Conaan gave a small gasp as he looked down to the blade. It was bloodied, the red a deep colour of fresh, oxygenated blood, with pieces of flesh sticking off of it. He looked up, then met Alexander's eyes again.

Alexander slowly looked down too, just as blood spurted out of his lips. The blade had gone right through him, till it was a mere inch away from Conaan.

Conaan lifted his eyes as Alexander staggered, his breath hitched as he struggled to see through the blinding pain.

Both of them met Eleanor's eyes. They were wide with revenge, her hair clinging to the sweat that had run across her...