Read Drenai Series 05 - Waylander II: In the Realm of the Wolf for Free Online Page A

smiled. 'Draw your sword - and we'll see who suffers,' she told him. 
    'I do not fight girls,' he replied. 'I am seeking a man.' 
    'I know whom you seek, and why. But to get to him you must first pass me. And that will not be easy with your entrails hanging to your ankles.' Suddenly she leapt forward, the point of her blade stabbing towards his belly. He swayed aside, his arm flashing up and across, the back of his hand cannoning against her cheek. Miriel stumbled and fell, then rolled to her feet, her face burning from the slap. 
    The man moved to the right, slipping the thong from his green cloak and laying the garment over a fallen tree. 'Who taught you to lunge like that?' he asked. 'A farmer, perhaps? Or a herdsman? That is not a hoe you are holding. The thrust should always be disguised, and used following a riposte or counter.' He drew his own sword and advanced on her. Miriel did not wait for his attack, but moved in to meet him, thrusting again, this time at his face. He blocked the blow and spun on his heel, his shoulder thudding into her chest, hurling her from her feet. 
    She sprang up and rushed in, slashing the blade towards his neck. His own sword swept up, blocking the blow, but this time she spun and leapt, her booted foot cracking against his chin. She expected him to fall but he merely staggered, righted himself, and spat blood from his mouth. 'Good,' he said softly. 'Very good. Swift and in perfect balance. Perhaps there is something to you after all.' 
    'You'll never know,' she told him, launching an attack of blistering speed, aiming cuts and thrusts to face and body. Each one he blocked, and never once made the riposte. At last she fell back, confused and dismayed. She could not breach his defences, but what was more galling was that he made no attempt to breach hers. 
    'Why will you not fight me?' she asked him. 
    'Why should I?' 
    'I mean to kill you.' 
    'Do you have a reason for this hostility?' he enquired, the ugly gash of a mouth breaking into a smile. 
    'I know you, Morak. I know why you are here. That should be enough.' 
    'It would . . .' he started to say, but she attacked again, and this time he wasn't quite fast enough, her blade slicing past his face and cutting his earlobe. His fist lashed out and up, thundering against her chin. Half-stunned, Miriel lost her grip on her sword and fell to her knees. The newcomer's blade touched her neck. 'Enough of this nonsense,' he said, moving away from her and picking up his cloak. 
    Gathering her sword she faced him again. 'I will not let you pass,' she said grimly. 
    'You couldn't stop me,' he told her, 'but it was a game effort. Now where is Waylander?' She advanced again. 'Wait,' he said, sheathing his sword. 'I am not Morak. You understand me? I am not from the Guild.' 
    'I don't believe you,' she said, her blade now resting on his throat. 
    "Then believe this: had I wished to kill you I would have. You know that is true.' 
    'Who are you?' 
    'My name is Angel,' he answered, 'and a long time ago I was a friend to your family.' 
    'You are here to help us?' 
    'I don't fight other men's battles, girl. I came to warn him. I see now it was unnecessary.' 
    Slowly she lowered her sword. 'Why are they hunting him? He has harmed no one.' 
    He shrugged. 'Not for many a year, I'll grant you that, but he has many enemies. It is one of the drawbacks of an assassin's life. Did he teach you to use a sword?' 
    'Yes.' 
    'He ought to be ashamed of himself. Swordfighting is heart and mind in perfect harmony,' he said sternly. 'Did he not tell you that?' 
    'Yes he did,' she snapped. 
    'Ah, but like most women you only listen when it suits you. Yes, I can see that. Well, can you cook?' 
    Holding back her temper she gave her sweetest smile. 'I can. I can also embroider, knit, sew, and what else? Ah yes . . .' Her fist cracked against his chin. Standing alongside the fallen tree he had no time to move