They caught the sound of footfalls at the same moment, and both stood as a tall figure ran toward them, his blade in hand.
"Stop there, traitor," Sabre said, raising her sling. "Or I'll fell you before you take another step."
"The advantage of a missile weapon," Moria said.
"Exactly. And it appears he has enough experience with yours to respect mine."
"No, he'll only pretend he's listening, as he talks and distracts, and then creeps close enough to use his sword."
"I can hear you," Gavril called.
"Good," Moria said. "Then you can hear that I'm not under any duress, and you can presume that if our visitor was helping me escape, we'd be gone by now, not chatting like girls at a tea ceremony. Since I know you'll not stay where you are, you may approach half the distance, then lay down your sword and come closer."
"May I?"
"Only if you behave. And keep quiet. Otherwise, stay where you are."
"I think you forget who is-"
"-in charge here? No, Kitsune, I do not. I am in charge, because if you do not return with me, you will pay the price. That is why you've accommodated me so far and it's why you'll continue to do so now."
Sabre chuckled. Gavril stalked closer.
"Stop there, traitor," Sabre said, raising her sling. "Or I'll fell you before you take another step."
"The advantage of a missile weapon," Moria said.
"Exactly. And it appears he has enough experience with yours to respect mine."
"No, he'll only pretend he's listening, as he talks and distracts, and then creeps close enough to use his sword."
"I can hear you," Gavril called.
"Good," Moria said. "Then you can hear that I'm not under any duress, and you can presume that if our visitor was helping me escape, we'd be gone by now, not chatting like girls at a tea ceremony. Since I know you'll not stay where you are, you may approach half the distance, then lay down your sword and come closer."
"May I?"
"Only if you behave. And keep quiet. Otherwise, stay where you are."
"I think you forget who is-"
"-in charge here? No, Kitsune, I do not. I am in charge, because if you do not return with me, you will pay the price. That is why you've accommodated me so far and it's why you'll continue to do so now."
Sabre chuckled. Gavril stalked closer.
( Kelley Armstrong )
[ Forest of Ruin ]
www.QuoteSweet.com