Read Online Bunduki (Bunduki Series Book One) by J.T. Edson - Free Book Online Page B

in the pursuit.
    If the Protectress had been less
interested in the result of the chase, she might have forced the
issue. Elidor was her most prominent rival and Dryaka’s choice to
be her successor. As yet, they had not clashed but Charole knew
that it was only a matter of time before they must. However, she
intended to be the one who chose when, where and how it took place.
Believing herself to be the better swordswoman, she was determined
that they would be the weapons selected when the confrontation
happened. For the moment, she decided to forego the opportunity and
continued to stare across the chasm.
    Hearing the scream of the zebra,
followed by the crashes as it and its rider struck the ground, Dawn
threw a glance over her shoulder. One of her pursuers was down, but
the other showed no sign of stopping to help him.
    Striding along as fast as her legs
would carry her, the girl accepted that she could not hope to reach
the trees. Nor, if she kept running at that pace, would she be in
any condition to defend herself should the need arise—which it was
practically certain to do.
    With her bosom heaving and straining
at the dress’s fastenings as she sought to replenish her lungs,
Dawn halted and turned towards her pursuer. He was big, burly, very
muscular and had a surly, brutal face. Even with the extensive
knowledge of various forms of unarmed combat acquired during her
formative tomboy years and never forgotten, she doubted whether she
could fight him off with her bare hands. Nor was she enamored with
the idea of using her knife.
    That left her with the Ben Pearson
Marauder bow and its fiber glass arrows.
    Dawn felt considerable qualms
about the possibility of having to take another human being’s life.
Watching the man galloping closer, she forced herself to accept
that she
might not have any other choice. Nothing in his attitude,
particularly the way in which he had ignored his fallen companion,
suggested that he might be disposed towards mercy and compassion.
In fact, his whole demeanor implied exactly the opposite. If his
expression was any guide, he was already savoring the pleasures
which he felt sure would be his after he had made her a
captive.
    At that moment, the girl started to
experience a sensation similar to one she had felt when competing
before spectators in some athletic event. She was being watched and
not just by the burly pursuer, or even the rest of his party beyond
the chasm. Yet the man gave no indication of being aware of the
mysterious observers. Nor had Dawn seen anything of them during her
flight. Concluding, from the way they were keeping themselves
concealed, that she could not count on them to help her she knew
that she must deal with the man unaided.
    Lifting the butt of his lance from the
socket on the stirrup, Tomlu turned it forward instead of to the
rear. Although he had not received any advice or instructions, he
knew that Dryaka would want the girl taken alive and with as little
permanent injury as possible. That was understandable. The people
preferred active sacrifices for the Quagga God, such being more
entertaining to watch as the victims tried to escape or to make a
fight to save their lives. While a blow to the stomach with the
butt of the lance would render her helpless for long enough to let
him secure her, it would not seriously incapacitate her.
    Grimly setting her teeth, Dawn started
to raise the bow. While doing so, she did her best to control her
heavy breathing. The way it was causing her chest to heave, she
could not hope to do any accurate shooting. In fact, it might even
seriously impede her ability to handle the far from inconsiderable
draw weight of the powerful hunting bow.
    Being aware of the problems, the girl
watched the approaching rider. She sensed that she could not expect
to bluff or intimidate the burly man, but hoped he might recognize
the danger and keep his distance.
    The hope did not
materialize!
    The man was continuing to ride
straight at