With a swift and fluid motion, the woman twisted herself free, her movements as precise as a dancer’s, but with the deadly intent of a seasoned soldier. The bandit leader barely had time to register his surprise before the woman’s elbow collided with his jaw in a punishing blow, sending him reeling backward.
The forest seemed to hold its breath, the sounds of nature pausing in anticipation. The other bandits, momentarily stunned by the rapid turn of events, quickly shook off their shock and lunged at her, their previous arrogance replaced by anger and frustration.
But the woman was already in motion, her military training evident in every calculated step she took. She sidestepped the first bandit’s charge, using his forward momentum to send him sprawling into the underbrush with a well-placed kick to his knee. Another reached for her, only to find his arm twisted behind his back with such force that he cried out in pain before being unceremoniously tossed aside.
