Just as he stood up, Brand's sword wind swept across the four hooves of Anlek's warhorse, making the tall warhorse drop as all four legs broke simultaneously, causing it to roll forward onto the ground.
In mid-air, Makalu gasped. Only one word came to his mind: Sword Qi.
But before he could finish his thought, a beam of white light pierced through the air and entered his chest. Then a second beam struck his left shoulder, a third hit his abdomen, and finally, a fourth brushed past him. Makalu was so forcefully struck in mid-air that his body changed direction three times before being flung far away into the sand where he lay lifeless.
This sudden turn of events made the seven or eight riders around them pull their reins in unison, not because they were shocked by Makalu's death, but rather by that Sword Qi—Templar? The mercenaries changed their expressions, wondering who that fearsome young man might be.
"Nice shot," Brand sheathed his sword.
