Master of Chains - Jess Lebow [9]
The sound of Ryder's sword bashing aside a guard's blade brought Liam back to the fight at hand.
A pair of soldiers rushed the brothers, one on each side. Ryder stepped left, Liam right. They moved together like a multi-headed creature sharing a single spine. Their blades moved in perfect harmony, striking out at different foes. Liam didn't need to see what his brother was doing. They had been practicing this style of fighting since they were young.
* * * * *
Liam held a tree branch tightly in both hands. It was his eighth birthday. As a present, his uncle had made him a toy wooden sword. That sword was now in the hands of Tyler, the local bully.
Liam could feel his brother's back against his as they turned a slow circle, looking out at Tyler and his three friends.
"Don't worry, Liam," reassured Ryder, also with a branch in his hands. 'I'm a good fighter, so you will be too."
Liam nodded his head. If his big brother said it, it must be true. "All right."
"Hey, Liam," taunted Tyler. "You want this?" He shook the toy sword in Liam's face.
Liam's chest burned with hate.
"Don't fall for it, Liam," directed Ryder. "Let them make the first move."
"What? Are you scared?" Tyler laughed. "Too afraid to come get your little toy from me?"
Liam gripped the branch tighter in his hands. He wanted so badly to swing it, to bring it down on Tyler's head and make him give back his birthday present. But more than anything, Liam trusted his older brother.
"What's the matter, Tyler?" taunted Ryder. "You've got us outnumbered. Looks like you're the one who is scared."
Tyler lifted Liam's wooden sword over his head. "I'll show you who's scared." Then he came running right at Ryder.
The three other young thugs followed the bully's lead and came rushing in.
Liam felt something in the pit of his stomach clench, then he lost control. His arms reacted without his willing them to. He watched as the branch swung wildly from side to side. The whole thing didn't seem real. He wasn't in control, and he didn't know the outcome. All he knew for sure was that his brother's back against his was the most reassuring feeling in the whole world.
From behind him Liam heard a loud crack, and just like that the whole thing was over. The young punks retreated, not wanting to get hit by a flailing branch. Liam stopped swinging when they took a step back. Then he followed their gazes over his shoulder.
Tyler lay on the ground, blood pouring from his nose, Liam's sword on the ground beside him.
"I'll take that," said Ryder. He picked up the birthday gift. The branch he held in his other hand was broken in two.
Ryder turned and grabbed Liam by the shoulder. "Come on," he said. "I think they have had enough."
* * * * *
Liam's blade danced, parrying blows. He could feel his brother's back against his own. Despite their teamwork, the guards they fought were not going to fall for any cheap tricks. They came in at the same time, thrusting in short bursts, trying to overpower the brothers. They kept Liam off balance, never giving him an opening. It was all he could do to defend himself.
The guard to his left feinted high then went low. Liam brought his sword down, smashing the attack to the dirt. The other guard came in high. Liam dodged to the side, bringing his sword up in a long arc and bashing away his opponent's blade with a flourish. The two elite guardsmen took a step back, regained their composure, then lunged together. Liam snapped the forte of his blade around in a short circle, catching the tips of both blades with his and flinging them toward the sky. Had there been only one attacker, Liam would have lunged for a riposte. As it was, he'd be opening himself up to one of the two guards, so he held tight. He wouldn't fall for the ploy. He could hear Ryder's voice inside his head, "Let them