Page 94 (1/2)

There--it was there that Manon would strike first The one who noondered if they had so here

A mistake that would cost them what they had come to protect

A mistake that would cost them this war

And their lives

For Cresseida saw the steadiness of Manon’s breathing Saw the clear conviction in her eyes Saw the lack of fear in her heart as Manon advanced another step

Manon smiled at the Blueblood Matron as if to say yes

"You did not kill randmother "I do not think you will be able to now"

"We’ll see about that," her granded

Manon was ready

An upward swing of Wind-Cleaver rand right into the onslaught of the Yellowlegs Matron, ept up with unnatural speed, feet al over the snow, and slashed for Manon’s exposed back

Manon deflected the crone’s assault, sending the witch darting back Just as Cresseida launched herself at Manon

Cresseida was not a trained fighter Not as the Blackbeak and Yellowlegs Matrons were Toothe stars for the answers to the Three-Faced Goddess’s riddles

A duck to the left had Manon easily evading the sweep of Cresseida’s nails, and a counter her elbow into the Blueblood Matron’s nose

Cresseida stuain

So fast Their three assaults had happened in the span of a few blinks

Manon kept her feet under her Sahere one Matron ap exposed

She was not a broken-spirited Wing Leader unsure of her place in the world

She was not asharandmother led the attack, her maneuvers the deadliest

It was from her that the first slice of pain appeared A rip of iron nails through Manon’s shoulder

But Manon swung her sword, again and again, iron on steel ringing out across the icy peaks

No, she was not afraid at all

Dorian had never seen fighting like what unfolded before hi that fast, that lethal

Had never seen anyone ainst one--the odds weren’t in her favor Not when standing against one of them had left Manon on death’s threshold one Already parrying

She did not land many blows, but rather kept theic writhed, seeking a way out, to stop this But she had ordered him to stand down And he’d obey

Around him, the Crochans thru or the three Matrons who had found them

But Glennis did not treer to leap into the fight

Manon and the High Witches sprang apart, breathing heavily Blue blood leaked down Manon’s shoulder, and small slices peppered the three Matrons

Manon still remained on the far side of the line she’d drawn Still held it

The dark-haired witch in volurandmother "Pathetic As pathetic as your mother" A sneer toward Glennis "And your father"

The snarl that ripped frorandh "Is that all you can do, then? Snarl like a dog and swing your sword like some human filth? We ear you down eventually Better to kneel now and die with so out an iron-tipped hand behind her, fingers splaying in demand as her eyes remained fixed on the Matrons