The Sign of Fear Read Free Page B

heavy around her legs.
    A burst of thunder exploded.
    Christina began to run. Her ankle gave way. She slammed to the ground.
    She tried to scramble to her feet. But she slipped on the muddy ground.
    A shrill scream rang out behind her.

Chapter
5

The Old World Britain, A.D. 50
    F ieran screamed until his throat felt raw. “Victory! Vic-tor-y!”
    I killed the Roman leader, he thought. Victory is ours! Fieran could feel the hot blood rushing through his veins. His heart pounded hard and fast.
    He held the head of the Roman leader high in the air. The Celtic soldiers surrounding Fieran cheered and whistled.
    All except Conn, Fieran noticed. Conn simply stared at Fieran with his cold blue eyes.
    He has always hated me, Fieran thought. Ever since we were children. He is never satisfied until he has something I do not. Sometimes Fieran wondered if Conn would pursue Brianna if he did not know that Fieran loved her.
    Conn should be happy I killed the Roman leader, Fieran thought. It means we are sure to win thisbattle. Instead he sulks because the others cheer for me.
    Fieran stared up at the Roman leader’s head. The ragged muscles of its neck dripped blood.
    The head of my enemy brings me power, Fieran thought. More power than Conn will ever have. I now have the power to do anything. Anything! I can marry Brianna. I can become the leader of my people. I can become chief.
    The battle is not yet over, Fieran reminded himself. First, we must drive the Roman invaders from our land—and make certain that not one comes back.
    â€œCelts! To me!” Fieran cried out. He gave the signal for the final charge.
    With a mighty roar, the Celts rushed forward. They met the soldiers of the Roman line head-to-head.
    The Romans appeared desperate. Good, Fieran thought. You laughed at us. When we made our first charge, you laughed because you thought we were barbarians. Easy to kill.
    You are not laughing any longer.
    Fieran made his charge. He waved the Roman head above him like a flag of victory.
    Behind him, he heard a savage battle cry. One of the Romans must have broken through our line! Fieran thought. They want the head back.
    No one will take it from me! No one! Fieran spun to face the attacking soldier, bringing his long sword up to protect his chest. “I am ready for you!” he cried.
    â€œAnd I am ready for you, Fieran.”
    What? Fieran lowered his sword slightly.
    Conn stood before him.
    â€œI warn you, Conn. Stay back. I do not want to kill you.”
    Conn smiled. “I am glad to hear you say that, Fieran. Because you are not going to kill me. I am going to kill you!”
    Conn charged, his sword aimed at Fieran’s chest.

Chapter
6

    F ieran leapt back. He slammed his sword down on Conn’s.
    Metal shrieked against metal.
    Fieran and Conn locked eyes. The cords in Conn’s neck stood out as he struggled to force Fieran’s sword down.
    Conn stood taller than Fieran and weighed more. Fieran had to use all his strength to keep Conn’s sword from slamming down on him. His sword arm began to tremble.
    Fieran dug his feet into the ground. He didn’t let Conn’s sword move an inch. But he couldn’t push it back.
    â€œYou hate to see me with such power, don’t you Conn?” Fieran demanded. “Accept it. From now on I will always be stronger. From now on I will always win.”
    â€œYou are weak.” Conn sneered. “You will never beable to control the power of the head. You will never be able to use it for our people—as I can.”
    Fieran’s arm shook. He hoped Conn could not see his sword jiggling. I have to do something now, he thought. In a contest of pure strength, Conn will win.
    Now. Fieran jerked his sword down—away from Conn’s. Conn’s sword fell forward. Fieran circled his sword up and around. He crashed it down on Conn’s before Conn had a chance to recover.
    Conn’s sword snapped in two.
    Conn stumbled, and