Free Queen Of My Heart by Jordan Silver Page A

ahead at speed while we move in on foot. This way they will show themselves and be out in the open for our attack.”
     

Chapter 11
     
     
    Four of my best scouting men slid into the woods on foot as I set about doing as I’d said. “Do not worry Rhiannon, I will let nothing happen to you.” She seemed scared but was holding onto her composure nonetheless. With no care for our audience I pulled her to me and kissed her before going to tend my horse. If the men up ahead had us in their sights it would appear that we had stopped to tend him. I was sure that they would not give up their position by showing themselves so there was no fear of attack. By the time they realized it was a ruse it would be too late, as my men in the woods would’ve out flanked them. I would study the question of who and how later. Could be they were just a band of brigands and highwaymen, but if they were not and were my enemies instead then I would know that I had a traitor in the midst.
    As soon as we received the signal from my men a few minutes later, my remaining men and I sprang into action leaving the queen and her brother behind with their guard. Soon the air was rife with the sounds of battle as my men in the woods unleashed their bows in the enemy from behind. Since we had taken the element of surprise away from them and were at the ready as we rode towards them they were the ones who now found themselves caught in the middle.
    I recognized the colors immediately and swallowed the bitter taste of disappointment for now as I swung my sword from atop my steed. While half of my men dealt with the lesser men and the other half protected my back I made my way down the middle to the leader who was also well protected by his men. It was an act that left many stymied but one I found to be most affective. No king in battle went after the enemy without his men at his side, instead choosing to remain surrounded by his men.
    I knew that if I took out their leader the rest would scatter, it was a time-honored truth that had never failed me. With my attention focused solely on the head of the Torcs, I trusted my men to cover me as I cut my way through the melee. Clasping my horse with my thighs I drew my bow and sent two arrows flying in quick succession. One went through the neck and the other pierced his armor. As was to be expected at the fall of their leader the others started to flee but I had other ideas. I only needed one of them alive though so I gave my men orders to pursue and cut them down saving one alive.
     

 
    We rode a ways away from the battle site before I called a halt. “We will stay here I must see to the injured. Tie the prisoner and leave him I’ll deal with him later.” The men went about setting up camp as I went to see about the few who had been injured. Rhiannon surprised me when she brushed by me with a sack on her shoulder shouting orders to her ladies to make the men comfortable. “My lady we have someone here to tend to the wounded.”
    “I can be of help, let your man see to the more serious injuries and we will do what we can.” She seemed to know what she was about as she called for cloths and water. The men were set up on pallets in the open, as there had been no time to set up their tents as yet. I made the rounds checking our number to be sure that we had lost none in the little skirmish. Jason was at my heel asking me a thousand questions about the fighting, he seemed more excited than alarmed by the day’s happenings and it led me to contemplate something I’d barely given any thought to.
    I hadn’t quite decided what was to be done with the young man on arriving at my kingdom, but his new excitement gave me an idea. “You fancy being a soldier young Jason?”
    “Oh yes brother more than anything, but…” he looked down at the leg that was bent at an awkward angle and was the source of the limp that impaired his movement.
    “I’ve seen you fight Jason. I think with the right training we may make