Free Glass Swallow by Julia Golding

was disturbed.
    ‘Hush now, we don’t want them to know we’re ahead of them,’ said Peri soothingly.
    They clattered across the ford. Peri slid off Nutmeg and urged the horse to go on out of sight round the bend. There was a patch of grass there that he often grazed so Peri had no fear that he would wander too far.
    ‘Right, my beauty, time for you to earn your keep.’ Peri took the hood off the falcon. Rogue mantled his wings, a loose feather flying as he tried to escape, but his master had a firm hold on his jesses. ‘That’s perfect. Look as mean as you can, my crotchety friend.’ Shaking his head at his own foolish bravery for the sake of a stranger, Peri took a stance on the bank by the ford. He guessed that Krital would know that the bridge was in a terrible state and not wish to risk it laden down with spoils and a prisoner. Peri didn’t have to wait long before he heard hooves on the road. A stallion trotted around the bend, going slowly due to the uneven surface. He glimpsed a pale face surrounded by a mass of auburn curls; Krital’s muscular forearm was bound across the girl’s chest to keep her in place.
    ‘Hold!’ Peri held up the falcon. Rogue flapped his wings and screeched.
    Krital reined his horse to a standstill, fetlock-deep in the ford. ‘Master Scavenger, what do you want?’
    ‘Release the girl.’
    Krital laughed. ‘Why?’
    Peri let Rogue go. The bird pushed off from the gauntlet, flew low to skim Krital’s head, the down-draught of wings fluttering the girl’s hair. The bandit ducked. Peri took the rope from his belt and began to swing the lure in lazy loops over his head.
    ‘What are you doing?’ Krital watched the lure with suspicion.
    ‘Showing what will happen to your eyes if you do not do as I ask. It is illegal to take innocent people as bondsmen.’
    ‘And I care so much about the law?’ laughed Krital, but his gaze was glued to the revolving lure. ‘Besides, she’s not Magharnan, so she’s fair game, true? You’re a scavenger like me: you should understand.’
    ‘Not true, and I’m nothing like you,’ Peri replied quietly. He gave a shrill whistle and Rogue exploded out of the sky to snatch the meat. The falcon landed it on the ground and gave a shriek of triumph. ‘Think what my bird could do to your face, bandit.’
    ‘You can’t scare me with that,’ Krital said derisively, taking his hand off the girl to reach for his sword. ‘You’ll have to fight me if you want her. I’ve a trader who’ll pay good money for something a bit different.’
    Peri didn’t move an inch. ‘So be it.’ He held out his gauntlet. ‘Rogue!’
    The bird fluttered up to Peri’s arm, dragging the lure with him.
    Taking advantage of the distraction, the girl suddenly threw herself from the saddle, landing backwards in the river with a splash. The bundle she was clutching went flying. Scrambling to her feet, she ran for the bridge, fleeing both men, her only thought to get to cover and hide. Krital cursed, knowing that the wooden planks would not take the weight of his horse. He dismounted and ran after her, his long strides eating up the distance she had managed to put between them.
    ‘Get back here, girl, or I’ll beat you within an inch of your life!’ he yelled, making a lunge for her but coming away with a fistful of shawl.
    Peri had to think fast. He did not fancy his chances in a fight with Krital; he had to distract him.
    ‘Go!’ He released Rogue, directing him towards the stallion. Smelling the blood on the ambassador’s saddle, the falcon swooped, claws extended. Spooked, the horse reared and bolted, heading back down the path.
    Krital caught the girl in the middle of the bridge and shook her till her teeth rattled. The bridge groaned, a plank dropped into the stream and was quickly swept away by the current. The structure shuddered and slumped, water now running over the centre.
    ‘Krital—look to your horse!’ called Peri.
    The bandit spun round to see his