Page 6

'Their work is done, and they long to be free.' She closed her eyes, reaching for the magic binding them to her. She tugged on the strings, then let them go, feeling the eagles slide from her control. She opened her eyes as they cried out in farewell, flying north, back to the mountains they called home.

'We wouldn't have won without them,' said Edu, shielding his eyes against the rising sun.

'We owe them a great debt,' agreed Fyia. She shook off the sadness that washed over her. Her eagles urged her to go with them; they would miss her, as she would miss them. If only she could …

Two of her wolves stepped out of the woods, sensing her agitation.

'Will you let them go too?' asked Adigos.

'I've released the whole pack,' said Fyia. 'These two want to stay.' She urged her mount to a walk, heading for the trees.

'Surely you'll name them now?' said Adigos, falling in beside her.

'They're wild animals, not pets,' said Fyia.

'Well, if you won't, I will.'

Fyia rolled her eyes.

'The bigger one, let's call her …'

'Fluffy,' said Edu, smirking at Fyia's pained expression. 'What? She's very fluffy.'

'Keep up,' said Fyia, squeezing her legs. Her horse leapt into the air, and Fyia felt every excited bunch of his muscles, no saddle beneath her. He jumped again, then took off at a gallop, hurtling through the trees. Her wolves yipped with glee, racing alongside, Fyia's hair and cloak streaming out behind her.

Adigos' mare was fast, and he caught Fyia, whooping with excitement as he came level, narrowly avoiding a branch. They ran for another league before reining in their horses, walking to let Fyia's guard catch up.

'Gods, it's good to have some fun,' said Fyia.

'That it is,' said Adigos.

A twig snapped close to their left, and Adigos screamed, 'Down!' as an arrow passed a whisper from his ear.

'Warrior,' said Fyia, whirling back the way they'd come.

Adigos tried to follow, but his mount reared and bucked, an arrow buried in her rump. Adigos cried out, and Fyia reigned in her stallion as he was thrown from the saddle. He landed hard, letting out a grunt, his horse racing away.

Fyia was at Adigos' side in three ticks, but men and women approached from all directions. Her wolves snarled, then attacked, the sound of ripping flesh filling Fyia's ears as she tried to make sense of it all.

'Go!' cried Adigos. He winced as he rolled to his feet, drawing his sword. 'Run! I'll hold them off.'

But before she could, she fell, registering an impact against her shoulder. She hit the ground and it hurt everywhere. Her horse—not a part of her Cruaxee—fled, and then she was being yanked to her feet, pulled up by Adigos.

'Do you have a weapon?' he hissed, as the ring of armed men and women moved in.

Fyia counted twelve. Twelve—armed to the hilt—against two and her wolves. Fyia drew her dagger. 'This is all I have,' she said in a low voice.

'By the Whore,' said Adigos, assessing the threat. Fyia watched as his mind worked out their odds, calculating, then realizing their chances weren’t good.

Silence settled as their attackers moved forward on soundless feet, step by step, never taking their eyes from Fyia.

A grunt of pain broke the silence, then a thud, the unexpected sounds distracting them all. Adigos and her wolves didn't miss a beat, lunging forward, taking the fight to their attackers.

I am not a warrior …

'Behind that tree!' shouted Adigos, skewering the woman charging him.

Fyia moved, but was yanked back by her hair. She staggered back a pace, then whirled, surprising her attacker by grabbing his arm. He loosened his grip, and she spun herself around… but I can stab a man in the back just fine.