Chapter 9 — Fight and Flight ; Part eleven

As soon as Kedemar’s and Dath’s swords hit the dirt, the Kathiran grinned savagely and drove his spear through Natalya’s back. Nat screamed in agony. Kedemar roared in anguish, snatching up his sword from the ground as the soldier let Nat fall to the ground, skewered on his spear. A knife arched out of nowhere, embedded itself in the soldier’s leg. He collapsed with a cry an instant before Kedemar’s sword took off his head. The torso slumped to the ground. Kedemar dropped his sword and fell to his knees beside Nat. She sobbed and gasped. “Kedemar, please— please help me!” She choked out through blood and tears, hand grasping Kedemar’s arm. Haeil ran up, another knife ready in his hand. Dath knelt beside Kedemar. The captain stifled a sob as he sought to stem the awful flow of blood pouring from Nat’s abdomen. “We have to break the spear and draw it out.” Dath said.