The Lifesaving Power: Goldenfields and Stronghold by Jeffrey Quyle Page B

response to the attack.
    “ Son, the truth of the matter is that you’re not with me,” Francis said calmly, bringing his own sword swiftly around to attack Alec.
    Alec ducked and rolled away from Francis towards the small knot of men who were trapped by the blue-ribboned swordsmen. He rose to his feet and noted that the men he was now with were crewmen he had ridden with on the Current Rider . Confused, but certain now that he was with the right forces, Alec launched his attack on the invaders, running his sword through the man who had first attacked him.
    With the odds now swung in favor of the sailors, Alec urged his companions to attack, and he led them to engage, picking Francis for his own attention. He swung his sword with his left hand, going high, then, low, as his opponent managed to block his sword work.
    “ You really are a swordsman, aren’t you?” Francis asked, as they fenced vigorously, with Alec trying to maintain his momentum. “I thought the crew had you figured right when they said you were a fake.” Alec stepped back, flipped his sword to his right hand and attacked again, wounding Francis in both legs so that he would be incapacitated and unable to escape.

Alec turned to help his companions as they struggled in battle. With a small man he recognized as the cook on the Current Rider , Alec helped defeat a third Stronghold fighter, and then watched his companions wound one of the others and disarm the last of the attackers in the immediate struggle.
    “ Where’s the captain? Where’s Parlton?” Alec asked the sailors with him.
    “ The captain’s dead. Francis killed him first thing when he let the Locksforts’ men in. Parlton and some others were retreating towards the ship last we saw, but we’ve been fighting and moving around trying to stay alive,” Inspir, a junior lieutenant told Alec.
    “ Let’s secure Francis as a captive and get him inside this building,” Alec said indicating the doorway of the building at their backs, as he saw a group of more attackers approaching them. “I’ll go find Parlton and let him know we’ve got men here.”
    Alec waited for the band of blue ribbons attackers to arrive as Inspir and the others dragged the protesting Francis with them into the building. “Who’s in charge of your men?” Alec asked the men with drawn swords.
    Two didn’t bother to answer but immediately launched their attacks. With the wall to his back to provide security behind him, Alec fended them off until Inspir came out to join him. Together, they overcame the two men out front, and stared at the rest of their attackers. Those others paused at the quick defeat of their allies, and circled warily.
    “ Who’s in charge of your men?” Alec asked again, swinging and deeply slicing the forearm of one of his attackers. He sensed that the scattering of dead and wounded men around him was giving them concern. Alec lunged at one of them experimentally, and the man jumped back hurriedly. None of his companions looked at his cowardice in disgust. “If you tell me who is in charge, I’ll let you leave the dockyard alive immediately. If you don’t cooperate, my blade will touch you all.”
    “ Over there,” one of the men spoke up immediately. Alec realized that they hadn’t been prepared to meet any effective resistance with Francis leading them in this ambush of the Millershome forces. “The blond one with a scar on his face,” added another.
    “ Run, now,” Alec urged them, gesturing towards the entrance, and the survivors broke towards the gate Alec had entered just minutes before. “Stay here and keep Francis under control, watch for me, and be ready to move swiftly, if needed,” Alec ordered Inspir as he followed the retreating fighters to make sure they were really leaving the yard, then stopped and looked for Walnut, who had wandered towards the stable that was his current home. Alec ran to the horse and mounted him, then sat for a moment to catch his breath and