TWENTY SIX: Unexpected Opponents

Kel took slow and careful steps as she neared Mr. Thomas's house.

A few minutes ago, she'd left Mr. Thomas behind with the horse and instructions to ride into the market for help if she didn't return within an hour or so.

The purpose of her instruction was to help the crippled man feel useful, but the both of them knew an hour was far too long to wait before getting help if Kel seriously ran into trouble.

Kel wasn't afraid, however. There was a chance that whichever trained soldiers were currently pillaging the small shack were better fighters than Kel, but she had a trump card up her sleeve.

Fortunately, she was undetected as she tiptoed across the desolate land surrounding the house on all sides.

It was strange, though. Without so much as a scraggly thorn bush to hide behind, Kel thought for sure she'd be seen by the men creating a ruckus inside.

Perhaps, these 'soldiers' weren't so trained after all.