The assassin weaved around most of Solomon's jabs, but one connected. One was enough to provide an opening. The jab threw off the assassin's rhythm, giving Solomon the opportunity to line up the shot for the princess.

Meanwhile, Amalthea drew her bow and watched the fight unfold.
[i]It's all my fault,[/i] she told herself as the assassin came within a hair's breadth of killing her hero.
[i]It's all my fault,[/i] she thought as Solomon retreated step by step toward the bank of the stream.
[i]It's all my fault![/i]

She gritted her teeth. Her muscles tensed. Her grip on the bow wavered. [i]I have to make this count.[/i] Solomon and the assassin weaved back and forth on the grass. A jab here, a slice there, then a backstep. Twice they narrowly avoided tripping over roots and rocks in the earth. Amalthea's knuckles whitened. She couldn't make the shot. She'd risk hitting Solomon.

A sudden, but subtle, shift changed the flow of battle. The men stopped weaving around the battlefield. The princess had a clear line of fire.

[i]By the power vested in me, let my aim be true and my shot be deadly.[/i]

She let loose the arrow.

The flames of magic propelled it through the neck armor and carotid artery. The assassin dropped like a rock. The two still living got to their feet, swords drawn and itching for revenge, both of them just as skilled as the fallen one. Amalthea nocked another arrow, but the assassins wouldn't fall to the same trick twice. They charged past Solomon and straight for the princess instead. The moonlight glinted their blades.

Their swords cut through air. Their target had darted under their legs. Surprised, they glanced back to see Amalthea grab the fallen assassin's sword and level it at them. In their ignorance, they charged her again. Her eyes flared with newfound strength.

They locked blades with a master swordfighter.

Steel sang like a death bell when Amalthea struck back. She backed away toward Solomon and took a position at his side. "What do you say we keep fighting?"

Rose paled.
[i]Don't do it. Run.[/i]