Threads of Fate

Chapter 41 ~ Breaking Paths

    Tissaia loosed arrow after arrow, each one finding a mark but not ones crucial enough to take down her targets, and she couldn't bring herself to shoot their horses just yet. The warriors had already locked blades with Talarion and Kaius.

    Vael had leaped off his horse when they first spotted the newcomers. He was in his bear form now, lashing out at the warriors with his terrible claws. Kahari remained close to his side, her staff radiating light as she thrust waves of magic into their opponents.

    Tissaia let another arrow fly and one of the males let out a hoarse shout as it pierced his flesh, but he snapped off the arrow shaft and didn't break his attack on Talarion. Her brother seized his momentary advantage however, and plunged his dagger clean through the male's throat. The warrior gave a gurgling cry and slumped out of his saddle.

    Another male gave a shrill whistle and the other remaining warriors circled back to him. "There doesn't need to be any more killing," the male called to them. "Just come with us peacefully and no harm will come to you."

    Talarion bared his teeth in a snarl and Tissaia couldn't suppress a faint shudder. He promised them no harm, when that was all they had ever experienced from their father. She drew shallow breaths, attempting to focus on the warm weight of Azael's arm locked around her. He would not allow them to take her, and neither would she. She had an arrow prepped and aimed at the male the next instant.

    "You make promises beyond your power to keep," Tissaia spat. "If you had any idea what our father is really like, you would let us go and forget you had ever seen us."

    "Lord Roshan knows you seek the gods' artifact, and he knows you have some sort of guide." From the corner of her eye, she saw Talarion inch his mount closer to Kaius, planting himself between the Lochren warriors and the Phoenix. "He only wants information."

    "If he only wanted information, why couldn't we tell you what you wish to know and have you pass it on to him?" Kahari countered, a biting edge to her voice. "Why does he require them in person?"

    The male's gaze shifted to her and his mouth curled into a cruel sneer. "I wouldn't expect you to understand family loyalty, Lethfae," he spat the word. Kahari bristled at the insult to her mixed blood.

    "Ignore him, Leaf," Vael growled, having shifted into himself and coming to stand next to her mount.

    "Oh, is the halfbreed yours?" The male continued to taunt. "It would be too much to expect a Forest Dweller to honor his heritage and not sully his bloodline. You are known for taking in stray Humans, after all." Vael's brown eyes grew almost black with rage. The warrior's mouth opened once more, but Azael cut him off.

    "Speak one more word and she puts an arrow through your throat," Azael snarled, his palm clenching into a fist though it remained against Tissaia's stomach. "You have two options and I suggest you consider them wisely. Let us pass unhindered, or choose your own death. I'm sure you saw what happened to the last warriors who crossed us."

    "They'll report us to Father if we let them go," Talarion hissed.

    "We won't let them leave with their tongues intact."

    "A truly generous offer, your Highness. You should know that your friend in the Cahirim along with several dozen warriors have been dispatched to track the lot of you down, and we act with the King's full authority as well as Lord Roshan's. Not that it means much. He's gone even more mad since you left." Azael tensed against her back.

    "Mad King Mavron. First broken by the death of a wife he never even loved, then by the disappearance of the son he despised yet relied on. Who could he turn to but our Lord? The rest of his counselors think he's a lunatic. I wonder if it runs in the family." The male burst out laughing, and a bowstring twanged.