Without warning, Bria was tossed unceremoniously to the ground.
Pain shot through her shoulder and hip as she landed hard amongst damp leaves and stone. Nearby Kaelan hit the ground just as roughly, the vines still wrapped tightly around his arms and chest.
Before the men could notice, Kaelan rolled quickly toward her.
“Trust me,” he whispered urgently, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “I will see us safe.”
Bria stared at him in disbelief.
The vines binding him had tightened so viciously around his arms and chest that she could already see bruising darkening beneath them. His wrists bled where the rough vines cut into his skin each time he struggled.
How could he possibly protect either of them like this?
Yet despite the fear clawing inside her, she found herself nodding.
The large men wandered toward the stream, crouching beside the rushing water to drink deeply while speaking amongst themselves in rough amused voices.
“What do we do with them?” one asked. “Sell them?”
“Aye,” another answered with a grin. “Witches pay well for outsiders.”
One snorted loudly. “Trolls would pay better.”
That earned a round of laughter.
“The lass especially,” another added while glancing toward Bria. “Pretty thing like that would bring good coin.”
Kaelan went utterly still beside her.
Bria felt the dangerous change in him instantly.
Then one of the larger men spoke again. “What about the outsider? The one paying good coin for information.”
Several nodded thoughtfully.
“Aye. He might want them.”
Kaelan suddenly laughed.
The sound startled even Bria.
It carried pure mockery.
The men turned toward him immediately.
“I expected stronger warriors in Driochmor,” Kaelan said loudly. “Not cowards hiding behind vines because they fear an honest fight.”
The men scowled instantly.
Kaelan smiled despite the blood running down one side of his face where he had struck the ground.
“You call yourselves warriors?” he continued with deliberate contempt. “You are nothing but oversized fools too frightened to fight a bound man properly.”
One of the men cursed angrily.
Another grabbed Kaelan roughly by the front of his tunic and hauled him upright.
Kaelan only laughed harder.
