Dagger to the Back

Loveday's dagger thudded into the enemy soldier's back. The man let out a guttural moan, dropping his sword where it clattered on the road.

Brenner didn't hesitate, stabbing him with his sword straight through the ribs.

The sword emerged from the soldier's back, thick dark blood oozing down the man's back from the two fatal wounds, before Loveday's horrified gaze.

The man sank to his knees and Brenner, his sword still impaling the soldier, looked with surprise at Loveday, who was standing close behind the fellow in the cottage door.

Brenner quickly withdrew his sword, and the soldier fell face-first onto the road, Loveday's dagger now exposed, quivering in his back.

Brenner's eyes widened at the realisation of what she had done.

"Thanks Loveday," he spoke seriously.

Looking at her face he realised there was no way she was reclaiming that dagger herself.

"Turn around," he ordered her.