Sir Gayan Kay and the Knights of the Sacrifice drew their broadswords as Jaim Grymauch bore down upon them. Gayan swung towards the cathedral guards. ‘Light the pyre!’ he bellowed. Neither of the men moved. Gayan ran towards them, wrenching a torch from the first guard and tossing it to the wood. Flames flickered immediately.
That you should not have done,’ said Jaim Grymauch, tossing aside his quarterstaff and ripping away his hooded cloak. Reaching up he curled his hand around the massive hilt of the glave hanging between his shoulders. With one wrench he swept the fifty-two-inch blade from its scabbard. Two of the armoured knights rushed him.
The glave swept up. Then slashed down, striking the metal neck guard of the first knight. The plates parted. One snapped off and flew into the air. Beneath the plates the knight was wearing chain mail. It prevented the glave from cutting into his skin – but not the terrible force of the blow smashing his neck into shards. Even as the knight’s dead body was toppling towards the flagstones Jaim’s giant sword hammered into the breastplate of the second knight. The man grunted as the metal clove inwards, snapping three of his ribs. He fell to his knees, and did not see the next terrible stroke that burst through his helm, splitting his skull. The third of the knights advanced more cautiously, followed in by Sir Gayan Kay.
Grymauch, in no mood for caution, charged them both. Blocking Gayan Kay’s sword Grymauch spun and shoulder-charged the other knight. The man fell heavily, then struggled to rise. Jaim’s sword hammered into his helm, ripping away his visor. The force of the blow hurled the knight to the ground unconscious. Gayan Kay hefted his broadsword and launched a murderous cut towards Grymauch’s head.
Grymauch ducked, then thrust his sword like a lance into Gayan Kay’s belly. Chain mail once more prevented the blade from piercing flesh, but the pain of the blow was indescribable. Gayan Kay screamed and dropped his sword. Grymauch let go of the glave and stepped in, grabbing the knight by his throat. ‘Burn my Maev would you?’ he said. Then he dragged the terrified knight towards the burning pyre, lifted him from his feet, and hurled him head first into the blaze. The force of the throw scattered burning kindling around the base, and plunged Gayan Kay deep into the pyre.
Gathering his sword Grymauch ran to the scaffold steps and climbed through the swirling smoke. Maev was almost unconscious as Jaim cut her free. Sheathing his sword he lifted her into his arms and, flames licking at his boots, ran along the narrow platform and back to the steps. The crowd were cheering at the top of their voices now.
Maev’s eyes opened and she stared up into Grymauch’s ugly face. He grinned down at her. ‘You think I’d let them kill my woman?’ he asked.
‘I’m not your woman, you lummox!’ she said.
The flames had really caught now, and the heat was intense. Jaim carried Maev to the cathedral steps, then faltered, looking around. ‘Well?’ asked Maev. ‘What is your plan?’
He shrugged. ‘Don’t know. Never expected to get this far.’
‘Put me down, you idiot. I can walk. We should go through the cathedral. There are stables at the rear of the Holy Court.’ Jaim lowered her to the ground.
Galliott had regained his senses, and rose unsteadily. He saw the giant highlander holding Maev Ring, and deep down he was glad. His ten men were still on the ground, some holding their heads, others groggy from the beating. Jaim and Maev began to walk towards the cathedral doors.
Suddenly there was a commotion in the crowd, and some of his musketeers pushed through. Seeing the sprawled bodies, and the highlander with the sword, they raised their weapons. Time slowed in that instant. Galliott saw Jaim Grymauch turn his back on the musketeers, hauling Maev Ring into a protective embrace and shielding her with his body.
Taybard Jaekel ran from the crowd, throwing himself at the musketeers, knocking aside one of the weapons, and cannoning into several of the other men. In the same moment Galliott shouted at the top of his voice: ‘Don’t shoot!’ But it came too late. Five of the guns boomed, the sound crashing like thunder. Galliott ran at the musketeers. ‘No firing!’ he bellowed. ‘Cease fire!’ The men lowered the weapons. Taybard Jaekel struggled to his feet and swung to look at Jaim Grymauch.