Strange Attractors - Kim Falconer [184]
Which way are we going, Rowan?
‘Through the portal to Temple Dumarka. I have a feeling the distraction didn’t work.’
More like it worked in reverse.
‘How so?’
I think they were there to distract us.
Rosette signalled to Teg. The rain was sheeting down and they needed to get out of the culvert before they were swept away. Drayco was cursing in her head, and the Corsanons had just sent in more scouts.
They won’t keep that up, Teg said. Sending them in a few at a time never to return.
Rosette watched the stream of warriors enter the woods. They’re all following! To the temple ruins. We have to run!
We have to remain hidden as well. Teg held her back. Glamour?
We can’t hide and keep the storm and lightning conjure going at the same time, she said.
They’re doing it.
Of course they are—a dozen High Priestesses can. They’re four to our one.
Twelve to our one, Teg said. If you’re counting High Priestesses.
Exactly.
They waited until the troops had gone further from the entrance before they morphed, concealing the shock waves. The rain was less torrential under the trees, but a fog was rising and the atmosphere dank. When the lightning flashed the clearing was revealed. She saw the outline of Lupins lurking behind trees, Teg on her left, Drayco on her right—and, in front of her, a Corsanon warrior with his sword raised, about to cleave her head in two.
Drayco sprang but when he connected with the Corsanon, the lightning flash winked out and it looked like he hung in midair, his jaws clamped around an invisible being. The glamour remained, even in death, and as Drayco dropped the warrior he fell with the body, slow motion to the ground. The temple cat stood over the invisible victim, shaking his head free of blood. That she could see. The ground turned red with it.
At the next flash, Rosette morphed back into human form and grabbed the victim’s sword, tucking the scabbard into her belt. It was an unwieldy blade, as were all forged in Corsanon. The broad, double-edged steel was bulky and the thick hilt felt strange in her hand. She drew it though, and kept it ready. They waited for the next lightning flash before moving forward. By the time they reached the temple ruins, the battle was in full fury.
Every crack of lightning revealed the enemy, Corsanon warriors attacking the Lupins, two or three to one. When the illumination winked out, the clash of steel rang in her ears. Rosette could hear that clearly now, but the growls and snarls she knew must be screaming through the woods were still beyond her register—too low a vibration for her tattered eardrums. When the light flashed brightly she again saw the Lupins, some in wolf form and some bipedal with swords and shields. They were tearing into the warriors, even though outnumbered.
Rosette was by the river, holding the broadsword in the guard position, waiting for the next wink of light. Teg and Drayco were behind her and she pressed tight against the Lupin, keeping back to back, moving slowly towards the shelter of the bridge.
Mind you don’t slice my ears off with that thing, Maudi.
She felt the vibration of Teg’s chuckle through her spine.
Mind you don’t slice mine either, Teg said. It’s double-edged, in every sense of the word.
It’s a heavy mother of demons, is what it is. I’d like to see you wield it gracefully!
I’m sure Kreshkali would say it serves you right for losing track of your own.
Thank you, Teg. Lovely reminder. And by the way, what happened?
What do you mean?
I know something’s up with you and our mistress. You pass some test I didn’t hear about?
Teg didn’t answer for some time. I certainly hope so…
The lightning ripped and Rosette pushed them all back, out of the kill zone of another opponent. Before the light vanished, she blocked a strike and lunged forward, driving the sword tip through the warrior’s abdomen, pulling down hard as she drew back. She pivoted, her sword arm pointing behind as counterbalance, and threw a spinning side kick to his throat, launching him backwards into the creek. Without thinking,