[Luke]

Head nestled on my lap, Psalm drifted asleep while I read to her. How adorable was that? She didn't wake up even as I carried her to her bed and tucked her in.

The next day, refreshed after an early breakfast, we prepared for another day's journey. Leaving Psalm and Shadow with the saddled horses, I excused myself to the outdoor privy. It occurred to me as I sat — we had no clear destination. But where could we go safe from my brother or Naamah?

Psalm's piercing scream jolted me from my thoughts.

Yanking my trousers up, I burst out of the wooden privy to find two scruffy men grabbing Psalm. She struggled, connecting a thrown elbow to one man's black-bearded chin. With a growl, he backhanded her across the face. She staggered, nearly falling. Shadow yipped and snarled at Psalm's attackers, nipping at their legs.

"Stop!" I yelled, breaking into a run. "Let her be!"

The first man sneered at me while the second threw Psalm face-down across his black horse, then jumped into the saddle. Our horses bolted away, when the man smacked them on the hindquarters and yelled. I sprinted, but could not reach the men before they galloped away with a protesting Psalm. As a final taunt, the first man turned his head and drew a tarnished long knife, pointing it at me threateningly as they disappeared over a hill in a cloud of dust.

Exasperated, I collapsed to my knees and put hands on my head. How could I have been so stupid as to leave Psalm unprotected like that?

I knew those men — mercenaries that Logan sometimes used for less-than-honorable covert tasks, which was another source of disagreement with my brother. They were grubby, bearded men with wild eyes, and the kind that make you desire a bath after meeting them. Logan must have sent them to recover Psalm.

With Shadow bounding at my side, I ran after the horses, splashing across the creek and through tall grass. Fortunately, my bay mare responded to my whistle and stopped her flight. My bow and quiver were still attached to the saddle.

I left the other two horses behind and galloped after Psalm, Shadow bounding along at my side. But upon reaching the hilltop, I saw no trace of the kidnappers. My heart pounded as I surveyed the brushy countryside. They had veered off the main road, but where?

Shadow pulled his ears back and whimpered while looking up at me with those big, dark eyes, which gave me an idea. I jumped off my horse and kneeled beside the black fox, rubbing behind his ears. "Where did Psalm go, Shadow? Can you find her? Find Psalm!"

Shadow shook his fur then took off, stopping now and then to sniff the air. I jumped on my horse to follow.

After a short distance along the main road heading south and back toward Kharse, Shadow abruptly stopped, sniffed the air, then turned west off the road, weaving through a copse of tall trees. Areas of soft soil revealed fresh horse prints. A slight smile creeped on to my lips — this might just work.

We splashed again across the creek, then turned to follow it downstream along a game trail. Shadow wound through brush and willows, stopping and starting with nose shifting back and forth. They couldn't be too far away.

Our pace slowed as the terrain became rockier and the thorny brush thicker. Still, Shadow kept on task, and periodically, I spotted horse tracks in muddy patches, confirming his tracking skills.

Upon coming to a rocky rise, I heard voices in the distance. After dismounting and snatching up my bow and quiver, I proceeded on foot. "Easy, Shadow," I whispered to the fox, who turned around to my voice. "Let's take this slow. We need to keep the advantage of surprise."

I retrieved my bow and quiver, then crept along the rise, coming to a pile of flood deposited drift wood. Peering between weathered branches, I spotted the two mercenaries in a level, sandy area near the creek. One hurriedly packed up a crude campsite while the other wrestled with an uncooperative Psalm. Anger sizzled in my gut as I watched him manhandle her. Shadow seemed to have a similar reaction, pulling back ears and emitting a low growl.

I fingered the long-knife sheathed at my waist. These men were trained killers, and I had little chance in a close blade fight. But my arrows gave me an advantage, allowing me to strike from a safer distance. I was an expert archer, having won several contests, but stationary targets differed from real men. Before, I wondered if I had the fortitude to kill another man, but with Psalm's life at risk, I knew I could.

Psalm thrashed about like a wildcat in a snare, even with hands tied behind her back. One man dragged her along by the arm. "Let me go!" she yelled through gritted teeth. Yanking her arm from his grasp, she turned and kicked him in the knee, making him yelp in pain.

"Damned wench!" the man spat while hopping on one foot.

Psalm turned to run, but the man was on her within three paces, tackling her face-down to the sandy ground with a grunt. She struggled, kicking at him again.

"Good for you, Psalm," I whispered under my breath, "but be careful." My mild-mannered Psalm was not always so mild-mannered.

The other man let out a laugh. "Can't handle a little blind woman?"

"This one kicks," the first man growled while holding Psalm down with a knee to her back.

The other man tossed a length of ratty rope. "Then tie her legs, dolt! Hogtie 'er if you hafta, but be quick about it."

My eyes scanned left and right as I devised a plan of attack. A row of willows at the water's edge would provide cover to get close enough for an accurate shot. I slid down and turned to Shadow as if the little beast would understand my words. "I have a plan, Shadow. First, we sneak closer along the creek, and then--"

Apparently, Shadow cared not for my plan. When Psalm cried out again, the black fox growled and leaped over the woodpile in a single bound, then sprinted toward his master.

"Not yet, Shadow!" I loud-whispered. But it was too late. "Very well," I huffed, "we do it your way."

Notching an arrow, I moved swiftly down the driftwood pile, then along the willows, using them to partially hide me.

The men jerked as Shadow reached them, yipping and snarling in rage. The fox feigned attack, then bounded back and forth as the men kicked at him, but staying just out of striking range.

"By the devil's bollocks," one man cursed as he kicked, "what possesses this creature?"

So consumed by Shadow's antics, the men did not see my approach. Perhaps by divine grace, this would work.

"Enough of this," the other man growled as he snatched up a crossbow from a saddle, cocked the bow, fixed a bolt, and took aim at Shadow. "Hold still, you damned beast."

"I think not!" I yelled.

Standing up straight, I drew back my bow. The man spun around to me, frozen in wide-eyed surprise. And before he raised his crossbow, I let fly my arrow, striking him in the side just below the ribs with a thunk. With a cry, he sunk down to the sandy ground. As the crossbow tumbled, it launched its bolt harmlessly across the sand.

Psalm yelped as the remaining bounty hunter yanked her up by the arm, then held her against himself with a rusty blade to her throat. Standing ten paces away, I drew back my bowstring, another arrow notched and ready to fire.

"Put down 'yer weapons prince, or I slit her neck!" he spat.

Allowing him to take Psalm and ultimately deliver her to Naamah was not an option. I glared and took a single step forward. "No."

The man's eyes widened again. Apparently, he did not expect that response. "I swear, I'll kill her!"

I knew Logan needed Psalm alive. "Can you imagine what the king would do to you if you killed her?" I took one more step forward. "Here's the deal. Let her go and you live. Spill a single drop of blood, and you die."

The man stepped back, dragging Psalm with him. The blade pressed tighter against her throat, creasing the skin. With one more step, and I took careful aim, sighting down the arrow. The bounty hunter used Psalm as a shield, but his head was exposed. I considered putting an arrow through his eye socket, but that was risky. As if reading my thoughts, Psalm subtly nodded.

But again, Shadow had a better plan.

With a snarl, the black fox went on the attack, leaping forward and biting down on the man's lower leg while pulling back. The man let out a curse and stumbled backwards, flailing the bitten leg, but Shadow held firm, shaking. When his grip loosened on Psalm, she twisted, slid out of his grasp, and dropped to the ground. That was the opening I needed, and I launched the arrow. It struck true, piercing between ribs and into his dark heart. With a last gasp, the man slumped down.

Throwing down my bow, I rushed to Psalm and picked her up in my arms, bringing her against my chest. "Are you alright, Psalm?"

"I am now," she whispered with a purr. After extending her lips to kiss my cheek, which left a pleasant tingle, she added, "Truly, you are my brave hero, Luke. What need have I of daring tales when I have you?"

For several moments, I held this wonderful woman, letting her closeness flood my soul with joy, and yet, trembling at what could have happened.

"Umm, Luke?"

"Yes?"

"Would you be so kind as to untie me?"

"Oh..." I grinned. "As long as you promise not to run away."

She giggled. "I promise."

Once freed, Psalm kneeled down and took a happy Shadow into her arms, ruffling fur. "And you, my little black beast, you are my hero as well."