Monk of Death by Katherine D. Graham

Author:Katherine D. Graham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: non white main character, mortal becomes a god, dark fantasy romance with trigger, female authors best sellers, epic fantasy books top 100, series with different main character, mythology dark romance
Publisher: Katherine D. Graham
Published: 2023-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Cracking his knuckles, the dark leader drew a battle-axe from a hanging sling on his back. Vinyald jerked Kritinia backward, and the battle-axe sank into the ground where she had just stood. Clapping and hoots of approval rose from the enemy army. The circle of creatures and men all watched, waiting too gleefully for Kritinia and Vinyald’s deaths.

“You lead this army?” Knight Vinyald asked, not raising his sword.

“Captain of the Knights,” the other leader said, standing tall with his battle-axe hanging at the ready by his side, “what use is talk? Your lord won’t allow surrender.”

“Nor would I give it,” Knight Vinyald laughed. “Though if the authority over this troop is truly yours, let us settle this here and now. Between you and me. No one else; no powers, no potions, only steel against steel.”

Kritinia’s jaw dropped. Did Vinyald truly believe that this man would agree to such a duel? Especially when the city was practically lost already? It would be madness to entertain such a request.

“Winner takes all?” the other leader asked, and Kritinia blinked at him, dumbfounded.

Was he a gambler by nature? Why else would he risk such a sorely-won but assured victory? Or did he have no honor, like Elder Bartholomew had said?

“What other choice is there?” Knight Vinyald asked.

“Fine,” the other leader agreed.

While the enemy leader whispered to his General, Knight Vinyald turned to Kritinia.

“Stand with his flag-bearer. Do not move until I bid you to.”

“Yes sir.”

Kritinia forced herself to bow, but her body trembled. Could the enemy be trusted to keep their word if Vinyald won? Or was he delaying the inevitable? She wove through the crowd of soldiers to stand between the enemy General and his flagbearer. Both men tensed at her presence.

Soldiers stood back to create a ring of bodies around a small circle. Both Knight Vinyald and the enemy leader raised their weapons, then stilled. Silence fell over the crowd; the air itself was thick with anticipation. Kritinia could hear the flag-bearer’s nasally breathing beside her in the stillness. Roaring fires within the city walls crackled and spat embers up behind the fighters—a backdrop of the flames of Shorn that greedily waited for one of the duelists.

Crying out, the enemy leader smashed his battle-axe forward. Knight Vinyald ducked away. Cheers rang out all around. Swords clanged against shields, and dark soldiers shook their fists in the air. The Dark creatures, also held back by the terms of the duel, howled, craning their necks toward the sky. A shudder ran down Kritinia’s spine.

The fight felt slow and fast at the same time. Starting out strong, Knight Vinyald darted left and right to avoid the enemy’s axe. All the Knight had to do was get close enough to land a blow himself...

Shifting on her feet, Kritinia stared, entranced, as each throw of a weapon held her heart captive. Tension radiated from her shoulders up through her neck, and she tightened her grip on the sword hanging at her side.

The General standing beside her had a strange weapon hanging from his back, the likes of which she had never seen.

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