The threat rang deep, but it didn’t scare Jack. He was a warrior, one who had survived battles against more than a thousand armies from different clans. His scars were proof of it, and if he were ever to die by another man’s sword, then he would die a warrior.
Jack shook his head. “A true warrior never dies without a fight.”
In the next second, his attacker came at him, and he moved swiftly, lifted his sword and clashed blades with him.
* * *
Isla knew she had to get away from the man holding her captive. He dragged her out of the tent and hid behind it. She could hear the drums and claps in the distance away while she struggled against the man.
No one would hear her if she screamed and even if anyone heard, no one would come. She could still hears sword clashing. Her heart went out to Jack and the thought of him getting wounded made her want to scream.
Be brave, Isla.
They reached a horse tied to a tree stump and the man started tying Isla’s hands with a rope. Isla closed her eyes and shoved her knee upward to hit him.
Luckily, she collided with his groin and his grip on her loosened.
She yelped as she broke free, dragged the dagger sheathed to his side, and stabbed him with it.
The man groaned, fell to the ground, and Isla froze for a second.
I killed someone;she panicked as she stared at the body on the ground. Shaking, she untied the reins, climbed the saddle, and kicked the horse to a start while hoping the man didn’t die.
She couldn’t stand the thought of being responsible for his death.
Isla galloped around the tent, with her heart pounding so loud, she could hear it beating against her rib cage.
Jack burst out of the tent at the same time she reached its front. He had blood on his face and hands.
The second he saw her; one man came out of the tent.
“Jack, watch out,” she yelled, but he already turned and slashed the man in two with his sword.
Jack hurried to the saddle, got on, then kicked the horse into a gallop.
“What just happened?” Isla asked in panic as they rode far away from the fair. Jack didn’t stop until they were out of Birlet Shallows and heading toward the bordering lands of a neighboring clan.
Jack finally stopped when they reached a small settlement. He found them an inn for the night and stabled his horse before taking her hand and leading her inside.
The inn was empty, Jack probably knew what he was doing as they marched in and met the woman seated at a table.
She looked up at him long and hard, then shook her head and rose to her feet.
The woman gave them a chamber without question, then returned after some minutes with a towel and water for them.
Isla accepted it at the door, and the woman walked away silently again.
“Where is this place?” she asked after handing over the towel to Jack. “Those men—”
“This is the Red Sparrows Inn. No one asks questions here, and anyone who sleeps here is either a spy or outcast. We are safe for the night, even if anyone comes in here to find us, the Sparrow willnae say a word.”
“Do you trust her that much? You do not know the woman,” she replied, and he saw her worry in the way her eyes dart around the chamber they were in.
“It is the safest place we can be tonight,” he told her. “The men who tried to attack me—”
Jack stopped and winced like he was in pain. He right hand moved to his side and Isla realized then that he was bleeding.
She covered her mouth, but her shock only lasted a second before she hurried to him. “You are wounded,” she cried out as she lifted his hand and saw a blood on his léine.