Free Servant of the Serpent (Serpent's War Book 1) by Jason Halstead Page A

again and leaving her thighs, hips, and arms bruised from strikes against it.
    “Grandpa!” Allie yelped when she’d had enough.
    “I’m not your grandpa,” he barked at her and drove his wooden sword towards her side.
    She caught it with hers and held him at bay with a trembling arm. Her lips parted in a snarl that showed her clenching her teeth as she struggled. Sweat ran down her face.
    Bucknar rolled his sword over hers as he’d taught her and jerked his wrist and elbow up. Her sword went flying up and over her shoulder, barely missing her face. Bucknar lunged in and drove the rounded point of his wooden sword into her chest.
    Allie’s grunt was part scream and part air bursting from her chest. She fell back and hit the ground bottom first. Her upper back and head smacked next, causing her to bounce back up and catch herself on her hands and elbows.
    “I’m an opponent who knows it’s my life or yours,” Bucknar said. He rocked back and lowered his sword to his side. In seconds, it became a cane to help him walk. “Now get up and take this serious.”
    “You hurt me,” Allie whispered. She reached up to rub her chest. “That really hurt!”
    “I took it easy on you,” Bucknar growled.
    She clamped her mouth shut and glanced at Talwin. He was staring at her, but not at her face. His eyes were lower. She followed his gaze and saw her tunic was pulled up and left her midriff exposed. The rest of her tunic was soaked with her sweat and clinging to her chest. Her eyes narrowed. She’d thought Talwin was a friend. Someone she could rely on. Someone who cared about her.
    Her father was right. He was a boy. A boy who wanted a girl for what she could do for him—cook and clean and make babies. Her dad said most men never get past that. He’d also said he used to be that way too.
    Allie rolled onto her hip and then her hands and knees. She climbed to her feet and walked over to where her sword had fallen. She picked it up and swung it a few times, loosening up her muscles. “I’ll try harder,” she promised, her gaze focused on Talwin.
    “What about you?” Bucknar asked as he turned to give Talwin the evil eye. “Or do I need to beat you down too?”
    Talwin jumped. “No, sir! I’ll fight.”
    “Like you mean it,” Bucknar growled. “Like she’s not a she, but a bandit who’s already killed your dad and wants to steal your sister as soon as he’s done with you.”
    Talwin’s nostrils flared at the thought. He stiffened and caught the sword Bucknar tossed him. He nodded and turned Allie.
    “Now get her. Stop her,” Bucknar ordered.
    Talwin started forward and then hesitated when Allie charged him. She cried out and slammed her sword into his, knocking him back a half-step and leaving him confused and on the defensive.
    Two more strikes drove his sword down and to the side before she kicked her leg out and swept his left leg across. Talwin cried out and went down under the backhand slash that smashed her training sword into his shoulder and chest. He hit the ground hard enough to make Bucknar wince.
    Allie stood over him while Talwin rocked back and forth and finally managed to gasp in a fresh breath. He groaned and rolled away, but couldn’t get back to his feet. Talwin clutched his shoulder and began to breathe through clenched teeth. He blinked back the tears.
    “Saints, girl, you busted his arm,” Bucknar muttered. “Back up.”
    Bucknar knelt down and pushed Talwin’s hand away from his arm. He poked and squeezed, drawing gasps and cries from Talwin while he tested the injury. He frowned and shook his head before helping the pale-faced boy to his feet. “Go to Saint Leander’s shrine; they’ll do what they can.”
    “Can’t afford it,” Talwin whimpered.
    “Tell them I sent you. They sell faith and empty promises. Healing and a sling I’ll handle.”
    Talwin nodded and turned away. Allie stepped around Bucknar and in his way, causing him to flinch. “I’m sorry,” she said.