Ruad sat on his horse and watched the gate fall. He watched as horsemen streamed out of the gate, smashing through his forces. On they came, carving out a huge swathe in his men. His horse nervously stepped backwards.

“Men to me,” he shouted. “Attack!” In response to his voice the soldiers turned from running and began to support him.

As they attacked, he saw a vision that made him pull the reins and stop his horse. A white-haired girl, seated on a white stallion, her sword flashing. He stared, recognising Caer Omaith. His heart rose in him. Suddenly he wanted this woman, he had to have her. She would be the next queen of Sennol Uathach. It was the entitlement of a power-hungry tyrant that thought he owned everything.

Once again, he forced his horse forward. “Push, push,” he screamed, willing the soldiers on. But they didn’t seem to get any closer, his soldiers fell as they approached the woman. He beckoned one of his Generals to tell their men to help. Ruad pushed through the middle of his own soldiers with his horse, making a path for these fresh soldiers. He arrived between Devorgill and Caer Omaith and his soldiers formed a wedge pushing the enemy back.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

Caer Omaith was like a ferocious dragon. Her hair blazed like white fire in the rays of the first sun as it arose over the mountains. Her fighting technique was flawless. Any who came before her sword were effortlessly defeated in a few short sword strokes. None could get past her guard, she was unstoppable. Ruad wondered if she was cured of Amerghin’s poison, for this was not a sick woman.

His men had finally managed to push forward, his efforts to get them to divide Devorgill and Caer Omaith was working. They broke through the line of defenders and Caer Omaith and a small group of warriors were separated from the main battle front. Caer Omaith suddenly felt tired again and she fumbled for her medicine that was so essential to her now. She dropped it and it was trampled into the mud by her horse’s nervous hooves. She looked frantically for a way to escape back to the city, but there was none. Her mind quickly became cloudy, and her muscles became weak and refused to work. She slipped off the saddle to her feet, but her knees gave way and she collapsed, unseen by Tethra and those near her, but not by Ruad.