Drenai Saga 01 - Legend Read Online Free PDF Page A

had been dreading this moment, for there was no defense but flight. Her gaze flickered from man to man. Take the tall one first, forget about the other, and hope his first thrust is not mortal.
Maybe
she could take them both with her.
    The tall one moved to the left while his comrade crossed to the right. At that moment Rek loosed a shaft at the tall outlaw’s back that lanced through his left calf. Swiftly he notched a second arrow as the bewildered man spun around, saw Rek, and hobbled toward him, screaming hatred.
    Rek drew back the string until it touched his cheek, locked his left arm, and loosed the shaft.
    This time the aim was slightly better. He had been aiming for the chest—the largest target—but the arrow was high, and now the outlaw lay on his back, the black shaft jutting from his forehead and blood bubbling to the snow.
    “You took your time getting involved,” said the girl coolly, stepping across the body of the third outlaw and wiping her slender blade on his shirt.
    Rek tore his eyes from the face of the man he had killed.
    “I just saved your life,” he said, checking an angry retort.
    She was tall and well built, almost mannish, Rek thought, her hair long and mousy blond, unkempt. Her eyes were blue and deep-set beneath thick dark brows that indicated an uncertain temper. Her figure was disguised by the silver steel mail shirt and bronze shoulder pads; her legs were encased in shapeless green woolen trews laced to the thigh with leather straps.
    “Well, what are you staring at?” she demanded. “Never seen a woman before?”
    “Well, that answers the first question,” he said.
    “What does that mean?”
    “You’re a woman.”
    “Oh, very dry!” She retrieved a sheepskin jerkin from beneath the tree, dusting off the snow, and slipping it on. It did nothing to enhance her appearance, thought Rek.
    “They attacked me,” she said. “Killed my horse, the bastards! Where’s your horse?”
    “Your gratitude overwhelms me,” said Rek, an edge of anger in his voice. “Those are Reinard’s men.”
    “Really? Friend of yours, is he?”
    “Not exactly. But if he knew what I had done, he would roast my eyes on a fire and serve them to me as an appetizer.”
    “All right, I appreciate your point. I’m extremely grateful. Now, where’s your horse?”
    Rek ignored her, gritting his teeth against his anger. He walked to the dead outlaw and dragged his arrows clear, wiping them on the man’s jerkin. Then he methodically searched the pockets of all three. Seven silver coins and several gold rings the richer, he then returned to the girl.
    “My horse has one saddle. I ride it,” he said icily. “I’ve done about all I want to do for you. You’re on your own now.”
    “Damned chivalrous of you,” she said.
    “Chivalry isn’t my strong point,” he said, turning away.
    “Neither is marksmanship,” she retorted.
    “What?”
    “You were aiming for his back from twenty paces, and you hit his leg. It’s because you closed one eye, ruined your perspective.”
    “Thanks for the archery instruction. Good luck!”
    “Wait!” she said. He turned. “I need your horse.”
    “So do I.”
    “I will pay you.”
    “He’s not for sale.”
    “All right. Then I will pay you to take me to where I can buy a horse.”
    “How much?” he asked.
    “One golden Raq.”
    “Five,” he said.
    “I could buy three horses for that,” she stormed.
    “It’s a seller’s market,” he retorted.
    “Two, and that’s final.”
    “Three.”
    “All right, three. Now, where’s your horse?”
    “First the money, my lady.” He held out a hand. Her blue eyes were frosty as she removed the coins from a leather pouch and placed them in his palm. “My name is Regnak, Rek to my friends,” he said.
    “That’s of no interest to me,” she assured him.

3
    T hey rode in a silence as frosty as the weather, the tall girl behind Rek in the saddle. He resisted the urge to spur the horse on at speed despite