Alliance Forged by Kylie Griffin

Author:Kylie Griffin [Griffin, Kylie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781101581032
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2012-07-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

“WORK as a team!” Varian shouted, then ground his teeth together as Taybor took advantage of the two Light Blade warriors’ lack of collaboration.

The Na’Chi scout feinted one way and, as the younger human moved to block him, he dodged in the opposite direction. He then hooked an arm around the human’s neck and shoulders and under his thigh, and body-slammed him to the ground. Dust billowed up to join the haze already coating the training area. Varian slapped his breech-clad thigh in frustration.

“Stop!” He stepped over the line carved into the dirt and into the arena. A cheer came from the next one over but he ignored the noise. Their area was one of twelve scattered around the exercise compound being used for training this morning.

The two warriors still on their feet halted training. The young man on the ground remained there, sucking in huge breaths of air, his sweaty face now smeared with a layer of dirt.

“Aelois, Drascan, the timing of your moves are out. The aim is to keep Taybor’s attention split between you, wondering which one of you will attack first. Even one step out of sync and you give him the chance to anticipate. And once on the ground, you’re as good as dead.”

With a grunt, Aelois sat up and wiped his face with his sleeve, a grimace creasing his features. Against the more heavily framed Na’Reish demons, both humans needed speed, and their lean, wiry builds gave them that advantage.

“Aelois, you have the skills, you’re fast and agile, you know how to fight, it’s just that you’re used to battling one-on-one.” Varian held his hand out to the man. After a moment’s hesitation, the Light Blade took it, accepting his help to rise. Varian clapped him on the shoulder. “Go from the beginning again. Stalk your opponent, time the moves, and take Taybor out.”

From the corner of his eye, two figures standing at the edge of the arena caught his attention. Varian nodded to his scout to begin the training session again and backtracked his steps.

Kalan and Arek waited for him, decked out not in training leathers but full battle gear, their hair pulled back into tight ponytails. Black leather breeches, boots, body armor, weapons belts. Carved into their leather chest plates was the Lady’s sun symbol, a striking piece of workmanship brought out by the morning sunlight. Both also wore somber expressions.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“An outrider arrived an hour ago. A Na’Reish patrol has been spotted half a day’s ride from here.” Kalan’s mouth flattened into a hard line. “We don’t know if it’s just scouting or intending some sort of attack. I need five of your most experienced scouts and five Light Blades who you feel will work best together. We leave as soon as they can get their armor and weapons.”

“Do we chase or kill the Na’Reish patrol?” he asked, adrenaline already surging through him at the thought of a confrontation.

The Chosen’s emerald gaze locked with his. “I have no intention of leaving any survivors to report back to Savyr.

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