108 THE 19TH ACCOUNT: BECKFORTH VS. FRANCUA 10

Jacob narrowed his eyes. "She's NOT your betrothed. She's mine. You do not have any right to her," he stressed.

Eric laughed mockingly, "You're her betrothed? Since when?"

"Lord Richard gave us his blessing," Jacob replied.

Eric sneered. "Lord Richard is dead. Whatever he said is null and void. I will get Editha back," he responded. "I will not lose to you!"

"Over my dead body!" Jacob answered.

"That can be arranged! I will kill you today!" Eric declared.

"Such a lousy threat. You're the one who's outnumbered this time," Jacob said and signalled. One shot was fired and one of the five men dropped dead. I looked in the direction of where the shot came from and I was not mistaken. Lowen was in position to snipe.