The clearing had gone deathly silent, devoid of even birdsong. Alek shuffled around, trying to see where Volger would attack, but he couldn't figure it out. There was no sign of life. Then there was the tiniest crunch of a dry twig to his back. Alek whirled around, sword raised to cover his throat. There was a resounding CLANG! as Volger's sword met his. The man's eyes were guarded and brooding, as if facing down a seasoned warrior.
The man's opposite hands fingers stiffened and slammed into his belly, driving the air from his lungs. Then his sword twirled around Alek's, slitting open his wrist as it came down. Blood spurted out as his sword was yanked from his hand, thumping into the ground solidly several meters away. Alek's knees gave way from the sudden loss of weight. With every heartbeat, more blood pumped of his wrist. He gasped for breath, sweat running into his eyes. He felt the sticky top of Volger's sword on the crown of his head.
"Surrender, sir," Volger growled. Alek put up his hands submissively. The man chuckled suddenly.
"I must say, Hans," he said thunking his sword into the ground and offering his hand to Alek. "You did much better then I thought." Alek took Volger's outstretched hand and hauled himself to his feet.
"Thanks," he said shakily. Volger looked closely at his wrist. He blinked.
"Oops," he said.
"Oops? What is 'oops' supposed to mean?" Alek muttered blinking stars out of his vision.
"Is everything alright?" Dr. Barlow called, striding forward.
"I may or may not have accidently cut his artery open," Volger called apologetically. Dr. Barlow gapped.
"Are you serious?" she hissed, smacking his arm.
"I didn't mean to!" protested Volger like a child being scolded by his mother.
"That won't help much!" She gripped Alek's wrist and pressed the heel of her hand onto his wrist, still pumping blood with vigor.
"Whaaaaaat...?" Alek slurred dizzily.
"Not funny, Alek," hissed the Count. Alek still couldn't focus, no matter how hard he tried. Suddenly his knees gave out. He collaspsed into his own blood. But as everything went dark, Alek could hear Dylan cry his faux name.