By the Sword - By Sara Flower Page 0,38
Talya, feeling foolish.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Get your water, girl, and do it quick. We don’t like strangers lingering too long.”
“I understand.”
The woman huffed and left Talya alone to get her own water.
Talya sat down again, hoping that her lightheadedness would subside once she drank enough. She swallowed down what was left in the last canteen and then refilled all four of the containers.
Hopefully it will last me until I reach the next water source.
Talya had already attracted enough attention. Groups of small children watched her with wide eyes while their mothers glared. A few of the men stood there gawking at her.
Talya cringed inwardly, walking quickly through the village.
She was about to sigh with relief when she saw a shocking sight ahead. A man was beating a fallen animal with a whip. It was a black horse lying on its side in the sand, submitting to its cruel master.
Enraged, Talya ran over to them.
“What are you doing?” she shouted.
The man turned and squinted at Talya. He appeared to be in his mid-forties with long, scraggly black hair and a thick scar on his cheek. He ceased whipping the animal for a moment. His hooded eyes roved slowly over Talya.
“She refused to move,” he said. “Ten times more stubborn than a mule she is, and I was told these blasted Pegasus horses bred in Malinor were of top quality. I didn’t go to all the work of stealing this thing to put up with disobedience. I taught her real good, I did.”
Talya had no idea how he’d gotten his filthy hands on such a rare animal, but she knew that the man did not deserve to be the owner of any living thing.
“You were going to beat her to death weren’t you?”
“What’s it to you, pretty lady?”
“I’m not going to turn a blind eye to abuse.”
“My, oh, my. Beautiful and passionate. I don’t think I’ve ever met one like you before. Why don’t you come and stay with Mog for a while? Then I may consider letting the mare free.”
Talya wished that she had brought her sword. She wanted to slit his throat where he stood.
Stay composed. Remember what Uittan said.
Talya folded her arms across her chest.
“I’m going to Hunter Forest,” she said.
“Is that a fact?” he chuckled as he reached to grab her arm.
She smacked his hand away and kicked him in the shin.
“Get away from me!” she yelled.
“A feisty one to be sure,” he grinned as he pulled out a knife. “Like a wild filly.”
Talya gritted her teeth and readied herself to kick the weapon out of his mangy hands. He looked strong so she had to be quick.
“Come here, my fair-haired pet,” he cooed.
She waited for him to get close enough and then kicked his armed hand.
He yelled in pain as the dagger fell to the ground.
Talya dove for it and clenched it with both of her hands, holding it in front of her.
He backed away slowly.
“You crazy wench,” he said.
“Just get out of here!”
The uncouth man ran back into the small village. She knew that she would have to get moving soon, in case he came back with more people, but not before looking over the battered horse.
Talya crouched down and caressed the velvety soft muzzle of the abused Pegasus. Her eyes were closed. Her breathing was shallow. Deep lash marks ran from her neck down to her rump. Her legs had also been whipped.
“I’m so sorry,” Talya said.
She was a beautiful animal with an ebony coat, bell-shaped hair over her hooves, and sleek wings similar in design to those of a bat. The creature, if left, would slowly starve to death. It was best to put her out of her misery.
Talya gripped the dagger firmly in her hands, trying to work up the courage to end the poor beast’s life.
“You hesitate to kill a horse, but you willingly slay the lost.”
Talya glanced up at the sky as gooseflesh covered her body. God hadn’t whispered to her heart like that in years. Now He had. It was true that her conscience had grown cold for the men of Malinor. Unlike Tanel, Talya had fought for the power that she felt when she slew her enemies. Her friend killed only when it was needed.
Talya glanced down at the wounded horse.
“But she’s innocent, Lord,” said Talya quietly. “The men I kill burn villages and slay many righteous people – even innocent children. They deserve death.”
This time there was no answer.
Talya shut her eyes. She didn’t know