Which left the other man free to dart behind him, heading toward Orval.Ussin glanced, to see Orval, white-faced, dagger in one hand, scarf in the other, flicking the cloth at the face of his attacker.
The soldier flinched back, blinking, but only for a moment.Enough that Ussin could once again get in front of the Lord High Baron.He scored a hit on the soldier, but Wesnon was faster and younger.
And looked to be enjoying his work.
Roth had one down, Jerrold was retreating, slashing at his two with his dagger, pulling them away.A delaying tactic at best.They’d have no hope of—
“Fire,” Jerrold shouted.
Crossbow bolts flew from the woods, striking Jerrold’s opponents.One punched through leather, into the man’s knee.He collapsed to the ground.
The other took a bolt in the eye.
Ussin turned back to his own fight, not daring to lose focus.Wesnon and the other fellow parted, coming at him from two sides.Now it was Ussin’s turn to grin and enjoy.He ignored Wesnon, moving to strike the other with his mace, hitting his ribs and crushing his chest.Wenon saw an opening and moved to strike but Ussin was waiting.
Ussin’s mace fended off Wesnon’s sword.Ussin’s shield edge cut up, into the man’s cheek, slicing it open.Blood dripped as Wesnon backed away, eyes wide.
Not so smug now, eh?
Movement caught Ussin’s eye.A man stepped through the door of the manor, tall, long black hair streaked with grey, bushy eyebrows, expression furious.
Ritathan.
Even without the robes and chains, Ussin knew him.
“Not the King’s command,” he shouted, more to protect himself than out of hope of obedience from his men.“Stand down, damn you,” he bellowed again, even as he struck at Wesnon.
Ritathan shoved the girl behind him and raised a hand.
Something passed over Ussin, like the pressure of a storm.It hit all the attackers, staggering them back.
Ussin grinned in fury and followed up, ramming Wesnon with his shield and bringing his mace up and into the man’s teeth.Blood gushed as Wenon collapsed.
He’d give no quarter to men who turned on their own.
Jerrold stood over his two, breathing hard.Roth was on his remaining foe, stabbing him in the throat.Yfin and the farmer-type came running, weapons bloodied, both looking grim.It seemed clear that they had taken down their attackers.
They were all focused on Ussin.He raised his shield and held his mace ready.
“Hold!” Orval’s voice rang through the courtyard.“Enough,” he said, his voice somehow strong and yet shaken.He looked like he was going to be ill.
Ussin looked around.His men…no, Tarwain’s men…were all down, even the four by the stable.He alone stood.
Orval stepped forward, his chin raised.“Explain this,” Orval said, his eyes boring into Ussin.
“Lord High Baron,” Ussin stepped back, lowering his shield and weapon.“I cannot.This was not the King’s command.”
“Queen’s command,” Rosalind reminded them, putting her arm around the girl.“They said ‘Queen’s command.’”
“Satia,” Ritathan growled.
Orval glanced at Roth, then gave him a nod.Roth nodded back.“Clear,” Roth announced.
Ussin lowered his shield, shifting his stance and relaxing slightly.From the woods around the courtyard, men with crossbows were emerging, their bolts all shot.
All of the attackers were down, and from the looks of them, all dead or near enough.Roth kicked his with a grunt.
“Still some life in this one,” Jerrold called from where he stood over the man he’d fought.
