Beatrice rushed down the tunnel, waving to the civilians behind her to keep following, counting them to make sure nobody had gotten lost.
One, two, three, four...
"Keep it moving, everyone," she said, her voice unwavering and stoic. "We're gonna get you all out of here into the forest. Don't worry about a thing, alright?"
Twelve, thirteen, fourteen...
She smiled the best she could as some of the children held close to her.
Eighteen, nineteen...
"Grandma Bebe, are we ever going to see our home again?" one of the children asked as they gripped a small doll. "I forgot one of my toys, and mom went back to get it, but I haven't seen her since because we ran to the Inn..."
"Don't you worry, hon," Beatrice reassured the child, tapping their nose lightly. "Our town is going to be built back stronger than ever. And I'll even let you pick a toy out of my special toy bucket, okay?"
Twenty-two... Twenty-three...
Beatrice stared for a moment before turning back to the child.
"Now run along, alright? The tunnel ends right up there," Beatrice pointed. "When you get out there, follow the other adults from town. They'll bring you to the safe clearing."
The child ran off, leaving Beatrice behind along with the twenty-third villager. They were wearing farmer’s clothing, but a small hooded cowl was covering their face. They crossed their arms and leaned against the wall of the tunnel.
"Did ya think I wouldn't keep count?" Beatrice asked as she drew her sword. "I'm not sure who you are, but I'll give you one chance to turn around and go home."
"That's cute, Bea," a familiar voice said back to her. "You're so old now, I'm surprised you can even lift that thing."
Beatrice's eyes widened for just a second, before settling back into a stare.
"Sawyn. I didn't expect you to get your own hands dirty."
Sawyn lowered her hood, revealing her pale skin and dark hair tied up in a bun. Her eyes were dark, especially in the tunnel, where it seemed like they were pools of black ichor.
"Your charm on the town worked for a good while," she said as she stretched. "Anybody in my organization wouldn't recognize you or Reinhardt and your names would be all jumbled? What a nice little touch. I had them burn the tree you enchanted the minute they got into town."
"It's a trick you taught me," Beatrice said back, her arm tired but unwavering as she pointed her sword forward. "If you can't run, hide right in front of them."
"You don't have to quote me to me," Sawyn sighed. She pointed toward the exit of the tunnel and started walking. Beatrice let her pass, then followed slowly. "Shame on me for not coming on my own sooner. Honestly, I hadn't heard of any of your exploits since Un'Sael. Thought maybe you left the Eastern Kingdoms."
They stared at each other in silence for a few moments. As they reached the end of the tunnel, the sounds of battle were still heard coming from the town.
"Are we going to do this?" Beatrice asked finally. "Finish what we started forty years ago?"
Sawyn drew her Greatsword, and its icy aura extinguished Beatrice's torch.
"It pains me, but for the safety of this plane, and for crimes committed, I must deliver justice," Sawyn said back. "Your luck has run out."
They stepped out into the clearing and squared up against each other. It was almost as if the forest quieted itself to watch as they stood, weapons at the ready. Beatrice's shield held firmly in front of her. Even though she had looked old as she worked in the Inn, now Beatrice looked in her peak.
"If I win, you'll leave Four Roads alone," Beatrice said. "And if you win... Well. You can finally have me as a trophy."
In a swift motion, Sawyn launched forward at Beatrice, who attempted a shield bash. As she did, Sawyn disappeared and reappeared in the space behind Beatrice. What she did not expect, however, was that Beatrice would be swinging her sword at that same moment, slashing Sawyn across the chest as Sawyn's Frostbrand bounced off her armor.
"You've gotten soft having others fight your battles," Beatrice said with a smirk. "Using your old tricks, huh?"
"Not all of them," Sawyn laughed as she raised her hand.
Suddenly, a spear collided with Beatrice's back, and electricity began shocking her body, causing her to drop to a knee. Members of Sawyn's group started to collect at the edge of the clearing and watched.
"Should we finish her off for ya, boss?" a Goblin asked from the crowd. "Let us kill the ol' bag and string her up."
"Nobody is to touch Beatrice the Immovable," Sawyn called out. "And to be clear: if she wins this duel, Four Roads becomes off-limits."
"Oh, now that you think you've got me, you agree to the deal, huh?" Beatrice nodded as she pushed herself back up to her feet. "And here I thought you were too scared."
"I just wanted to give you something to fight for to make this more interesting," Sawyn smiled. "There's so little to be excited about these days."
"Things get stale between you and the Shadow Lord? He didn't propose yet? I would guess not since you're not the Queen of Shadows or anything."
Sawyn's face contorted, and she launched forward as they traded blows for a few minutes, each able to block and land hits. Then Beatrice saw her opening and was able to bash Sawyn square in the face with her shield, causing her to stumble back and trip over the root of a tree. In one motion, Beatrice tossed her shield aside, grabbed her sword with both hands, and brought it down on Sawyn's midsection. Just as that happened, ropes shot out from the crowd, wrapping around Beatrice's arms and yanking her away from Sawyn. Sawyn pushed herself up as Beatrice struggled against the ropes.
"Let go of me, you assholes!" Beatrice screamed. "This is between me and her! She told you to let us fight!"
"Shut the hell up, you old bitch. We don't give a fuck about no rules," one of the gang members said. "The Shadow Lord decreed if we find any of 'em again, they needed to be killed. He wouldn't like hearing that she bested you in a fight. And she got you with a real nasty one there..."
Sawyn clutched her side, staring as they began crowding around Beatrice. Beatrice started to pull at the ropes.
"Do it," Sawyn said as she began to walk away.
"Sawyn! Don't you dare walk away!" Beatrice yelled, panic in her voice as the gang closed in. "We made a deal!"
Sawyn stopped and walked back to Beatrice. The gang parted as she approached.
"For crimes committed against the Shadow Lord, you have been sentenced to die," Sawyn began. "Under article—"
"I don't give a shit about your articles!" Beatrice spat. "What about Four Roads?"
"Under article four of the laws of the Eastern Kingdoms, 'any person(s) threatening the peace established after the Plane Wars shall be exiled or executed.' However, as a former high-ranking officer in the fight to protect this plane, you were offered one boon within reason that remains unclaimed. What do you choose as your boon? I will warn you that an unreasonable request forfeits your boon."
Beatrice stared at her, her breath calming after a few moments.
"Four Roads freed from your influence," Beatrice said. "Is that reasonable?"
Sawyn stared at her for a few moments before crouching at her side.
"It is. Goodbye, Bea," she said as she took a glowing green dagger out from a sheath and dug it into the space between the plates of Beatrice's armor. Beatrice had a pained look for only a moment before her body went limp.
Sawyn stood and started to walk away.
"Four Roads is no longer viable to protect. It is far too south and produces minimal profits for use by the Shadow Lord. Hang her from the tree as a message to those who would follow us, and leave a message on the statue of Veldred," Sawyn said as she walked away, clutching her side. "Let's go home."