She jerked the bed curtains aside and turned to face Blade.

The men facing Blade now did not give way before his charge, largely because they could not.

Facing Blade, who was no man's easy victim, was a different matter.

Others silently turned to face Blade, wasting none of the breath needed for fighting.

Just as it reached the edge it turned back to face Blade.

All the rest of the men who could stand stood in a rough half-circle facing Blade and their ship.

The leader whirled to face Blade, then charged straight at him, sword raised.

A quiver ran through the men facing Blade, and they began to draw to either side.

The man was off like a shot from a gun, and the two remaining warriors turned to face Blade.

The body faced Blade; the head looked away from him.