The Witch and The Warrior Read Online Free PDF

vaguely with his hand. “I honestly don’t believe she is anxious to see you.”
    â€œBring her to me,” commanded Robert, raising his sword, “or I will carve you into a dozen bloody pieces, MacDunn.”
    â€œYou know, Robert, I do find it a bit puzzling that you have not yet inquired about your dear niece’s welfare. A charming girl, that Isabella, despite her penchant for rather disagreeable threats. No doubt she gets that from you?” he suggested brightly, making it seem a compliment.
    â€œBring Gwendolyn to me, you mad fool!” snapped Robert. “Or I’ll splay you wide like a fish and pull out your—”
    â€œThere, now,” interrupted Alex, “you see what I mean?”
    â€œBy God, MacDunn, you’ve had your chance,” snarled Robert, drawing back his sword.
    â€œNow, that would not be prudent,” observed Alex, his own weapon still comfortably acting as a crutch. “Would it, Ned?”
    â€œNo,” agreed Ned, from his perch in the tree above him.
    Startled, Robert looked up.
    â€œYou know, I really don’t think you would enjoy having an arrow in your chest,” Alex remarked.
    â€œOr a sword in your belly,” said Cameron, appearing through the trees.
    â€œOr a dirk in your eye,” added Brodick, standing beside him.
    Robert hesitated. Realizing he had no choice, he threw his blade onto the ground.
    â€œI believe I’d like your dirk also,” said Alex. “I seem to have misplaced mine in the back of one of your warriors.”
    Robert scowled, then withdrew his dirk from his belt and tossed it beside his sword.
    â€œExcellent. Now, as you have no weapons, and as we were forced to kill the warriors you brought with you—”
    â€œYou couldn’t have killed them all,” objected Robert.
    â€œWell, I distinctly remember killing at least two,” Alex said. “What about you, Brodick?”
    â€œI killed two as well,” Brodick replied.
    â€œAnd I finished off three,” added Cameron, moving behind Robert. “How many did you kill, Ned?”
    â€œThree.”
    Alex counted on his fingers. “I believe that makes ten. How many warriors did you bring, Robert?” he asked curiously.
    Robert’s face was nearly crimson with rage. “Damn you, MacDunn! This means war!”
    â€œNow, don’t blame yourself,” soothed Alex. “After all, there were eleven of you, and eleven against four does seem like good odds. Listen, you’ve had a difficult day, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Have a good night’s rest, and things will seem far better in the morning.”
    â€œI’ve no intention of resting, you dull-witted clod!” Robert raved. “I may be your prisoner, but I intend to—”
    Cameron slammed the hilt of his sword on Robert’s head. Robert sighed and sank to the ground.
    â€œHe’ll sleep like a babe,” Cameron assured Alex.
    â€œGood. Tie him to a tree, just in case he wakens early,” instructed Alex, moving back toward the camp. “Maybe now we can finally get some sleep.”
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
    Gwendolyn searched the darkness, debating whether she should take her chances and try to escape with Isabella. The fighting seemed to have come to an end, but she wasn’t sure who had emerged the victor. A tall figure appeared through the trees. Moonlight washed over him as he stepped into the clearing, leaving no doubt that it was MacDunn’s enormous frame she beheld.
    His shirt was soaked in blood.
    â€œYou’re hurt,” she gasped, emerging from her hiding place with Isabella in tow.
    â€œI told you my father’s men would carve you open,” Isabella said with dark satisfaction. “I told you they would shred your flesh—”
    â€œBrodick, cut Isabella loose and bring her here,” ordered Alex brusquely.
    â€œWhy?” Isabella