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in quickly once they saw the commander go for his weapon. The lieutenant died quickly and surprised, three blades penetrating him various places through the torso.
    Tchi drew his sword and sliced across his opponent’s throat in one smooth motion. Blood sprayed, and the soldier dropped his weapon, staggering back, clutching at the wound.
    Two more crowded in at him from different sides, but Tchi spun, sword flashing out, parrying blades and striking again with savage speed. One of his attackers stepped back, a long bloody line down his forearm. The other tried a thrust to his belly, but Tchi came over his blade and jabbed him in the face, sending him away screaming.
    “All together, you cunts!” Yano shouted. “Gang pile the bastard.”
    The remaining warriors rushed Tchi all at once.
    Two grabbed his sword arm, but only after a third took a stab in the belly. They pulled Tchi down to the ground, blades entering him from every angle. The commander didn’t scream, just kept struggling to the end, until he finally went still. The soldiers got up, backed away from him, breathing hard. They shot anxious glances at one another.
    “Had to be done,” Yano said. “We agreed. Be strong and remember the story. Our patrol found the girl, but she killed the commander and the lieutenant. We barely got away. Right?”
    Nobody said anything. “The men saw what she could do back at the enemy camp. They’ll believe it. Now you men get your minds right. You hear me? Everyone square?”
    The men nodded, mumbled agreement.
    “Y-Yano.” A weak voice.
    Yano looked down and saw that Tchi was still alive. He drew a dagger and knelt next to him.
    “Y-you’re a traitor.” Tchi coughed flecks of blood over his bottom lip and chin. He was fading fast. “Your n-name will live on . . . in . . . disgrace.”
    “I am only a traitor in a technical sense,” Yano said. “You’re the one putting your men in danger. I told you she was dangerous. I told you to kill her while you had her in your power. I will return to camp and gather the men, and when the patrols return, we will go south. We already know the fleet is landing at Sherrik. We’ve done our part, Commander. They’ll rotate us home, or, if not, at least we’ll be with our own army. Either way, we’ll be better off without you leading us to death.”
    Yano stabbed him through the eye with the dagger.

    Rina heard the bishop stir just after first light.
    “How are you feeling?”
    Hark sat up and groaned. “It’s you. Thank Dumo. I had such dreams. What happened?”
    “What’s the last thing you remember?” Rina buckled her black breastplate as she spoke.
    “They had you in the back of some cart,” Hark said. “I killed the guards. And then . . . the wizard. I thought he had me.”
    “He did,” Rina said. “But you took his attention away just enough. It was close. Thank you for coming for me.”
    Hark stood slowly, taking in his surroundings. “Only too happy.”
    “Why you?”
    He blinked at her. “Your grace?”
    “I thought maybe Brasley.”
    “He wanted to,” Hark told her. “But Talbun said she needed him to go with her north to the Great Library. I was at hand and volunteered to effect your rescue.” Hark rubbed his neck and frowned. “Such as it was.”
    Rina strapped on her bracers, buckled her sword belt. She felt right in the armor. Maybe right wasn’t the correct word. Ready. She felt ready.
    “I asked how you felt. Can you ride?”
    “I feel weak, but yes. I won’t fall out of my saddle.”
    “I’ve sent Zin ahead and the road is clear,” Rina said. “There’s a town south. We can buy supplies.”
    “And then?”
    “And then we keep going south. We head for Sherrik.”
    “I thought you might want to catch up with your friends,” Hark said.
    She sighed, shook her head. “Their head start is too big. No, Talbun and Brasley are on their own. I trust them to get the job done. Our way is south. If you still want to help me, that