Jimin glanced concernedly at Jungkook. The young page held onto the reins with one hand and let his other flap at his side. Jimin spurred his horse faster and pulled up next to Moonbyul.

“Captain! I think we should let Jungkook go back. Something’s wrong with his hand and I doubt he can fight. He’d just be a liability!” he shouted at her.

She shook her head, her silver hair streaming behind her. “I want him to come so he can gain some experience. I’ll have him watch over us—if things go south he can escape and warn the rest of the army about what’s happened.”

She galloped ahead leaving Jimin with Jungkook. 

“Sir! I’m all right! It was my fault they escaped and the least I can do is come and bring them back!” Jungkook reassured Jimin.

But Jimin felt far from confident. This was a fool’s errand. It was only him and the Captain against three trained fighters. And although he’d never say it out loud because it would be treason, he’d put his money on Soyeon if there was a death match between her and Moonbyul.

“Jimin, Jungkook! Focus! I can see them ahead!”

Jungkook squinted and could just make out the outlines of Soyeon, Minnie, Miyeon, and Shuhua. They were riding hard toward the outskirts of the city. Soyeon turned in the saddle and shouted something at the others. Suddenly, she reined in her horse while the other three shot ahead.

“Looks like Soyeon’s going to hold us off! What do we do Captain?” Jimin asked as he drew his sword.

“I’ll deal with her! You two follow the others!”

“Roger!”

Jimin swung his horse to the right, attempting to pass Soyeon as Jungkook swung to the left. Moonbyul rode directly at her. As Jimin drew level, he saw Soyeon’s arm whip down and a steely blur flew at his head.

SHIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGGG!!!!

Moonbyul’s long rapier flashed past his head, neatly cutting down the flying knife Soyeon had thrown at Jimin. In a second he and Jungkook galloped past Soyeon and Moonbyul. He heard the rasp of blades and looked back. Both women swung wildly, each ducking and dodging as the other tried to score a hit. Moonbyul seemed to have the upper hand because her reach was longer, but