Beneath the Canyons by Kyra Halland

Author:Kyra Halland [Halland, Kyra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy western, fantasy action adventure, western fantasy, gunslinger hero, female wizard, magic western adventure, magic cowgirl, western fantasy romance, wizard bounty hunter, wizard gunslinger
Publisher: Kyra Halland
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

SILAS, BANFREY, AND Dobay started up Yellowbird Canyon late in the afternoon. The creek was still running fast and high, fed by the afternoon’s storms higher up in the mountains. The sun had already gone behind the mountains and the canyon lay in shadows, but no one suggested stopping for the night yet. Carden had had a considerable head start on them, and even with his greater numbers of men and the carts, it was sure that he would be moving as fast as he could.

Silas kept his mage senses extended. From time to time, he detected bursts of power – the dark power from the ore, Lainie’s magic, and, a couple of times, something that he recognized as Carden.

Just inside the mouth of the canyon, they passed the A’ayimat markers, two sticks about half a measure tall hung with bunches of feathers that marked the border of A’ayimat territory. Not ten measures farther on, a party of seven A’ayimat on horseback appeared ahead of them, seemingly out of nowhere but more likely from one of the smaller ravines opening off of the canyon. In the dusk, their skin was dark but still had a distinct bluish tone. Their snow-white hair was bound in multitudes of braids, and their long, tilted eyes shone bright amber even in the dim light. Five of them wore only long leather leggings; the other two, who Silas now realized were women, also wore sleeveless leather vests. Men and women alike were solidly muscular and heavily armed. The men carried two short, curved swords each, hunting knives, and bows and quivers of arrows slung across their backs. The women each held a short spear at the ready, and were also carrying bows, arrows, and hunting knives. Silas sensed a strong aura of power from at least one of them.

The A’ayimat stopped in front of them. The expression on their faces was hard and grim. This was a raiding party in retaliation for Carden’s intrusion onto their lands, Silas realized. There could be any number of additional warriors behind them, farther up the canyon. By Banfrey’s and Dobay’s sharp, hushed exclamations, they realized this as well. In spite of the A’ayimat’s open hostility, from previous encounters Silas knew that they generally preferred to deal, and be dealt with, respectfully and avoid unnecessary violence. “Dismount, and don’t say anything,” he said quietly to his companions. He climbed down from Abenar and waited politely for the A’ayimat to speak first. Dobay and Banfrey followed his example.

The A’ayimat man in the lead and one of the women dismounted as well; the A’ayimat considered it rude to converse from horseback. “If it isn’t more Grana intruders,” the woman said, her voice tight with anger. “Give us one good reason why we shouldn’t go into the valley tonight and slaughter all the lying settlers who live there.”

“You talk like us!” Banfrey burst out. Seven pairs of gold eyes turned to him, and he took a step back. “Begging your pardon – I’m sorry, no offense.

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