Black Moon Draw

Down another stairwell, this one at least three stories tall. I always thought going down stairs was easier than up, but by the time I reach the landing at the bottom, my thighs hurt too badly for me to view any direction of stairs favorably.

It's then I hear it, a sound that pulls me out of my misery.

Metal-on-metal. Swords clashing.

Who the hell is fighting? I don't have the lung capacity to say the words aloud and hurry forward at a quick walk. My legs are rubber and heavy, a combination that renders them unsteady at best; I'm afraid to go any faster.

The sound grows louder. Torches light up a narrow stairwell of less than twenty steps, leading to what appears to be a balcony, like in a theatre. Clutching a wooden handrail, I make it up the stairs to see a single row of leather chairs surrounding a central banquet hall. The sword fight comes from below. From this angle, I can't see who's fighting. Before I can lean over the railing, someone takes my arm.

I jump and yank away, looking up into the Red Knight's face. "What're you doing here?" I whisper.

"My sister told me what happened. I came to reason with Shadow. I wandered the entire night in this forsaken place before stumbling upon this place." His gaze scours my features. "How did you find us?"

"I don't really know. The castle likes me," I reply. "Wait, who is us?" Peering around him, I spot two more forms in the shadows. "Oh. You brought them?"

"I brought your squire to assist me in negotiating with that brute. My sister's . . . bonded found me here."

My squire is on his feet, eyes wide and features hopeful. Westley, however, looks rough, like he's spent the night walking through the hold as well.

"Then who's down there?" I ask, starting towards the railing.

"Mayhap you should not watch," the Red Knight takes my arm.

I pull free and go to the railing, leaning over it.

Dancing atop rows of dusty tables are the Shadow Knight and the Desert Knight, both shirtless and sweating hard as they battle one another with swords and axes. The sight of Atreyu's body ensnares my gaze, and I lean farther, needing to catch a whiff of his intoxicating scent. My thoughts explode with images of our lovemaking from last night. And then it hits me.

I'm witnessing the final battle with Brown Sun Lake.

The one where the Shadow Knight is supposed to die.

"No, no, no!" Whirling, I dart for the stairs, ready to put a stop to this. We're doomed today anyway; I'm not going to watch him die.