The Queen of Stone_ Thorn of Breland - Keith Baker [78]
As the battle unfolded around her, Thorn’s eyes were locked on the third member of the trio: Toli. He advanced into the room with his sword drawn and ghostly shield forming a broad circle. A vicious light gleamed in his eyes, and his lips were drawn back in a cruel sneer.
This was madness. Toli couldn’t be working under orders of the Citadel; Sheshka’s death would make Thorn’s mission impossible. Besides, he wore the uniform of a Brelish guard. He wasn’t a trained assassin. He couldn’t know if the room was free of scrying eyes. And he didn’t have any protection against her power; he’d already been petrified once and should know the threat he faced. If he were killed, the Daughters would surely assume that Breland had tried to assassinate one of their leaders. Sheshka’s death was an acceptable loss … as long as Breland couldn’t be blamed. Those were her orders.
Take him alive. Steel whispered. Magic is at work. Don’t let Sheshka kill him.
And who keeps Sheshka from killing me? Thorn thought. Her shoulder burned from the viper bites, though so far she seemed to be fighting off the effects of any venom. For the moment, Sheshka was occupied with the Valenar swordsman; as long as he could avoid her gaze, Thorn had a chance.
Toli circled around Sheshka, searching for an opening. He’d raised his shield so he couldn’t see her face and was keeping his eyes on the floor. Toli’s attention was focused on the medusa, and he didn’t see Thorn as she slipped behind him and wrapped her arm around his throat. But Toli was no common soldier. He was a Shield of the King’s Citadel, and as Thorn had been trained to spy and kill, Toli had been taught to defend. Surprised as he was, Toli still reacted before Thorn could tighten her grip. He dropped his chin to block the hold and slammed the edge of his shield into her stomach. Despite being formed of magical energy, the shield was as hard as iron, and Thorn staggered backward, gasping for air. Toli turned to face her, fury in his eyes.
At least I don’t have to worry about him killing Sheshka, Thorn thought.
The Valenar and the medusa whirled in the darkness, blades singing, and Sheshka’s serpents hissed and spat as they struck at her foe. Thorn turned all of her attention to Toli. He was relentless, striking with both sword and shield. She was handicapped by her shorter reach and her desire not to kill him.
“A shame,” Toli snarled. His thrust missed her throat but grazed the side of her neck. “I wish I had more time to savor this, Nyrielle.”
Nyrielle? Thorn was hooded and masked, and she was dressed in the clothes of a Crag hunter. How could he—
The distraction cost her dearly. The world went white as Toli’s shield smashed into her face. She tried to leap back, out of range, but the world was spinning and her legs would barely hold her. Pain washed over her, and she felt the sickening sensation of steel grinding against her flesh and bone. His sword had pierced her right lung, and warm blood spread across her skin as he pulled the blade free. She fought against the pain as she dropped to one knee, trying to keep from fainting. She saw Toli’s white teeth gleaming in the darkness, his sword raised for another blow.
A rage built inside Thorn as she fought for control. She wasn’t going to die. Not like this. Not at the hands of a Brelish soldier. She had barely enough strength to lift her arm, but she grabbed at Toli’s chest, hooking her fingers into his chain mail shirt.
Toli screamed. For a moment, Thorn thought she was on fire; a burst of heat engulfed her hand and flowed up her arm. But it was more than heat; it was strength, a surge of energy. It swept over her body and the pain of her injured lung evaporated before it. All the while, Toli howled in agony.
He pulled free