Ryan's sword relaxed slightly. Then he moved it away from Lyana's neck.
A step back. Then another step.
He returned it to its sheath with a sharp sound.
The tension in the room did not disappear. Everyone was still watching him. Lena's eyes never left his hands. The guards' swords were still half-drawn.
Lyana let out a breath she did not know she had been holding. She touched her neck briefly – there was a small red mark where the cold blade had pressed against her skin.
She looked at Ryan and was about to speak when...
Sorin – the guards' commander – moved first.
He did not hesitate. He had seen Ryan put a sword to the princess's neck. That was enough.. That was unforgivable.
he shouted,
"For the king!"
After hearing his screams, The other five guards moved. In an instant, they surrounded Ryan – their swords drawn, their faces cold and professional.
Lena grabbed Lyana's arm and pulled her back toward the door.
"Stay back, my lady!"
Lyana tried to resist.
"No! He put down his sword! Stop!"
But no one listened to her.
Ryan had no time to think. He had to move.
First guard – tall, with a long sword. He charged at Rayan from the front.
But Ryan did not retreat. He charged forward as well – which surprised the guard. Rayan ducked under the sword, and a quick ice strike from his left hand hit the guard's wrist. His hand froze , and the sword fell.
Ryan kicked the guard in the chest, sending him flying backward into the wooden wall. He did not move.
Ryan whispered
"One"
Second and third guards – they attacked together. One from the right, the other from the left.
Ryan raised both hands together. From his palms, two ice walls exploded – not full walls, but thick slabs that appeared suddenly between him and the swords. The blades struck the ice, cracking it, but it held.
Ryan seized the opening. He struck his left hand on the ground, and ice spread like a serpent under the guards' feet. They slipped and fell onto their backs.
Ryan did not wait. He rose quickly, kicked the second guard's head – he lost consciousness. Then struck the third guard's chest with his ice-covered fist – the man's armor froze temporarily, making him gasp for air, and he collapsed unconscious.
And he whispered
"Two and three!"
Fourth guard was afraid. He hesitated for a moment. He lunged, but his strike was slow.
Ryan grabbed his arm, twisted it behind his back until the sound of the joint popping out was heard. The guard screamed and dropped his sword. Rayan pushed him against the wall, and he fell.
"Four!"
Fifth guard – the youngest – did not move. He was trembling. He raised his sword but could not strike.
Ryan looked at him for a moment. He saw the eyes of a frightened young man – who had never killed anyone before.
He did not hit him. He simply froze the ground beneath his feet, and the guard slipped and fell onto his back, his sword flying from his hand.
Five guards. Defeated in less than a minute.
Ryan stood in the middle of the room, gasping. His entire body was crackling with ice. He was tired. His hands were trembling.
But he had won.
Liana watched the scene in stunned silence. She'd never seen a fight so fast. Her guards fell like autumn leaves before this stranger.
she whispered.
"Who...who is he?"
Liana didn't answer. She just stared at Ryan with disbelieving eyes.
**********
Sorin had not moved the whole time.
He stood behind his guards, watching. His scarred face showed no emotion.
After the fifth guard fell, a brief silence followed. Everyone was staring at Ryan, the strange young man who had defeated five guards in less than a minute.
Then Sorin moved.
He removed his sword from his belt.
Lena looked at him in surprise: "Sorin? What are you doing?"
He said coldly, "I want to see this young man's skills before I kill him."
Ryan was still gasping, but he tightened his grip on his sword. He knew this man was different. He was not like the other five guards. He was a commander.
Sorin raised his sword – a long, ordinary sword, without decoration.
Ryan looked into his eyes. Then they set off together, heading towards each other.