Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 5

accompanied by the rasp of metal against metal, the sound of a sword being unsheathed.
    "Good, keep it quick and quiet. My idiot father will blame the Pict for his precious son and heir's death. Go, now."
    Alex waited for the sound of footsteps to die away before he moved. Skirting round the inside of the wall he made his way passed the cattle byres as quickly and quietly as he could. All he could think was that he needed to get to Harald as soon as he could, that he had to save him. With Harald's own men under guard only he could stop Gunnar's plan, but he also knew he didn't have a chance of getting there before Ketil did.
    If Harald was killed his own fate was sealed. They would hold him responsible for Harald's death; if Siguard didn't kill him to avenge his son then Gunnar definitely would, probably on sight without an opportunity for the truth to come to light.
    The main room of the house was deserted when Alex reached it but the fire pits were still burning, giving just enough light to work by. He needed to find something, anything, he could use as a weapon, to stop Ketil. Searching the food preparation area he snatched up the sharpest knife he could find, the blade sharp but long and narrow. Staying in the shadow of the walls Alex made his way as quietly as he could towards the open bedroom door.
    It was darker in the bedroom. Sliding through the doorway, Alex could see only just make out the silhouette of Gunnar's man as he stood next to Harald's bed, his short sword raised ready to plunge down into Harald, who still slept under the blankets. Ketil's arm started to sweep downwards.
    "No!" Alex shouted as he rushed forwards. Surprised by the sudden intrusion, Ketil turned, his arm still raised. Alex lunged as he reached him, the knife blade thrusting deeply into the other man's unprotected armpit. Ketil roar was a mixture of pain, surprise and anger. Instinctively he moved to protect himself, the blade of the short sword plunging towards Alex's chest.
    Alex ducked away, but not quite fast enough. The blade cut deeply into his shoulder, the sting numbed by the blood that welled up onto his skin. Twisting his own knife as he pulled it back out of Ketil made the other man scream again.
    Both men knew they were fighting for their lives. Slashing wildly with the now bloodied blade Alex aimed for Ketil's eyes. Time seemed to slow down as the two fighters danced around each other. Adrenaline was coursing through Alex's body, his heart beating fast in his chest, its echo in his ears. His sole focus now was to somehow disarm the larger man.
    Ketil's eyes blazed with fury as he pressed forwards, the professional swing of the sword telling of years of practice. Alex found himself giving ground, although he could move faster his inexperience was showing, the most he'd done with a knife before this was to cut a steak. Only his own anger kept driving him. Always moving, he alternated between making sweeping arcs with the knife and thrusting short sharp jabs at Ketil.
    As he was forced further backwards he realised that he couldn't win this fight. Alex could feel himself starting to panic as Ketil changed tactics, his sword swinging down towards him. In a desperate move he ducked beneath the falling blade and lunged forwards, plunging the knife as hard as he could into the other man's groin. Ketil's scream was inhuman as he staggered backwards. Alex pulled his arm back, staggering slightly as he did. Still screaming Ketil stiffened suddenly, his eyes bulging, his short sword falling to the ground. The scream itself trailing off with a rasping gurgle as he slowly crumpled to the floor.
    Clasping the handle of the knife tightly in his hand Alex's stared at the fallen man in stunned disbelief, almost expecting him to rise again.
    "Alex." He jerked his head up at the sound of his own name. Harald stood on the other side of Ketil's body, completely naked, wild eyed and with his hair tossed untidily around his head; his own bloodied short sword in his hand.
    The two men stared at each other, their heavy breathing sounding loud in the room; the air thick with a heady mix of sweat and testosterone. Their eyes locked on each other. Harald's sword fell from his hand as he stalked towards Alex. Stepping over Ketil's remains he pushed Alex heavily against the wall. Harald's larger body covered Alex's, their mouths crashing together in a bruisingly hard kiss. The knife fell from Alex's hand as his arms came up around Harald's neck,