Men of Anderas II: Dak the Protector by Cheryl Johnson

chance
for him to live .
    "Do you honestly think a man like Dak can
live held captive like an animal? Do you realize what …?”
    "Enough, Talon.” Dak's quiet voice stopped
the harsh words. "Stay out of it. You tried to help and it didn't
work. It's not worth your life."
    "But, Dak ...."
    "I said let it go. You can't win an argument
if you're the only one arguing."
    Talon blinked at Dak. He doesn't know
she's telepathic. Well, well, well . Turning his mind to the
problem of helping Dak, Talon slid the long blade of his knife from
the top of his boot and began the familiar ritual of sharpening the
blade.
    Dak recognized the sounds of blade against
stone and recalled all the times he'd complained about doing the
same thing. The armory staffed a dozen men hired to sharpen the
knives, swords and axes of JarDan's army, but not for the castle
guard. The specially chosen and highly trained men surrounding the
royal family had to perform this chore for themselves. While it
took a lot of time to keep his blades sharp enough to cut air, he
always knew he wouldn't be surprised by a dull sword in the middle
of a battle. What he wouldn't give for the chance to sit in his
favorite chair before a warm fire and hear the slide of metal
against whetstone.
    Don't think about home ! He focused on
the noise coming from Talon's actions, repeating the sound in his
head until the black cloud of hopeless despair began to recede.
Acceptance of his slavery came at a high price. Those few brief
seconds of reborn hope when Talon offered to remove the amulet made
the end results that much more devastating. Until Kierin removed
the amulet he was trapped. There would be no escape.
    By all the Ancient Prophets, give me the
strength to endure until JarDan finds me .

Chapter Six
    "The foolish woman is going to get us all
killed.” Dak's quiet prediction brought a chuckle from Talon.
Giving the assassin a dark glare, he followed in the wake of the
crystal witch. From the minute she stepped through the Transport
Bay she'd been on a one-woman campaign to make sure everyone she
spoke with knew she was headed home. Draagon was practically
breathing down her neck and here she was telling every out-of-work
low life the best place to ambush them.
    The town of Cypriana looked much like any
other frontier town. A handful of permanent buildings formed the
center of town with the Transport Center being the hub. There were
only two roads. One heading south toward the sea and one heading
north toward the mountains. Without a moment's hesitation, Kierin
chose the north road, ignoring the stares of those they passed. The
sight of the crystal witch and her two tall, dark sentinels
attracted more than her usual amount of attention.
    "The last building before we get to the tent
city has the best selection of supplies for the trip. I have two
pack animals stabled at the stockyard on the edge of town.” She
glanced quickly at Talon. "I'm sure you can travel faster without
us and no doubt you're anxious to continue your hunt for
Draagon."
    "Draagon is after you , Lady Kierin.
If I stay near you, I'll find him."
    Kierin huffed in annoyance. She didn't need
the added stress of having an assassin--even one who claimed no
interest in the bounty on her head--so close to her mountain. He
would only make it more difficult for Dak to adjust to his new
situation. Thinking of Dak brought a flash of pain in the center of
her chest. She missed the teasing glint in those remarkable brown
eyes and his slow grin. Except to answer her direct questions, he
hadn't spoken a word since the aborted removal of the amulet. For
some reason, the knowledge that he answered only because of the
stone caused that unfamiliar ache in her chest.
    Regardless of the consequences, she knew she
had to continue with this plan for Dak. Talon's appearance on the
transport dispelled whatever lingering doubts she had about
Draagon's threat. Stopping at the open front of Smiley's
Outfitters, Kierin shook off her