Lusam: The Dragon Mage Wars Book Two Read Online Free PDF Page B

way,” Skelly said coldly still holding out the strip of beef. Neala hated him, but she knew she must eat and drink to keep up her strength, in case she had a chance to run later, or even had to fight for her life at some point.
    “How am I supposed to eat that if my hands are still tied to this saddle?” she asked calmly. She didn't want to unnecessarily provoke him again and receive another bruise for her attitude, so she swallowed the hatred she felt for him this time before speaking. Skelly smiled at her as if reading her thoughts, but said nothing.
    He unfastened her horse from his and securely retied it to a stout tree branch, then released her hands from the saddle. Neala was glad to have the coarse rope removed from her wrists, as it had been chafing her for hours. She rubbed at the marks the rope had left behind, then reluctantly accepted the strip of dried beef from Skelly. He stood there staring up at Neala with an expectant look on his face. Neala knew the game he was playing, and knew she had to play along. If she didn't, it would probably be the last thing he would give her to eat or drink before they reached Stelgad, so swallowing her pride, and her true feelings for the man, she politely said, “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome,” Skelly replied barely hiding his look of joy at making her sing to his tune. She struggled to ignore her burning desire to kick him in the face as hard as she could, and wipe away the smug look he was wearing. Instead she took a long calming breath and forced a smile back onto her face.
    “May I have a drink of water please?” she asked amiably. Skelly's smug look slipped a little as he stood there searching her face for any sign of sarcasm, trying to determine if she were somehow playing him for a fool instead. Neala's heart sank as she struggled to maintain the neutral smile she wore, hoping she hadn't just lost her opportunity for a much needed drink of water. After a few moments hesitation Skelly held out the waterskin towards Neala, and she gratefully took it. It was the best drink of water she could ever remember. Before she could finish the whole waterskin Skelly snatched it back from her and re- stoppered it. “Thanks,” she said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Skelly only grunted a reply before re-securing her hands to the saddle and sitting down with his back to the large tree trunk.
    It was about half an hour before Skelly moved from his resting place against the tree trunk. He retied Neala's horse to his, unfastened his own horse, replaced his saddlebag, and once again they were under-way to Stelgad.
    Ten minutes later Neala could hear the distant sound of many horses galloping along the road behind them. She wasn't able to turn far enough in her saddle to get a good look, but what she could see made her heart skip a beat. Galloping at full speed towards them were a group of about a dozen men, all wearing black robes. Neala was about to say something to Skelly when she noticed him looking back at the fast approaching men. He pulled both of their horses over to the side of the road and quickly dismounted. Neala noticed him retrieve two small throwing knives from his belt as he put his horse between himself and the approaching men. She knew he was using her as bait, but she couldn't do anything about it tied to her saddle like she was.
    “Cut me free, I can help,” she said desperately. Skelly ignored her.
    Neala sat there feeling totally exposed on her horse, waiting for a sword or knife to pierce her back as the sound of the horses thundered towards them. She closed her eyes and held her breath, waiting for the inevitable pain that was about to assault her, and end her life. It didn't come. Instead the horses raced right past them, not even slowing down. There were no strange feelings of insects crawling inside their heads this time either, they simply ignored them completely. Neala's heart was pounding in her chest as she released the breath she