now had two opponents - a man down below him with a hurt right leg and another man standing out of sword's reach with an injured shoulder. Fred's still felt a duller pain from where the axe hooked his foot. Probably more bruised than cut. If the axe had cut, the cut was not deep.

*Of course, Lord Fred is not a king. But the phrase "When you swing at the heir apparent of the duke, you better not miss" is not as catchy.

1. The two remaining highwaymen are not through yet. The fight continues.
2. Fred strikes a lethal blow to the highwayman that is down on the ground. He cannot take chances.
3. Fred tries to end the fight without further bloodshed.

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