It wasn't like the movies. There was no slow motion, no out-of-body experience-hardly enough time for Justin to think, let alone for his life to flash before his eyes. He raised his hands to surrender, but the man just smirked a little in amusement, then bared his teeth and lifted his broadsword like a butcher's cleaver. Justin tried to run, but he couldn't move.

It's... not a dream, he thought.

Suddenly, Justin saw Ahlund leap from his steed. He was too far away to make it to ...