If only she had her spear! It would have been perfect for keeping them at bay in such a narrow space. But, alas, she did not, so she pulled her knife free and flipped it up, backing up against the wall. Though her instincts screamed to avoid being cornered, her logic told her not to let one of them get behind her.

“Careful, Felix,” said the other thief, who now leaned against the wall on her right. “Seems the little mageling has some skill with that knife.”

Someone dropped from the roof of the pub on her left, landing in the alley with a thud. Another Creshen man with limp hair and a cold smile crouched behind the one advancing on her. “Is that right, Louis?” said the newcomer, rising. He flipped a knife into his palm. “Maybe she can teach me a thing or two, en?” They laughed, and Yenni started when she realized another voice had joined the three in the alley. She darted her eyes upward and caught a fourth thief crouched among the shadows of the roof to her right. Four of them against one of her. If she gave them her money, would they let her go?

As if in answer, the rune on her stomach blazed again, sending another sharp, burning sensation through her skin. No, she had seen their faces and knew their names. They would not let her leave this alley alive.

“Diedre!” she finally shouted, praying her friend would hear. The men with the weapons advanced slowly, cruelly, toying with her.

Good.

If they were underestimating her, she had the element of surprise. Still, her shaking as they closed in was not feigned. She had one chance, one shot to get free. She could not die here, fail here, in this alley leagues away from home.

Father Gu, lend me your warrior’s heart.

Their weapons glinted dully in the dimness of the alley, and their steps were slow and echoing, louder than the muted twang of the Creshen music coming from the pubs, louder than her thudding pulse.

“What do you plan to do with that knife, en?” said the one with the bladed knuckles. “Clean a chicken?”

Closer, just let them get a little closer.

She squeezed her eyes shut, and they laughed. She pulled ach’e, feeling it rush through her veins and tingle on her skin.

“Source to light and here remain!”

Light exploded into the alley, bright against her closed eyelids, and the thieves screamed. Yenni pulled on the speed runes on her legs, then her arms. She ducked and dodged around two of the thieves, then slashed at the tendons behind their knees.