Page 79 of The Guardian's Witch

The men were equally skilled, neither with an advantage. Both well trained, neither would have a problem maintaining the grueling pace.

Facing the hearth, Bryce glanced at Lisbeth with the Steltons and maneuvered the fight toward them.

Alex, aware of his intent, changed up the rhythm and drove Bryce toward the terrace doors. He knew Bryce had every intention of making this a short and lethal fight.

“Ah, am I too close to the witch?” He nicked Alex across his sword arm. A nasty smile spread across Bryce’s face. His attacks became more aggressive.

Alex countered and kept up the barrage.

Bryce parried Alex’s blow and pushed him off. Alex stepped forward and thrust his shoulder into Bryce’s chest, forcing him back. They both exploded through the doors onto the terrace.

The cold air met their heated bodies and raised an eerie steam around them.

Alex took the advantage and pressed forward, striking a downward blow. Bryce pushed Alex’s sword away and followed with an overhead attack and a downward thrust. The tip of his blade drew a thin line of blood across Alex’s cheek. Alex sidestepped and pushed Bryce back to the far corner where the terrace floor sloped down. “Lucky for me you didn’t use poison. I’d be dead by now and you’d win the bet.”

Bryce said nothing.

Alex attacked with a lateral cut. Bryce knocked the blade away with his own. Alex countered the thrust and bought his elbow up. With his sword hanging vertically in front of him, he transferred his grip, and held the blade with two hands. With the hilt high over his head, Alex readied the crosspiece to strike Bryce in the head.

Bryce stepped back defensively. He was on a sheet of ice. He held his sword in both hands horizontally over his head and caught the crosspiece of Alex’s hilt with the edge of his blade. Alex pulled hard on his sword. Bryce bent forward and lost his footing on the ice, a look of surprise and confusion on his face. Alex moved in and took the advantage. He freed his sword and shoved his pommel up and struck Bryce hard under the chin. Bryce’s head snapped back; the momentum and unsteady footing sent him flying. His sword clattered on the ground. His head hit the terrace stone. Alex stood over him, his sword raised to deliver the death blow.

“Hold,” the king bellowed. He came through the terrace door. Gareth followed close behind.

Alex stopped, his sword in midair. The sound of fast-approaching horses reached him. The others had finally arrived.

Edward stood looking at his two knights. “Inside. Now.” Before he headed for the door he turned. “You too, Bryce.” He pointed to Bryce, who lay dazed at Alex’s feet. Gareth brought Bryce and set him on the floor.

“Before you two kill each other, explain.” The king looked at Alex. Gareth stood next to him. “Gareth, what duty do you have today?”

“Lord Alex stationed me at your side, sire.”

“And have you left your station?”

“No, sire.”

The king turned to Alex. “Who released you from the dungeon, Alex and why did you return?”

“Bryce released me, sire.” Winded and exhausted, Alex approached the king. “I’ve come with great news. Your protectors and their men have been found. They’re alive and well. The rumor of the Glen Kirk curse has been greatly exaggerated, as you thought. You see, they’ve merely been detained. Lord Ramon has been negotiating a ransom on your behalf with their abductors.”

“My behalf? Abductors? I know of no ransom. Who dared to take them?” He looked at Bryce lying on the hall floor. “Ramon!” the king bellowed. “Where is he?” he asked his guards.

“Sire, he left the grounds when the fight began.”

“Get him and bring him to me.”

Bryce got to his feet before the king. “What are you and Gareth up to, Alex? I didn’t release you.”

Alex ignored the lies. “You abducted the king’s men, raided your own farms and put the blame on the Scots.”

“How preposterous. Your Majesty, surely you’re not going to take the word of this traitor.”

Alex’s brothers filtered silently into the room followed by the freed protectors.

“Sire.” Hubert bent his knee to his King.

“Hubert, where have you been?”

Bryce shook with anger and glared at Alex.

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