The Jikaida Cycle

Chapter seventeen

Chapter seventeen

DisasterThe spearmen ran yelling on their doom.

For a short space only I fronted them with the deadly Krozair longsword singing, and then Targon and Naghan and Dorgo and Korero were there, with the others of my choice band clad in their stolen ochre and white uniforms, and the blades clanged and rang. The spearmen were either cut down or ran. The fight was brief and bloody, swift and savage.

“Well met!” I bellowed. “Now back through the gate and into the swamps before they gather their wits.”

“You are safe?” demanded Korero, and blood dripped from his tail hand and the blade he bore.

“Aye! Now — move!”

So we ran.

Brun lifted the carpet and I stuffed Dayra back, whereat she squealed and tried to s***h me. I looped the silk around her wrists and drew it tight, tight,