Page 95 of Trial of Thorns
I am not the strongest of swordsmen, but I am fast and I see what most others don’t—or perhapsfeelis a better term for it. The darkness that spreads around me is more than for show, more than a distraction. It whispers in my ear, shifts as their muscles shift, and tips me off to their movements before they make them. My own little spies.
A vine wraps around my ankle, and I nearly fall from the sudden blockage. I grunt as Rook’s blade anticipates my hesitation—he sent the vine after all—and flings his sword at my head. I twist, and it hits my upper arm instead, slicing a nice gash into my flesh.
I cast a gathering of shadows at the ground, and the vines retreat. I waste no more time blasting Drake and Rook with walls of black acid flame.
They roar in pain, clawing at their eyes, and I leap toward Brielle.
Brielle snarls at me as she swings her sword at my face—a blade too big for her. She couldn’t win this fight. She’s good at long range attacks and defense, not close range. Good, I’ll destroy her in moments.
She leaps at me and I twist away, slashing through her thigh as I go. She howls in pain and rage, her eyes a bloodthirsty red. Her sword ignites in flame, and I swallow. Drake and Rook are already back in the fray. It’s everything I can do just to stop from being gouged with all three swinging their blades at me. Move, spin, duck. Each swing getting closer and closer to their mark. A blade nicks my shoulder, and I curl my lip.
I can’t keep doing this without backup. I’ll lose, and quickly.
Time for one final trick to get away from my pursuers.
With the quick flick of my hand, the dark film high in the sky is loosened. The darkness falls, enveloping everything around us. I time my last strike, leaping to the side, as we’re plunged into darkness. I shove my blade into my chosen target—the only one of the three to leave his stance open.
My blade scrapes against and—with a pop—through male flesh. The cry of agony is the only sound audible in the utter silence of my blanket of shadows.
My eyes glow golden. I know he sees them because Rook stares back at me like I am death itself. His eyes grow wide before they dim, death taking hold so quickly it surprises even me. The other two fall to their knees in defense. I can see them, but they can’t see me.
Too bad it won’t last, and I need to get away before that happens. If I’m honestly, I’m impressed I lasted this long against three of them.
My victim drops to the ground limp, and I sprint toward the blaze, surrounding myself with a quick shield as I blast through the still standing wall of flame and into the forest beyond. My arms and legs burn through the singe of heat. My shield protected me from the worst of it, but I couldn’t stop a minor sear.
It’ll be uncomfortable to sleep tonight, but that’s the extent of the damage.
I turn around a corner, searching for Rev and Tyadin—where did they go? Atop a hill to the east, I spy a stone arch through the trees. I pause, staring at the obvious, and random, entryway. Was it just me or was there a glistening of magic within?
A portal perhaps? It would be significantly more obvious than the last, but maybe we were supposed to puzzle it out and notice it. If we pass by the arch, will we wander forever southwest and never find our task in time?
I let the possibility fall by the wayside because first things first, I have to find my allies. Then we’ll worry about the tasks.
We need to get moving fast. We’ll be hard pressed to survive another fight, even with the others down one. Rev is still recovering, and Tyadin isn’t nearly strong enough to take them all.
Right now, our choices are flee or die.
