Shadow Blades (The Cimmerian Cycle #2)

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Isabel was brought back to reality when they dismounted the horses. Leo secured the reins to a fence post and they all marched towards the nearest pub. It was almost closing time and a few people milled around drunk. The bartender seemed a little nervous to see three royal soldiers walk towards him. He rubbed his beard and shuffled uncomfortably. Leo seemed to revel in his power.

They stopped at the counter, a very imposing group.

"Good evening," Leo said. He leant forward and said quietly.

"Is the prince in town?"

The bartender relaxed a little and put his hands on the wooden counter, "Not that I know of, he was meant to be here tomorrow."

"Thank you," Leo said, straightening up.

Isabel almost moaned. They were going to have to keep riding. Her legs were starting to get stiff and she was tired. As soon as they had entered the pub they left. They all got back on the horses. Isabel caught one last glance at her old home before they left the town. A pearly tear etched a path down her cheek.

Cormac knew that they wouldn't be able to hold off the assassins for much longer. They were too fast, and too agile. It was impossible to land a blow on them. Cormac wasn't really trying to injure them. He was afraid of killing them. Koran and Mik showed no mercy, they were fighting for the kill.

His hands sweated in his gloves and his forehead was damp. His hair was sticking on his brow. Mik had only just been able to deflect the blow to Kiayani. The assassin Cormac fought did not seem to tire at all whereas Cormac felt himself weakening. The assassin had grazed his side and he was profusely.

He envied Koran and Mik's thick chain mail, not that it was really going to help if an attack was aimed at their necks.

The fight seemed to last for hours even though it only went for a few minutes. Time seemed to speed up just as a dagger found Mik's side. He cried out in pain. Koran anc Cormac stopped to see Kiayani's long black hair whip around. His eyes met Koran's and they rushed to the door. The three were now advancing towards the door.

Kiayani had tears coming down her face. Mik had dropped his sword and was struggling to stand. She supported his weight as best she could by herself and tried to pull him away.

His breathing was harsh.

"You are going to marry me." She looked up at Cormac. Her eyes said sorry as she took Mik away. They left the room. In the heat of battle, he couldn't understand how great her love was for him. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. But he did understand that she had to protect Mik. He knew Isabel would do the same for him.

Cormac stared at the three assassins who were approaching. A feeling of hopelessness engulfed Cormac. He was going to die. He turned to Koran.

"Get to the king."

Koran looked at him like he was crazy but he just stared hard back. Reluctantly he left Cormac to deal with the assassins on his own. One at a time they tried to run at him and strike him down. Cormac did his best defend himself. A dagger found his shoulder and then one his stomach. He crumpled over and tried to hold onto the sword. It clattered to the ground.

The lead assassin came forward with a red glow in his eyes. This was the end. He closed his eyes and waited for the pain. At least he would have died protecting the king and his kingdom. He also had the knowledge that Koran still stood in their way. He could hear the assassin's calm breathing as they came closer. But there was no pain, only the sound of an arrow flying through the air.

It cracked as it hit the body in front of him. Cormac dived out of the way, stumbling as he did so. He looked up to his saviour.

Standing on the rim of the glass ceiling was a red robed figure, cloak trailing in the wind. The two remaining assassins snarled and stepped backwards.

"Traitor," they hissed.

Rider raised his hand to Cormac and was gone. They turned back to Cormac who was still on the ground, bleeding. He was completely defenceless. To his further surprise the doors to the wing burst open and soldiers poured in. they circled the outside of the room trapping the assassins in the middle. Then they began to close in on the pair.

Cormac was saved. The last thing he saw before a hand roughly pulled him backwards through the door was the Shadow Blades nodding to each other and the room filling with smoke.

As the smoke cleared the soldiers ran to the centre, only to find the pair gone. Cormac crawled away from the door, his head hunched forward. He thought he could see Koran standing nearby. He didn't recognise the other two pairs of feet.

"Did you just save us?" It was a woman's voice. Cormac looked up to see the angelic face of the queen. She spoke kindly and looked at Cormac, worried.

The king stood by her, his reaction almost opposite. He had his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"You. I shall murder you on the spot," the king said.

Cormac couldn't move. He couldn't believe it was going to come to this. He had just saved the king from assassination and now he was going to kill them. Koran stood between him and the king.

"You don't want to do that your majesty," Kiayani's voice burst from the door. She walked in proudly, Mik limping at her side.

"What is the meaning of this?" The king said.

"This man just saved your life. If he hadn't warned me, you would be dead. And now you would execute him when he can't even fend for himself."

The king scowled, his ears going red, "This man is a traitor to the kingdom. He is the enemy."

Kiayani came forward, a hint of anger in her voice, "He is not your enemy. It is Lord Hidefield -."

"Lies!" bellowed the king, "he is a criminal and has fooled you."

Kiayani was in a rage now, "Lord Hidefield sent these assassins to murder you and ordered more to chase down the prince. Why else would he make you sign him as heir unless he wanted the throne? He wants to build the next great empire and destroy everything we have worked for. This man was an unfortunate tool in Lord Hidefield's grand plan. He wasn't supposed to succeed. You can tell me yourself that he failed to kill you when he had the chance. Look at this man and tell me he isn't a killer!" she stopped and fought for breath.

The king looked taken aback, jaw law. Cormac had never seen someone speak with so much power. He looked at the king while clutching his side. Could he forgive Cormac?

The king stood for a moment before turning away and looking down.

"Get him out of my sight."

Cormac sighed and black dots claimed his vision. He slid to the ground and felt no more.

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