Talon of the Unnamed Goddess, a Fantasy Adventure by C. R. Daems & J. R. Tomlin

Author:C. R. Daems & J. R. Tomlin [Daems, C. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Talon Novels
Published: 2011-06-24T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Jaddahan warriors to Dassel: Shadow tactics

Two days later, Anton Talon rode alongside Warrior Tafadzwa, who commanded the three hundred Jaddahan warriors, toward the city of Dassel. Sweat rolled down Anton's face and the back of his neck. He squinted against the glare of the blazing sun as they rode along the meandering track that passed for a road in the desert. Dust rose from every clop of the horses' hooves. With an envious glance at Tafadzwa's protective headdress, he wiped his wet forehead with his sleeve and sighed. They were only a few leagues from the gates of the city, but already he was sweat soaked and grimy.

"Anton, is your Sister Aisha a normal woman Talon?" Tafadzwa said. Anton glanced at him out of the corner of his eye in surprise.

"It is difficult to say, fir'Warrior." Tafadzwa was no longer heir to the Jaddah kingdom; therefore, he no longer deserved the formal title ‘pri.' However, he was now commanding a Jaddahan army and had the rank of First Warrior. "In the past twenty years, I'm only aware of five women having graduated to become Talons. I've met each of them but did not work with all of them. They tend to be more like their brother Talons—they survived by being strong, aggressive, and excellent fighters. Aisha is a fine fighter, like any Talon, far beyond any you will normally meet. On the other hand, she seems to survive almost as much by her wits. Warrior Amadi was an even match for Aisha, but she killed him. Why? Because she understood his weakness, his emotions, and used it against him."

Tafadzwa turned in his saddle to look at Anton. "When we were planning the campaign, I could almost see her mind working. She amazed me."

Anton nodded and paused to think over what he had seen of Aisha over the past days. "It is interesting to watch her and other Talons in a room. I can easily see the difference. Every Talon is observant, watching every person for signs of trouble. Aisha not only watches every person but also seems to be constructing ‘what if' scenarios. What if five soldiers burst through the door? What if Third Lord So-and-So attacked her charge? What if—"

"Don't other Talons plan ahead for what might happen?"

"Of course we do, but she is better at it and does it more. She escaped hi'Radulf's attack on hi'Varius's caravan because she had planned for any possible type of attack. She escaped the bands of soldiers searching for her by doing the unexpected. She outthinks her opponents. No, fir'Warrior, she is not typical of our Talons, either women or men."

"But are all Talon women as beautiful as she is?"

Anton's mouth dropped open. "Aisha Talon is my Talon Sister. Besides, she's very young," he choked out.

"She's not too young to marry, and I think she is very beautiful. Would she marry me, do you think, Anton?" Tafadzwa wore a slightly sheepish smile. "I can't stop thinking about her."

"Fir'Warrior, you are a brave man.

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