She was a trained assassin who’d killed dozens of men.
But they weren’t the ones who were renowned for brutality. Ones who hunted other warriors who had thousands of years of experience. That took an unbelievable skill.
An unparalleled degree of stupidity.
Don’t let your fear lead you…
It reminded her of the first time she’d been sent by the queen to kill someone. Her hands had trembled and her entire body had ached. Her heart had throbbed in her ears. Every part of her being had been out of sorts to the point that she felt like she was in an unknown vessel.
And as she looked down on herself taking that life, it’d felt as if she were someplace else. As if she saw a stranger who was taking actions she had no control over.
I’m not that child anymore.
True.
She’d come a long way since then. Been through so much more.
This shouldn’t be a problem, and her stomach shouldn’t be tied into a tangle of nerves.
Yet here she was.
She went down the stairs and into the inn that was now crowded with trolls, ogres and giants, eating their morning meals. Others who glanced at her with open disdain and hatred.
They weren’t the ones who mattered. She was after the half-troll, wearing black armor and his wizard companion…
Xaydin knewthe instant Gisela left the inn and headed for where they were packing their gear on their horses. A rarity for Masakage who didn’t need a horse to travel or even supplies that he normally conjured when he desired them. Only the fact he was heading into Kernan where he wouldn’t be able to use his magic to portal there made this a necessity.
As for Xaydin…
The Oathkeepers didn’t have the same dietary requirements he did. He had to load a few days’ worth of supplies or make his meal from their roasted, desiccated bodies. And as much as he might be tempted to eat one to prove a point, they were so nauseating in appearance that he’d rather chew his own boots than skin one of them for nourishment.
He exchanged an amused glance with Masakage as his brother also saw her approaching.
With a determined stride, she cut across the street and didn’t stop until she was beside him. “You’re the Oathbreaker.”
“That’s one of my titles.”
She gaped with an astonished expression. “You don’t deny it?”
“It’s the truth. Why should I?”
“Because you know I’m going to protect the one you’re after.”
He scoffed at her bravado. “You think that. But my experience says you’re wasting your time.”
Fury flared in her eyes as she stared up at him. “You’re mocking me?”
“I would never do that. Besides, I admire your spirit and drive. And given that this is going to be a thing with us, I offer you a bargain.”
Gisela froze at those words as all manner of thoughts went through her head at what he could mean. Some of them weren’t so bad.
Others were terrifying.
“Explain this bargain.”
“Yes,” Masakage said with an interested grin. “Explain your thoughts, brother.”
Xaydin smirked at him. “Stay out of it, mouse.” Then, he turned his attention to her. “Since I don’t want to have to keep watching my back for you, I’ll escort you to theaþaswereI seek. If you can stop me from killing him, then, he’ll live. Otherwise, I’ll send his head to Dash and let Dash have at your queen.”
