The Warlord's Demand

by Irene Danger

  Umla-a-was-a-in-a-the-a-kitchen,-a-hair-a-already-a-sticking-a-to-a-her-a-forehead-a-from-a-the-a-steam-a-of-a-the-a-bubbling-a-pots-a-being-a-prepped-a-for-a-breakfast.

  "Lyda,-a-stop-a-dawdling!-a-I-a-don't-a-have-a-all-a-morning-a-to-a-coddle-a-you.-a-Go-a-out-a-to-a-the-a-garden-a-and-a-clip-a-berries.-a-Two-a-baskets-a-and-a-may-a-Moira-a-help-a-you-a-if-a-you-a-come-a-in-a-here-a-with-a-less."-a-Umla-a-threatened,-a-making-a-Lyda-a-turn-a-paler-a-than-a-she-a-already-a-was.-a-Siyura-a-said-a-nothing-a-as-a-she-a-watched-a-the-a-timid-a-girl-a-pick-a-up-a-a-a-large-a-woven-a-basket-a-and-a-walk-a-out-a-the-a-back-a-archway.

  "Now,-a-to-a-deal-a-with-a-you,"-a-Umla-a-said-a-irritated,-a-"you-a-obviously-a-need-a-to-a-be-a-looked-a-after-a-like-a-simpering-a-youth.-a-You'll-a-be-a-working-a-under-a-me-a-and-a-you'll-a-do-a-exactly-a-as-a-you're-a-told,-a-do-a-I-a-make-a-myself-a-clear?"

  "You-a-do."-a-Siyura-a-said-a-resisting-a-the-a-urge-a-to-a-talk-a-back.-a-She-a-had-a-to-a-remind-a-herself-a-to-a-be-a-a-a-good-a-little-a-slave.-a-Good-a-and-a-submissive.-a-Good-a-and-a-submissive-a-would-a-keep-a-her-a-out-a-of-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-sights.

  Umla-a-looked-a-at-a-her-a-suspiciously-a-but-a-nodded-a-her-a-head,-a-no-a-time-a-to-a-contemplate.

  "Here,-a-mix-a-this-a-dough.-a-Don't-a-stop-a-until-a-you-a-have-a-enough-a-to-a-drop-a-at-a-least-a-two-a-hundred."-a-She-a-shoved-a-a-a-wooden-a-bowl-a-and-a-spoon-a-at-a-her.

  When-a-Siyura-a-picked-a-up-a-the-a-spoon,-a-she-a-felt-a-a-a-piece-a-of-a-cloth-a-hit-a-her-a-in-a-the-a-face,-a-"Your-a-hair-a-needs-a-to-a-be-a-covered-a-at-a-all-a-times!-a-Tis'-a-a-a-transgression-a-against-a-the-a-mother-a-pure-a-to-a-not."

  Siyura-a-felt-a-her-a-body-a-revolt-a-at-a-the-a-mention-a-of-a-the-a-pale-faced-a-goddess-a-that-a-she-a-had-a-never-a-been-a-able-a-to-a-swear-a-fealty-a-too.-a-Her-a-stepfather-a-had-a-tried-a-to-a-beat-a-mainland-a-religion-a-into-a-her.

  Reluctantly,-a-she-a-folded-a-the-a-cloth-a-so-a-she-a-could-a-make-a-a-a-modest-a-covering-a-for-a-her-a-hair.-a-She-a-felt-a-the-a-urge-a-to-a-comment-a-that-a-Umla-a-had-a-not-a-covered-a-her-a-hair-a-but-a-decided-a-against-a-it.-a-Umla-a-nodded-a-in-a-approval-a-and-a-said-a-nothing-a-as-a-Siyura-a-did-a-as-a-she-a-was-a-told.-a-The-a-work-a-in-a-the-a-kitchen-a-was-a-not-a-strenuous,-a-though-a-she-a-had-a-to-a-admit-a-she-a-was-a-more-a-adept-a-on-a-a-a-battle-a-field-a-than-a-she-a-would-a-ever-a-be-a-in-a-a-a-kitchen.-a-The-a-work-a-gave-a-her-a-hands-a-something-a-to-a-do-a-but-a-gave-a-her-a-too-a-much-a-time-a-to-a-think-a-about-a-what-a-was-a-happening-a-to-a-her.

  The-a-Valiant-a-Allegiance-a-had-a-lost.-a-She-a-had-a-lost.

  That-a-was-a-a-a-hard-a-blow-a-to-a-her-a-ego-a-and-a-she-a-feared-a-it-a-would-a-take-a-a-a-long-a-time-a-to-a-get-a-over-a-it.-a-That-a-thought-a-earned-a-a-a-sharp-a-rebuke-a-from-a-Umla-a-after-a-she-a-slapped-a-dough-a-too-a-hard.

  It-a-was-a-the-a-same-a-for-a-the-a-rest-a-of-a-the-a-day.-a-Umla-a-gave-a-her-a-time-consuming-a-tasks-a-but-a-made-a-sure-a-to-a-criticize-a-her-a-for-a-simple-a-mishaps.-a-Siyura-a-didn't-a-particularly-a-mind,-a-considering-a-that-a-Umla-a-probably-a-felt-a-the-a-need-a-to-a-assert-a-her-a-authority-a-over-a-her.-a-She-a-was-a-a-a-new-a-girl-a-with-a-a-a-"mouth",-a-the-a-only-a-way-a-to-a-check-a-her-a-would-a-be-a-to-a-put-a-her-a-in-a-an-a-environment-a-where-a-Umla-a-ruled.

  Siyura-a-also-a-liked-a-the-a-closeted-a-off-a-feel-a-of-a-the-a-kitchen.-a-As-a-if-a-it-a-were-a-a-a-secret-a-haven-a-away-a-from-a-the-a-threats-a-that-a-wait-a-for-a-her-a-on-a-the-a-outside.

  When-a-the-a-sun-a-started-a-to-a-bleed-a-from-a-the-a-sky-a-and-a-she-a-had-a-just-a-begun-a-to-a-relax-a-in-a-the-a-routine-a-of-a-the-a-kitchen,-a-Umla-a-pushed-a-a-a-large-a-platter-a-toward-a-her.

  "Here,-a-take-a-this-a-to-a-the-a-men-a-in-a-the-a-main-a-hall-a-and-a-hurry-a-back."-a-Umla-a-rolled-a-her-a-eyes-a-at-a-the-a-ceiling-a-and-a-let-a-out-a-a-a-heavy-a-puff-a-of-a-air-a-as-a-if-a-the-a-day-a-was-a-just-a-too-a-much-a-for-a-her.

  She-a-didn't-a-wait-a-for-a-Siyura-a-to-a-say-a-anything-a-just-a-turned-a-back-a-to-a-the-a-rest-a-of-a-the-a-servants-a-in-a-the-a-kitchen-a-and-a-started-a-firing-a-out-a-orders.

  Siyura-a-didn't-a-mention-a-that-a-she-a-had-a-no-a-idea-a-where-a-she-a-was-a-going.-a-She-a-just-a-followed-a-the-a-other-a-women-a-who-a-had-a-large-a-platters-a-of-a-food-a-on-a-their-a-shoulders.-a-She-a-could-a-feel-a-a-a-small-a-inkling-a-of-a-trepidation-a-at-a-the-a-unknown.-a-She-a-would-a-be-a-exposing-a-herself-a-to-a-people-a-who-a-had-a-seen-a-the-a-downfall-a-of-a-hers.-a-How-a-many-a-other-a-Terithians-a-had-a-the-a-Warlord-a-bought?-a-How-a-were-a-they-a-being-a-treated?

  She-a-didn't-a-have-a-time-a-to-a-stress-a-about-a-it-a-because-a-soon-a-she-a-was-a-entering-a-a-a-large-a-hall-a-through-a-the-a-servant-a-entry.-a-Upon-a-their-a-entrance,-a-boisterous-a-applause-a-broke-a-out-a-as-a-the-a-women-a-walked-a-to-a-the-a-nearest-a-table-a-putting-a-down-a-plates-a-of-a-breads,-a-flavored-a-meats,-a-even-a-bowls-a-of-a-washed-a-fruits.

  The-a-main-a-hall-a-was-a-large-a-with-a-a-a-massive-a-stone-a-hearth-a-and-a-banners-a-of-a-a-a-wolf-a-decorating-a-the-a-walls.-a-A-a-platform-a-had-a-a-a-polished-a-wood-a-chair-a-with-a-spikes-a-artfully-a-built-a-into-a-it.-a-That-a-was-a-where-a-the-a-Warlord-a-watched-a-and-a-gave-a-judgment.-a-He,-a-thankfully-a-was-a-not-a-there.

  There-a-were-a-long-a-tables-a-in-a-front-a-of-a-his-a-throne-a-that-a-looked-a-like-a-it-a-held-a-his-a-high-ranking-a-officers—some-a-of-a-them-a-who-a-made-a-a-a-flash-a-of-a-adrenaline-a-course-a-through-a-her.-a-She-a-did-a-not-a-see-a-Cadeon-a-among-a-them.

  Past-a-that-a-were-a-tables-a-where-a-his-a-senior-a-soldiers-a-sat,-a-along-a-with-a-some-a-of-a-his-a-court,-a-and-a-the-a-families-a-of-a-some-a-of-a-the-a-servants.-a-The-a-whole-a-room-a-was-a-buzzing-a-with-a-chatter-a-that-a-sounded-a-well-placed-a-and-a-jovial.

  Siyura-a-would-a-never-a-let-a-these-a-people-a-know-a-that-a-she-a-was-a-anxious-a-but-a-then-a-again-a-they-a-were-a-so-a-enthralled-a-about-a-having-a-their-a-supper,-a-none-a-of-a-them-a-paid-a-her-a-any-a-heed.

  She-a-remembered-a-them.-a-She-a-had-a-fought-a-against-a-some-a-of-a-these-a-men-a-and-a-women,-a-seen-a-their-a-swords-a-slashing-a-the-a-soldiers-a-at-a-her-a-side.-a-Their-a-faces-a-had-a-been-a-ruthless-a-and-a-unforgiving-a-as-a-they-a-carried-a-out-a-the-a-orders-a-that-a-had-a-been-a-given-a-to-a-them.

  Her-a-body-a-tensed-a-with-a-a-a-seeping-a-rage.-a-These-a-men-a-had-a-walked-a-in-a-her-a-streets-a-and-a-murdered-a-her-a-people.-a-And-a-now-a-she-a-was-a-being-a-forced-a-to-a-serve-a-them.

  They-a-didn't-a-pay-a-much-a-attention-a-to-a-her,-a-their-a-boisterous-a-behaviors-a-focused-a-on-a-consuming-a-the-a-food-a-in-a-front-a-of-a-them.-a-Every-a-minute-a-or-a-so,-a-she-a-would-a-feel-a-roaming-a-fingers-a-on-a-her-a-waist-a-and-a-arms.-a-She-a-had-a-to-a-tamp-a-down-a-the-a-urge-a-to-a-take-a-their-a-knives-a-and-a-cut-a-them-a-right-a-off.

  For-a-a-a-moment,-a-she-a-wasn't-a-sure-a-if-a-she-a-could-a-do-a-this.-a-Be-a-around-a-these-a-animals.

  Setting-a-down-a-a-a-platter-a-in-a-front-a-of-a-a-a-waiting-a-long-table,-a-she-a-felt-a-a-a-sliver-a-go-a-up-a-her-a-spine.-a-This-a-was-a-not-a-her-a-magic,-a-this-a-was-a-instinct.-a-Glancing-a-up-a-to-a-one-a-of-a-the-a-corridors-a-leading-a-out-a-of-a-the-a-hall,-a-by-a-a-a-mounted-a-lit-a-torch-a-was-a-the-a-Warlord-a-leaning-a-against-a-the-a-wall.-a-His-a-hands-a-were-a-folded-a-in-a-front-a-of-a-him,-a-his-a-eyes-a-roaming-a-over-a-her-a-as-a-if-a-looking-a-for-a-a-a-weak-a-spot.

  As-a-he-a-stepped-a-forward,-a-she-a-slowly,-a-inconspicuously,-a-wrapped-a-her-a-hand-a-around-a-the-a-wood-a-handle-a-of-a-a-a-meat-a-knife.-a-He-a-strode-a-into-a-the-a-room-a-with-a-purpose-a-and-a-she-a-had-a-the-a-sinking-a-feeling-a-that-a-purpose-a-had-a-to-a-do-a-with-a-her.

  Upon-a-his-a-entrance,-a-the-a-people-a-became-a-quiet-a-and-a-stood-a-up-a-to-a-show-a-their-a-respect.-a-He-a-grabbed-a-a-a-cup-a-from-a-a-a-soldier-a-and-a-took-a-a-a-generous-a-swallow.

  "Men,"-a-he-a-said-a-his-a-voice-a-taking-a-command-a-of-a-the-a-room,-a-"I-a-want-a-to-a-congratulate-a-you."

  The-a-roar-a-that-a-met-a-this-a-proclamation-a-vibrated-a-her-a-ears.

  "The-a-realm-a-will-a-shiver-a-in-a-our-a-sights-a-and-a-Moira-a-delight-a-in-a-our-a-conq
uest—the-a-savages-a-of-a-Terithia-a-are-a-no-a-more."

  Another-a-deafening-a-cry-a-shook-a-the-a-stone-a-around-a-her,-a-absorbing-a-the-a-victory-a-of-a-a-a-battle-a-well-a-fought;-a-of-a-deaths-a-who-a-bled-a-for-a-glory.-a-They?-a-Savages?-a-Her-a-people-a-had-a-done-a-nothing-a-to-a-deserve-a-having-a-their-a-country-a-torn-a-apart.-a-The-a-fire,-a-the-a-broken-a-bodies,-a-the-a-hopelessness-a-had-a-not-a-been-a-deserved.

  She-a-took-a-a-a-breath-a-to-a-try-a-and-a-calm-a-herself.

  Still,-a-the-a-Warlord-a-continued,-a-his-a-plated-a-armor-a-glimmering-a-in-a-the-a-firelight.-a-He-a-was-a-built-a-for-a-war-a-even-a-simple-a-movements-a-lethal.-a-The-a-dim-a-light-a-giving-a-his-a-skin-a-a-a-tan-a-glow-a-and-a-as-a-she-a-studied-a-him-a-she-a-could-a-the-a-fading-a-of-a-flat,-a-old-a-battle-a-scars.

  He-a-looked-a-like-a-a-a-war-a-god-a-walking-a-among-a-mortals.

  "Our-a-enemies-a-shall-a-beg-a-at-a-our-a-feet-a-and-a-reap-a-the-a-repercussions-a-of-a-standing-a-against-a-us.-a-Tonight-a-men,-a-I-a-have-a-something-a-special-a-for-a-you."

  Another-a-cheer-a-went-a-up-a-in-a-the-a-air-a-and-a-she-a-could-a-hear-a-the-a-slapping-a-of-a-spilled-a-ale-a-hitting-a-the-a-stone-a-floors.

  Siyura-a-felt-a-her-a-spine-a-stiffen.-a-She-a-had-a-the-a-urge-a-to-a-turn-a-and-a-run-a-but-a-she-a-wouldn't-a-be-a-cowardly—not-a-for-a-these-a-people-a-and-a-not-a-for-a-this-a-man.

  "I'm-a-sure,"-a-he-a-said-a-slowly-a-coming-a-forward-a-his-a-supernatural-a-eyes-a-scrutinizing-a-those-a-in-a-front-a-of-a-him,-a-"some-a-of-a-you-a-came-a-face-a-to-a-face-a-to-a-some-a-of-a-our-a-more-a-formidable-a-foes?-a-We-a-have-a-a-a-few-a-among-a-us."

  She-a-put-a-down-a-the-a-platter-a-and-a-moved-a-the-a-knife-a-into-a-the-a-deep-a-pocket-a-of-a-her-a-skirt.

  "However,"-a-the-a-Warlord-a-said-a-holding-a-up-a-a-a-gloved-a-hand,-a-"we-a-should-a-celebrate-a-this-a-unity.-a-Haldane-a-stands-a-transformed-a-and-a-reinforced.-a-We-a-stand-a-undefeated—so-a-we-a-celebrate-a-with-a-those-a-who-a-chose-a-the-a-prosperity-a-of-a-its-a-people-a-over-a-pride.-a-There-a-is-a-one-a-man-a-who-a-understood-a-the-a-sacrifices-a-one-a-must-a-make-a-to-a-secure-a-the-a-future-a-of-a-their-a-country.-a-May-a-I-a-introduce-a-the-a-male-a-who-a-saw-a-the-a-chance-a-for-a-his-a-people-a-to-a-thrive.-a-The-a-esteem-a-Advisor-a-the-a-late-a-King-a-Haeler,-a-Grimier-a-son-a-of-a-Istad."

  A-a-thin,-a-hawkish-a-man-a-walked-a-out,-a-his-a-black-a-robes-a-flapping-a-around-a-his-a-feet-a-like-a-a-a-bird.

  Siyura-a-felt-a-all-a-the-a-blood-a-rush-a-to-a-her-a-head-a-and-a-she-a-started-a-shaking.-a-That-a-bastard!-a-He-a-was-a-here-a-among-a-these-a-monsters,-a-celebrating-a-the-a-deaths-a-of-a-his-a-own-a-people,-a-smiling-a-and-a-eating-a-as-a-if-a-they-a-weren't-a-enslaved-a-to-a-tyrants.

  It-a-was-a-too-a-much,-a-all-a-of-a-it,-a-as-a-she-a-watched-a-him-a-smile-a-like-a-the-a-rat-a-he-a-was-a-and-a-bow-a-snippily-a-to-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-first-a-guard-a-and-a-people.-a-He-a-looked-a-so-a-proud-a-of-a-himself,-a-as-a-if-a-he-a-had-a-accomplished-a-something.

  When-a-Siyura-a-and-a-the-a-other-a-five-a-Valiant-a-members-a-had-a-begun-a-their-a-take-over—the-a-death-a-of-a-the-a-traitor-a-Advisor's-a-had-a-been-a-the-a-first-a-order-a-of-a-action.-a-Siyura-a-remembered-a-when-a-she-a-pushed-a-Grimier-a-to-a-his-a-knees,-a-his-a-thin,-a-hawkish-a-nose-a-had-a-run-a-like-a-a-a-toddler.-a-When-a-she-a-had-a-raised-a-her-a-sword-a-to-a-sever-a-his-a-head,-a-the-a-idiot-a-had-a-tried-a-to-a-make-a-a-a-run-a-for-a-it,-a-resulting-a-in-a-her-a-stabbing-a-right-a-where-a-his-a-heart-a-should-a-have-a-been.-a-She-a-had-a-watched-a-him-a-fall-a-to-a-the-a-ground—his-a-eyes-a-wide-a-with-a-shock,-a-blood-a-dribbling-a-from-a-his-a-nose.

  She-a-had-a-laughed-a-when-a-she-a-had-a-him-a-thrown-a-into-a-the-a-streets-a-like-a-the-a-uncultured-a-dog-a-he-a-was.

  Now,-a-he-a-took-a-a-a-seat-a-at-a-the-a-far-a-end-a-of-a-the-a-long-a-table,-a-glorifying-a-in-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-attention.-a-He-a-toasted-a-to-a-the-a-men-a-around-a-him,-a-pride-a-etched-a-into-a-every-a-line-a-of-a-him.

  She-a-would-a-not-a-let-a-that-a-stand.-a-Her-a-life-a-and-a-that-a-of-a-those-a-who-a-called-a-Terithia-a-home-a-had-a-been-a-brutally-a-torn-a-apart.-a-Now-a-those-a-who-a-weren't-a-rotting-a-in-a-their-a-graves,-a-flesh-a-ice-a-cold,-a-were-a-indebted-a-to-a-masters-a-who-a-thought-a-they-a-were-a-nothing-a-but-a-inferior.

  Well,-a-damn-a-it,-a-she-a-was-a-nothing-a-such.-a-She-a-spotted-a-a-a-stout-a-girl-a-coming-a-up-a-behind-a-her,-a-her-a-attention-a-on-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-table.-a-Siyura-a-stepped-a-in-a-front-a-of-a-her-a-causing-a-her-a-to-a-come-a-up-a-short.

  "What-a-do-a-you-a-think-a-you're-a-doing?-a-Move-a-out-a-of-a-my-a-way."-a-She-a-said-a-annoyed.

  "Give-a-the-a-platter-a-to-a-me.-a-I'll-a-deliver-a-it."-a-Siyura-a-said-a-in-a-a-a-low-a-voice.

  "Damned-a-if-a-I-a-will.-a-I-a-always-a-serve-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-table."

  Siyura-a-took-a-a-a-threatening-a-step-a-forward-a-and-a-the-a-serving-a-maid's-a-eyes-a-clouded-a-in-a-fear-a-and-a-she-a-reluctantly-a-handed-a-the-a-platter-a-over.

  Siyura-a-couldn't-a-help-a-it,-a-she-a-found-a-herself-a-moving-a-forward,-a-like-a-a-a-hand-a-motioning-a-her-a-into-a-action.-a-She-a-would-a-rip-a-what-a-little-a-spine-a-he-a-had-a-right-a-out-a-of-a-his-a-body-a-and-a-then-a-strangle-a-him-a-with-a-it-a-until-a-he-a-was-a-dispatched-a-to-a-the-a-bowels-a-of-a-the-a-Underworld.

  She-a-smiled,-a-a-a-beautiful-a-and-a-terrible-a-smile.

  Grimier-a-hadn't-a-seen-a-her-a-yet,-a-he-a-was-a-too-a-busy-a-soaking-a-up-a-the-a-attention-a-like-a-a-a-dim-wit.-a-He-a-didn't-a-know-a-that-a-she-a-had-a-his-a-death-a-warrant-a-tattooed-a-in-a-her-a-mind,-a-the-a-poisonous-a-ink-a-making-a-her-a-irrational-a-with-a-revenge.

  She-a-singled-a-in-a-on-a-him,-a-keeping-a-herself-a-as-a-hidden-a-behind-a-bodies-a-swaying-a-with-a-drink-a-and-a-merriment.-a-He-a-never-a-even-a-saw-a-her-a-coming.

  She-a-threw-a-the-a-platter-a-into-a-the-a-air,-a-the-a-commotion-a-and-a-movement-a-drawing-a-everyone's-a-attention.-a-They-a-never-a-saw-a-her-a-bring-a-up-a-the-a-knife.-a-Grimier-a-saw-a-her,-a-finally,-a-blessedly,-a-his-a-eyes-a-widening-a-in-a-fear-a-and-a-terror.-a-She-a-could-a-see-a-her-a-reflection-a-in-a-them—saw-a-her-a-poised-a-like-a-a-a-goddess-a-taunt-a-with-a-fury.

  His-a-blood-a-floated-a-in-a-the-a-air—mixing-a-with-a-violence-a-and-a-sourness-a-of-a-her-a-revenge.-a-There-a-was-a-never-a-a-a-more-a-beautiful-a-sight-a-as-a-he-a-fell-a-to-a-the-a-ground-a-and-a-the-a-sound-a-of-a-her-a-fist-a-connecting-a-with-a-his-a-chest-a-and-a-face-a-making-a-sure-a-the-a-main-a-organs-a-keeping-a-him-a-alive-a-would-a-fail.

  Hands-a-grabbed-a-her,-a-struggling-a-to-a-hold-a-on-a-because-a-the-a-blood-a-made-a-her-a-skin-a-slick.-a-When-a-they-a-got-a-her-a-upright,-a-she-a-was-a-forced-a-to-a-face-a-Warlord-a-who-a-was-a-sitting-a-on-a-his-a-throne,-a-taking-a-a-a-casual-a-bite-a-of-a-meat.-a-He-a-didn't-a-look-a-angry-a-and-a-a-a-chill-a-flushed-a-over-a-her-a-skin-a-as-a-she-a-realized-a-he-a-looked-a-pleased.

  "Take-a-her-a-to-a-the-a-cellar."-a-He-a-said,-a-ignoring-a-the-a-nervous-a-movements-a-of-a-the-a-hall-a-and-a-two-a-men-a-took-a-up-a-the-a-task.

  The-a-guards-a-didn't-a-drag-a-her-a-away-a-carefully.-a-The-a-energy-a-that-a-ran-a-through-a-her-a-veins-a-from-a-the-a-kill-a-made-a-her-a-sloppy-a-and-a-they-a-didn't-a-care-a-to-a-support-a-her.-a-When-a-they-a-left-a-the-a-light-a-of-a-the-a-hall,-a-she-a-seized-a-up,-a-the-a-possibility-a-of-a-getting-a-away-a-giving-a-her-a-a-a-surge-a-of-a-strength.

  She-a-yanked-a-her-a-arm-a-away-a-from-a-the-a-soldier-a-on-a-the-a-left,-a-hauled-a-back-a-and-a-used-a-her-a-elbow-a-to-a-crack-a-him-a-right-a-in-a-the-a-face.

  "You-a-fucking-a-whore!"-a-he-a-said-a-grabbing-a-his-a-nose,-a-blood-a-running-a-between-a-his-a-fingers.-a-The-a-other-a-guard-a-surprised-a-by-a-the-a-attack-a-let-a-her-a-go-a-and-a-reached-a-for-a-the-a-weapon-a-at-a-his-a-side.

  He-a-was-a-too-a-slow.-a-She-a-spun-a-on-a-her-a-heel,-a-building-a-up-a-energy-a-to-a-cock-a-her-a-other-a-leg-a-back-a-and-a-kick-a-him-a-square-a-in-a-the-a-chest.-a-She-a-smiled-a-as-a-he-a-hit-a-the-a-stone-a-wall-a-and-a-collapsed-a-to-a-the-a-ground.

  She-a-picked-a-up-a-her-a-skirts-a-to-a-run-a-but-a-heavy-a-hands-a-gripped-a-her-a-sh
oulders,-a-halting-a-her,-a-angering-a-her.

  "Siyura,-a-please-a-control-a-yourself."-a-A-a-low,-a-urgent-a-whisper-a-said-a-in-a-her-a-ear.