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The men were spaced out evenly before him Edward knew that if they spread out further they could easily get to Eliza and there was nothing he could do to stop theood, but not that good If he had any chance of getting Eliza out of there and to safety, he had to be the one to attack and control the confrontation – and there was no doubt there was going to be confrontation and inevitably bloodshed

Sending a silent prayer heavenwards that Eliza wasn’t squeamish and wouldn’t faint on him, Edward lifted his pistol and shot one of the pursuers with surprising accuracy The roan, the suddenness of his deh to prompt his associates into action Immediately the battle was on

“Eliza, get onto Guinness and don’t get off until I tell you” Edward snapped, shoving one hand behind hi forwards, his pistol raised He had no time to check to see if she had followed his orders, his attention taken by the wicked looking sabre that was now pointed directly at his heart Without hesitation he pointed the pistol and used his second and last shot before turning to the lastwith a snarl of contempt

“You can fight to the death too, or you can run for your life – it’s your choice” He snarled contelared at the third and finalto choose as he watched the round before sing harshly and staring at the s pistol pointed at his heart To Edward’s consternation he didn’t run, but raised his own sabre and lunged straight at Edho had little to protect himself other than a now empty pistol and a scabbard He are of Eliza’s screa her, his own survival depended on the next few moments

Turning the advance around a little, he scooped up a handful of dirt off the ground and waited until thethe contents of his hand directly at his attackers face It gave hie past the clu the reins of the other two, he nudged the horse around the bodies now lying face down on the ground and rode over to Eliza as staring at the fallen men in horror

“Eliza” Edward snapped, cursing fluidly at the sight of her ashen face Although she hadn’t cru hysteria, she was clearly appalled by what she had just witnessed Could she hold it together until they got to safety?

“Eliza” Edward shouted snatching Guinness’ reins and leading hi the same way “Do you ride?” He rapped his knuckles harshly on her knee, hard enough to snap her out of her daze

“Do you ride” He reiterated, watching the er towards them, his sword raised in attack

“Y-yes” Eliza whispered, trying desperately to cling to the relative reassurance of Edward’s familiar voice “Y-yes I ride”

“Then can we go now please?” Edward snapped sarcastically, hoping that if she realised he was angry with her it would be enough to break whatever fear had gripped her

Pushing Guinness forwards he slapped the big horse harshly on the rued forwards The sudden movement of the horse snapped Eliza out of her trance more effectively than Edward and he watched as she ian to ride the beast away fro towards the the re two horses behind him, took off after her

“Which way?” Eliza shouted as they rode across the rough field towards the far corner She had ridden as a child and kne to handle a horse, but Guinness was sih his solid bulk beneath her was reassuring, she wasn’t sure she could handle hie directly ahead of them

“Go to the corner, I think I can see an opening we can go through to get on to the road Do you knohere we are?”

“I think we are near Lymster, but can’t be certain in the darkness” Eliza replied studying the area for a while as she tried tocountryside “I need to see a stone marker”

“If we get onto the road, we can find one” He watched as Eliza settled into Guinness’ rhyth his questions clearly enough to reassure hi to hold her fear at bay