Chapter 26
Sage’s cry echoed in Marcus’s mindas he twisted out of the way of the lunge and began to pull his sword out. The man immediately followed up with a swing, and Marcus ducked, fully pulling his sword free.
He crossed blades with the attacker, glaring at him. This was no soldier. He must be the last assassin.
The man charged forward, arcing his weapon. Marcus’s reasoning was quickly cast aside as all thought and instinct turned toward defending himself. Marcus parried the swings, the metal blades ringing out through the barn.
Marcus wore no armor and couldn’t afford to miss a swing. He ignored the burning pain from his beating to concentrate on protecting himself. He didn’t attack, making sure to stay out of striking distance. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sage get to her feet. He had to keep the man from Sage.
She pulled her sword from the scabbard but didn’t join in the fight, even though her hand was so tight around the pommel that her knuckles were white. She was being honorable, Marcus realized, allowing the one-on-one battle. More reason for him to admire her. She gasped as the man lunged in again.
Marcus stepped aside and knocked the blow away.
The two men moved around each other carefully. Marcus tried to relax his muscles in preparation for the attack, but his side burned where Guillume’s soldiers had punched him. He ignored the pain to focus on the battle. He had to win. After Sage had risked her life to come to his aid, he would not die here. He would not fail her.
The man lunged again, pushing the blade toward Marcus.
Marcus retreated, pulling back from the sharp tip. He moved around the man, who continued to jerk forward, driving Marcus into the corner.
The assassin shoved his sword forward.
Marcus dodged, but this time not fast enough. The sharp edge of the blade grazed his stomach. He grimaced in pain.
Sage gasped.
The man grinned in satisfaction.
Enough of this, Marcus angrily thought. His cousin had hired this man to kill him.His cousin.Marcus clenched his teeth. He planted his feet and prepared for the man to strike. He was going to end this. Now.
The man’s grin faded.
Marcus swung to his left. As the assassin brought his weapon up to parry, Marcus stabbed in, cutting his arm and slicing through his tunic.
Surprise rocked the man, and anger burned in his eyes and clenched lips.
Marcus held the sword out before him, ready for the man’s attack. While he stared him in the eye, Marcus could see the assassin’s body, and he watched for any movement.
The man came in quickly from Marcus’s right, swinging his sword.
Marcus parried, the swords meeting and clanging through the barn. Then, Marcus countered, catching the man’s blade with his own and forcing it down. He brought the handle of his sword into the man’s face, knocking him backward.
The man stumbled away. Blood flowed from his nose, and he wiped a sleeve across it.
The assassin then came at him with an arcing blow. Marcus knocked it low and instantly brought the tip of his sword up, running the man through at his waist.
The assassin stood stunned for a long moment. His brow was furrowed as if in confusion.
Marcus pulled the sword free.
The man jerked and fell to one knee. He touched his side and came away with a bloodied palm. As he toppled forward, he swung his sword in a last, futile attempt to kill Marcus.
Marcus easily stepped out of the way. Breathing deeply, he stared down at the attacker.
“Marcus!” Sage cried and ran toward him, throwing her arms about him.
He caught her and hugged her fiercely.
She pulled back to look into his eyes with concern. “Are you well? You were cut.” She inspected his stomach, her hands skimming over it lightly until she found the rip in his tunic. She looked at her fingers to find blood.
