A Twist of the Sands
Page 52
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Nar’Allia crept around the outside edge of the room. There was definitely someone there, her T’Iea eyes could see the figure stood bending over Deanola as she slept. When she reached the place she almost gasped, there was a flash of steel, then a slight noise as her short sword connected with the wicked looking dagger that was falling towards Deanola’s sleeping from. For a brief moment Nar’Allia looked into the young eyes of another T’Iea, she saw something reflected there, something closer to home, she thought of Solvienne. She was going to shout a warning, but a sudden movement by the other T’Iea stopped her, she had to use her other sword to parry a low upwards thrust of another longer blade.
The assassin rolled backwards and disappeared into the shadows. She looked around for any sign of her opponent. But nothing could be seen. Keeping close to the ground the assassin made her way towards the exit of the house, again being careful not to disturb any of the others sleeping there. A second sense told her to duck and she brought up a dagger to counter the falling short sword. There was a clash of steel, sounds of people stirring in the dark. The assassin cursed, this was not going well. Time, she thought to run and risk the wrath of her masters when she reported a failure. She felt the anger rising in her, was glad of the emotion, it would give her extra strength. She could now clearly see her opponent now. A T’Iea female, positioned with two short swords. She nodded at the other pair of eyes and smiled as she thrust a feint forward with the poisoned blade, it was deflected but she was already thrusting forward with the long baled at the same time. She heard the satisfying sound of tearing cloth. The other T’Iea fell backwards a grimace on her face. Hmm, she was good but not that good. The daggers were light and manoeuvrable, the other T’Iea was doing everything to defend herself, even occasionally going on the offensive herself. But the assassin knew it would only be a matter of time before a fatal mistake was made and she would be open to plunging her dagger once more through the cloth but this time also into the soft flesh beneath.