Page 98 of The Study of Fire
“Trust is a powerful ally. Right, Tauno?” a feminine voice asked. She had the same lilt as a Sandseed.
Valek really needed totrusthis instincts.
“Yes. And trust is blind. No one suspected me, even after the ambush in the plains.” He laughed. “Trust is for stupid people. Even the Sandseed Elders had no idea. My ability to find the Daviian camps amazed them.”
They chuckled, enjoying themselves.
“We have captured a wanted criminal. That should make the council happy. And we’ll bring the Soulfinder to Jal.”
He counted the voices around their campsite. There were four of them, good odds for him and Yelena.
“Kill the Ghost Warrior,” one of the vermin ordered.
He prepared to move.
“Make sure you cut his throat and collect his blood. It will be just revenge for Alea and her brother.”
He wished he could kill those two again. Through slitted eyelids, Valek watched as they lifted Yelena off the ground.
“Now!” Valek yelled, springing to his feet as he drew his sword.
Her switchblade snicked and she plunged it into a Daviian’s chest. Valek spun just as Tauno tried to slit his throat with the sharp point of his spear. He blocked and backed up as another Daviian joined the fight. That left one attacker for Yelena.
Facing two opponents with spears was similar to defending against bo staffs. He had fought three people with bo staffs, and this time he had his sword. He silently thanked his seconds-in-command for the practice.
As he engaged with the two, Yelena’s attacker ordered her to drop her weapon. As if she’d listen.
Then he said, “You will not be harmed if you surrender.”
Yelena countered. “You’re not allowed to kill me; Jal wants me alive so he can feed me to his pet Fire Warper!”
Valek approved of her tactic to unnerve her opponent. He concentrated on his own fight. Tauno was a skilled warrior. His friend pushed her magic at Valek, slowing him down. It took longer than he expected, but he snaked passed Tauno’s defenses and stabbed him.
The woman yelled when Tauno collapsed and attacked Valek with renewed vigor. Her power pressed on his arms. His muscles burned with the effort to move. He ducked and dodged, waiting for the perfect opening.
Across the fire, Yelena and the other warper fought. “Is that all you have?” Yelena’s attacker asked. “What about your great soul magic? I think the Fire Warper will be disappointed. Orders are orders.” A thud sounded and Yelena collapsed.
Valek went on the offensive and created the perfect opening. The woman was dead in two moves. He turned just in time to see Kiki kick the warper in the head, denting it. Nice. Then he spotted Yelena lying on the ground under Kiki. He raced to her and rolled her over. Cuts oozing blood crisscrossed her arms and legs.
Her pulse was strong and there were no stab wounds. He looked up at Kiki, who kept her protective stance. “What happened?”
Kiki nudged Yelena’s forehead. A bright red bruise swelled on her temple. She’d been knocked unconscious. Valek carried her closer to the fire. He checked Marrok to ensure he still slept. Then he grabbed the first aid supplies from Kiki’s saddle bags. He found the pouch Leif had given Yelena and sorted through the contents, hoping something would be useful for a headache.
Using a soft cloth and water, Valek cleaned her wounds. He wasn’t gentle. She needed to wake up, and he hoped the pain would rouse her. They were running out of time.
He was almost done, when she said, “Ow! Stop that.”
“Finally,” he said. But he didn’t stop. He dabbed at her wounds, finishing the job, then sat back on his heels. “That’ll have to do for now. Come on. We need to go.”
When she failed to move, he pulled her into a sitting position. Her brow furrowed, and color leaked from her face.
“Here.” He thrust red leaves into her hands. “I found them in your saddlebags. The note said to eat them for head pain.”
“Go where?” she asked.
Valek yanked her to her feet. “We need to find the barn.”
“Barn?”
