�Why?� asked Cahira. She caught his blade and kicked at him with her legs. It hit him in the shin. �We�re just like men. Only prettier,� she said as she posed for a fatal blow. He hit her hard in the area below her chest and above her stomach. She doubled over fighting to stay conscious as he caught her and disarmed.
�Aye, and you talk too much,� he said. He placed her on the ground. �Now run. You have no weapons,� he said. Without another word he left running after the trail of his fleeing horse.
Cahira groaned painfully and pulled herself up to her feet. Clutching her aching sore, she quickly made her way off towards the brook. Hopefully, she had at least given them some time.
Badir leapt off the horse carrying Rhian with him. He protected her head as they rolled. His elbow got brush burn that stung. His good clothes were torn across the back. The brook was close by and he hefted Rhian up over his right shoulder. Quickly and silently he slipped through the trees hoping the fleeing horse would give them cover to run away.
Ailis was sitting on the rock. She fingered the medallion. She wasn�t upset, although, Badir wasn�t there yet. He had said he would. Unlike everyone else, he never lied or tricked her into thinking something that wasn�t true or wasn�t going to happen. He would be there. He must be lost. Silly Badir. No wonder God of Small Animals wanted to eat him. If he got lost, it wouldn�t be long, for God of Small Animals always made sure the mice never got lost.
Badir smiled when he saw Ailis sitting peacefully beside the brook. Cahira always said that the violets were wilted in Ailis� eyes, but he couldn�t understand that. Her eyes were always vibrant and alive when he looked into them. He put his index finger to his mouth then pointed to Rhian. He needed her quiet not scared. If she thought Rhian was sleeping, then she�d be quiet and not be afraid. He slowly placed Rhian down on the side of the brook in the soft grass and got himself a drink of water. Ailis waited patiently.
�Cahira get here yet?� he asked. Ailis shook her head. Badir didn�t let his worry show in his face. �We�ll wait until the moon reaches directly overhead then we are going to go home,� he said. Ailis nodded.
She took the God of Small Animals medallion and placed it over his head. �Protected the mice. Made him not lost,� she said.
Badir smiled. He thought she meant her. �Always. Other gods, they�ll forget about the little ones but not Him,� he said. Ailis put her head on Badir�s thigh and quickly fell asleep. Badir was tired but he couldn�t sleep. Someone had to guard and watch for Cahira.
Cahira came slowly out of the brush after the moon had past from directly overhead. Badir smiled relieved. Cahira fell to her knees relieved to see both Ailis and Rhian alive and peacefully sleeping on Badir.
�Aren�t you feeling like Ewald,� she remarked teasingly.
�My favorite God has smiled on me. He says make lots of little babies, so your race never dies. I, his most loyal subject, sacrifice my body to the wanton lusts of all the lovely ladies,� he said with a smile.
�A most tragic life,� came a voice from the bush. Cahira swung to face him forgetting she had no weapon. However, it was Connor pretending to be startled into submission by her empty hands. �Pummeling me to death, love?� he teased. Cahira�s face turned bright red and she stammered incoherent words to even herself. �Share the wealth?� he offered to the covered Badir. He picked up Rhian.
�The battle?� asked Badir, as he picked up Ailis gently.
�Long over, I assume. I escaped when the arrows were let loose,� said Connor. �Heavier then I thought,� he said of Rhian as he shifted her to his stronger shoulder.
�Chief Commander in Arms? Did he return?� asked Cahira, when she found her voice.
�Did he leave?� questioned Connor. Again Cahira blushed. Connor smiled. �A kid. Father is the Commandant, which I suspect is why he got his rank and position,� said Connor. Cahira only turned redder. �I don�t suspect him to make it long here, � he said.
�Especially with the Regent heir poising to take over,� said Badir.
Connor laughed softly. �Aye, good old Ewald.�