Page 44 of The Refuge

Rian prodded the little dog with a stick. Shadow’s barking merely incited the brute’s followers.

“What is that, a barking rat? Smite it harder, Rian!” said one from where he leaned against the stable.

“Just a wee beastie,” drawled another.

“Whatever it is, makes an irksome noise,” said Rian.

When the dog kept barking, Rian kicked it with his boot.

The dog’s yelp brought Giric running. Scooping him up, the boy shouted, “Leave ’im be!”

“Ho! What have we here?” Rian said, his eyes narrowing on Giric. “Can this be the master of the rat? Or mayhap ’tis his brother. Both are mangy little scraps. Come here, let me get a closer look at ye.” When Giric started to back away, Rian made a grab for the boy’s collar and growled in anger when Giric kicked him. Dodging the man’s grasping hand, Giric stepped aside, clutching the whimpering dog to his chest.

Steinar took a step forward, intending to call a halt to the farce, when Niall strode across the open ground and stepped in front of the boy. Gently shoving him aside, he said. “Take him away, Giric. I will handle this.”

Niall faced Rian, a slim youth against a muscled brute. “Seems to me you are a bit large to be picking on wee dogs and littlings.”

Rian’s face twisted into a grimace as he circled Niall while the brute’s friends shouted insults.

“’Tis only a lad hisself,” said one blustering fellow.

“I am nae certain ’tis even a lad,” taunted Rian. “Might be a girl with that long red hair.”

Rian’s companions erupted in cruel laughter.

Niall stood his ground, his bow slung over his shoulder, his chin jutting out.

Rian glanced over his shoulder at his companions, grinned and charged. His beefy shoulder caught Niall full in the chest, knocking him off his feet.

Niall fell to the ground, a loud snap renting the air as his bow broke beneath him. He jumped up, ripped the broken bow from his shoulder and yanked the seax from its leather sheath at his hip.

Rian smirked and slowly pulled his sword from its scabbard, the steel making a cold threatening ring as it slid free. He waved the sword menacingly in front of Niall’s face.

The men watching backed away, Rian’s followers among them.

Steinar had been watching for Colbán or one of the king’s guards, someone who actually had authority over the men, but none were present.

So it must be me.

“Enough!” Steinar shouted, striding into the middle of the rising tension. He stood in front of Niall, facing Rian. “What goes here?”