Two of the Lysians attacked me at the same time from opposite sides. That was a mistake.
I moved, grabbing hold of the faster one. Using the momentum, I swung and shoved his body so that the blade of the other cut into his chest. Blood soiled my clothing. The impaled Lysian’s hand loosened on his weapon, and I took it in time to stop the blade of another’s from slicing my neck. That was aggravatingly close. With a grunt, I shoved him back.
My attention swung to the Bavadrin.
Ariana moved cautiously around the male who targeted her, trying to catch her. She avoided him three times before he finally grabbed her arm. He yanked her forward with ease, for she did not resist. As she fell into him, her arm pulled back before flying forward, and she landed a hit to his throat. The male coughed,suddenly gasping for air. However she had managed such a hit, it was unlikely to happen again. I moved, taking three long strides before shoving a blade through the Lysian’s back. Ariana gasped as red droplets rained over her. The Lysian fell before her feet as I turned back to the three who had been busy with me.
Another lunged. I blocked, but there was a flash at my side. I dodged too slowly. His blade kissed my thigh before biting deeper into the flesh there. It burned. The edge of his sword came away painted with my blood.
Damn it.
I didn’t have to look to know the wound was extensive. Warmth coated my leg. A red river flowed from the cut. I was losing blood quickly. Rage fueled me as I whirled on them. This needed to end. No longer waiting for their moves, I attacked first. The Lysian swung, and I ducked. He lost balance when his blade missed my flesh and slashed air. I used that moment to shove the sword in my hand through his throat. He dropped to the ground before he ever even knew he was dead.
It took five more seconds for me to drop the other two.
Hedrek and I were the only Lysians left.
My gaze pinned him as he picked up the blades closest to him. Not to fight with but to simply not waste resources. He was likely going to hand them off to others who were bred for this sole purpose: to fight me and mine.
Hedrek’s icy gaze cut to Ariana before returning to me. “A promise is a promise. Till we meet again, cousin.” He backed into the forest, and once more trees separated us, he finally turned and took off.
I remained still until I no longer heard his steps as he disappeared. Even as the edges of my vision began to blur. It took everything in me to remain upright. As soon as Hedrek was gone, I lost my balance, falling to my knees. There was so much blood covering me that the fool had not noticed the deep gash in my leg,utterly unaware that I was bluffing, for there was no way I could have effectively fought him hand-to-hand.
Suddenly Ariana was there, studying me, pausing at my thigh.
“You are losing too much blood,” she stated and went to stand.
Grabbing her hand, I stopped her.
“Run,” I said to her. “Hedrek may return. You need to leave.” She stood no chance against them. None. She needed to get as far away as she could and as quickly as possible.
Her gaze hardened, looking as though I had insulted her. “You will die if I leave,” she bit out, pulling her hand from mine.
I fell back, suddenly finding my head too heavy to hold up.
Ariana disappeared only to return with a sword in her hand. She used the blade to cut a strip from her tunic. I felt her hands on my thigh as she wrapped the fabric above the wound. Taking a smooth stick, she used it to tighten the fabric around my leg.
Unable to help it, I winced. My vision was darkening.
I should never have left home without my sword.
A hand firmly grabbed my jaw, forcing me to look upon her. “Whatever strength you have, I need you to use it. We need to get you closer to your city. I can help you, but I cannot carry you by myself. Can you do this?” Fear touched her features, though her voice came out confident and strong.
“Yes.” It sounded like a hiss from my lips.
With a frown, Ariana stood, awkwardly helping me to my feet. She found a sturdy branch for me to use as a walking stick. Grabbing a sword in one hand, she slipped her other around me, positioning herself under my arm. I tried to keep my weight off her, but it was useless. She nearly stumbled at first, her hold tightening on me as she regained her footing. Finally, we began making our way back, one painful step after another.
It felt like we had been walking forever, though I was certain that if I looked back, I could likely still see the place we had started from. We were not moving fast. Each step zapped moreenergy. More and more of my weight shifted onto Ariana. She began shaking in effort, though no complaint came from her.
My mind was slowing, a haze settling over it. I glanced at the Bavadrin who struggled to keep me upright, who took one small step at a time with me. I was entirely at her mercy. I would have laughed if I had the strength, for this was certainly something to behold. A young Bavadrin woman trying to save a Lysian King, one responsible for keeping her against her will. She indeed was something unexpected, entering my life without an ounce of hesitation. Even after everything, she now stood beside me, trembling as she struggled to hold my weight.
Ariana whistled, a long and steady sound.
I cast her a sidelong glance.
“Lysian ears may pick up the sound.” She forced the words out between her clenched teeth, answering my question though I never asked.
Again, she whistled, low and steady.
