“No,” Halithe screamed, her throat raw and terrible.
Aramal charged, his quarterstaff out in front of him.He rammed into Ussin’s shield, staggering him back, away from Ritathan’s body.
Halithe pulled away from Rosalind, darting toward the crumpled heap.
Aramal pressed his attack.Ussin kept his feet, blocking the blows, but Aramal forced him back, raining hate and anger on the Wyvern.The others backed off, giving him space.
“Hold!” Orval’s voice was loud and clear.“Stand down,” he said, and it was a command.
“He killed Rye,” Aramal roared and swung again.
Halithe dropped to her knees next to Ritathan, not sure what to do or how to do it.He looked like he was asleep, almost, curled on his side, save for the blood running from his nose and ears.
Rosalind dropped to the ground beside Halithe and pressed her fingers to the mage’s neck.
Halithe held her breath.
“He’s alive,” Rosalind announced.
Aramal hesitated, his next blow arrested.Ussin took advantage and retreated a few steps, wary.
“Aramal,” Orval’s voice rang out.“You are of my Hearth.Ussin, I am Lord High Baron.Both of you.Stand.Down.”
Aramal took a step back but kept his weapon high.Ussin did the same, both men breathing hard.
“Shape he’s in, he won’t last,” Ussin’s voice was rough.“I know my trade.”
Aramal bristled, hands clenching on his staff.
Halithe’s eyes filled with tears.She tried to blink them away as the Lord High Baron moved forward, his dagger still in his hand.“Captain Ussin, explain yourself,” he rasped.“Striking an unarmed man with no warning?”
“No ‘unarmed’ man, that,” Ussin snorted, gesturing with his mace.“That’s Ritathan, an unchained rogue mage, declared outcast by his Guildmaster and traitor by the King and Council.I am commanded to return with him for justice or with proof of his death.”Ussin stared at Orval.“I’ve warrants on my person that so command me.As the Lord High Baron, sworn liegeman of the King, so too are you bound by the King’s command.”
Halithe choked back a sob and those cruel eyes swung to her.“I’ve another warrant as well,” Ussin said, “to escort the Lady Halithe back to her father, Lord Marshal Tarwain.”
“No,” Aramal growled.
Roth and Jerrold also stepped forward, forming a line.“You can’t take us all,” Roth spat.
“Keep talking,” Rasfel said from nearby.“While we reload our crossbows.”
“Aye, do that,” Ussin snarled.“Strike me down and more will come.The King commands it.”
“Stop,” Orval demanded.“Ussin, you called your own men fools for attacking us, and now you think to take us all down?”He drew a breath.“You are surrounded by my people, Ussin, and outnumbered.Put down your weapon.”
“Your people?”Ussin asked, his gaze flickering over the men around him.
“His people,” Jerrold said.“You threaten our Lord High Baron, you threaten us.”
“I have no intention of harming the Lord High Baron, or his family,” Ussin snapped, clearly outraged at the idea.“Those are not the King’s orders.Ritathan or his head, and the girl.”
“I won’t allow that,” Orval said.
“Not seeing you have much choice,” Ussin said.“The King’s command, Lord High Baron.”
Halithe’s skin prickled.The wind picked up and for the briefest of moments she felt it touch her cheek.
Over by the stables, the ugly barn cat emerged from the shadows, picking its way around a pool of blood by the bodies.It paused and looked at her with those watery green eyes.
