Heart of Ikchani by Craig A. Price Jr

Author:Craig A. Price Jr. [Price Jr., Craig A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Claymore Publishing

Chapter Seven

Nyeverra slowed her mare as the sun fell below the horizon. She had stolen the mare from a merchant when the city guard tossed her through the gate. There had been little choice with a mob of peasants and serfs chasing her. She stared at the dark blue sky and the black terrain in awe. She’d never been outside the castle during twilight. The beauty of it outmatched anything she’d ever seen. She found wilderness alluring. Nyeverra never felt so free, but worried how long she could survive by herself. Chirping echoed all around her, unsettling her nerves. She knew the sounds to be insects, but it still unnerved her.

Hooves drummed behind her as she spun around. In the twilight, she could hardly see who approached. Nyeverra loosened the reins, urging her mare to gallop at full speed.

The sun fell beneath the horizon, silhouetting a forest before her. If she could reach the trees before the villagers caught up to her, she may escape. Nyeverra kicked her mount, whispering prayers with hope she could reach the trees in time.

The mare ran fast, but her pursuer galloped swifter. When she glanced behind, three horses drew close. She shivered, slapping her reins. Tears filled her eyes. She’d done nothing wrong, but no one would believe her. An arrow struck her horse, causing it to shriek into the night. Nyeverra held onto the mare’s neck tight as it lost its footing, sliding on the ground. Nyeverra rolled forward into the grass a long cubit away from the tree line. Nyeverra’s forearm throbbed with every heartbeat. She knew bruises would follow. She sat up, staring at her dying horse.

Three horsemen stopped, two more pulled in behind them. Nyeverra didn’t know what to do. Her bow sat beside her, somehow unbroken, but she couldn’t stop five of them.

“You murdered the Duke,” the lead man shouted, furrowing his brows.

“I swear, I did not kill the Duke.”

“You dare lie to me?” He dismounted, backhanding her jaw.

Nyeverra fell to the ground, tears cascading along her face. She dared not get to her feet, for fear of being struck again.

“Do you know what we do to liars and murders?” He pulled a rope from his waist to loop around her neck.

Nyeverra’s eyes went wide. “Please don’t.” She coughed as the rope tightened around her neck, closing her throat to air.

He yanked the rope right, restricting her air supply. An arrow penetrated the man’s throat. He released the rope, stumbling backward, gagging as he collapsed.

Nyeverra frantically loosened the rope around her neck before glimpsing two women stepping from the woods. One wore white leather armor while holding a bow. The other had brown leather armor, a helm, and a sword in her hand.

The remaining four men rushed the two women. The brown clad woman wasted no time as she stepped forward to take on two of the men at once, balancing her weapon beautifully to her left and right to block incoming blows from each side. The other woman

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