Prologue
The wind shrieked and screamed like a wounded beast as the rain pounded the earth like a thousand arrows on armor, hitting it hard but not denting it at all. Thunder boomed out as blades of lightening ripped through the clouds. But none of this concerned the young girl. She took no notice of the pouring rain as it drenched her skin and tunic and threatened to blur her vision. She reached the edge of a deep river. She could find no way to ford it, and so she took the only alternative; swimming across. She struck out strongly, swimming swiftly and reaching the opposite bank in a short time. She didn't bother to shake the water loose, as the rain would only drench her again.
Looking back over her shoulder, the girl assured herself that she wasn't being followed. She had left no trace, and the others would find her gone in the morning. She smiled grimly. She wished she could see the faces of those oafs when they found her cell empty!
The girl pressed on, never tiring. She had been traveling all night. It would be dawn in three hours. She would lie low during the day and press on again at night. First to find a good hiding spot.
The girl followed the river, hoping to find a cave under some tree roots or hidden partly by water. She was lucky. A slight scoop out of the bank provided an excellent hiding spot. It was higher up and not as wet. When she climbed in, she was surprised to find it very dry! A thick curtain of lichen and moss covered the entrance. She would be safe here. Now she could catch a snooze.
The girl hadn't seen the dark shapes closing in on her as she climbed into the cave. She was unprepared for the sudden attack. A blade ripped through the curtain and a rough hand grabbed her by the throat. But the girl was strong. She angled her head down and bit the hand to the bone. It jerked back, and she heard a yowl of pain.
Scrambling out of the cave, the girl saw who was attacking her. Six guards had cornered her. The girl cursed inwardly. How did they find out she had gone so fast?
Three of the guards had bows, arrows notched to the string. But the girl's warrior blood was rising. She grinned, baring her teeth as she gave out a bloodcurdling roar, "Sssssssdeath!"
Leaping at the nearest archer, the girl ruined the possibility of a good shot and grabbed at his neck, using her massive strength the snap his neck. He fell dead, and the girl leaped at the others, dodging an arrow. She leaped at the next archer, wrenching an arrow from his quiver and digging it into his throat. She picked him up bodily and hurled him at the other archer. She quickly rushed to the downed archer and stomped on his neck, killing him.
Now the girl turned to the others. Her eyes were gleaming red now. She took a dagger from one of the dead bodies and then rushed at the three guards. One slashed at her with a large broadsword, but she ducked down and severed his leg at the knee. As he fell down screaming, she skewered him through the neck. Grabbing the sword from his dead hands, the young warrior girl wielded it expertly, showing no effort as she fought with a man's sword, one that even a strong boy might find difficult to wield.
The second guard rushed forward, his spear out. But the girl sliced through his spear and wrenched it from him, snapping it over his head and then slaying him with a slash across the chest. The remaining guard had drawn his dagger. He now ran up behind the girl, stabbing her in the side. Giving a roar, the girl whirled around, grabbing the guard by the side of the head and sinking her teeth into his throat, biting hard and deep as he squealed with agony. Then he was silenced as the sword pierced his torso, killing him instantly.
The girl thrust the body away, breathing hard as rain mixed with blood ran into her eyes. She was thrilled to be fighting again! She had been a warrior all her life, and now she was a free creature! Free to fight! She lifted her blood-smeared face and spread her arms out wide, laughing in pure exhilaration as rain beat hard upon her savage features.