Avalyne Series 02: The Easterling by Linda Thackeray Page A

and straight through the darkness, each piercing the hide and then flesh of their targets. The ogres cried out in outrage and closed the distance between themselves and the archer. However, Aeron stood his ground despite this, continuing to fire arrow upon arrow that met their mark deadly accuracy.
    In an effort to stop the barrage, one of the ogres flung their large hammers at the Prince and only then did he move, avoiding it with effortless grace as they charged him. Melia had yet to earn their notice because she had not used her crossbows. Instead, she shrank back into the darkness, allowing them to run past her so that she could approach them from behind. Once they were past, she ran to the fire where she picked up a burning log and threw it against one, hoping to draw the beast away so that the Prince need only deal with the other.
    In hindsight, perhaps it was not the wisest plan.
    When the creature turned its yellow eyes upon her and his mouth pulled back to reveal jagged teeth, Melia wondered what in the name of Spit was she thinking, provoking a creature that she had never before in her life fought. Reminding herself quickly that this was no different and certainly less perilous than shooting bolts at a Primordial, she promptly recalled that she had almost died fighting Syphia at Sanhael.
    Unfortunately, there was little time to debate the matter because the beast was coming straight for her. He moved surprisingly fast for a creature of such bulk and when he swung his hammer, she could hear the rush of air as she ducked beneath it. The wideness of the swing unbalanced him and he stumbled a little, letting the hammer drag him when it thudded against the ground.
    T aking advantage of his lapse, Melia dropped to her knees and slashed the dagger Aeron had given her against the ogre’s shin. Even though he was wearing guards, the dwarf sword cut through the armour and met flesh.  Screaming in fury, it lashed out at her suddenly, his meaty fist connecting with her chin and swatting her away like a fly.
    ‘ MELIA!’ She heard Aeron’s worried cry echo distantly through her ears. 
    All sound seemed to be muffled around her when she hit the dirt. However, self-preservation did not leave her disorientated for very long becaus e she saw the approach of the hammer once again, held firmly in the grip of its master. Eyes widening, she rolled as it slammed into the dirt where she had been lying, getting to her knees and remembering that the sword was still in her hand.
    The ogre already bleeding form the wounds on his legs and from the numerous arrows in his body, bellowed once more as another struck him in back, causing him to spasm. The beast arched, his hands clawing behind him in an effort to dislodge the painful object impaled in his back.
    Aeron’s gaze touched hers and she saw the relief in his eyes that she was alive until she noticed something even more pressing.
    ‘ Prince! Behind you!’ She warning in horror as the second ogre he had been fighting and was forced to abandon to save her, swung its shield against the Prince. The sound of metal made a terrible crack against bone and there and then, she knew that his ribs were broken. She saw him crumble to the ground as the ogre closed in to finish him off.
    Blind rage filled her and without thinking about she was doing until it was done, Melia flung the dagger Aeron gave her through the air, praying her aim was as good as she believed. With typical elven agility, Aeron darted from under the path of the ogre’s weapon and got to his feet. Even though she could see him favouring the right side of his body, he managed to unsheathe his sword and ready himself for a fight.
    Melia's dagger struck the ogre in the chest and distracted the foul creature long enough to allow Aeron the chance he needed to finish off the ogre. Wielding the broadsword with far more skill and ability by anyone as injured as he should have, Aeron raised the sword high and swung wide. Far sharper