With every second the Magea drew closer, and every second Anala felt more torn, as she really did not want to stab the tree-being, but felt desperate to protect herself and her cousin.
An' even if'n I did, would it do anythin'?
Rosa stopped but a few feet in front of the admiral. Anala held her breath.
The Magea c****d her head at Anala and her smile grew wider, if such a thing were possible.
Rosa raised her hand and held it in front of Anala's drawn sword. Before Anala's eyes her sword grew white hot and melted away into nothing, leaving a warm pommel in the admiral's hand. That too started to get hot, and she dropped it before it burned her.
"Please, Magea Rosa, I'd be begging ye --"
A laugh cut her off -- it ran through her head, a high-pitched keening noise. Anala clamped her han
