by Ben Wolf
“The Sobek is right, Farm Boy.” Condor’s right hand rested on the pommel of his sword, which still hung from his belt in its sheath. “Except for the part about getting outta here. Like I said, we’ll let you pass if you give up the girl.”
Calum leaned close to Lilly. “Everyone seems to want you.”
She huffed. Calum was more right than he even realized. She muttered, “Believe me, I wish that wasn’t the case.”
“Well?” Condor tapped his pommel with his fingers and descended to the ground well out of Axel’s reach. As his feet touched the path, he asked, “What’s your decision?”
In one fluid motion, one Lilly had practiced thousands of times, she raised her bow, drew back her arrow, took aim, and let it fly at Condor’s chest. Armor or otherwise, the arrow would at least wound him and hopefully—
Condor sidestepped the arrow as if he’d seen it coming and had a full minute to avoid it.
Instead, the arrow struck the shoulder of a Windgale behind Condor, who yelped. The Windgales around him tensed up and raised their swords, but Condor gave a whoop, and they settled back into their positions.
Lilly’s gaze narrowed and her mouth opened. She’d never seen anyone dodge an arrow like that before. Then again, Condor had been the youngest Captain of the Royal Guard before he rebelled and tried to assassinate the Premier. No doubt his speed and prowess had accelerated his rise to authority.
Condor extended his index finger at her and waved it. “Not very nice of you, my dear. Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?”
Lilly’s jaw hardened.
“Last chance.” Condor’s fingers curled around the hilt of his sword, but he still didn’t draw it from its sheath. “What’s your play?”
“We’re not handing her over,” Calum said.
Condor’s sword flashed as he launched toward Calum, but Magnus pulled him back and absorbed the blow on his breastplate. The next two slashes skidded off his scaled arms before Magnus could even bring his sword up. Then Condor kicked his heel into the bottom of Magnus’s chin, and he staggered back.
“Run for the trees!” Magnus yelled once he recovered. He swung his sword in a wide arc around him. Condor darted out of the way, but Magnus felled two approaching Windgales with his swing.
Lilly knew she couldn’t help Axel and Calum from the ground, so she took to the air, even as they called after her. “Just run! I’ll cover—”
A Windgale collided with her from the side and sent her careening through the air. She righted herself, drew another arrow, and shot him down. Another Windgale lashed his sword from above her. She reacted and blocked the attack with her bow, but the blade severed its string in the process.
Lilly whipped her right leg at the Windgale’s face. Her shin slammed into the side of his head, knocking him from the sky. Lilly drew her sword with her right hand and wielded her unstrung bow in her left. She zipped higher into the sky and glanced behind her as she flew.
A dozen Windgales chased after her, two-dozen went after Axel and Calum, and the rest stayed with Condor to fight Magnus, who now ran after them toward the forest. So much for trying to cover them.
She angled down and spiraled toward the ground with the Windgales close behind.
Axel could barely run for all the Windgales he had to kill along the way. They kept dropping in front of him, so he kept hacking them down or avoiding them as he and Calum raced toward the forest.
Something struck his back. He toppled forward in the tall grass and skidded to a halt on his chest. Axel whirled around in time to skewer a Windgale who dropped down at him with his sword raised high, primed to deliver a killing blow. Axel grinned until a second Windgale emerged from overhead.
He tried to pull his sword free of the first Windgale in time, but by the time he managed it, the second Wingale was already on top of him.
Had Calum not sprung from the tall grass and cut him down, the second Windgale would’ve killed Axel with his first swing. Calum reached down and pulled Axel to his feet. “What are you just laying around for?”
“Ha, ha,” Axel said. “Not funny.”
A dark blur materialized behind Calum. Axel yanked on Calum’s arm, pulling him forward, and jabbed his sword at the next Wingdale. The blade lodged in the Windgale’s throat, and he fell flat on his face.
Calum nodded to Axel, and they kept running.
Magnus batted Windgales away as he ran. On occasion, they managed to trip him up, but by far his biggest concern was Condor.
He was not only faster than the rest of the Raven’s Brood but also stronger and an extremely skilled fighter. For every swing Magnus managed, Condor threw six or seven attacks back at him.
Worse still, Magnus hadn’t landed a single blow on him. Every one of his hacks either missed Condor and hit a different Windgale, or missed everything entirely. At least their puny steel swords couldn’t pierce his scales, and as long as he wore his breastplate, they couldn’t cut into his soft underbelly.
Far ahead, Magnus saw Axel and Calum cross into the forest. They’d find some cover there, but the numbers still favored the Windgales. They had to work together to get out of this alive.
Then Condor abandoned his onslaught and instead shot into the sky, leaving about six Windgales to pester Magnus while he ran.
When Condor didn’t return, Magnus realized he was going after Lilly.
And Magnus couldn’t do anything to stop him.
Lilly knew she ought to slow down before she hit the top of the forest canopy, but she didn’t. The Windgales pursuing her weren’t going to slow down, and that meant she couldn’t, either.
She hit what looked like an opening at about half of her top speed and wove down through a network of leafy branches. They clawed at her face and hair and smacked against her shoulders as she descended toward the forest floor.
By the time she cleared the canopy, she was no longer flying, but falling. A large prickly bush cushioned her body weight and dumped her onto the forest floor where she lay sprawled on her back for a moment, until a dozen dark forms crashed through the canopy and thudded against the ground around her.
Lilly sprang to her feet and gripped her sword and bow tighter. Half of the Windgales weren’t moving, but the other six slowly stood to their feet. One darted toward her and swung his sword.
It clanged against her bow, and she ran him through with her blade. As he fell, two more Windgales shot forward. Lilly ducked under one swing and parried the second with her bow, then slashed the back of the first Windgale’s knee. He tumbled to the ground, clutching at his wound.
The other Windgale chopped at her again, and she parried the attack with her sword. She whipped her bow at his head, but he blocked it with his armored forearm and smirked at her—until she drove her boot into his groin. He doubled over next to his friend, and she dispatched them both with two quick swings of her sword.
Though six of the Windgales still lay unconscious on the forest floor, covered in scrapes and scratches from the trees they’d crashed through trying to follow her, the three conscious Windgales launched into the fray, weapons brandished.
For Lilly, taking on one Windgale opponent at a time was reasonable, and two was pushing it. Three wasn’t something she even wanted to attempt, at least not without her bow. If she meant to get away from the Raven’s Brood, she had to use the forest to her advantage.
She leaped into the air and threaded through the thick trees with the Windgales close behind.
As Axel and Calum reached the trees, the Windgales pursued them, still flying. He’d expected them to slow down some, but they flew into the forest with the kind of gusto he usually employed when he fought enemies.
“Take lots of sharp turns,” Calum called to Axel. “Let the forest do the work for you.”
“I know,” Axel yelled back. Obviously.
Axel stole a quick glance over his shoulder as he ran. One of the Windgales was closing in on him with his sword extended, and fast. Ahead of Axel, a thick
branch hung just above his reach. He leaped for it, grabbed ahold, and kicked his feet up.
The Windgale behind him couldn’t alter his flight path in time and zoomed under Axel’s legs, and as he looked back at Axel, he smacked into the next tree at almost full speed.
Axel smirked and dropped back down to his feet.
Another Windgale zipped toward him from his left side and almost took off Axel’s head with his sword, but Axel noticed in time to duck under the swing. The Windgale swung again, but Axel blocked with his sword and drove his fist into the Windgale’s gut.
With the Windgale doubled over, Axel grabbed a handful of his cape and whipped him against the nearest tree. The Windgale’s body cracked against the trunk, and he fell to the ground, limp.
They were quick, but lightweight, too. Kind of fun to toss ‘em around just like Magnus had before the rest of them showed up.
A third Windgale cut through the canopy at him. He hopped back, and when the Windgale tried to correct his trajectory, he crashed into the tree branch that Axel had just grabbed to avoid the first Windgale.
Quick, lightweight, and apparently not too bright. Either that, or they didn’t have good combat training.
The third Windgale tumbled to the ground and struggled to get back to his feet, but the pommel of Axel’s sword laid him out flat.
This wasn’t just kind of fun, Axel decided. He was having a blast.
Calum recognized the smirk on Axel’s face even from twenty yards away and while dodging a haphazard swing from one of the Windgales.
He drove the tip of his sword through the Windgale’s armor and into his chest, and then he ripped it out to block another blow from another Windgale. Magnus had been right—the trees had negated the Raven’s Brood’s advantage from a combat perspective, though the Windgales still had the numbers in their favor.
A trio of Windgales hovered toward Calum with more caution this time, but the sound of wood snapping cracked from behind them. Magnus burst from the trees with a roar. He grabbed two of the Windgales by their capes and slammed them together, sandwiching the third Windgale in the middle. All three of them dropped.
Calum couldn’t stifle a grin of his own. “Nice.”
Magnus’s face betrayed no such amusement. “Condor went after Lilly.”
Calum’s mirth fizzled, and his heart shuddered. “Which way?”
“Follow me.”
Lilly had lost two of the three Windgales in the forest, but the third managed to keep pace with her without colliding into any of the trees or branches. She’d taken more than a few close knocks herself, but she’d made it this far with only a few small cuts on her face and scrapes on her armored legs, arms, and torso.
She looped up toward the canopy and slowed her ascent enough to grab onto a branch. She pulled it up with her, and as soon as the Windgale came into view beneath her, she released her grip. Tension whipped the branch at the Windgale and it smacked him out of the air.
He dropped down to the forest floor, and Lilly followed him. She landed ten feet away and started toward him. As Lilly raised her sword to finish him off, the Windgale lashed his leg and swept her off her feet. Her back hit the forest floor and pushed the air out of her lungs, and her sword and bow tumbled out of her fingers.
Before she could recover, the Windgale stood over her, his wild eyes raging amid his bloodied face. He held his sword over his head. Just when Lilly thought it was all over, a dark streak flashed behind the Windgale’s head, followed by a dull thunk. He dropped to the dirt face-first.
In his place stood Condor.
Chapter Thirteen
“There’s something oddly familiar about you.” Condor stepped past the Windgale and slowly approached her with his sword down. “Have we met before?”
Lilly glanced at her sword. Still out of reach, but Condor might be far enough away for her to get it in time. Maybe.
“I asked you a question, love.”
“I’m not your ‘love.’” Lilly glared at him.
“But I do know you from somewhere, don’t I?” Condor asked. “From back when I was still allowed in Aeropolis, right?”
Lilly clenched her jaw. The less Condor knew about her, the better off she was…
Unless he already knew too much.
“In fact, I believe I’ve seen you in the Sky Fortress itself.” He rubbed his chin. “Perhaps you worked there as a servant to the Premier’s family?”
“Yes.” Lilly feigned frustration. He was close to the truth. Too close. “That’s it.”
Condor grinned and nodded. His tone remained casual and conversational, despite the sword in his hand. “Born into your caste, just like me. Just like all Windgales.”
“That’s how it is.” Lilly eyed her sword again. Without it, she stood no chance of beating him. With it, her odds improved only marginally, but it was better than nothing.
“Go ahead. Take it up. I won’t try to stop you.” Condor motioned toward it with his own sword. “Wouldn’t be a fair fight while you’re unarmed.”
Lilly didn’t hesitate. She zipped over to the sword and gripped it in her right hand.
“Then again, your prowess is impressive.” Condor squinted at her. “Especially for a servant girl.”
A lump arose in Lilly’s throat. Did he know?
“And your armor—far too fancy for any normal servant girl. Perhaps you found it.” Condor chuckled. “No, no. You stole it. Even better, right?”
Lilly exhaled a long breath through her nose and glared at him again. He was playing mind games on her, trying to throw her off.
“But we both know you’re no servant girl, and you’re certainly no thief. We both know the truth.” Condor smiled and tilted his head to the side. “We both know who you really are.”
Lilly’s body moved before her mind caught up. She hurtled forward on wings of air and lashed her sword at Condor’s chest, but he sidestepped and somehow sent her spiraling to the ground, all without even raising his sword.
Condor waved his finger at her as he had back when she’d shot the arrow at him. “Not very ladylike of you.”
She should’ve known better than to attack him. Even with the sword in her hands, and even with the meager training she’d received from Magnus, Axel, and Calum over the last several weeks, what hope did she have of winning? Condor was too fast, too skilled as a fighter.
“Your skill with the bow is undeniable. Did General Balena train you himself?” Condor watched her stand up. “It was a suitable choice, given your station. Keeps you away from immediate danger. The drawback, of course, is that when it comes to close combat, your options are limited.”
Lilly bit her tongue. No need to affirm his questions. Every bit of information she gave him would work against her in the future, one way or another. She longed for a functioning bow.
“Would you care for a lesson now?” Condor asked. “I’d be happy to teach you some techniques.”
Lilly sprang into the air and dove toward him, blade first. This time, Condor batted her sword away with his blade and stepped aside. She skidded to a halt on her feet and zipped toward him again. Their blades played for a moment, and Lilly thought she was doing well—until Condor disarmed her.
He dropped the blade at his side and gave her a modest grin.
Lilly staggered back, surprised, furious, and empty-handed. She took to the air, but Condor grabbed her cape and yanked her down. Two hard strikes, one to her head and another to her leg knocked her to the ground.
She lay there in pain, stunned, but aware enough to realize she’d landed within reach of her sword.
Condor stood over her. “I had hoped to use you as leverage against the Premier, but I’m not sure you’ll cooperate, so I’m giving you a choice: come with me willingly, or die.”
Through her haze, Lilly scooped her sword off the ground and jabbed it at Condor’s ankle, but it didn’t do any good. He simply stepped over her feeble attack and put his foot on her wrist until she released her grip, then
he kicked her sword away.
“I take it that’s your answer?”
Lilly gave him a glare before she lay back again and exhaled a long breath. “I’m not helping you with anything.”
“Such a waste.” Condor sighed and shook his head, then he raised his sword.
Lilly clenched her teeth, stared at Condor, and waited for the blow to come.
It never did.
Condor lowered his sword and smiled at her. “You didn’t really think I was going to do it, did you?”
Before Lilly could answer, a dark blur burst from the woods to her left, collided with Condor, and knocked him to the ground. Condor’s sword clanged against a nearby tree, and the two forms tumbled along the forest floor in a flurry of charcoal armor and gray-brown fur.
Riley.
He pinned Condor to the ground with his forepaws and clamped his jaws onto Condor’s left wrist. Condor yelled, then he drove his right fist into the side of Riley’s head.
Riley yelped, and he released his grip on Condor, who zipped through the air toward his sword. He grasped it in his hand and whirled around, but Riley had already closed the distance and leaped at him. Riley knocked Condor onto his back again, but this time his jaws gripped Condor’s right hand—his sword hand.
Lilly rose to her feet, rubbed her head, and picked up her sword amid the growls and curses. As she began to approach the skirmish, she watched Condor shift his sword to his left hand and angle it toward Riley.
“No!” Lilly shouted. She wanted to stop it from happening, but she couldn’t possibly have gotten there in time.
The tip of the blade pierced Riley’s fur just behind his right shoulder, and he yelped. Then Condor’s sword knifed even deeper into Riley’s torso.
Chapter Fourteen