Fantasy of Fire (The Tainted Accords #3)(92)

Not only were we holding the four Elite off, but we were gaining on them.

“Soon,” Olandon grunts.

“Soon,” I agree. Nearly time to draw weapons. One of Rian’s fighters spins too close and I swing his legs out from under him. My eyes meet Rian’s for part of a second before he shoves his sword in, underneath his opponent’s arm.

I assess the state of our group as I fake left, feeling Olandon shift at exactly the same time.

“Now!” I order. I slide my two short swords free.

There’s no sadness for the Solati surrounding me. It’s me and my family, or them. They are hardened warriors, and they had a choice. They just made the wrong one. They’re the face of my mother’s poison and must be ripped from the heart of Osolis.

The woman soldier screams as I slice through the back of her knee. I grimace at the underhanded injury I’ve dealt. I suppose it doesn’t matter. She’ll be dead soon. Olandon groans behind me, hit, and loses the pattern. I wait and then whirl, plunging my sword into the opponent’s right shoulder. If I’m lucky it’s put a hole in his lungs. At worst, he’ll be slowed.

We regain our sequence, one sword less.

A scream pierces the air. Not one of my men. Olandon finishes off the woman I disabled before. I quickly look around.

All six of my men face off against the remaining three Elite fighters. The other three are dead on the ground at their feet. Kaura and Leo stand in front of the huddled women and children, teeth bared and hackles raised.

I jerk back as Brovek nearly catches me with a crushing blow to the head which likely would’ve knocked me out. I assess what I just saw as I continue to move. Every one of my men is slowing down, but Blizzard and Sanjay are both injured. I come to a quick decision.

“Sanjay! Get the women and children out,” I order.

I can’t see if he’s heard me, but one of the barracks “yips” to let me know he’s going. I smile anew, putting extra energy into my thrusts.

I barely feel a cut in my side. It could be small, but it could be large. My body dismisses it as being non-life threatening. Blood splashes over me as I drag my sword against the second, less-experienced Elite’s throat. It’s the one I’d hoped to offer amnesty to. The young man topples, clutching his gushing neck. I blink to rid myself of his expression. He knows he’s about to die. He’s afraid.

Aquin is in my mind, demanding I deliver a follow-up blow. I ignore the voice and move to the next one. Only two of our four opponents remain: Brovek and an unknown middle-aged Solati. There’s a groan behind me. Another Elite has Rian in a chokehold. Rian claws uselessly at the man’s arm.

“Break,” I say. Olandon alters his stance to hold off both of the remaining fighters. He’ll use large, slashing movements. It’s only a temporary measure.

I approach Rian’s opponent from behind and slide my sword into the base of his skull. Instant death. Rian rolls to his knees and a quick glance assures me he’ll be okay once he catches his breath.

I wait behind Olandon for his signal.

The smallest spark of hope flares within me. Five Elite left in total. Only two remain between Olandon, Rian, and myself. Three against the others. There are triumphant shouts as Rhone takes down another of the Elite. But he’s exposed himself. His opponent sinks a dagger into his side. Shard leaps in with a feral roar and engages the single soldier in ferocious combat.

A glance behind them to the archway tells me Sanjay hasn’t been able to take out the women and children. I quickly see his predicament: the other fight is too close to the archway. He stands ready, in case one of the enemy breaks away from their match and the way opens. The vulnerable Bruma are closer to the action than I’d like.

Olandon sees me and shifts into position. I slip back in, but my strike meets with thin air as Brovek, seeing their fate unraveling before him, spins out of the group, leaving his comrade alone to face the three of us.

I huff, painfully. “Rian, take my place here.”

Rian steps beside my brother as I move away. It’s a risk leaving Olandon with someone I don’t trust, but I know Brovek’s up to something and the pair will be able to deal with the lone Elite.

I run after Brovek as he heads toward the other fight. Is he hoping to join the two others and band together? My parched mouth dries further when he completely bypasses the area where two of his force still combat five of my men. Brovek leaps around the large fight near the arch, slashing his sword at the women and children who shriek in terror. My half-hearted jog turns into a sprint. Sanjay begins toward him, his own sword raised. But Brovek spins on his heel and disappears through the archway.

I rush into the hall, not far behind him, and look left to right. A flash of movement catches my attention. Brovek reaches up and lifts a flaming torch free from the wall, then disappears up the stairs to the second floor.

I feel sick as I realize what he’s doing. He’s going to light the signal!

But where is he going?

Rhone told me the other stairway has been blocked, so Brovek isn’t trying to lose me. He’ll go to the place a signal fire will be most visible, where the bodies must be piled; the roof! Mother’s men either had time to scope the layout, or have it memorized. But I’ve lived in this castle for a long time now. I know I’ll catch him, especially without a torch to slow me.

Horror fills me though, as I round the corner and face the solid presence of a door. I shove my entire body weight against it to no avail. The door doesn’t budge! I hear Brovek’s laughter on the other side as I slam my shoulder against the door repeatedly. This can’t be happening!