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that all was lost.  He could not face six men upon the open land that lie ahead of them and hope to win. 
    Kaichen climbed as if he had been born to do so and perhaps he had.  The people that lived upon the land of canyon, mesa and red rock and stone had long ago dwelled within the cavern walls. 
    Their legends said that the great waters had receded as the world gave birth to red rock and canyon floor, caverns and caves had been created which sheltered their people. Kaichen had climbed with ease from the time that he could first walk until now. 
    His skill only grew with time and he was able to position in a way that would be impossible for others.  His breath did not hitch in his chest and his body did not grow tired from the strain of holding his position as he braced one foot against a rock wall and the other behind him. 
    He did not feel fear over the sheer height of his position.  Height gave him the advantage and that was all that he had at his disposal. 
    A sigh escaped his chest, but even this was done with single-minded purpose.  Kaichen released his breath as he caught sight of his target.  It did not occur to him to feel thankful that he was not too late. 
    Emotion did not enter into his mind at all, not when the warrior’s blood that lived inside of him flooded through his body.  He decided to take out the lead warrior first and those closest to him next.
    Kaichen knew that the woman could be killed by his actions.  But he reasoned that if he did not act, she would certainly die. 
    He allowed his eyes to lose focus and then he called the target to him just as he had been trained.  If Azin could see his student in action then he would know only pride.  Kaichen let his arrow fly and quickly notched another. 
    His movements were smooth and fluid and he did not give in to the temptation to check that his targets had fallen.  Instead, he focused on the next man that would die.  He aimed for the largest part of their bodies as they walked forward.  
    The first three men took arrows directly to their chests.  The forth man moved out of place as he searched for the threat. But he was too late, Kaichen’s arrow found his throat. 
    The man gasped as he held both hands to the wound and stumbled forward.  Kaichen did not spare another arrow to ease the man’s suffering as he aimed at the fifth man.
    Kaichen’s hands were steady though he had just slaughtered four men.  The fifth man had his full attention.  The sixth man had run for cover even as the first arrows flew. 
    Kaichen saw that he had made a mistake. The man that he sought to kill held a knife to the girl’s throat as he turned to face the rock wall.  Even from this distance , Kaichen could see that the man sought to bargain for the girl’s life.  He did not hesitate.
    Kaichen let his arrow fly even as the young woman shifted out of the man’s grasp. The man screamed in agony as an arrow pierced his eye.  The woman’s hair whipped around them as his fingers tightened upon her arms and then fell loose. 
    Kaichen turned his attention to the sixth man. 
    Already the man had made it to the canyon wall and taken shelter.  The woman stood, frozen in place, as the men that had not died writhed in agony from their wounds.  Kaichen slid down from his exposed position and carefully descended the rock wall. 
    The woman had fallen to her knees and he glanced around as he searched for movement.  Somewhere nearby their enemy had taken cover and Kaichen did not think for a moment that they were out of danger. 
    “Get down! ” Kaichen yelled to the woman though she did not even glance his way. 
    It was possible that she did not understand his words or perhaps she simply did not hear him.  The man with the wound to his eye continued to scream in agony.  Kaichen threw his body over the woman just as a spear flew toward them. 
    “Will you come with me willingly?” He spoke to her even though she continued to stare with eyes that