Abuud: the One-Eyed God by Richard S. Tuttle Read Free Book Online Page B

sight of goblin bodies strewn along the trail as the sun illuminated the forest. The floor of the forest was soaked in blood and bodies were everywhere. She pivoted to the source of movement and her heart skipped a beat when she saw Alex covered in blood. Tanya gasped loudly at the sight of Alex, but Jenneva saw the smile on his face and rushed over to him.
    "It is not my blood," greeted Alex. "The plan worked well. We have some wounded unicorns that will require attention. Tanya can help you."
    "Arik and Tedi?" Tanya inquired cautiously.
    "Both are fine," smiled Alex. "They are with Prince Midge searching for any surviving goblins. The unicorns' attack was devastating. They are fierce allies. I have always admired the fighting ability of Kaz and Yorra, but I have never witnessed what the unicorns can accomplish in great numbers. The goblins did not have a chance."
    "Why are you covered in blood?" scowled Tanya. "Could you not have just used your bow and not endangered yourself in close combat?"
    "Some of the goblins tried to turn back when they heard the cries of those before them," shrugged Alex. "I had to block their escape. I will clean up after we are sure the goblins are accounted for."
    "Let us tend to the wounded," Jenneva suggested to Tanya. "We can discuss the battle later."
    Alex looked towards Tice and saw the defenders probing the goblin bodies outside the walls of the garrison. "I must check with the garrison and let them know the threat is over," he stated. "We can talk later."
    Tanya shook her head as Alex strode out of the forest towards Tice.
    "How do you live with him?" sighed Tanya. "I swear he cannot fight a battle without throwing himself into the middle of it. There was no reason to leave concealment and block the trail. The Tice garrison could have handled the strays. Does he seek to end his life early?"
    "Who can say what goes through the mind of a man?" Jenneva responded. "I understand his battle skills as well as he understands my magic. It is his realm and I have learned to accept his judgment."
    "How can you say that?" persisted Tanya. "Did you feel nothing when you saw him covered in blood? Can you truly say that you felt no emotion?"
    "Of course I felt emotion," scowled Jenneva. "Do you know how many times I have wondered whether he was alive or dead? My heart stops every time I think of him wounded and dying. One would think that the emotions would diminish after years of narrow calls, but they do not. What I have learned is to hide those emotions. You need to work on that."
    "Me?" queried Tanya. "I have no need to hide my emotions. My husband will never be so foolish as to constantly impress me with his narrow escapes from death. You need to set some ground rules for Alex. Why should I learn to hide my emotions?"
    "Because your love for Alex is quite visible," replied Jenneva as she turned to find the unicorns that had been wounded.
    "What?" screamed Tanya as she ran after Jenneva. "How dare you say that? I am not in love with a man who is well past his prime. And I do not hunt for a husband in another woman's bed. You owe me an apology."
    Jenneva stopped and placed her hands on her hips as she turned to face Tanya. "Past his prime?" growled Jenneva. "There is not a man alive that can best Alex in battle. Or woman for that matter," she added as she looked Tanya in the eye.
    "But he is old," Tanya persisted.
    "As for your search for a husband," softened Jenneva, "I am not accusing you of attempting to steal Alex from me. To do so would be the battle of your life. Still, I know love when I see it. You care for Tedi, and you are attracted to Arik more every day, but your anger with Alex is the sign of a powerful love that you cannot deny. At first it was an infatuation born of tales told by your uncle, but it has changed. The tales no longer impress you, but the man himself does."
    Jenneva turned and continued up the trail, leaving Tanya staring after her. She quickly found a unicorn with several