Kingdom's Edge by Chuck Black

lied to them. You care only for power and control. You are not who the people think you are … I see what a truly evil leader you are.”
    Histen glared at me with eyes that spewed hatred like poison from a viper. His hand tightened around my neck, nearly closing off my air. I felt the rocks in the wall behind me press into my head and back.
    He leaned into my face. His handsome features were twisted into a gut-wrenching evil countenance. My vision started to blur, and my mind was beginning to fade. In my waning, I saw a vision of the Prince standing on the roof of the building across the alleyway.
    Death must not be far away
, I thought.
    â€œYou are right about one thing, peasant,” Histen said in a deep guttural voice that was nearly a whisper. “I am not who the people think I am.” I knew he wanted to kill me. Hate seemed to completely possess him. “I …” His grip tightened. “Am …” Tighter … I could not breathe now. “… Lucius!”
    His right hand revealed a dagger that would soon spill my blood. He pulled back to strike. From the corner of my eye, I saw one of the Shadow Warriors raise his sword to slay William, who was still facedown on the ground.
    This is the end
, I thought. I was to die at the hands of Lucius—the evil enemy of the Prince. In my final moments, the vision of the Prince seemed so real. His sword was drawn, and He beckoned me to … to … fight?
    The dagger started its deadly plunge toward my chest. Time nearly froze.
    I could not fail the Prince and die such a feeble death. He had trained me for this very fight—a fight against the evil one.
    The dagger flashed closer.
    Maybe I would die, but only after exhausting every fiber of strength and will in my body.
    Yes, my Prince, I will fight … fight for You!
    The dagger was nearing its target—my heart. With all my strength and speed, I swept my left forearm across my chest to deflect the dagger, now only inches from my chest, and simultaneously turned my body. It was just enough—the dagger skinned my left shoulder and struck the rocks behind me.
    My body was turned slightly to the left, and my right hand found the hilt of my sword in an instant. I heard Lucius curse and recoil for another strike, but I beat him to it. My left hand joined my right at my sword as I partially withdrew it from the scabbard with great force. My fisted hands and the hilt of my sword struck Lucius’s stomach. His suffocating grip on my neck was immediately broken as he doubled over from the blow.
    â€œMove, William!”
I shouted as I saw the blade of the Shadow Warrior descend on him. William rolled with the speed of a panther. The sword missed him and hit the ground with tremendous force. A shower of sparks flew in all directions.
    There was a moment of chaos that allowed me to spring toward William. My sword was now fully drawn, and I lunged at the Shadow Warrior who was making another strike as William tried to scramble to his feet. My sword found its mark, and the Shadow Warrior collapsed in an instant.
    Lucius tried to give orders, but the air had left his lungs; he could only gesture toward us.
    William was now on his feet with his sword drawn. We were side by side and ready to fight, though I knew this fight would be our last. The three remaining Shadow Warriors advanced quickly—then hesitated, looking past us at something approaching from behind. I did not dare turn around and see what it was.
    â€œGood afternoon, gentlemen,” came Rob’s familiar voice from my right. “It looks like you are in need of some assistance.”
    Rob joined to my right and Barrett to William’s left.
    â€œWe will fight for the Prince and for our brothers,” Barrett said.
    Our brief moment of relief quickly transformed into the seriousness of battle with our brothers in arms. Rob and Barrett joined us either to save us or