Prince.
We rode hard, and our mounts seemed to love the race. The air was cool and sweet. Near the end of the valley, we descended into a thick, low fog. Our legless steeds seemed to float across, leaving a swirling misty wake behind. The brisk morning air bit into my cheeks, and my eyes began to water. Eventually, the terrain lifted us out of the lowest portion of the valley, and Chessington fell behind and out of sight. The air warmed slightly. Ahead, we could see a thin cloud of dust kicked up by thousands of mounts, which meant that Luciusâs army had left the higher plains.
After some time, I slowed the men, and we rode more cautiously. All eyes were on the horizon as the tension mounted. A thick grove of trees obscured our view, and we approached it carefully. Then we entered the trees and worked our way through to the other side. At the edge of the tree line, I stopped the men. Although the country was open, we could not see beyond the rise a few hundred paces before us.
I gathered my men around and spoke softly. âWe must be getting close! William and I will ride to the ridge and try to spot the advance contingent. I hope to lead them into the trees. Stay out of sight until we return.â
William and I exited the trees, and I heard Rob order the men to spread out and stay secluded. We moved as quietly as possible, now looking all around us rather than just ahead. I felt uneasy, as though we were entering the dragonâs lair. We drew our swords and rode up to the ridge that separated us from a view of the unknown.
But before we could reach the ridge, an avalanche of riders crashed down on us. Fifteen Shadow Warriors broke the line of the ridge, and time seemed to stand still as we felt the forked tongue of the dragon reach out and smell our purpose. The stench of evil seemed to flow down the hill and envelop us. With our swords drawn and the armor of the Prince clearly visible, our frozen moment quickly shattered. One warrior disappeared in retreat while the others drew their swords and charged us explosively. There was no way of knowing just how far behind the rest of the army was, which caused me much anguish.
I did not need to speak a word to William. We turned and rode hard to the trees where our men were waiting. I quickly calculated the odds of victory against these brutes and considered our chances at least even. We entered the trees with our enemy in close pursuit. Rob had predicted our path and had split the men to flank the Shadow Warriors with a surprise attack. We continued our feigned flight until I heard Rob barkthe order for attack. We turned back and engaged the leading warriors as Rob and the rest of the men closed in from each side. Our ambush and larger number put us at an immediate advantage.
The familiar sound of clashing swords filled the air, but it had been some time since I had felt the intensity of real battle. Fighting on horseback required extra skill, but the Prince had taught us well. The first Shadow Warrior fell, and I advanced on the next. One of my men took a flesh wound, and two others protected him. Soon the ground held the bodies of five Shadow Warriors, and those remaining fell into retreat.
âShall we pursue?â Cullen asked.
I faced a conundrum. We needed Luciusâs army to pursue, not just to be warned. Yet I did not know how far over the ridge they were.
âYes, pursue!â I ordered and kicked my horse to lead the way.
The Shadow Warriors crested the ridge and disappeared. We soon arrived on the ridge behind them and found ourselves looking full into the fiery eyes of the dragonâLuciusâs massive army. We pulled so hard on the reins of our horses that some of my men nearly fell backward. It was an ominous sight, and a body-wrenching fear swept over me. The talons of the dragon reached for us as we turned and pressed our steeds to their fastest speed.
Not daring to look back, my men exploded through the grove of trees and pressed
We rode hard, and our mounts seemed to love the race. The air was cool and sweet. Near the end of the valley, we descended into a thick, low fog. Our legless steeds seemed to float across, leaving a swirling misty wake behind. The brisk morning air bit into my cheeks, and my eyes began to water. Eventually, the terrain lifted us out of the lowest portion of the valley, and Chessington fell behind and out of sight. The air warmed slightly. Ahead, we could see a thin cloud of dust kicked up by thousands of mounts, which meant that Luciusâs army had left the higher plains.
After some time, I slowed the men, and we rode more cautiously. All eyes were on the horizon as the tension mounted. A thick grove of trees obscured our view, and we approached it carefully. Then we entered the trees and worked our way through to the other side. At the edge of the tree line, I stopped the men. Although the country was open, we could not see beyond the rise a few hundred paces before us.
I gathered my men around and spoke softly. âWe must be getting close! William and I will ride to the ridge and try to spot the advance contingent. I hope to lead them into the trees. Stay out of sight until we return.â
William and I exited the trees, and I heard Rob order the men to spread out and stay secluded. We moved as quietly as possible, now looking all around us rather than just ahead. I felt uneasy, as though we were entering the dragonâs lair. We drew our swords and rode up to the ridge that separated us from a view of the unknown.
But before we could reach the ridge, an avalanche of riders crashed down on us. Fifteen Shadow Warriors broke the line of the ridge, and time seemed to stand still as we felt the forked tongue of the dragon reach out and smell our purpose. The stench of evil seemed to flow down the hill and envelop us. With our swords drawn and the armor of the Prince clearly visible, our frozen moment quickly shattered. One warrior disappeared in retreat while the others drew their swords and charged us explosively. There was no way of knowing just how far behind the rest of the army was, which caused me much anguish.
I did not need to speak a word to William. We turned and rode hard to the trees where our men were waiting. I quickly calculated the odds of victory against these brutes and considered our chances at least even. We entered the trees with our enemy in close pursuit. Rob had predicted our path and had split the men to flank the Shadow Warriors with a surprise attack. We continued our feigned flight until I heard Rob barkthe order for attack. We turned back and engaged the leading warriors as Rob and the rest of the men closed in from each side. Our ambush and larger number put us at an immediate advantage.
The familiar sound of clashing swords filled the air, but it had been some time since I had felt the intensity of real battle. Fighting on horseback required extra skill, but the Prince had taught us well. The first Shadow Warrior fell, and I advanced on the next. One of my men took a flesh wound, and two others protected him. Soon the ground held the bodies of five Shadow Warriors, and those remaining fell into retreat.
âShall we pursue?â Cullen asked.
I faced a conundrum. We needed Luciusâs army to pursue, not just to be warned. Yet I did not know how far over the ridge they were.
âYes, pursue!â I ordered and kicked my horse to lead the way.
The Shadow Warriors crested the ridge and disappeared. We soon arrived on the ridge behind them and found ourselves looking full into the fiery eyes of the dragonâLuciusâs massive army. We pulled so hard on the reins of our horses that some of my men nearly fell backward. It was an ominous sight, and a body-wrenching fear swept over me. The talons of the dragon reached for us as we turned and pressed our steeds to their fastest speed.
Not daring to look back, my men exploded through the grove of trees and pressed
Similar Books
