Page 93 of Tears of the Wolf
Truly, a little bit of loyalty might have helped Svendi live much longer.
Cenric followed close behind, watching his prey while Snapper, Kalen, and Hróarr’s two warriors followed up from behind. Cenric’s fingers itched with the anticipation of a fight.
They reached Hróarr’s ship, dragged ashore for the night. It had stopped raining and most the men had already bedded down for the evening, cook fires built along the shore.
“Ho!” Hróarr called to the men. “Time to be sailing back to Hylden.”
Svendi flinched, looking up at Hróarr. “In the middle of the night?”
“No sense in wasting time.” Hróarr turned back to the men who were already packing up their belongings.
Neither Hróarr nor Cenric had expected to find Svendi this easily. Surely Morgi must be on their side.
Hróarr’s men moved to obey. No one questioned their leader, but no one was rushing, either.
“What is this?” Svendi asked, suspicion lacing his tone as he wriggled away from Hróarr.
The time for trickery and deceit was over. Out here, in the darkness of the beach, there were no witnesses close enough for a good look.
The shield slung over Svendi’s back blocked his peripheral vision. Cenric swept in close and kicked the back of Svendi’s knee. Svendi stumbled and Cenric lunged after him, but the whoreson was fast.
Svendi backed away from Cenric, facing all of them, but he had the ocean at his back and Cenric and Hróarr in front of him. He was trapped. “What is this?” Svendi demanded. “What treachery?”
Cenric grinned, not sure the cookfires gave Svendi enough light to see it.
Svendi drew a large knife that was almost a short sword. He waved it threateningly, eyes on Cenric.
“Don’t play with him too long,” Hróarr muttered. “I want to get back to Hylden before another rainstorm rolls in.” As he spoke, Hróarr tossed a spear to Cenric.
Cenric caught the spear, testing the weight. It was a good weapon, balanced. Hróarr always had appreciated fine blades.
“What is this?” Svendi demanded again. “I’ve done nothing to any of you!”
“No,” Cenric agreed, stalking closer. “Not to us.”
Svendi’s gaze whipped between Hróarr and the others. To his credit, he didn’t call for help, but maybe because he knew that no one would come.
Cenric raised the spear, advancing on the other man. His weapon had the longer reach and both of them knew he had the upper hand.
But Svendi was not going down quietly. Cenric could respect that.
The Valdari raider lunged for Cenric. He feinted and spun to avoid the sweep of Cenric’s spear, rolling under the blade. He swept under the spearhead and grabbed the shaft. Rushing with his knife out, he slashed at Cenric’s head.
Cenric!Snapper cried, barking in fear.
Cenric ducked and dropped into a crouch. He smashed his fist into Svendi’s forward knee.
Cenric!Snapper lunged forward, but Hróarr caught him by his scruff, holding him back.
“Steady, son.” Hróarr crouched down beside the dog.
Good. Cenric didn’t want Snapper getting caught up in this.
Svendi’s leg shot out from under him, sending him sprawling into the sand. Cursing, Svendi scrambled away, struggling to get his bearings.
Cenric chased, stabbing down with his spear as Svendi rolled away.
The raider was good. Cenric could see why the man had been arrogant enough to think Hróarr wanted him for his crew—he had the skill to back it up. A pity he’d murdered Brynn’s son.
