Page 85 of Sword of Rage
Standing, he reached down, pulling her up alongside him. “It will give me something to look forward to.”
“I can’t believe we’re about to part ways.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “Promise me you’ll be careful. You’re smart. Trust your instincts.”
“I will.”
Reaching in his bag, he withdrew a small sword no bigger than her forearm. “I want you to have this.” He handed it to her.
“It’s beautiful.” On the hilt, the grip had been wrapped with red leather. The guard had a beautiful swirly design. Along the edge, markings had been etched.
“It belongs to a set. That one I call Sword of Rage.”
“Do you have the other?” she asked.
He handed her the scabbard for it. “I do. It’s called Sword of Desire. When you fit the pommels together, they lock and form a double-edged sword.”
Sliding the sword into the scabbard, she considered the two names. Rage and Desire. She supposed one needed to have both emotions to use a sword to kill. The two sentiments were also something she felt quite often since the takeover and meeting Ackley.
“For now, you can slide that in your cape. I believe there’s a hidden pocket made for a weapon such as that.”
She removed her cape, examining the interior portion of it. Sure enough, there were several pockets sewn on the inside. It took her a couple of tries, but eventually she found one that fit the short sword.
Ackley helped her put the cape back on, buttoning it at the neck for her. “If you ever need to kill someone quickly,” he said, staring into her eyes, “put the tip of your sword here.” He touched the base of her throat. “Then thrust it in and pull it sideways.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“You can also cut someone here.” He pressed her shoulder. “Or here.” He pressed her upper thigh. “Both places have arteries. Slice either of those spots, and the person will bleed out.”
“Why are you telling me this?” she asked again.
“I gave you a sword. You should know how to kill with it. Just in case.”
She nodded. Maybe she would practice using the weapon when she had a chance. Pressing it into a potato or something to get the feel of stabbing someone. Not that she planned to go around killing people, but if Ackley thought she should know this information, then she would be prepared.
“I also want you to give these to Owen.” He pulled out a handful of neatly folded letters. “This is correspondence I found at your house.”
She stood there staring at them for a moment. “Can I read through them?” she asked, finally reaching out and taking the letters.
“That’s something I can’t answer for you.”
“Did you read them?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll make sure my cousin receives these.” She found a smaller pocket on the inside of the cape for the letters.
“We need to get back to the others.”
“I’m sorry I’ve complicated things between you and Gytha.”
“There is no me and Gytha. She is a soldier in the Marsden army. She came here to protect my sister. We’re friends. That’s all.”
She nodded, pretending she believed that. But she knew better. Gytha was in love with Ackley.
When they reached the others, Harley mounted her horse, ready to get this goodbye over with. Ledger mounted and came alongside her. They were heading west and would take the road in front of them. Ackley and Gytha would take the road to the left.
Ackley mounted, then pointed at Ledger. “Take care of her. If anything happens to Lady Harley, I’ll kill you myself.”
