Just as Jimson turned to search out other foes, a thick, serrated dagger stabbed his thigh. Strong hands clawed at his uniform, pulling him from his horse. The lieutenant hit the ground with a painful jar to his injured leg. He scrambled to roll over, expecting the bite of steel at any moment. When he finally managed to right himself, he found his attacker bearing down on him, and Jimson knew he would not get to his sword in time.

Suddenly, a foot of bloody steel emerged from the attacker’s chest. A burble of blood poured from the bandit’s mouth as he collapsed to the ground. In his place stood Tam, wide-eyed and shaking. A moment passed before Tam’s head cleared of panic enough to realize what he had done. He stared at the dead man, blinking repeatedly as if the act could wash away the image. Abruptly, his stomach lurched, and he fell to his knees retching. Jimson retrieved his sword and pulled himself to his feet, doing his best to ignore the searing pain in his leg. He gripped Tam’s tunic by the collar and yanked the young man to his feet.

“Get up,” he shouted. “It is not over, yet!”

Meanwhile, Rezkin and his mount stampeded over two of the attackers, plowing them into the hard dirt. The men were not dead, but they were injured badly and moaned in pain. After a quick assessment of the threat, he decided to allow the two to live for the time being. They might possess useful information. Rezkin dismounted and drew his swords as he faced off against the remaining bandits. He cut down the first man he encountered just as he heard the snick of crossbow releasing its quarrel. With inhuman reflexes, he flicked Bladesunder up in an arc and deflected the bolt before it struck.

The three remaining bandits shouted in astonishment when they saw the blades of liquid silver and azure swirls. They darted in the opposite direction in full retreat. Rezkin quickly sheathed Kingslayer and slipped the small throwing ax from his belt, launching it at nearest retreating bandit. With a sickening squelch, the axe head burrowed deeply into the man’s back.

In quick succession, two throwing knives sliced through the air. One bandit was struck in the small of the back, but the other was too far away and was hit in the leg. Already in pursuit, Rezkin caught up to the man and removed his head in one clean swipe.