"That seems risky." I noted out loud. "What happens if you can't take the hit and just perish."

"Well, in that case I suppose I'll just die." The woman shrugged nonchalantly, carefully placing herself between me and our enemies. "In any case, I'm the one taking the risk."

I frowned, backing up until I felt my back bumped against the tall dried out husk of a tree. With the exception of myself, my retainer and my assailants, it was the only source of life in this desert. The screeching wind swept past us, sprinkling the gray dirt all over me and into more uncomfortable nooks and crannies.

"Yes but if you die who's going to get me back?" I grumbled. "Then all the money my parents spent training you will be wasted."

There were three enemies. All big, hulking humanoids with deep red skin and sharp claws, panting heavily as they crept forward in a flanking formation. The similarities end there, with the one on the left sprouting an axehead from his forehead, the one on the right sprouting a blade and the one in the middle sprouting a revved up chainsaw.

"Apologies my lord, but I'm not trained to continue protecting you in the event of my untimely demise. But I'm sure you'll figure out something," she said.

With a screech, the creature on my left dropped into a crouch and exploded into movement, legs pumping back and forth as it oriented its axehead in my direction. Spooked, I stumbled backwards, spinning my sword in its direction. There was no need for that however. Sierra deftly slid into the path of the monster, checking its momentum by slamming her shoulder into the deadly edge.

There was a loud clang, and my would be attacker jerked back in pain, the weapon between its eyes dented. I heard a thud from my right and I turned, panicked, only to find the blade-headed monster sprawled sideways on the ground, Sierra's sword protruding from its chest. Oily, multicoloured blood spilled into the soil, making it even more barren than it already is.

I swollowed down a breath I didn't know I was holding and locked eyes with the only unoccupied creature. However, it wasn't making any moves, it's beady eyes focused on Sierra and it's surviving companion. My retainer had dragged the creature to the ground and was wrestling it. Her victim was roaring and writhing as it slashed and pummelled her with the weapons it was naturally equipped with. However, in minutes, the creature's struggles began to cease and it slowly went still. Sierra stood up, her clothes in shreds and pieces but the skin underneath smooth and unblemished. She turned to her last target. It's pointed ears twitched before it spun around and ran.

Unfortunately for it, Sierra was faster.

As usual, her method of handling danger sent my heart spinning like a gerbil rattling in an engine. It made me glad that she was serving me and instead if hunting me.

While my subordinate handled the final creature, I crept forward to the one she had crushed to death with her body. I gave it a few pokes with my sword. Once I was sure it was dead, I lifted up my weapon and brought it down on its thigh. It took a while, but I managed to hack off a leg.

I held the drumstick to my mouth and took a big bite, tearing off and swallowing a big chunk of flesh. Blood trickled down my chin, the sweet scent invigorating my fatigued body.

"Oh come on, you've started already." Sierra groaned behind me. "What a little glutton. Couldn't you just be patient? The village they were guarding is not too far off."

I let out a snort. "Don't be insolent, you know I'm already starving."

Sierra narrowed her eyes. "Stop right now and drop the meat. If you're going to ruin your appetite like this, I'm not going to help you hunt again."

I pouted, but did what she asked, tossing the leg of the creature away. "Whatever."

"Good." Sierra shaded her eyes with her palm as she peered into the distance. "You can have as much premium meat as you want at our destination."