Jalia in the North (Jalia - World of Jalon) Read Online Free Page B

have a care in the world. They closed the door, locking it securely behind them and went back to the Captain’s quarters above the city gates.
    Lying on the Captain’s table were the items they had taken from Daniel and Jalia. The pile consisted of their clothes, Daniel’s stained with dried blood, and their weapons.
    “I’m taking the sword and one of her daggers. Take whatever of the rest you want, Trant.” The Captain fitted the scabbards of the sword and dagger to opposing sides of his belt.
    The Sergeant picked up Daniel’s dagger and pulled the blade from its scabbard. The blade looked so sharp he felt it might cut the very air. Putting the blade back in its scabbard he fastened the dagger to his belt. He took Jalia’s other knife and fastened it inside his boot. He stood up and waited for orders from his Captain.
    “Take three men and search the Long Dungeon. Find the bitch and kill her. Find where she has hidden the man’s body and cut of its head to bring back for the King. Be as quick as you can, as who knows what the King might do in his current state of mind?”
    “And you, sir?”
    “I think I’ll take a few men and search the town. Some of the old fools think they can disobey us and a few public floggings much needed to restore discipline. The order from the King serves as a fine excuse.” The captain grinned at his subordinate who grinned back. “Meet me in the town when you are finished in the dungeon, I’m sure we can find some pretty girls to flog.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    The Captain rounded up a few guards to accompany him and they marched towards the inhabited part of the city. Much of the city was empty these days. Captain Haran had a particular target in mind, there was a man called Sandor Jant who had been asking for a beating for some time.
     
    Jant’s house was part of a terrace of houses in a narrow street. Captain Haran and his guards crowded around the front door before banging on it. They didn’t bother to send anyone around the back, because to flee the Kings Guard was to declare yourself guilty and was a one-way ticket to the Long Dungeon.
    Sandor fled through his back door trying to cling to a few more hours of life, but already resigned to his imminent death. Daniel and Jalia didn’t consider running and made their way to the upper floor where they peered out of the window above the front door.
    “Eight of them,” whispered Jalia. “I don’t think my ring will work, it feels exhausted. It will have to be a sword fight. You stay here and I’ll take them.”
    Daniel shook his head.
    “I don’t think so. We’ll go together. Let’s jump from the window and trap them between us in the alley. That way no one will escape to warn the rest of the guards.”
    Jalia sighed. “Daniel, I’ve been travelling with you for nearly two years and I’ve never seen you so much as touch a sword. You’ll not survive against professional soldiers with just a knife.” She had nearly lost him once today and here he was being male and stupid because men feel they have to protect women.
    “This is not a matter for discussion.” Daniel launched out of the window, going to the left. Jalia had no choice but to jump through the window before the element of surprise was lost.
    Daniel landed on a guard at the back of the group. The guard sprawled across the alley smashing his head against the cobbled stones. His sword was smashed from his hand and bounced down the street. Daniel scrambled after it.
    At the other end of the alley, Jalia knocked down two guards, who yelled in panic as her boots heading for their faces. Though driven to the ground they kept hold of their swords and staggered to their feet, ready to fight. Haran and the other guards milled around the door, unable to get enough space to swing their swords.
    Daniel picked up the guard’s sword and, crouching on the ground, spun on his heels, his sword sweeping an arc six inches above the cobbles. A man screamed as Daniel’s sword