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“In your way?” he said, incredulous. “Perhaps it is you who needs further flying instructions.” He flipped his shoulder length red hair behind him and shook out his soaking wings. “You unprofessional faeries are no more than untrained mercenaries.”
She bristled. “We cannot all be from great noble families that land us comfortable positions for which little effort is required, fire faerie.”
Several roars from the forest blasted through the trees, causing both their heads to whip toward the woods.
“Five ogres are bearing down on this location,” Morrigan said, her tone sharp. “It would be best if we weren’t here when they arrive.”
“Neither of us shall be going anywhere,” Dagda growled.
Morrigan’s raging, defensive gaze snapped to his. He lifted an eyebrow and pointed into the water.
She stared into the watery depths to see a large yellow vine with what looked like great toothless, sucking mouths wrapped around both of their ankles.
She frowned, alarm sparking in her eyes. “Elbrador. It slowly sucks the magic from its victims.”
“Impervious to my fire and our blades,” Dagda added. “Not to mention the invisible ward it casts will keep us from fleeing this spot.” He shook his head, the droplets dancing from his long hair. “We will be at a disadvantage when those ogres arrive.”
The trees in the forest quaked, marking the ogre’s approach. The pounding and roaring growing louder.
“By the goddess.” Morrigan reached into her pouch, hesitated, then wheeled on Dagda. “You must swear not to tell a soul what you are about to behold.”
“What—”
“Swear to it, or I shall let the ogres devour us where we stand.”
Dagda paled. The approaching beasts were almost in view. “I swear, madam. I shan’t tell a soul.”
She pulled some dust from her pouch and began chanting a spell. She knelt and touched it to the vines that circled both his and her ankle. The Elbrador retracted its grip on them. She grabbed Dagda’s arm and urged him forward as she launched the last of the soaked powder, now a small ball of sludge, at the invisible ward. The magic around them warped and then they were through on the other side of the barrier.
Morrigan released Dagda, and he looked at her in wonder. “You are a sorceress.”
Before she could respond, the first ogre broke into the clearing, charging at them. Morrigan had just enough time to draw her double swords before a fist slammed in her direction. She jumped to the side to avoid the blow. Her sword slid into the creature’s flesh, causing it to roar. Morrigan wasn’t fast enough to dodge the next blow, and giant strong fingers closed around her waist. She twisted and swore and the ogre’s mouth gaped wide to take off her head.
Dagda leapt forward, red flame in his hands. He shot a ball of wildfire into the ogre’s face, causing the creature to release Morrigan.
More came at them. “Go for the eyes,” she said.
And together they fought. Attacking, burning, cutting and taking down the ogres while watching each other’s back. Dagda almost got crunched, but Morrigan sliced the tendons on the ogre’s legs, bringing the monster to his knees. Then she rose on her wings and rammed both her swords forward, one into each eye.
The last ogre lay dead among a mound of massive bodies, the stream fighting to find a pathway around the enormous figures that blocked its usual path.
Morrigan sheathed her weapons, still panting for breath. “You saved me. I suppose there is some fight in you, fire faerie.” Her head inclined. “Although I believe I am one up on you when it comes to saving asses.”
Dagda grinned. “I shall gladly remain in your debt, until next time, my lady.”
Her eyes turned appraising. “I thought I was only an untrained mercenary.”
“That was after you knocked me into the water, but before you saved my ass, twice.”
A smile tugged on Morrigan’s lips.
He gazed upon the fallen corpses. “I do not understand how five ogres were in the same spot at the same moment.”
“I was attempting to lead them into a trap,” she said. “Before we collided.”
His grin grew, and a spark ignited in his eyes. “You are remarkable.”
She turned to leave. “I should make haste. Others—”
