And face all those alone? Odd countered, nodding to the horsemen approaching, slowing as they came to the bridge. I might be called mad, but Im not stupid.

Erin looked at the group there. There had to be twenty of them, but the bridge was narrow enough that only a few of them would be able to fit onto the bridge side by side to fight.

How do we do this? Erin asked.

Odd frowned at her. Whats to understand? We fight them, we kill them, we back away step by step until we cross this thrice damned bridge.

Erin looked at the slow advance of the men there. Why arent they coming faster?

Odd shrugged. No one wants to die first.

That didnt last long though. The riders came forward, the first of them obviously confident that they could ride down a girl and a monk with ease. He swung at Erin and she turned the blow away, thrusting up with her spear into his ribs and toppling him into the waters beyond the bridge.

Another was already striking at Odd. He swayed back from the cut, dragged the man from his saddle, and killed him with a downward thrust of his sword before backing away a few more paces.

They came on foot then, obviously realizing that without the advantage of space, horses wouldnt work. They came in tight formation, three wide, thrusting and cutting with swords and spears while Erin and Odd gave ground.

Erin blocked one blow, kicked at a mans knee and stepped back. Odd hacked a mans head from his shoulders, pushed another by his shield into the water. Erin caught another blow that was aimed at his heart as he did it, and he grinned at her before cutting open a soldiers throat.

Erin glanced back to see how Lenore was escaping. She saw her sister waiting at the far shore now, clear of the fight but making no move to keep moving further back. She clearly wasnt going to just run and leave them

Odd caught a sword blow just in front of her face. Focus! Unless you want to lose your head?

Erin stabbed another of the attacking troops in answer. It was getting worse now, because she could see a whole cluster of infantry coming in from the trees now, too many to ever fight. All she and Odd could do was keep killing, and keep giving ground.