Needless to say the two officers were unpleasantly shocked and at once went into guard stance, naked weapon out. "Who are you?" They cried in unison.

Fantine tried to act very level-headed, like a true bounty hunter. "Who am I? That is the million dollar question, gentlemen! Who am I! Well I'll tell you- I am the daughter of Duke Yeferti Feron Neparosse, granddaughter of Duke Nipomiu Jenson Cervantes, great-granddaughter to General Alexander Zafia and great-great-granddaughter of Sam the Tailor; I am also student of Grand Ninja Odin, who is the thirtieth Clan Leader of the Nightingale Ninja Clan- Fantine."

One officer whispered to the other: "She's definitely been in the sun for too long."

Fantine was wearing a small, shrunken tunic that could barely conceal her lower belly. She also wore a tiger fur skirt and cat skin boots, and carried a knapsack on her back. On her neck clasped a silver collar of beryl and emerald, and her braces were crafted of silver and engraved by serials of odd symbols.

"I hate dumb blonde bitches who kills animals for their fur," remarked one officer. "Humans are really assholes, killing animals just for clothes."

"Excuuuuuuuse me, but I heard that!"

"Alright, you watch 'em, I'll take care of her," sighed his companion, and he stepped forward: "So you're FANTINE, eh? What do you want from us?"

"I am a chivalrous bounty hunter, and I am sole witness to the conflict between you and this boy. I feel like we should hear both sides out, so let me be your judge."

"Coincidentally," her man replied, "there is no such thing as a 'chivalrous' bounty hunter, and even if there was, you have no right to judge us."

"What are you talking about? Of course there are chivalrous bounty hunters, ignorant one. The great Victor Hugo himself was one of the best. Now who are these men, and why are they chained up?"

"Just answer her questions and then move on," muttered one officer. "If she doesn't let us, then He shall have nothing against us if we have to use FORCE."

"Right then," said his friend. "This is Sparke; he is convicted of stealing buttons from the tailor shop. That is Jean Valjean; he is convicted of stealing a loaf of bread from the baker. Lastly, that is Faernand; he is convicted of stealing cheese from the milk maid."

"What is their punishment, that they are to be paraded in the desert in chains?"

"We are bringing them out of the Desert City of Porthos and to the Icarus Sea to drown them."

"No!" Cried Jean Valjean.

Fantine spat: "What the fuck!"

The officer shrugged. "Suit yourself, blondie. We do what our prince commands of us."

"But they only stole cheap stuff! Your prince must be made outta real shit."

"Watch your language! There are things that you do not curse, not when you are in the boundary of our lands! Now move aside."

With a violent tug, the officers urged the chain gang a few steps forward. Jean Valjean desperately tried to lift himself, lift his heavy body so he could move again...

"Argh!"

He suddenly shot up like an arrow and charged forward; but alas, he was weak, one officer turned and knocked him off as easy as pie. They laughed.

Valjean got up again: "No, please, father!"

"That's enough, kid," said Fantine, now cooled down a little. Don't use swear words or let impulse overpower you, she told herself, for I am a chivalrous bounty hunter.

"Officers, regretfully to say, for I am, too, a follower of the Common Law, but if you don't reconsider your actions, chivalrous code shall overpower the law, and I will have to fight you. No authorative man should hit a child, or brush aside the cries of any citizens."

The officers glared at her. The last tinge of civility has faded.

"Fuck off."

"What did you say?"

"We don't mean to be uncivilized to you, but it's the only way we're gonna make it to your fat head. We're doing our jobs. And you're not letting us do it. So fuck off."

Fantine was furious. "Well then, I believe it is clear enough- draw your weapon, if you be men!"

So the men drew their swords, and Fantine put down her knapsack and drew out her katana. "I'll take on the two of you, if you need be," she told them.

"We had no intention of letting you choose your opponent," they retorted, and circled her like wolves circling their prey. Oh, what a fierce battle it was! A strike here, and strike there; Fantine was surrounded, but she has no fear. "The only way I shall be gloried as a chivalrous bounty hunter," she thought, "I must not cringe in spite of danger."