Balram’s mace went up quickly, but Kalyavan was quicker as he rammed the pommel of his sword into Balram’s mouth, snapping his head back. Kalyavan turned his sword in a circle above his head and leaned back as he slashed. The blade sliced through Balram’s right cheek and went out the left. Balram bellowed in pain as he took a step back, stumbled on a discarded pile of sacks, and fell on his arse. He tried to rise, using his mace as a crutch, but Kalyavan lazily kicked it away. Balram fell flat on the ground.

Kalyavan beat Balram in single combat in a goddamn heartbeat! Shishupal stared in amazement. Unbelievable!

‘Disappointing,’ Kalyavan said, placing his sword lightly on Balram’s neck. ‘But perhaps this will serve an important lesson for you in your next birth- the mountain can never hurt the mist.’ Kalyavan was about to slit Balram’s throat when he was pushed away by someone crashing into his side, shield-first. Kalyavan’s legs wobbled but he managed to stay afoot. He looked offended, as if someone had cheated in a game. ‘Spoilsport,’ he grumbled. ‘Then again it would be a waste of good steel upon his neck. But your neck on the other hand, My Lady... no number of rubies would be enough.’

Balram remained spread-eagled on the ground, unable to believe what had happened. He gasped for breath, one muscled hand in the mud, the other on his bleeding face.

‘Healers, to me!’ Satyabhama shouted.

Healers rushed to Balram and dragged him away, even as what was left of his squad guarded their retreat.

Kalyavan did not even glance their way. ‘War Mistress, we finally meet without your husband to interfere It is my rotten luck that it is on a battlefield instead of on a bed. I have not been able to push you out of my mind ever since you elbowed me in the face.’ He dragged in a long breath and blew it out through thin lips as he lifted his sword. ‘Is this really how it must begin between us?’

‘

No,’ said Satyabhama. ‘But this is how it will end.’

RAIN whacked a shield with her sword, got hers whacked in response. But she was a large woman. She swiftly pulled the shield to herself, bringing the Greek upon her, she shoved him over her back and then tossed him behind her. With a mighty crunch, she smashed her boot into his face. Crunch. Crunch. Die. She needed to get the Silver Wolves to safety. They were a goddamn rescue squad, not trained for skirmishes like these. Another Greek charged at her, sword raised high. Rain lifted her shield but the sword never landed. Warily, she looked over the rim of her shield and saw the man looking in the direction where soldiers of either side had ceased fighting.