By the Sword - By Sara Flower Page 0,71

daughter’s life?”

The prophet nodded.

“Why would he do that? He has already almost killed her twice,” said the general.

“Ride swiftly, General. You haven’t much time. But remember that the Lord is with Talya, no matter what happens. She is going to be taken care of.”

Edandir gave him a scornful look before kicking his dragon into rapid flight.

*****

Tanel shot at two Malinorian knights that were just about to send another fiery boulder on his people. Atalsa took care of the pair next to them. The rest were taken down by the other bowmen.

“We did it!” cried Atalsa.

Although her friend Tasar liked to brag about his abilities, it was Atalsa that should have done the bragging. She had a better eye than Tanel or even Wenyn.

“The battle isn’t over yet,” said Tanel.

Tanel caught sight of Tasar and a wave of relief swept over him. The cocky knight’s skill had deepened since he had sparred with Talya only a week ago. He fought off several men at a time with his strong frame and quick movements.

Atalsa noticed Tasar, too, and ran to his side.

A larger group of Malinorian knights was approaching them from behind. Tanel took care of five of them while Atalsa picked off the rest. Tasar swung her around twice, and they hugged for longer than necessary.

Tanel shook his head.

“Hey! This is a battlefield.”

The youthful couple broke their embrace and disappeared together into the sea of fighting soldiers, clearing a path. They certainly made a lethal pair when they put their minds to it.

Malinor’s numbers were considerably smaller now. The warriors of Sanctus had all but decimated the devil-worshipping army with the help of the giants and the monsters that had suddenly turned on the empire. It was clear that God had His hand on the battle. Only God would have been able to influence the beasts like that.

Endil’s deep battle cry could be heard echoing over the raging battlefield. With renewed vigor, Tanel charged into the thick of the battle. He left his sword in its sheath as he took down several more enemies with short-range archery.

There were only three of the great monsters remaining, but the animals tore through sections of Ittonifer’s army as though the men were as light as air. Every single one of the ten giants prevailed and valiantly fought five or six enemies at a time.

They had not won yet, but they were so close.

A badly wounded enemy knight nearly stumbled into Tanel. He fell to his knees and drove his sword into the dirt. He looked even younger than Tanel.

Tanel swallowed as he scanned his surroundings to make sure that no one else was coming at him, but what he saw surprised him. All around them, Malinor’s men were kneeling and setting down their swords. They were surrendering.

Tanel raised his arms and cheered at the top of his lungs along with others as relief swept over him. A tear streamed down his cheek.

It’s finally over.

Endil caught his attention because he was just standing there. The man looked troubled instead of happy.

Tanel strode over to the formidable man.

“Endil, what’s wrong?” he asked.

The knight didn’t answer. Instead, he stared straight ahead. Tanel followed his gaze.

It can’t be.

In the distance, like a horrific plague of black locusts, was another army of black armored warriors, larger than any force that Tanel had ever seen. The battle was far from over. It had just begun.

*****

Jalarn and Ittonifer dueled back and forth within the prison. Thankfully, Ittonifer’s back had been turned when General Edandir had taken Talya. Now that she was away from Ittonifer’s harm, Jalarn could concentrate better.

So far, his uncle was unbeatable. The older man had lost neither his power nor his skill at nearly sixty years of age. He seemed to always be one step ahead of Jalarn, but Jalarn would catch him off guard. He had to.

“Just look at you,” Ittonifer said. “Your life is worthless now. You went against everything I taught you, and now you’re going to die. I can’t believe that I had once promised you my throne.”

“You didn’t do anything for me until after you starved my mother to death!”

“Jalarn, Jalarn, why didn’t I just kill you that day when you came to me begging for that loaf of bread? I should have seen that you would turn into an idealistic weakling like her.”

Jalarn came at his uncle with an even greater fury, bent on severing the man’s head from his neck.

Ittonifer backhanded Jalarn in the face and swung for his throat. Jalarn