In a swift motion, Damon unsheathed his sword, the blade arcing high before striking the pillar with a resounding impact.
'Thudd!'
The wooden surface splintered, leaving a trail of chips on the ground and marking the pillar where it had collided. The sword's tip narrowly missed its target, an older man with grey hair and a chubby figure.
The man slumped to the ground, fear painting his face, his eyes wide with shock as he confronted the peril before him. In those fleeting moments, memories of his life flashed through his mind, mingling with the glint of the blade that had nearly struck him.
"Please don't hurt me!" he exclaimed.
Rafe rushed to the scene, astonished to find a familiar figure before him.
"Oh my God! Mr Lambert! Are you all right?" he asked.
Damon quickly withdrew his sword, relieved that he had recognised the gardener in time to avoid causing serious harm.
