The Enchanter of Rangel: Child of War Book 1 by Alonna Lissett Page A

shooting competition. Kept him in good shape just in case, just hope the only targets I’m shooting are old apples.”
                  Xander stayed quiet until the other men came in and began to pull out, wondering if they would have to fight the band that Sam was a part of, and wondering if Paddy or Rolle had died in the melee. The carriage pulled out with a guard of 8 riders beside them, Xander thought they didn’t look much swordsmen to him, but then again neither did the bandits.
                  The sun was at its highest point in the sky and the carriage was not attacked, thinking the bandits decided it wasn’t worth the trouble even if it did look like a Lady and her retinue. The horses were water and left to eat for an hour or so and then they were hitched back up. Xander and the other men stayed in the carriage much to his chagrin, as Xander loved being outdoors; he loved the sun on his face, the smell of the spring time flowers and the sounds various small animals make. Small animals, Xander listened but he could not hear any. It could be because him and the other men were in the area, but animals quickly go about their business if they determine you are not a predator and they are not on the menu. Xander had an eerie feeling in his stomach as the wagon started to move again.
                  “Jack I think we were being watched” Xander said as he peeked between his boards out of the window.
                  “Well the reason I am called “Old Jack” instead of “dead Jack” is because I never ignore my gut. I’ll tell the driver to watch out and send the signal to the other men.”
                  Xander watched as the signal was given and could see the men become more alert. Two more hours into their trip, Xander could see the sun was setting, but more importantly a sharp curve coming ahead. If he was planning an ambush it would be there where you could surprise someone. Xander told Jack so and he agreed, telling Xander that the signal had already been given to prepare for ambush. Xander felt foolish looking around the carriage as he could see everyone already had his hand on the arrow and placed it in their bow.
                  Xander could see the lead horsemen disappear around the bend and heard nothing. When the wagon got to the bend the trap was sprung as five men leapt out towards the front holding swords and at least that many leapt from the rear.
                  “Just give us those bitches you have hiding in the carriage and nobody will have to die” said a man Xander really couldn’t see from his position.
                  “This is the mayor of Valley along with her daughter. Clear the road or face the Queen’s justice, I will not ask you again” said one of the men from Valley whose name Xander did not know.
                  “So you wanna lay your life down for your precious masters eh? It makes no difference to us, we will kill you all here while our friends burn and sack that pitiful hovel you call a town” Xander could hear the man say.
                  “So then if I am hearing you right, you freely admit to wanting to kill the mayor of Valley, along with all the inhabitants of said town?” the man from Valley spoke.
                  “What are you dense, enough talk, it’s time for you all to meet your makers” said the bandit.
                  “Yes the time for talking has passed” said the man from Valley.
                  Just then Xander heard Jack let loose an arrow, soon he heard twangs all around him as the other archers let their arrows fly. The bandits started to loose men and stopped their advance on the carriage, but instead hugged the ground and attempted to crawl away. Xander put an arrow in the knee of his target, followed by a shot in the arm. Xander was sure the man wouldn’t die, but he also was sure his