Aydra grasped an arrow from her quiver and aimed quickly at one of the men. It struck his neck, and he fell from the weapon. Attentions were turned on her. One of them took an arrow and converged it at her—
Her raven landed on the man’s face.
The man screamed and fell backwards onto the sand.
“Nice shot,” called a familiar voice. Aydra turned, finding Dunthorne watching her, his foot against the chest of a man who was leaned forward towards him, his short swords crossed over the man’s neck. The blades sliced his throat, and Dunthorne kicked him to the ground.
Aydra’s brows raised. “You’ll show me that move later,” she told him.
Dunthorne grinned. “With pleasure.”
Behind!
Another bird calling to her diverted her attention. She whirled around and struck swords with the man over her head. He shouted as he blocked her advance. And when he pushed her backwards, her back caught against someone else’s.
“We should start every morning like this,” Lex called jovially to her.
Aydra almost laughed, and her sword caught the man’s throat then. “Blood. Adrenaline. Beautiful people fighting at our sides.” Her gaze caught Lex’s, and she grinned. “It’s the morning we’ve always waited for.”
Spear!
Aydra yanked she and Lex both to the ground suddenly as the thunk of the ballista being fired sounded in her ears. The bolt flew over their heads and went through the man that had been running at them.
The pair stood, watching the men who’s faces were pale as they stood frozen on either side of the great crossbow. The pair exchanged a short, raised brow glance, and Aydra twirled her sword in her hand.
“I think they want to die,” Lex said.
“We should oblige,” Aydra agreed.
The men quickly began to load another bolt. Aydra and Lex ran towards them, pushing back any men getting in their way. The men were faster loading it this time. Aydra had to duck once more as the spear came whizzing past her. She didn’t look to see where it landed this time.
Would you like me to take them?the raven asked.
This one’s mine.
Swords were drawn. The man on the left jumped from the weapon and met her on the beach. Their swords clashed left, grunts sounding as she battled him. She barely saw Lex join her, jumping onto the ballista and striking the lone man left on it.
The tip of Aydra’s opponent’s blade cut her cheek. Aydra stumbled, her fingers touching the sliced skin, and she felt blood trickle down her flesh. Her angered eyes rolled up to meet the man’s.
His gaze widened. Aydra’s jaw clenched as she gave him a deliberate once over.
The man dropped his sword, stepping backwards, and he fell to his knees as Aydra took one step towards him. Aydra kicked his sword away. His eyes closed, and he pressed his hands together, muttering words under his breath that she didn’t hear. She grasped him by his hair and pulled his head up to look at her.
“Who do you serve?” she demanded.
He opened his eyes, and his brows narrowed. “What—”
“I asked who you serve, stranger,” she repeated.
Behind!
Aydra swung her sword backwards without looking, and felt it hit flesh. The man’s head bounced onto the ground and landed at her feet. Aydra was still staring at the man in front of her. His eyes were widened at the sight of his companion’s head cut clean on the ground by his knees.
The sight of it must have sent some last minute surge of defiance through his bones, for his eyes rolled up, and he seethed, “Long live King Aeron of Mathis, ruler of Man,” before then spitting at her.
Her sword cut through his neck, and she let his hair go as the blood rushed out of his body. Her gaze met Lex’s on the ballista.
“Who the fuck is King Aeron?” Lex asked.
