Chapter 285: Ryder Vs Caius
The first man rushed at Caius with a dagger and even blocked his first strike, but Caius was stronger, pushing the man backwards. He dodged the second assailant also rushing after him, then kicked out the legs of the man holding the dagger.
As soon as he lost his footing, Caius pierced his sword through his heart and, without missing a beat, pulled it out and struck the second bandit across the neck as he turned to try to attack Caius again.
The man stopped with his arms raised in the air, holding a sword, and blood poured out the side of his neck. Caius kicked him, and his sword slipped out of his neck. The man fell backward with a thud.
Ryder stood some feet away, swinging his sword around then sheathing and unsheathing it. Caius was glad he had stayed back. If Ryder had been the second bandit who tried to attack him while his hands were busy, he wouldn’t have easily evaded and countered.
Ryder smiled again while Caius’s eyes scanned the perimeter. He had been worried Ryder would use Rose as a shield. That would have been terrible, but he was grateful Ryder thought he could take him on.
Caius shuffled while the three of them slowly approached him. He glanced at Rose, and she still hadn’t moved from the spot—but at least she wasn’t within strike range.
Two of them rushed forward while Ryder remained behind, but Caius knew Ryder wasn’t nice enough to give him the chance to fight off his men first. Ryder was looking for an opening to attack him while his hands were full.
Caius parried the first strike and barely avoided the slash from the second man. It was hard to fight two men without a shield, but that wasn’t the most concerning thing—he could see Ryder from the corner of his eyes.
Caius swore. He had to move quickly. He doubted the same trick would work twice. He parried another attack and then another while taking a step back. The ground was uneven; it made movements difficult.
They simultaneously attacked. Caius slashed one of them, his sword slicing open his arm, while the other struck him in the side. The force caused a dent in the armor, but Caius had risked it to strike one of them. Caius noticed that Ryder was closer now. He had to move faster.