Page 55 (1/2)

The rider’s horse screa distraction Lia went for thethe exposed strap so the weapon thuround

"Grab her! Grab her!" the other shouted, sta the horse with his spurs

Lia slipped around the flank and severed the saddle belt, slicing into the horse’s belly with the stroke It reared in agony and the saddle slid off his back The rider clutched the reins still, yanking the stallion’s head back further It twisted and bucked and both rider and stallion crashed into thebeneath it He roared with pain and Daho hi a sheath made her look up as the last rider dismounted and cleared the blade froe

"I have you all toher "Eh? You feel brave with a puny sword?"

He swung high and then low, slipping in gracefully She was outside his reach and so did not move to parry or counter She counted his steps in herto subdue her fear With her left hand, she slipped the dirk free

"A trencher knife now! You wish to stabhis reach fluidly to close the gap The bloas aimed at her shoulder, not her heart She knew he did not want to kill her That would ruin his purpose Lia twisted, using her gladius to separate herself froh and stepped inside and locked their hilts together He was taller than her, stronger by far In a test of strength, he would win

Already he twisted his blade free and grabbed her cloak with his free hand, jerking it hard to wrap her in it Lia stepped the other way and brought her heel down on his foot His face crumpled with pain, but he was not finished with her and she knew it She dropped low and pressed the dirk blade into his groin

"I will castrate you!" she warned in perfect Dahoed at the position he was in She was low, the dagger already in the ers opened and the blade thu "It is broken I cannot…stand!"

Lia swung the gladius up and nestled the edge of the blade against his throat "On your knees!" she ordered and watched until he obeyed Then she ainst his flesh

"My foot!" he wailed, his face wincing

"If you even twitch towards your sword," she warned, "I will cut your throat How is’ men are in the woods? Answer me!"

"How do you speak Dahoainst his skin "If you do not answer my questions, I have no use for you"