"Karl Edward Wagner - Kane 01 - Darkness Weaves" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wagner Karl Edward)

narrow blade, smashed its guard aside, and chopped through the arm that held it. The horseman had
scarce time to realize his wound, before Kane's return slashed through his ribs.

Whirling about, Kane just met the charge of another horseman on his opposite flank. The swordsman
was good--Arbas's opinion of the Combine's cavalry was well justified--and it took all Kane's effort to
cope with the lighter blade. And now another cavalryman galloped up on Kane's other side--facing him
with death from two sides at once.

Seeing his new danger, Kane swiftly reached for the battle-axe at hand on his saddle. Instead of
attacking Kane's unprotected flank, the newcomer discovered too late--as had so many before him--that
Kane could use his right arm with almost the proficiency of his left. Risking all on one effort, Kane slung
the heavy axe around in one awful blow that no sword or shield could turn. The assailant was hurled from
his horse, his chest a torn ruin.

The momentary diversion proved nearly fatal to Kane. Wrenched off balance by the heavy axe, it was all
he could do to deflect a quick thrust from his other opponent. Knocked aside at the final instant, the
blade still slipped under Kane's guard to smash agonizingly into his side. The mail held true and stopped
the edge, but its force drove the chain links cutting and bruising into his flesh. Kane snarled in pain and
relentlessly forced the other back. The soldier's guard faltered under the strain, and Kane disabled him
with a cut to the shoulder. As the Lartroxian frantically sought to raise his crippled sword arm, Kane
thrust his blade through his unprotected abdomen.

Sending his steed hurtling over the dead, Kane recovered his axe and turned to the battle behind him.
Three of the Pellinites were down, including the man who had been hit during the ambush. Three of the
cavalrymen survived. One was engaged in a ringing interchange with Imel, who was bleeding from two
minor cuts on his arm and other shoulder. As Kane watched, Imel dispatched the man with a sudden
thrust to his heart. Arbas was occupied with another of the horsemen in a cat-like duel, but was slowly
getting the upper hand, The other Pellinite fought gamely with the remaining cavalryman in an uncertain
match that Imel decided by charging the unsuspecting soldier from behind and running him through.

With a sudden burst of desperate energy, the surviving soldier of the Combine forced Arbas back in his
saddle, then plunged his blade into the neck of the assassin's horse. Trumpeting in pain, the horse
crumpled, throwing Arbas heavily to the ground. Landing clear of the horse's flailing body, Arbas lay
dazed by the impact. He groped dully for his fallen sword. The soldier hurtled madly upon him, leaning
from his saddle to deliver the decapitating blow.

Kane's arm snapped forward. His flashing axe clove through the soldier's helmet and skull to bury its
razor edge in his chest.

Recovering quickly, Arbas lurched to his feet and seized the bridle of the riderless horse. Sword in hand,
he swung into the gore-spattered saddle. "Thanks! Are we even yet?"

"I'm one up on you at least," grunted Kane dourly "Four of us left? Better than we deserve. We may still
make it--if we don't run into any more trouble. Let's get out of here--Arbas, leave the bastard's ears on
his head!"

The assassin reluctantly abandoned his trophy. With a pounding of hooves the victors vanished into the
darkness as rain began to fall. Pushing their tired mounts to the fullest, they raced for the trail that led to
the cove. Trees flashed monotonously by in the drizzle, and mist grew deeper with the approach of dawn.
It seemed impossible that they would not miss the turn-off.