Free The Tomni'Tai Scroll (Book 1) by Sam Ferguson Page A

Kai’s skill evened things out and the two found themselves in a deadlock. They each drew gash for gash. Blood lined both of the fighters’ blades.
    Then finally, after long last, Kai delivered a crippling blow. His sword cut through Gildar’s quadriceps deep enough to render the muscle entirely useless. The Kuscan roared in agony as he dropped to his right knee. Kai looked down into Gildar’s eyes and sneered. The Ranger could end it now, but no, he wasn’t finished yet. Gildar was going to hurt.
    Another yell erupted from the Kuscan warrior as Kai thrust his blade through his left arm. Gildar dropped the sword from that hand instantly. Kai then sliced across Gildar’s right shoulder. The Kuscan winced and released the second sword also. Kai felt a surge of delight fill his soul as he watched the large man writhe in pain.
    Then, to Kai’s surprise Gildar summoned strength enough to rise to his feet. The Kuscan drew a knife with his right hand and tried to lash out, but Kai sidestepped the assault and drove his sword through Gildar’s heart. The giant man fell to the ground in a slump. His blood spilled out upon the street. Kai then came down with one final swipe of his sword on his enemy’s neck. Gildar’s head rolled away from his body as Kai rushed back into the building.
    He found his sister and Jenedina in the cellar, just as Gildar had said. He freed them from the large wooden crate and held them in his arms as they sobbed uncontrollably. Nobody said a word for a long time. The three of them huddled together in the cellar and hugged tightly. Finally, Kai urged them to their feet and explained that they had to go before the guards arrived. The two women nodded and wiped the tears from their battered faces.
    Kai led them out of the building and the trio disappeared into the darkness and escaped undetected. As they made their way back to Kai’s house, he realized that now his own life had taken a different road. He would not be able to return from this path. Not only would the city guard and the remaining survivors from the inn be hunting him, but so would the rangers.
    All of the Rangers, including Kai were trained experts in the sciences of investigation, stealth, and assassination. They were masters of the arts of death. Kai knew he had maybe one day before the Rangers would figure out that he had caused this scene of carnage. After that, it was simply a matter of how fast they could track him down and kill him. No one had ever escaped the Rangers before. Even though he himself was one of the best, he could not hope to defeat all eleven of them.  It was impossible. But it no longer mattered. The only thing that mattered now was getting his sister to safety.
    Kai would try to use his money to send Sebina and Jenedina away before he was caught. He had been saving his salary for the last twelve years in the hopes of relocating to Kobhir with his sister. He had never told her of his plans before, but now it would be impossible for them both to go.  He could, however, send her with Jenedina. He hoped that then at least his sister could have a new start. Kai mulled over the details as he escorted Jenedina and Sebina home.
    “Can I stay with the two of you tonight?” Jenedina asked when they reached Kai and Sebina’s house.
    “Yes,” Kai said softly as he opened the door and let them in. “That would be fine. Why don’t you both go and sit down by the hearth, I will make a fire to warm the house.” Kai closed the door behind them and locked it. The sound of the bolt scraping into place jolted the two women, and Jenedina started to cry. Kai sighed and shook his head helplessly. He walked over and quickly made a fire and beckoned the two to come over and sit on the floor nearby.
    “Thank you,” Sebina said. “I knew you would come for us.”
    Kai nodded and hugged her gently before getting up to find a blanket. He opened a small closet and pulled out a wool blanket big enough for the two women to share and