Page 56 of Bride of Ice
Whatever the truth, there was one rule of warfare Hallie knew she dared not break.
Never kill a hostage.
Over the cacophony of scraping steel, clanking armor, grunts of pain, and roars of challenge, she cried in command, “Take him alive!”
The Rivenloch knights instantly tempered their attack. Chivalry and fighting fairly were ingrained in the disciplined warriors. They knew the hostage’s worth. They would take him alive.
Colban raged against the surging sea of knights until they completely surrounded him. Until he was able to stay on his feet only by force of will.
It took a dozen men to subdue him. Half of them stole up behind him while the rest pressed him back with a wall of shields. But they finally seized him by the arms. Pried the claymore from his steely fists. And wrestled him to the ground.
Outnumbered, overpowered, and pinned by a dozen sword points, Colban at last had to admit defeat.
His breath came in burning gasps. Hot fear and fury pulsed through his veins. And now he began to feel the throbbing in his ankle where he’d twisted it in his wild leap from the window.
He supposed they’d slay him now. But at least he’d die knowing he’d done his best to give the Valkyrie a fighting chance against the invaders.
He prayed Hallie had listened to him. Fled fast and far. Hidden in a place they’d never find her.
Squinting against the blinding light of dawn, he spat out one final defiant curse. “Rot in hell, ye sheep-swivin’ cowards!”
The rising sun was suddenly eclipsed by a figure towering over him. The leader of the army, no doubt. The one who would deal the killing blow.
In a brazen act of courage, Colban glared boldly at the faceless warrior.
The last thing he expected to hear was a woman’s voice. “Are you hurt?”
He frowned.
Hallie. Why was she here?
He’d told her to flee.
If she didn’t escape, the knights would…
He narrowed his eyes.
The knights weren’t attacking her.
“Are you injured?” she repeated.
Confused, he gave a small shake of his head.
“What the devil are you doing?” she demanded. “Attempting escape? Or trying to get yourself killed?”
Before he could answer, one of the knights replied. “I think he was trying to saveyou,Hallie. Fromus.”
The rest of the knights laughed low.
“What?” she said. “Why would he…”
Colban blinked as he slowly realized the truth. These weren’t invaders. They were Hallie’s own forces. He’d been protecting her against her own men.
But why had they attacked her?
Or had they? Was it possible his blurry eyes and sleep-addled brain had misinterpreted what he’d seen?
If so, they must think him a fool.
