Silevethiel by Andi O'Connor Page A

the thin sheet of ice covering the snow. The warriors’ dark figures were just visible on the horizon. Laegon forced himself to clear his mind of Irewen and focus on the task at hand. He’d decided to make his stand as far away from the mouth of the cave as possible and took advantage of the coverage provided by one of the trees on the hill above the cave.
    Crouched in the snow, he studied the approaching figures, even more certain than before that there was something abnormal about the men. Though on foot, they moved through the deep snow almost as quickly as if they were on horseback. Nothing seemed to faze them. Not the cold. Not the wind. Not even the weight of their armour and weapons. They ran as surely and as easily as if they were bounding through an open field on a pleasant spring afternoon.
    Despite the enemy’s impressive speed, Laegon knew he had a few minutes before they were within the range of his bow. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he carefully expanded his Sight with the intent of examining the outer reaches of their minds. His senses were immediately ambushed by a demonic hatred so violent it knocked his breath away.
    He clutched his chest in sheer agony as an intense burning pain wracked his body. It was all he could do to keep himself from screaming. A faint nagging sensation told him to withdraw his Sight, but he found he no longer had the ability to do what was normally second nature to him. Spasms tormented his body. He fell to his side, completely unaware of Brégen calling his name.
    Suddenly the pain vanished. He felt Brégen’s familiar presence as the Guardian shielded him from whatever wicked being was present in the men.
    Panting, he pushed himself up from the snow. «Thank you, Brégen. I don’t...»
    «I do not know what it was either,» the lion admitted. «But I am now much more apprehensive about this upcoming battle than I was a few minutes ago.»
    «Aye. Even taken completely by surprise, twelve men should not have been a challenge for Drylenda and Zurland. They were both quick-witted and powerful. I could not understand why they were only able to eliminate five of their opponents. Now I know. These warriors are not mere humans.»
    The Guardian looked through Laegon’s eyes, carefully scrutinizing the intruders as they barreled through the snow. «Their pace has quickened,» Brégen noted. «They know you are waiting and are hungry for battle. They will be upon the cave sooner than we expected. Halthed will not reach you in time.»
    «I will take as many as I can with me when I fall.» There wasn’t a hint of fear in Laegon’s voice when it floated through his Guardian’s mind. The prince had resigned himself to his fate. As long as Irewen remained true to her promise, Dremond’s cave would protect her. She would live. That was all that mattered.
    «If you are going to abandon all of your faith in me so quickly,» Brégen interjected reproachfully, «I have a good mind to leave you to your own devices. If you go into this battle prepared to die, you will. Nothing I, or anyone else can do, will save you.»
    Laegon smiled. «You are quite right, my friend. Forgive me.»
    «If you live, I will,» the Guardian snorted. «Now, pull yourself together and have faith in your Guardians.»
    «Guardians?» Brégen’s use of the plural did not go unnoticed by the prince.
    «Aye. Both Drell and Silevethiel have generously agreed to lend you their aid.»
    «Well met, Prince Laegon.» The Dame’s soft purr resonated through Laegon’s mind. Immediately, he understood Irewen’s frustration at Silevethiel’s absence. He lost himself in the sweet purity of her voice. Even though his connection to either Guardian would never be as strong as it was with Brégen, Laegon suspected he would harbor the same disappointment as Irewen when both Silevethiel and Drell were no longer with him.
    «It is an honor, Dame Silevethiel and Guardian Drell,» Laegon answered after a time, finally finding his