The Delta's Daughter Chapter 171

KELLEN

The opposing contenders began yelling something in a foreign language at each other. However, I didn’t need to understand their words. Their dark and malevolent eyes said it all, and the vicious and barbarous smirks they each wore told me they were going to go for the kill.

“This is it,” I heard Ajani say and I turned my head to look at him.

Without the need for words, we turned our backs on each other taking a fighting stance, weapons in hand at the ready. Standing back to back we had a better chance of fending off the opponents, they would not be able to come at us all at once otherwise they would end up striking each other.

I watched them as they circled us, waiting for them to make their move, the two on horses cantering in a wider circle. We didn’t have to wait long as the other four advanced, twirling or swinging their weapons.

The first clank of metal on metal came from behind me when Ajani blocked an attack. I had no time to look as two of the barbarians leaped towards me, one swinging an ax, the other a sword. I ducked and rolled out of the way of the heavy descending ax, only to meet the swing of a blade and managed to block it.

I was quick to my feet and managed to kick the legs from under one only to meet the bear shifter's heavy ax again as it came swinging towards my head. I swiveled to the side, avoiding the bite of the cold metal yet again. This time I was able to turn and stuck my sword deep into the side of the wolf attacking Ajani. I pulled it out quickly and turned back to my own two challengers.

The sound of hoofs beating on the dry dirt and the animals moved swiftly towards us, the shifters riding them swinging their flails, the spiked black ball on the end circling in the air faster and faster as they approached. Our challengers backed off as the two on horses advanced.

“Jump them,” I yelled quick instructions to Ajani, and right as they swung, both of their attempted blows missing us we launched ourselves onto the back of the horses as they passed. I brought my sword to the rider’s neck and sliced it quickly. The rider fell to the floor, clutching his open wound.

I hopped off the horse looking for Ajani and spotted him also dismounting the horse after killing the rider. We were on opposite sides of the arena and we began to move toward each other as the four remaining opponents closed in on us. The one I had stabbed moved slower than the others.

I picked up the flail the rider had dropped and rushed forward meeting the sword of a wolf. I was quicker and trained better. I block his attacks then when the opportunity presented itself I let the sword pierce through his leather attire, twisting my blade until he fell to the ground. I pulled my sword from his body and met one of the Bear shifters, The heavy ax slowing down his movements, yet I didn’t see the kick that came from behind me and I landed in the dirt face down. I rolled onto my back and cringed when the glint of a sword came hurtling towards my face.

I thought I was a goner until I saw Ajani whose blade had intercepted his, stopping the life-ending blow from connecting with my head.

“Thanks,” I said and quickly went to get to my feet when Ajani’s body stiffened over me. His deep brown eyes were wide with shock. He coughed once and the blood trickled from his mouth. “Ajani…” I went to call his name.

It was quick, with only the slightest sound of a whoosh as the blade cut through the air, a sickening sound of flesh separating pierced my ears and Ajani’s head fell from his neck, his body following and slumping to the ground as dead weight. The smell of his blood quickly reached my nose; the crimson liquid gushing from the stump on his shoulders as his head rolled between my legs.

Conri began to stir pushing forward.

For a split, second, shock overtook my senses as I started at my friend's head in utter denial until Conri, my wolf, surged forward again breaking me of my torpor.

There were still three of these barbarians ready to take another life. Two bear shifters and the lone wolf. I had no time to mourn my friend, no time to wallow in his death or even spare a second to think about him.

I regained my composure and quickly got to my feet, the three of them surrounding me. Each wearing a sinister smile, the bear shifters tapped the large axes in their palm and the wolf twirled his blade. I took a deep breath and felt the burning rage gather throughout my muscles, glancing briefly at Ajani’s dismembered head that lay only feet away from me.

Felt Conri’s presence and knew he wanted to shift, but couldn’t, his own temper flaring at the loss of our comrade. I felt my eyes come to life, their blue color glowing and narrowing. A primal growl left my throat and my wolf’s instincts began to take over, hungry for vengeance and for the taste of blood. Ajani was not pack but, he was a brother and a friend. Someone who had been with me from the beginning and I felt his loss deeply.

That loss is what drove me. ‘Kill, kill’ my wolf’s voice sounded repeatedly.

“ARGHOOH, ARGHOOH, ARGHOOH LIVE OR DIE WE FIGHT” The chant began “ARGHOOH, ARGHOOH, ARGHOOH LIVE OR DIE WE FIGHT” Their cups hitting the bars in a steady tempo with the words. “ARGHOOH, ARGHOOH, ARGHOOH LIVE OR DIE WE FIGHT” The beat of my heart slowed to match the rhythm as the crowd began to chant after them.

Like a war cry, I screamed out my frustration and made quick work of my steps. They swung their weapons and I ducked, weaved, dodged, and blocked. Sliding under their attacks, my sword met with a bear shifter's legs cutting them off, the steel of my blade easily and effortlessly slicing through the bone and dismembering him. I turned to the wolf shifter who looked scared now that there were only two left.