Page 25 of Sword of Rage
Four men came within view. “What’d you do to the innkeeper?” the heavier one on the left asked.
Not wanting to bother with small talk, Ackley withdrew his dagger. He needed to lure them in closer in order to knock each one out.
“Authorities have been contacted,” the skinnier man said. “We don’t want any trouble.”
“Then perhaps you should turn around and leave me and my companions alone.” Ackley palmed his dagger, making sure they saw it. When they made no move to leave, he took a few steps toward them until they were only three feet apart. After envisioning each move he’d make, he struck. Spinning, he kicked the guy on the right, easily knocking him down. The man on the left rushed at Ackley. Ackley twisted and slammed the hilt of his dagger against the back of the large man’s head. He collapsed. One man took off running. Only one opponent left. Ackley flung his elbow up, smashing the guy’s nose. He flopped to the ground.
Ackley hadn’t even broken a sweat. Normally, he didn’t fight untrained civilians. However, this situation couldn’t be helped.
He returned to his companions. “We need to get out of here before more men come looking for us.”
“Did you kill them?” Harley demanded.
“No.” He wasn’t a monster. “They’ll all be fine.”
Ledger stood, swaying slightly. Harley wrapped her arm around his waist, steadying him.
“Can you walk?” Ackley asked.
Ledger nodded.
“Good. Let’s go.”
The four of them made their way to the ladders where they descended to one of the lower levels. When a group of people came into view up ahead, Ackley turned down a dark alley to avoid being seen.
“Where are we going?” Harley asked, glancing behind them.
“I’m trying to keep us hidden.”
“I don’t understand why. Just tell the authorities Owen is here and we need to be on our way.”
“Kreng isn’t part of Melenia.” Didn’t she know this?
“Your point?”
“They could keep you here,” Ledger answered. “Use you as a bargaining chip with King Owen. Or they could turn you over to Russek in exchange for leaving the city alone. Either way, it’s something we can’t risk.”
“Oh.”
“Also, no one knows King Owen is here,” Gytha added.
“It would be prudent to keep Owen’s presence hidden for now,” Ackley said. “It’ll give us the element of surprise when we attack Russek.” He didn’t know why he bothered explaining any of this to Harley. Clearly, she had no military knowledge. Owen had said she was sheltered. But this level of naivety was downright appalling—even for a woman.
They descended to the bottom level where most of the stores were located. As they made their way to the northern end of the city, dozens of people milled about. Ackley hadn’t expected so many people to be out at this late hour.
Wanting to blend in, he caught Gytha’s attention, then tilted his head toward Ledger. Gytha nodded in acknowledgment before cozying up to Ledger and slowing their pace. Ackley slid his arm around Harley, pulling her in close. Instead of melting against his body as he expected, she stiffened.
A group of men headed their way. Harley was not playing the part. She probably had never been properly courted by a man and had no idea how to act with one.
“Relax,” Ackley murmured. “We want anyone who sees us to think we’re a couple out for a nightly stroll.”
“Why do we have to be a couple?”
“So no one will suspect us. Authorities are looking for four people. That’s why we split up.”
She didn’t look his way as she said, “We can be a couple without you touching me so intimately.”
A chuckle escaped his lips. “I hardly think this is intimate.”
