Let me first wish a Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there, especially mine. As promised yesterday, here is an excerpt from “The Sapphire Crucible.” Enjoy.
Hugon turned toward the hearth to fetch the blistering tongs. A sudden crack was heard in the air and a long whip sliced though the jailor’s shirt and dug deeply in a diagonal pattern across his back. He yelped in pain and turned hurriedly. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was Linvin with whip in hand. “I told you no one puts leather to me and lives,” Linvin bellowed. “I will now fulfill that pledge.” “Grithinshield?” Hugon said as he stepped closer. “You were supposed to be dead by now.” “That is quite ironic when you think about it,” Linvin said as he stuck Hugon in the face with the whip. “Since it is now time for you to die.” Hugon felt his face and then pulled his hand away to reveal the effect of the last attack. His skin was slashed from forehead to chin and spewed blood with great intensity. “I should have killed you when I had the chance.” he yelled at his adversary. Normally Linvin would have laughed but instead chose a more serious tone as he responded, “No one ever said you were smart. It is time to see how you like your own treatment.” As Hugon closed, Linvin used his superior speed to stay out of reach. All the while he continued to whip the bully. The dark, gooey blood began to run down Hugon’s clothes. His face was particularly scarred. Every time Hugon would close the range, Linvin would create more distance. Again and again he lacerated the giant goblin. “If you think you are such a great warrior, then prove it and fight me fairly,” Hugon demanded as he guessed wrong once again on what area to defend on his body. Linvin felt no fear of his opponent and in truth, wanted nothing more than to finish the waste of flesh once and for all. Instead, he answered in a different way. “Why would I do that? It is much more enjoyable to fight you as you are,” Linvin echoed from Hugon’s statement when they first met. “Now, come get some, Boy.” The beating was unrelenting. After Hugon was clearly compromised Linvin caught the whip around his leg and pulled the jailor from his feet. Then Linvin took hold of a flail and began mercilessly pounding the giant goblin. The beating was ruthless and seemed like it would never relent. Then Linvin began to think more clearly. He did not have the luxury of time to waste on his unworthy opponent. His desire for vengeance had already caused him to squander precious moments punishing Hugon. He dropped the flail directly next to the goblin’s hand and walked away toward the far wall. As Linvin bent down to pick something up from the ground, Hugon grasped the flail and stumbled to his feet. Linvin’s back was turned and Hugon saw an opportunity. He reeled back to strike when Linvin turned around, expecting the attack, with a bag of salt in his hand. “Catch.” he cried as he tore open the sack and threw the salt across his opponent’s body. The white powder clung easily to the exposed blood. Hugon howled in a tone Linvin never heard before as he spun in circles, blinded by both pain and salt. The time had come for Linvin to end the affair. He stepped over to the hearth and removed a poker from the coals. Its point was a brilliant shade of white. He stomped over to Hugon and grasped his face with a single hand. It held the brute long enough for Linvin to effortlessly drive the molten shaft of metal completely through the thick torso of the vile creature. Hugon fell to the ground, having been stabbed through the heart. He would never move again. There was no time for Linvin to savor his victory. The key for Miri’s shackles was near the top wheel of the rack. He unlocked her only to find she was not conscious. Fearing the worst, Linvin listened for inhalation. With great relief he heard shallow breathing. He needed to get her to safety with all due haste.
No comments:
Post a Comment