I fell back, but a soldier’s blade had glanced off m’shoulder, carvin’ yet another wound.
He was above me but I exploded up and began slashing wild. He parried, weakening, but I got m’blade intae his arm and he fell as another soldier came behind me. I fought three men while my power flagged, near dyin’ more than once until I had the men down on the ground, bleeding and beggin’ for mercy and I came upon Rannald, tryin’ tae drag himself away.
“I will give ye a place, Torin, I will do whatever, I will negotiate with Maximi?—”
I stabbed him through the heart and withdrew m’sword by stepping on his chest and stomping him free of m’blade.
I was breathin’ heavily, near collapsin’. I was covered in blood.
I waved my sword weakly toward soldiers who had come tae join the melee on Rannald’s side. “He is dead, ye best not come closer, there is nae one tae pay ye at the end of the day.”
A couple of soldiers ran, but one stepped closer.
I turned and growled. “Daena try it, I hae killed ten men this morn, want tae make it another grave?”
Another man crept closer behind me.
I couldna hear anything, could only see, so I had tae turn tae watch over m’shoulder.
It was makin’ me look weak. “I hae nae fight with ye, tis not worth yer life.”
I felt the rumblin’ of a horse near, I turned. Cathbarr galloped up.
“Good Cathbarr, good horse, och, verra good horse.”
I couldna get m’sword sheathed. I put it in m’sore arm, grasped the reins with m’good hand, and with the last burst of energy pulled m’self up intae the saddle, almost dropping my sword. Och nae. I clutched it as if m’life depended on it. It would be lost for good if it fell, I was not able tae get down from Cathbarr. Men were menacing me.
I pulled Cathbarr away from the castle. We would head tae the moor and the hill beyond where the extraction point was but… it was far away, my head drooping… I felt a tap on my cheek.
Och, twas m’earpiece.
I let go of the reins tae press it in my ear and immediately heard:
“Extraction point! Two minutes! Torin! Are you there Torin?”
A cacophony of raised voices all comin’ through the radio at once.
I said, “Rannald is dead,” it came out weakly. “I hae m’horse.”
From the radio:
“Max and Charlie are down, we need to get them to the hospital.”
“Go without me. Get them safe — meet ye there.”
With the sword and the reins, I couldna get tae my own vessel.
I said tae Cathbarr. “I missed it, lad, ye ken, ye need tae get me from this castle.”
He picked up his pace.
I mumbled, “Ye are a good horse” as I folded down over his back, near unconscious as he got me away.
41
ALEXANDRIA
1308 - IT GOES SOUTH
