On The Anvil Of War by Jason M. Green (the little red hen ebook .txt) 📖

saddle, and added on the speed in an attempt to keep up with Vega.

Vega saw that the soldiers had ridden down a hill towards a mine, which he knew had been closed down years ago after a cave-in, and he made his horse slow down. Ahead he saw the soldiers stop and dismount, as they realised their mistake. He slid back, as he moved Ebon forward and handed him the reins. "Hold on tight to Brand‘s reins, Ebon, and he’ll protect you," said Vega, as he leaned back until he rolled off the back of his horse. He landed on his feet, as Brand kept moving with Ebon on his back, and he rushed towards the soldiers with sword ready and a battle cry on his lips.

Krow stopped and signalled his men to do the same. He felt the vibrations lessen, as all of the horses stopped moving a few at a time. He whistled and Vega's horse obediently walked towards him. Gently, he lifted Ebon from the saddle and held him in his arms, as the boy began to ask questions.
"Everything will be fine. Your father will win this fight." He held Ebon tight and felt small hands gripping him equally tight. Krow did his best to cover the boy's eyes, so he would not see the slaughter that Krow knew Vega would now partake in.

Vega struck the first soldier he reached, and gutted him with a powerful slash that almost split the man in two. Vega, however, still took the time for a second slice to remove the soldier's head. As the first soldier fell, Vega rushed towards the next. His first attack was dodged, his second was blocked, and when he tried for a third he was struck in the face with the flat of a blade. He felt blood ooze from his mouth, but it only served to increase his already extraordinary rage. His vision clouded, as he launched his attack, and he kept striking long after his opponent was literally disarmed. He hacked apart the soldier with anger guiding each stroke, until he was brought back from his rage by Attilla yelling his name. As he realised what he was doing, his sword fell from his hand. Then as Attilla walked towards him, he dropped to his knees and wept uncontrollably.
Attilla kneeled in front of Vega, placed her hands on his strong shoulders, and pulled him close. "You must remember who you are now, and put behind you who you once were. This will pass as it did before."
Krow rode over and dismounted. He gripped Ebon close to his chest, as though he were his own child, and said, "He will be fine after he gets rid of his rage. I learned that many years ago."
Attilla nodded, though she only partially heard Krow's words. "I remember when this would happen, and those few times I witnessed it I was always scared of what he might do. Though, in truth, I thought this had ended when Ebon was born."
"You and Ebon were all he had and he thought you lost. That is what caused this rage,” said Krow with a sympathetic tone, as he lowered Ebon to the ground, but he waited until the boy managed to maintain his balance before releasing his grip.
Attilla whispered to her husband, as he rested his head on her shoulder, and she stopped acknowledging Krow‘s presence.
Sensing that Attilla didn’t want him around, Krow left them alone and went to speak with his warriors. "Who gave the order to ride?" he asked with a bit of amusement in his voice.
"I did." A muscular man of medium height, with olive skin and exotic features, stepped down from his horse. He sheathed his curved sword without looking down at his scabbard, as he walked over to Krow.
"And you are?" asked Krow.
With his head held high, the warrior replied, "Camoon Dovar, at your service."
"Why did you give the order to ride?"
"We are to follow you, and you told us to await your return on the hill. You came up one side of the hill and down the other, so I thought you would want us at your back."
Krow nodded. "A good reason, but I did not require your help. I will admit that your following probably ended the chase sooner than it would have ended had you not followed me." Krow walked away from Camoon and over towards Vega. He noticed that Vega had regained his natural state of being. "Vega, would you and your family like to join us? Our next destination is Drexell, and I’m sure that Ellix will give you a place to stay and anything else you might need."
Vega looked at Attilla and Ebon. "Would Ellix still have control of his city?"
"I doubt that anyone Anstrom hired would be willing to risk a full-scale assault on Drexell, so it would be the safest place for you since your home was put to the torch."
Attilla's eyes got wide and she stared at Vega. "Our home is gone?"
“It is.” Vega took Attilla's hand in his own. "There was nothing I could do to save it, even with Krow's help. I think it would be best to go with him to Drexell."
Attilla nodded in agreement. "Then we will go."
Ebon ran over to Krow, almost falling down in the process, and said, "Pick me up again, Uncle Bird. Pick me up, please."
Krow lifted Ebon up and put him on his shoulders. "Are you happy now?"
"Yes, Uncle Bird." Ebon giggled joyfully, as he looked at everything from high atop Krow's shoulders. Then he asked to be put down again, and once his feet were on the ground, he ran back over to his parents.
Krow smiled and quickly mounted his horse. Then he gave the order for everyone to mount up. Once that order was followed they set off for Drexell.
Imprint

Publication Date: 05-25-2009

All Rights Reserved