The Truth Over The Wall

Chapter 21

It came at her so fast that all Amara could think to do in the face of a sharp blade was close her eyes. 

Or rather take a little longer than necessary to blink and clear her vision to see if what she was seeing was true.

Idiot! Her brain declared in that instant. If you don't react to violence in this one instance, you won't live to ever react again!

Oh, right, Amara agreed swallowing. That.

But in the time it had taken her brain to make that decision, she realized she should have been dead or at least severely maimed.

Surprised, she opened her eyes. First one, then the other and saw that there were now two blades crossed just a few inches away from her face. The second blocking the first, saving her life.

Amara followed the length of it to find someone she knew, "Dominic!"

Dominic parried the blow and the swordswoman moved back in time to avoid it, leaving Amara's path clear.

Dominic continued to stare at the other girl. Keeping his opponent within sight, Amara thought. Just as he had taught her to do. But his expression became a cross between shock and surprise.

Reaching a hand down to Amara, he asked, "What was it you said, about being able to take care of yourself?"

Amara took the hand grudgingly and stepped out of the stream, seeing as she needed at least one hand to secure the jar that contained the few nettle worms she had gathered. Once on land she replied, "I think I could do a very good job of it...as long as someone doesn't decide to attack me with a blade unawares!"

From his profile, Amara could see a smile flicker across his face as he told her, "That's how attacks usually happen, Amara. Unawares."

Hanalea was confused to say the least. Shocked and even a little angry. The young man that stepped forward to defend the witch did not seem like a gremlin.

His skin had a human glow, suggesting blood still ran in his veins. If so, then...? A human? Aiding a witch?

And a soldier at that, Hanalea noted the uniform. It was all very unsettling and extremely disturbing.

Especially since there was something very familiar about him. She would see it, if she actually tried looking at him. She just could not see past the fact that he was standing beside a witch.

"My lady," he broke into Hanalea's thoughts, "I'm afraid you've made a mistake."

"Sir," Hanalea almost spat the word as she looked between him and the witch. "I very much doubt that."

Hanalea struck out again. Their blades clashed and backed off, adding to the tension.

"Please, just listen to me," Dominic said taking a deep breath, "I don't want to fight you."

Amara poked at his elbow and asked in a hushed whisper, "Dom? I'm not an expert at these things but I don't think giving up before the fight has started is any way to engage the violent, sword wielding witch."

"She's not a witch," he told her shaking his head.

"She's not?" Amara asked, rubbing at her forehead. But the headache was still there, it felt like being poked with an invisible finger. And she had received a warning from the waves as before when the trees had warned her just before the other witch had showed up.

"How can you know for sure?" Amara asked him, skeptical.

He turned to look down at her from over his shoulder, "Because I know her."