to end you, but as we traveled, I fell in love with you. I was going to let you live and start a new life together. We could’ve moved far away from my father’s army.”
“I’m sorry, Kiayasis. Please, don’t do this to me.”
The dark paladin unsheathed his blessed long sword, and then he lifted it toward the sky. “Hosseff, accept this sacrifice as a token of my faithful service! My blade shall bathe in her life’s source! I am yours, and as your child, I wish only to please you! You are wise and an almighty god!” He stomped his right foot. “Blessed are the children of Hosseff!”
As Kiayasis lowered his blade, a voice from the side of the road called out. “If it’s a sacrifice you seek, come claim it!”
Shalee could not believe her ears. She struggled to focus and called out. “Sam! Oh my goodness, is it really you? Help me!”
The King of Grayham was dressed in leather hunting clothes. He wore no armor, but Kael hung from his hip. His crown was missing and his hair was a mess from the high winds. The front of his shirt was tied halfway up, and his broad shoulders pulled the material apart, exposing his muscular chest.
Kiayasis laughed. “How poetic! The King of Brandor has come to retrieve his whore! There’s much you don’t know about your wench! She has been a naughty girl! Do you wish to know—”
Sam spoke over Kiayasis as he entered the trees. “Why does everyone talk when the moment to fight has come? Ready your weapon, and let’s find out how strong the Order actually is!”
“What honor is there in fighting with blessed blades?” Kiayasis responded. Seeing the surprise on Sam’s face, the dark paladin added, “You didn’t think I would know of your weapon. I have been informed of your skill. We will fight with daggers ... if you’re man enough to accept the challenge.”
As Sam hung Kael on the branch of a nearby tree, Kiayasis lowered his sword to the ground. They each retrieved their daggers and engaged. An exchange of metal clanks and grunt-filled lunges filled the air. It was not long before Kiayasis’ fist found its mark, leaving the king’s lip split open.
Sam did not allow the punch to faze him. He grabbed the arm that was holding Kiayasis’ dagger and then threw the paladin to the ground. Sam followed with a right knee that smashed into the dirt next to Kiayasis’ head as the dark warrior narrowly rolled away and jumped to his feet.
Kiayasis nodded. “Solid moves for a king. I’m going to enjoy this.”
“Again ... more talk,” Sam responded, “ and not enough fighting.”
Shalee managed to shout, “Sam, he has—”
Kiayasis attacked to keep the king from hearing the rest of his queen’s warning. Despite the dark paladin’s stab being defended, Kiayasis spun to Sam’s right and then buried his fist into Sam’s kidney. The blow sent Sam falling forward, but the king regained his balance fast enough to defend a downward strike that was meant for his head.
Sam spun out from under the strike. As he did, he secured Kiayasis’ arms and then rolled backward, pulling the paladin with him. He pushed with his legs and threw the dark warrior into the side of a tree. Kiayasis’ plate armor made a loud thud against the bark as he fell in an awkward position on his shoulder. The dark warrior dropped his dagger.
Sam rolled to his feet and followed. The king stomped on Kiayasis’ blade with his left foot, and then he smashed his right fist against the side of Kiayasis’ face. Blood poured from Kiayasis’ mouth as two of his upper teeth fell to the forest floor.
Sam grabbed Kiayasis’ dagger, stuck it into the side of a tree and pushed sideways to snap the blade. He threw the bone handle to the ground and shouted, “Get up and fight!”
Kiayasis stood, spit and then wiped the blood from his chin.
Again, Shalee tried to speak, but the dark warrior shouted above her, “Shut up, woman!”
Kiayasis turned to face Sam. “Does your queen always run her mouth so?”
Sam ignored Kiayasis’ snide remark. The king untied his torn shirt and then took it off. With the garment clenched in one hand and his dagger in the other, he wiped the blood off of his lip as the clouds opened up, and the rain began to fall.
Shalee had never seen her husband look so intimidating. The rain was running down Sam’s chest as the