Page 13 of Highland Lords of War & Thunder: The Prequel

Torden's tankard rocked from the force of her departure, and he caught it before it tumbled over.

A man shouted as Ismera landed beside his plate.

Another scrambled out of her way when she jumped to the next table.

The innkeeper charged after her, waving his broom. “Ismera!”

She ignored him.

Niall no longer looked amused. “Don't do anything foolish, Ismera.”

She jumped onto a table directly in front of him and without a word spoke brought the bowl came down over his head.

Chapter Five

Torden

Gravy dripped down Niall's face, carrying bits of onion and carrot with it. A chunk of meat clung stubbornly to his hair while another slid down the side of his neck and disappeared beneath his shirt.

For a moment, the inn went completely silent.

Ismera stood on the table before him, hands planted on her hips and satisfaction bright in her blue eyes.

Niall wiped a hand across his face and stared at the gravy coating his palm. His face reddened as his gaze slowly lifted to Ismera.

“You miserable little⁠—”

He lunged for her.

Ismera barely had time to react before a powerful arm wrapped around her waist and swept her off the table. She gasped as she found herself tucked firmly against the man’s, whose stew she took, side, her feet dangling above the floor.

“What are you doing?” she demanded, his arm feeling like an iron shackle around her waist.

Torden ignored her.

Niall came at them, his fist already drawn back ready to land a blow on Ismera. Torden caught his wrist before the blow could land and twisted his arm behind his back in one swift movement.

Niall cried out, his eyes cringing in pain.

With Ismera secured beneath one arm and Niall controlled by the other, Torden headed for the door.

Ismera squirmed furiously. “Put me down!”

Torden kept walking.

The innkeeper took one look at the three of them coming toward him and hurried to open the door.

Torden stepped outside and released Niall with a hard shove that sent him stumbling several feet before he landed squarely on his backside.

Ismera stirred stunned, then turned to the large man. “Don’t dare⁠—"

Torden didn’t give it a second thought. He tossed her after Naill.

With a startled cry she landed on her backside beside the fellow.

She stared up at Torden in disbelief, a fine dust from the dry dirt settling around her.

He looked from one to the other.