The Final Redemption by Michael Manning (little red riding hood ebook free .txt) 📕

Dorian wanted to run. Deep down hisheart screamed at him. This wasn’t right. It wasn’t the sort ofthing a knight, any knight, should ever ask of the people theyshould be protecting. “If I go out alone it will be less effective.A few people beside me will create a bigger impact, even if youcontribute almost nothing to the fight.” He looked down, ashamed.“You will be selling your lives for nothing more than the slightchance of improving the Princess and Lady Thornbear’s chances ofescape.”

The maid lifted her chin and raisedthe large carving knife in her hand, “Then I will join you, SirDorian. I have no children, and I would rather die a good deaththan risk rape and torture at their hands.” Her hands shook, buther eyes were clear.

No, please,said Dorian’s inner voice, but his mouthresponded according to his duty, “Then I will gladly fight besideyou. From this day, from this moment, for however long we bothshall live, I will call you my sister.” Tears were rolling down hischeeks.

Many of the remaining servants made asimilar choice, but five or six chose to remain. “I have a family,Sir Dorian,” said one of the manservants. “If there’s any chance Ican survive to take care of them, I have to take it.” Two of thelaundresses and a few of the kitchen staff nodded their heads inagreement. Once they had sorted themselves out, it appeared therewould be eight following him out the door, five men and threewomen.

Those who had decided to stay wouldreturn to their places, in hopes of avoiding being associated withthe Princess’ group, but before they left one of the women caughtDorian’s hand. “If I live through this, Sir, I will tell the taleto my children and grandchildren. No one will forget you,” she saidbefore kissing him on the cheek.

“Don’t remember me. Remember them,” hesaid, pointing at the ones who would follow him. “They have noreason to do this. I have spent my life staining my soul with othermen’s blood, but they do this for no reason other than protectingtheir princess.” He paused then before adding, “If you would sayanything, if I don’t survive—tell my wife and children that I lovethem. Ask them to forgive me for my absence.”

Ariadne spoke then, “You will live tofight on, Dorian.” She stopped, fearful of losing her calm. Raisingher head she told the others, “I need your names. When this isover, I will see to it that your families are notforgotten.”

She had no paper, but she listened andrepeated them to herself. Ariadne had an excellent memory, and shewasn’t the only one making mental notes.

The yard was full of men when theyopened the doors. Dorian stepped out cautiously at first, as thoughhe and the eight who followed him sought to avoid attention. Anumber of heads turned in their direction, but the enemy was slowto react—until Ariadne’s small group charged out after them. Thingssped up quickly after that.

The enemy officers were shouting attheir men, urging them to cut off the ‘escaping’ supporters of theprincess. Soldiers turned, and several groups rushed toward Dorianand his comrades.

Once the alarm had gone up, Dorian’ssmall crew charged forward. It was a gesture of ridiculousdefiance, a small group of nine rushing forward to attack thehundreds arrayed before them, but their purpose was fulfilled.Ariadne and her fellow ‘soldiers’ were lost within the press ofmercenaries that closed around them.

At first Dorian fought to protectthose who had followed him, but it was a hopeless cause. His allieswere lost within the first half a minute, swept away and cut down.Even Dorian might have been overwhelmed, but for his enchantedsword. Its blade cut through swords and shields alike, creating adeadly swath of destruction around him. The fight paused as the menaround him drew back, pushing against those behind them to avoidhis cuts.

In the space of that moment, a silenceappeared, to be filled by Andrew Tremont’s voice, rising above themercenaries. “Lay down your sword, Sir Knight. Can you not see thefutility of your actions here?” he shouted. “Surrender now and Iwill offer you mercy.”

Dorian Thornbear’s sanity had beenleft at the door, when he emerged. “Tremont!” he shouted inresponse. “I am coming for you, and I will not rest ‘til you havebeen treated to the King’s justice!”

Tremont laughed, still unable to seethe face of the man threatening him, but a few of those aroundDorian recognized his face, and a murmur of ‘Thornbear’ passedthrough the crowd. Many continued to back away as the Knight ofStone resumed his progress, walking slowly forward.

“Kill the fool!” commanded the duke,and those who still retained their will to fight pushed forwardpast their reluctant fellows. They surged in towardDorian.

Their concerted effort threatened tooverwhelm him, and Dorian felt a stabbing thrust break through thechain protecting his back as his forward motion slowed. It was asmall wound, hardly felt through the haze of adrenaline but hisinstincts told him that if he couldn’t break free of the press, hewould soon be dead.

Desperate, he did the one thing thathe and Cyhan had repeatedly cautioned Penny never to do. Bendinghis knees he leapt, using his strength to drive his heavy body upand over those striving to stop him. He soared, ten feet up andfifteen forward, landing behind those who had faced him and amongthose who were unprepared. His sudden change of position createdalarm and confusion as his new opponents struggled to move awayfrom him.

He never gave them the chance. Havingregained the initiative, he rushed forward, hacking and hewingbefore they could regain their organization. Dorian Thornbearroared, more demon than man in his heart now. Cutting and killing,he drove himself in the direction that he had heard AndrewTremont’s voice.

Men cried out in fear, and panic tookroot in the hearts of Tremont’s followers. Those with quickreflexes got out of his way, while Dorian’s sword cut down thosetoo slow to escape. A path opened before him, as those between himand his goal tried to flee. Andrew Tremont stood alone, abandonedby his bodyguards, some fifty feet ahead.

Dorian snarled, a dreadful smile onhis face, as he spotted his quarry. Nothing could