Page 12 (1/2)

"Do you think I would believe one such as you?" Montiori asked scornfully

"Believe what you will I speak the truth"

"We shall see Melena! Attendthe men as they stepped aside to make way for their lord’s witch

Reyes stared at the woer than a child Though she was now old and bent, he could see she had once been a beauty Her hair, once golden, was now dull and streaked with gray Her skin rinkled and leathery, but her eyes still held the fire of youth

She stopped in front of Reyes, a cackle rising in her throat "I know you," she said, poking her finger in his chest "You look much like your father before you" Her hand curled around his biceps "Tall and strong, just like hi and sharp and she raked them down his chest, then turned and looked up at Montiori "You summoned me, my lord?"

"Before I take his head, I want to know if he speaks the truth"

With a nod, Melena turned her attention back to Reyes "The truth," she narled hand over his heart, her eyes burning into his "Do you speak the truth?"

Reyes clenched his hands as he stared at the witch who had cursed his father "My words are true," he replied "I have not defiled Shanara, nor will I"

The earth seemed to hold its breath as Melena stared into his eyes The horses stood quiet The birds stilled their songs

Melena withdrew her hand from Reyes’s chest "It is as he said," she adirl is as yet untouched"

Montiori’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword "So it ends," he said, and drew back his ar in the air She ran toward Reyes as though her feet had wings, throwing herself between her husband and her father "You will not hurt him!" she cried "You will not!"

"Get out of e "Get out of my way or you will be the first to die!"

Shanara lifted her head, exposing her throat "Then strikeShanara by the shoulder, Reyes thrust her behind hi to do with it"

"Indeed" Montiori lowered his sword "Long have I waited to add your pelt to that of your father’s Assuirl’s life"

"Reyes, no!"

"Be still, daughter!" Montiori said

"First let Shanara return to the keep," Reyes said, an unwanted note of pleading in his voice "It is hers now, by right of e"

With a shake of his head, Montiori laid his sword against Reyes’s throat once rabbed Shanara by the ar to bargain with, Reyes, only the choice to die as a wolf or as a man"

"Or not at all" The words, softly spoken, were uttered by Melena With a wave of her hand, the witch conjured a sword fro a step backward, Reyes caught the sword by the hilt, his gaze never leaving Montiori’s face

Montiori stared at Melena "Traitor!" he hissed, then, without warning, he lunged toward Reyes

Shanara ceased struggling against the man who held her, all her attention now centered on the twothe fact that her father was attired like a king and Reyes was startlingly nude, it ht have appeared co ofmetal filled the air, obscene in the stillness that had settled around the in his eyes as he drew first blood Confident of victory, he pressed his attack again and again

Reyes parried every thrust, his e fueled by the blood oozing fro else in all the world but his opponent It didn’t matter that Montiori was Shanara’s father, or that Shanara atching hiing his father’s death It was fitting, so the cloak lined with the thick black pelt that had belonged to Reyes’s father

With a cry, Reyes carried the attack to Montiori His blade slashed through the air, slicing Montiori’s left arain, his sword opening wounds in Montiori’s right thigh and side