By the Sword - By Sara Flower Page 0,84

behind another tent.

“What are you waiting for?” said the taller of the two. “Kill the wench.”

“We have a war to get back to,” said the other.

“Not yet,” said the one that restrained her. “Why don’t we have some fun with her first?”

The other two exchanged uncouth grins before nodding.

Talya’s mind raced. She had easily defeated three of Ittonifer’s brutes at a time during the battle in Cardamon. This should be no different, especially after just being healed of several brutal wounds.

I just need a weapon.

Talya assumed that the man holding the dagger at her throat was a knife thrower. They usually kept at least two sheathed knives on their person. She glanced down at his thigh. He had another knife, after all.

She quickly reached for his other weapon and then drove it through his stomach. His pained grunt immediately pricked her conscience. He dropped his dagger and collapsed, clearly caught off guard. His colleagues stood in stunned silence for a moment before running toward her with their swords drawn.

Talya jumped to the side and blocked a swipe from the tallest one’s sword. She gritted her teeth as she attempted to strike at the other one’s back, but he whirled around and blocked her.

I don’t have time to waste on this! My country needs me.

Talya sprinted across the camp, trying to think of where there might be extra swords. It was unlikely. Every solider, knight, and commander had his own custom-made sword. No one would have brought along extras.

Talya was gifted with a sword, but she was no knife fighter. It occurred to her then that she had no idea what kind of a knight she was going to be now that she felt guilty about killing.

The barbarians were right on her heels, roaring at the top of their lungs like animals. She was going to have to finish them off, most likely.

“Lord, I could use some help right about now. Jalarn needs me. My people need me.”

A bow and a quiver full of arrows near a woodpile caught her attention. She leaped for it. Grabbing the bow, she nocked an arrow and pulled at the string. She shot it at the tallest knight’s chest. It didn’t quite hit her intended target. It pierced his lung instead of his heart. He stopped with a gasp for air and sank to his knees. That would do.

His friend was really close. Talya aimed at his heart, but instead shot him clear through the shoulder. He ignored the pain and kept coming, clearly bent on running her through.

Tanel would laugh at me if he could see this.

Again, she drew back the bowstring. The arrow hit Talya’s enemy near his heart. He fell with a grunt and then lay still.

Three firedrakes were tied to a post near General Edandir’s tent. Talya assessed them, trying to decide which one would be the fastest. She chose a long, lean beast and saddled him up. It would take her roughly an hour to get there, judging by the wind.

As she hopped on the dragon’s saddle and kicked its sides into flight, her stomach churned at the fact that she had just killed three lost men. Even though she did so in self-defense, it gnawed at her. The mission that God had sent her on had changed her forever.

*****

At Tanel’s side, Timlin and Pori fought another wave of Malinorians. The twins recited one of Tanel’s favorite psalms in unison.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

After what seemed like hours, the three of them stood among their fallen foes. It seemed like they had been fighting for days.

Pori patted Tanel on the back.

“Not bad, archer,” he grinned.

“Well, twenty more of our enemies are dead,” said Timlin.

Only four thousand more to go.

Endil joined them.

“Come on, lads. We can’t stop to rest now,” said Endil.

Pori nodded and pointed to their left.

“I see that a lady needs our help.”

Tanel followed his gaze.

Talya!

Tanel’s mouth dropped open as a mixture of relief and horror hit him. His friend was fighting against Ittonifer.

How in the world did she get here?

The four of them raced toward her and Ittonifer. Suddenly, Endil gripped Tanel’s arm and yanked him backward. A Malinorian knight had nearly lopped off his head.

Endil slew the man with one swing of his broad sword.

“I’d be more careful next time,” the large man said.

Tanel let out whoosh of breath. That one had