He pushed his hargon hard. Its hooves pounded on the dirt and flames poured from its nostrils.
He pulled alongside the raider’s animal. He saw Honor’s hair had torn free from its tie and it covered her face in a golden cloud.
He reached over and yanked her off.
Her weight hit him hard enough to make him grunt, but he kept his arm wrapped around her and jerked her into his chest. Her arms clamped around him.
Colm slowed his hargon. It took some time, but finally the beast slowed to a walk.
Colm urged Honor’s face up. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
She held up her hand. Her knuckles were red. “Nothing I can’t fix.”
Any other woman he knew would be upset and hysterical after being snatched by a raider. Not Honor Brandall.
“I raced all this way to rescue you,” he said.
“Well, I was almost done rescuing myself.” She looked smug.
He fought back a smile.
“I just couldn’t get the damn hargon to slow down,” she added.
Colm wheeled his hargon around to head back to the others. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
She nodded, her hold on him easing. He felt a flash of disappointment as her arms slid away.
He helped her settle in front of him. With her snuggled in his arms, her round backside pressed to his stomach, he decided this wasn’t too bad either.
Honor fitted in his arms perfectly.
“I would prefer you avoid being kidnapped by raiders in the future,” he murmured to her.
“It isn’t on my To Do list.” She paused. “But thanks for coming after me, warrior.”
He smiled, feeling lighter than he had in a long time. “You’re welcome. Perhaps next time, you will leave me something to do.”
“Don’t hold your breath.”
His smile widened. “Now, how about we let your friends know you’re okay—” he saw them ahead now “—and return to the estate?”
“We’re on the same page, warrior.”
He raised a brow at the unfamiliar expression, but he understood her meaning. “You could ride back with me.” He slid his hand down to her waist.
She grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand away. “I don’t think so.” She arched her head back to look at him. “The last guy who rode with me didn’t enjoy it much.”
Colm tipped his head back and laughed. “Very well, little warrior.”
She sniffed. “I’m not little.”
Chapter Five
The sun was setting and the first of Markaria’s moons was on the rise when Colm’s group made it back to Kavon’s estate. Hooves clattered on the cobblestones and some of the Institute team looked exhausted.
Looking at Honor, sitting straight and tall on her hargon, you wouldn’t have guessed she’d made such a long journey and then, on top of that, fought off a band of raiders. Especially not with a skill Colm found breathtaking.
The strange droid moved behind them, carrying the escape pod. He glanced at it, still marveling that such a small thing could carry something far larger than itself.
As they pulled to a stop, a crowd came down the steps of Kavon’s house. Kavon and Aurina, Niklas and Nera, the young girl, Lala, and a bunch of others.
“Well done,” Niklas said. “A Terran escape pod.” The man hurried over to look at the artifact.
Kavon nodded and Colm returned his friend’s gesture.
“Any problems?” Kavon asked.
“Raiders. They won’t be a problem anymore.” Colm slid off his hargon and handed the reins to the waiting stable boy.
“Good work protecting our visitors.”
Colm shot him a small smile. “Actually, they did an admirable job of protecting themselves.” His gaze caught Honor’s. “Agent Brandall is a formidable fighter.”
Nik stood. “There’s an ID plate here. It was hidden under the slime.” The man smiled. “This pod is from the Valhalla.”
There was a small round of cheers.
Nik held up a hand. “It proves the Valhalla made it here, but we still have to find it.”
“And our scans don’t show anything ship-sized on the planet,” Nera said.
Nik nodded. “Tomorrow, Kavon is taking us to see the wreck of the Excalibur. Perhaps we’ll find more clues there.” He eyed the pod. “Or in here.”
Honor stepped forward. “There is another possibility. I’m no astro-archeologist, but I’m good at analyzing the facts. The Valhalla was clearly in trouble if they released an escape pod. Markaria has two moons. Could there be a chance the ship crash-landed on one of them?”
Colm’s gaze went up to the night sky. He could see the first of Markaria’s moons—Ansar—hanging in the sky. The smaller, Myrine, would follow shortly.