Blood Ward

Chapter 7

It took almost half the day toget ready. I allowed Gert (the innkeeper) to keep the extra silversI'd given her even though we weren't staying the whole week. I tendedthe horses, while Stefan purchased supplies for our journey. By thetime we set out, I was anxious to get a move on. We were wastingdaylight. Stefan set our pace, forcing me behind him saying I wouldwear out the horses if I kept it up.

I was in a fairly good mood, aswe rode north toward the capital city where Valkyrie lived in thepalace with her father, the king. It was also where all the lords ofthe nation held court. I'd been to the palace itself countless timesas a child when my mother had visited with the queen. It's how Valand I had gotten so close.

As sunset neared, I heardscuffling coming from further down the road. Suspecting bandits afterhearing shouting, I jumped lithely off War Chaser and bolted towardthe sounds of fighting. I barely heard Stefan's protests as I ranpast, Beast joining me close at my heels.

Coming around a bend in the road,I took in the scene before me. There were four armed men squaring offagainst one surly looking man dressed in the tell tale robes of aMage. I didn't stop to wonder what he was doing on the road alonejust before dark. The men he was fighting from the look of them werebandits, as I'd guessed. I rushed toward them throwing myself intothe fray. I cut down two of the men as Beast jumped a third. TheMage, caught off guard by my entrance, blanched ruining the spellhe'd prepared. The fourth bandit advanced toward him and I yelled,pulling his attention toward me. He turned and I took a defensivestance. We squared off, testing each other's skills before jumpingheadlong into a battle. I felt like I had back in the field at thecastle. I was going to win. I knew it... The bandit just didn't knowit. I started my dance, advancing on him, waiting for that deadlyopening. When I saw it, I struck, burying my dagger in his neck. Thebandit fell limp at my feet and I scanned my surroundings for anymore surprise threats.

Satisfied, I slid my weapons awayafter wiping them off on the grass "Brilliant!" A voice came frombehind me as Stefan rode up on his horse, leading mine by the reinsand looking shocked. "You are a force to be reckoned with aren'tyou?"

I turned to the Mage who wassmirking triumphantly at being alive. "You really should be morecareful," I said putting my hands on my hips.

"Now, now, my little warrior,"he scolded turning his smirk into a flirtatious smile. "The battleis over cool your fire... She is fierce isn't she?" He glanced atStefan.

"And reckless." Stefandismounted and walked toward me. "Are you hurt, Ana?"

"No," I snapped, snatching myarm out of the hand he placed protectively on it. "What were youdoing on the road alone?" I asked the Mage, after sharing a glarewith Stefan.

"My name is Anders in case youwere wondering," he said ignoring my question.

"I really wasn't," I saidgetting slightly annoyed by his glib attitude.

"Well, my little warrior, ifyou must know, I was running away," he said.

"You were doing a poor job,"Stefan pointed out.

"Well I wasn't particularlyrunning from them." He shrugged.

"Then who?" I asked.

"I have a few... Debts, thatneed paying, and I do not have the means to do so," he explainedvaguely.

"Right..." I said. "Well,try and stay out of trouble. I may not be around to save you nexttime." I turned to get back on War Chaser as Anders chuckled.

Then, a thought crossed his mindthat he voiced leaving me gaping with one foot in the stirrup. "IfI asked you nicely, perhaps I could join your little party. I can bequite useful in a pinch." He snapped his fingers and a fireballerupted in his palm. "That way I can help you, and you can keep mealive."