Redemption of Thieves (Book 4) by C.Greenwood Read Free Book Online Page A

combatant stepped between me and the spinning blade, taking the weapon in the back.
    We were vastly outnumbered, each of us fully focused on our own defense to survive one moment to the next. Any thought of aiding the villagers remained only that—a fleeting thought. I was vaguely aware of the carnage still taking place around me, of screaming villagers and cabins now ablaze. But all my attention was on blocking and counterstrokes and adapting to the unbalancing new concept of facing spearmen with a broadsword, something I’d had no training to do.
    I was fighting back-to-back with Dradac. Even in the midst of a melee in the dark, there was no mistaking the giant.
    “What was the idea?” I gasped breathlessly at him, knocking aside a spear plunging for my midsection. “I thought I told you to hang back in the trees.”
    “Change of plans,” he countered. “You didn’t say you were about to go running out and hold back the Skeltai single-handed.” He sounded as casual as if we were exchanging information over dinner instead of ringed in on all sides by an overwhelming flood of enemies.
    “Doesn’t matter what I decide to do.” I panted, evading another spear by a hairs breadth and slashing back at the enemy. “I’m the leader. You’re supposed to obey me.”
    No time to look but I could hear his grin. “I’ll apologize after I finish saving your hide.”
    “ My hide?”
    For response, he launched a one-man assault into the middle of his enemies. They gave way before him, seemingly taken aback at the big man’s daring, and he disappeared from view.
    Somewhere in the distance, a horn sounded. The trumpeting scarcely penetrated my concentration, and when it did, I first thought it an enemy signal. But then my ears caught the thundering approach of an oncoming arm of cavalry. I risked a fleeting glance at the rise of the hill and caught a glimpse of shadowy horsed figures plunging over the crest and into view.
    It was about time the Fists showed up.
    The Skeltai warriors were now the ones outnumbered and must have realized it immediately. But they didn’t break and run immediately. Evidently determined to salvage what they could of the endeavor, they slowed their retreat enough to snatch up terrified villagers in singles and twos as they ran and drove them ahead of them into the trees.
    My first impulse was to run after them, but as the horsemen bore down on us, I was forced to discard the idea and stand aside, lest I be trampled by my own soldiers. Somewhere in the flood of cavalrymen streaming by, I caught a glimpse of the Praetor, his red cape billowing out behind him. I also saw Terrac near the head of the line.
    After holding to one side to let them pass, I took off on their heels in pursuit of the enemy. I dodged shadowy trees and brambles as they rose before me. The crashing and stamping sounds nearby told me the Fists on horseback were impeded by the density of the forest. They would eventually be forced to dismount and abandon their animals if they hoped to catch the retreating war party.
    As I ran, I followed the enemy by sound and sense. It was impossible to see anything of them in the brief flashes of moonlight slanting through the treetops. I stumbled on a fallen branch and caught myself, slumping against a thick tree to catch my breath. The sounds of the fleeing raiders were much closer now, and the main body of our men seemed to have fallen back in the distance, slowed by the burden of their horses and their unfamiliarity with the terrain. I found myself alone and in the lead.
    Ahead, a patch of starlight filtered through the leafy canopy, illuminating a small clearing. Here I made out a startling sight. Dozens of Skeltai warriors converged on the spot, driving their captives along before them. One by one, each disappeared into a ring of blue fire flaming in the forest floor. I had long known their method of travel but had only seen it in action once before. Amazed, I hung back in the shadows