Free The Guardians (Book 2) by Dan O'Sullivan

bare footprints. He left his intended path, tied Leon’s reins to the low branch of a hoop pine and made his way back to where he had seen the footprints. He looked in the direction he had left his horse, to ensure he couldn’t see the animal through the trees and then he crept forward, looking apprehensively into the bushes and stopping every few paces to listen. Eventually he came to a place where the ground fell away sharply with thick bushes at the base of the depression, so he sat down on the ground and slid down, barely making a sound. He peered through the bushes and it was all he could do not to shout. He pushed himself violently backwards. His heart started to pound, and sweat and tears burst from his face as he scrambled up the slope. At the bottom of the depression and stretching out across a field were white bodies which appeared to be sleeping. They lay on the bare ground, uncovered and unmoving. Scattered amongst the sleeping bodies were numerous sentries, standing motionlessly watching the bodies and watching the surrounding bush land. He was trembling with shock and horror and it was all he could do to control his breathing as he slipped into the nearest thick bushes. He could barely believe they hadn’t noticed his hasty exit. In the very center of the field was a pile of human bodies, some with missing limbs. Even in such a brief instant, Dale recognized the clothing of King Dannicus and Duke Li. He had no doubt that if he was able to look further he would also find Princess Elizabeth. He felt shocked and sickened and his stomach churned. Tears of grief and anger poured down his face. The man and woman who had raised him after his own parents had been killed lay dead in a jumbled mess of human bodies, next to the King who had placed such faith in him. He wondered who all the other people were and why they had been killed and he leaned forward and vomited. He took out his water bag and washed his mouth, and then he vomited again. He dropped to his knees and cried silently. The sun slipped over the horizon and the sky darkened as he knelt inside the prickly bush. Depression threatened to overcome him and he leaned back against a branch, acknowledging that it was almost dark, which meant it would be far easier for these invaders to see him, than it would be for him to see them. He felt like screaming. He felt like taking his bow and striding into their nest and seeing how many he could take down before they killed him and added his body to the pile. He wondered for a moment what death would feel like and before he could stop himself he let out a half strangled cry.
    ‘ Dale?’ Dale fell sideways as a hand rested on his shoulder. Callian stood right behind him and the guardian’s face was a portrait of his own feelings. ‘You need to come with me,’ said Callian softly and Dale followed him miserably through the trees. They reached the place where Leon was patiently waiting and the tall guardian untied the animal and handed the reins to Dale, then he pointed west. Dale mounted and once again followed Callian, moving slowly in the darkness. Callian kept walking for hours before he stopped and gestured to a flattish area between some high boulders. ‘We’ll stay here tonight,’ he said.
    Dale unshouldered his bow and quiver and slid his pack from his back. His thoughts raced between the nauseas sight, the grief of losing loved ones, and the threat these people – these horrible, poisonous, enemies the Daoine Maithe called Stonefish - imposed on everything and everyone he knew and loved. His knees trembled and he dropped to the ground with his pack clutched to his chest and tears running down his face.  He said nothing as Callian took his pack, removed several blankets and stretched one out on the ground for him. Without objection, he crawled onto the blanket and pulled the other over his body. He lay staring up at the stars. His heart ached and his body trembled uncontrollably. The last thing he saw