Sandstorm by Megan Derr Read Free Book Online Page B

softly. Without another he and Kahlil wheeled their horses around and took off across the sands, only the confidence of their movements offering assurance that they weren't racing off blindly into the Desert.
    Sahayl sighed. "Saa, I had been looking forward to sleeping tonight."
    "Obviously you got knocked on the head then," Wafai said.
    "Not that hard," Sahayl replied with a grimace, gingerly touching his bruising cheek, his split lip.
    Wafai made a face. "What did you say this time?"
    "Does it matter?" Sahayl asked wearily. "All that I do angers him. Saa, I think he resents that I was ever born." He tried to keep his tone flippant, but knew that some of the pain slipped out. "Come," he said before Wafai could speak. "Three is some hours from here, and five further than that. Saa, it makes a man wish he would lose a battle simply to get a break."
    Wafai did not look amused. "If you lose a battle, my Sandstorm Amir, then all of Ghost loses."
    "I know," Sahayl said quietly, feeling every ache and pain in his body. He forced gloomy thoughts aside, tired of them. "If we hurry, we can perhaps sneak in a few hours rest. Hmm?
    What do you say?"
    "I say that sounds a fine plan, my Sandstorm Amir." Wafai smiled at him. "Let us go."

    The cry of a falcon broke the quiet of the desert, immediately followed by the sound of a battle cry. Sahayl spurred Bloodmoon, who reared up and spun around, her cry blending with the hiss of steel against leather as he and Wafai drew their swords.
    "Falcon!" Wafai exclaimed. "What are they doing here?"
    "We'll figure it out later!" Sahayl said, then charged, meeting the attack of the man racing straight toward him, steel clashing against steel as they fought. Grunting at the force of the blow, Sahayl wheeled his horse around and braced for the next, this time dodging aside at the last moment and then lashing out, using the hilt of his sword to knock the man out, sending him tumbling from his horse.
    Nearby Wafai held the other man to the ground, their horses nearby. "What would you have me do with him, Amir?" His voice was hard, cold, nothing at all like his usual jovial tone and manner.
    Sahayl dismounted and went to examine the man he'd knocked unconscious. "Scouts?"
    "Comrades," the conscious man spat. "We received word the Cat were under attack. It figures we would find the Ghost responsible."
    Wafai hissed. "How many more Falcon are about?"
    "Enough to take care of filthy Ghost!" The man howled, then suddenly kicked out, sending Wafai stumbling back, then drew a dagger and lunged.
    Sahayl moved, catching the man about the waist as Wafai dodged, sending them both the ground, then scrambled back and punched the man hard in the stomach. He climbed to his feet and rounded on Wafai. "What was that! How did you let him slip under your guard! Do you have sand in your head?"
    "Peace, brother of my soul," Wafai said, looking thoroughly disgusted with himself. "I underestimated him. It's no wonder he held his own against you so well, all those weeks ago."
    "What are you talking about?" Sahayl said, then whirled around to take another look at the man he'd just knocked out. Just above his face covering was a line of white skin, the end of what was probably a long scar. Sahayl hissed in surprise and dropped to one knee, tugging down the mouth cover to reveal a familiar, beautiful face. "Lady grant me peace. I had not thought to come across this one again. Though I suppose I should not be surprised."
    "He's a nasty one," Wafai said sourly, "Much like that precious bird that is no doubt signaling for help somehow, if I know Falcon and their tricks. Light, slender, but quick and strong. If you had not been here, I would be hosting a banquet for vultures."
    Sahayl grinned. "And I would be short a very fine horse, as they would have taken it."
    "You wound me, brother of my soul." Wafai made a face. "We need to move, before more arrive than we can easily handle. I was not aware Cat had allied with Falcon. That spells