Elypsa sat on a rock, blowing into her hands. She lifted her lips into full view, and the calling came to a stop. She tossed back her cotton-white hair, slid from the stone onto her feet, and patted the swords on her sensuous hips.
Tilting her head to one side, she approached. “Are you ready for a rematch?”
“I’m ready for anything.”
She started to circle him. “I can see you are ready for me, but too bad for you, your friends aren’t ready for what’s coming after them. By the time we’re finished fighting, they’ll all be dead.”
“What’re you talking about, Elypsa?”
Chongo stopped snarling at Elypsa and started barking upward.
A muscular brute appeared on a ledge that looked over them. It carried a heavy sword and was built like an armored cat. It was a vicious, but different. Its build was more powerful than the others Venir had faced. It drew its sword from its back and hopped down to their level, barring the passage that would lead Venir back to Kam and Erin.
“I know you’re a match for me,” she said. She pointed her lips at the vicious. “But I know you’re no match for me and him.”
Venir pulled Brool down in front of him. “You can bet your black arse I am.”
CHAPTER 22
Frothing at the mouth and with his sullen eyes glazed over, Brak made a bead straight into the heart of the city.
“This should be entertaining,” Jarla said.
“You have to stop him, Fogle,” Jubilee added. She jerked on his robes. “I know you can do it.”
“I almost died the last time I stopped him. I won’t be trying it again anytime soon.” Fogle moved in after Brak. “But we can at least give those people some warning.”
“I think it’s too late for that.” Jarla’s dark-blue eyes radiated excitement. “The Two-Ten Defenders are coming.”
Looking at Jarla, Fogle said, “The what?” He turned and spied the soldiers closing in on Brak. It was a group of pure orcs in piecemeal armor who were armed to the teeth. Each of them wore a solid black skullcap with a red eye painted on the top and an old gold-and-red sash tied around their waist. One looked just as rugged as the other, and there were many. “Is that the Two-Ten Army?”
“No, just another version of the city watch from the fairer cities. Usually they don’t send greeting parties, but seeing how things are, I can only assume the inbred Royals of this slat hole are taking more precautions.” Jarla laughed. “They’re so ignorant.”
The defenders were many. The tallest of them―a grizzly orc with a barrel chest and a potbelly―held his spear up high and shouted out an order. “Halt, stranger. No one passes without permission from the Two-Ten Defenders!”
The closer Brak got to the orc in charge, the wider the orc’s eyes became.
Fogle cupped his hands to his mouth and called out, “Let him go! He’s with us! Please, just stay out of his way!”
The defenders barred Brak’s path. Their leader stood tall in the middle and raised his voice. “Listen, you oversized human cur, we don’t allow your kind in Two-Ten anymore.” He lowered his spear. “Stop or die!”
In mid-stride, Brak snatched the spear from the leader’s hands and snapped it in half.
The orc leader gawped, stared up at Brak, and stammered, “Kuh-Kuh-Kuk-Kill him.”
Every defender fumbled for a weapon.
Brak’s head bent to the side.
“Oh no,” Fogle said. “Run, fools! Run!”
Brak exploded into action. His massive fist punched the leader in the face so hard his head snapped back between his shoulders.
A defender took a swing at Brak with his sword only to have it twisted from his hands and punched tip first through his ribs. The stunned orcs didn’t know what hit them.
Brak was a blond hurricane of fury with fists like mallets that punched senseless everything that moved.
Gawping as the massacre unfolded, Fogle said, “Why don’t those fools run?”
“They’re orcs. They don’t run from men, even when they’re getting the slat beat out of them. They’d rather die,” Jarla said with an approving nod. “They take a beating, but they keep on coming. That’s why they’re such excellent brigands.”
“Why don’t you talk some sense into them, then? Surely you can speak their language?”
“No, I don’t speak stupid.”
Jubilee pointed at the heart of the city. “More are coming. It’s too many. They’ll hurt Brak. Stop them, Fogle. Stop them!”
Another squad of orcs rushed from the city at full speed.
“Great Bish, we’re going to have to fight an entire city if this madness doesn’t come to an end.” Fogle pushed up his sleeves. His mind jogged through his incantations. He glared up at Jarla. Sitting proudly, she was all smiles. “You’re enjoying this.”
“Yes, I am.”
“You shouldn’t be.”
Brak hoisted an orc over his head and hurled the defender into three others. He slugged his way through the next wave of bodies.
Fogle rubbed his hands together and said to the women, “Hold your horses!”
“Why?” Jubilee asked.
“Do as I say. And cover your ears.” He looked up into the sky, muttered an incantation, and said with a whisper, “Boom.”
KRAAAAACOWWWW!
The bone-jarring sound of thunder shook the ground and every building standing.
The defenders of Two-Ten City eyed the sky, covered their heads, and scattered.
Fogle clapped his hands again.
KRAAAAACOWWWW!
Doors and shutters slammed shut. The streets of the city were completely emptied.
Taking her hands from her ears, Jarla said with a big smile, “That was impressive.”
The thunderclap worked on everyone except for Brak. He was dragging an orc by the arm and still heading for the city. Fogle led his horse forward, following after Brak. “I hope he’s just following his nose.”
Brak made his way between the first two rows of ramshackle buildings and turned right into the street. Every door and window was closed, but curious and fear-filled eyes peeked out from behind cracks and corners. Brak came to a stop and took a long draw through his nose. “Huh! Huh! Huh!” he grunted.
“What’s he doing?” Jubilee said.
“Not killing anything at the moment, and that’s a good thing,” Fogle replied. Fingers strumming the air, he ran the words of another spell through his mind. He had to be prepared for anything. He spied the rooftops.
A man with a crossbow had climbed on top of a nearby building and taken aim at Brak.
Fogle snapped his fingers.
The crossbow string snapped.
Eyeing the man on the roof then turning to Fogle, Jarla drew her sword. “Impressive again. I need to keep a closer eye on you.”
Brak continued down the street, still dragging the struggling orc, and stopped in front of a tavern. The disheveled building looked like it could fall down any moment. The posts on the porch were crooked, the wooden planks grey and coated with moldy grime. The double doors at the top entrance were closed, but smoke came out of the chimney at the top of the building. Brak went up the wide staircase. The planks groaned under his every step. Standing on the porch, Brak lifted the orc onto his shoulders and, with a growl and a heave, hurled the brute defender through the doors and then vanished inside himself.
Screaming people, mostly orcs and half-orcs, male and female, spilled outside.
Over the chaotic scene of terrified people, Jarla said, “It should be clear now. Let’s go in.”
Fogle dismounted and started up the tavern steps to go inside.
The sound of splintered wood and shattered glass erupted. A huge body was hurled through a window. It skipped off the porch and crashed through the railing and onto the street. Jarla and Jubilee’s eyes were filled with marvel. It wasn’t an orc laid out on the ground. It was Brak.
CHAPTER 23
Face down, limbs jarred, Kam rolled over onto he
r back and spat the dirt from her mouth. Her thoughts raced. Erin. The little girl was lying on the ground close by, not moving. “Erin!”
The underling mage hovered over the ground with its arms spread and closed in.
On hands and knees, Kam crawled over to her girl and took her up to her body. The tiny frame of the little girl was turning blue. Kam flipped Erin over on her hand and firmly patted her on the back. “Breathe, baby. Breathe!”
Another explosion rocked the landscape. A horse was flung through the air. Jasper was on her knees facing the underling. Mystic missiles erupted from her fingertips and vanished through the underling’s robes. Its chilling chittering sound was laughter.
Kam kept patting Erin’s back. The little girl started to cough. “Thank goodness!” Kam turned on the underling mage. “You’re going to regret this.” Her eyes turned into green flames. A glowing green snake burst out of the ground and closed on the underling.
The underling’s slender face showed amusement as the snake coiled up at his feet and sprang into the air. The underling snatched the snake by the throat and squeezed.
Kam choked. “Gack!” She clutched at the unseen fingers around her throat, trying to pry the invisible force away. Fighting for breath, she turned her defense into an attack. Her hand filled with glowing green power. She turned it loose. A ball of power smote the underling full in the chest, knocking it head over heels into the dirt. Kam gasped for breath. She was free and back on her feet.
On one knee, the yellow-eyed underling mage contorted its face into a sneer. It ripped the mystic snake apart with its bare hands, hovered up from the ground, and summoned bright fire into its fingers.
Clatch-Zip!
A heavy crossbow bolt rocketed through the air and tore through the underling’s shoulder. It spun around once then stopped and unleashed another wave of power.
Raising up a shield, Kam turned her back, secured Erin, and braced herself.
Ssssssrazzzzz-boooooooom!
Kam’s body was flung aside. “Uh!” The jolt numbed her limbs. She couldn’t feel her feet or fingers, but she could still move. She stood up and faced the underling. “Is that all you have, underling?” She wiped the dust from her mouth. “Because that’s nothing compared to what we’ve seen!”
Grimacing, the underling pulled the bolt from its shoulder. Its fingertips charged up the arrow with a glowing light.
Pulling back the string on his heavy crossbow, Nikkel said, “I’ve never seen that before.”
The underling made a sharp whistle and gave a flick of its fingers. The crossbow bolt sliced through the air straight for Nikkel’s head.
The young man’s supple muscles snapped up, blocking his face with his crossbow. The bolt smote the bolt thrower and blew it into pieces. Nikkel lay on the ground, out cold.
Kam hurled a green javelin of light at the underling.
Its slender fingers knocked it aside.
Red hair in her mouth, she said, “Slat.” She labored for breath. Her magic was mostly spent, and her aggressor seemed to have more power than she figured. Holding Erin tight, she made her way over to Jasper, who sat on her knees, wide eyed and shaking. “Stay close,” Kam said to her.
Jasper nodded.
Kam summoned up a green shield. Its bright energy crackled with living light and sparkling swirls. Jasper grabbed her arm, giving Kam additional magic. She nodded at Jasper. “Let’s see how much this fiend has.”
The underling held up its hands and started flicking its fingers. Citrine missiles the size of fingers shot over the ground like sling stones and struck the green barrier. One came right after the other, ricocheting at first before chipping away at the shield.
Zing! Zing! Zing! Zing! Zing!
“Bish!” Jasper exclaimed. “How many of those things does the fiend have?”
“Too many!” Kam said. The underling was powerful. Its power seemed to be without limit, but she knew better. “Everyone has a limit. We’ve been through worse than this before.” Digging deep, she searched for all the mystic strength she had and brought it forth. The green shield brightened. Her chest heaved. “We can beat the fiend, Jasper. Give all your strength to me!”
“I’m trying! I’m trying!” Jasper replied.
The barrage of missiles kept coming, one right after the other. The underling put its index fingers together and sent a missile the size of three right at them. It zipped through the air and slammed into Kam’s shield with jarring impact.
The green shield cracked and started to chip and fade.
Jasper’s young face sagged. “I’m running out of energy.”
Covered in sweat, Kam said, “Keep it up! We can wear it down! I know we can!”
The underling summoned a ball of energy the size of its head. In its eyes was the look of a cat toying with a mouse. It flung the ball right at them.
“Brace yourself!” Kam said, summoning all of her strength. The shield glowed with angry fury.
The citrine ball of energy smacked into the shield.
Ssszz-Boom!
The shield held for a moment. Kam didn’t.
CHAPTER 24
Venir grabbed Chongo by one of his necks and gave a short command. The huge dog took off at the vicious guarding the way out, leapt high over it, and disappeared down the path. Venir hated to see the dog go, but he didn’t want Chongo in any danger.
Besides, the others might need Chongo’s help.
Venir moved forward into the clearing.
“I’m surprised you let your beast leave you.” Elypsa made a tricky move with her swords. “You will be in need, and now the beast is doomed like the rest of your friends.”
Venir stood between the female underling and the vicious. His head turned from one to the other. “You sound worried for me, but you shouldn’t be. It’s you who needs to be worried.”
“I’ve heard stories about you, Venir. My people call you The Darkslayer, a thorn in our sides for so long―in human years, anyway.” Elypsa circled Venir, and the vicious did as well. “My brothers called you a scourge. I always wondered at all the fuss over a man.” She shrugged. “I still don’t see what all the fuss is about. You’re just a man in a shell.”
Venir banged Brool on his shield. “That’s right. Now are you going to talk, or are you and this roach going to fight?”
“Only a fool would rush into certain death. Please don’t rush me. I want to enjoy this. There are members of my family I need to avenge.” She slowly spun her swords through the air. “Perhaps you remember them? One had golden eyes, and the other’s were silver.”
A vivid memory came to life in Venir’s mind. A burning image had formed. For some strange reason, Helm named them for him. “Verbard and Catten.”
Elypsa’s lavender eyes became as big as saucers. “You know their names?”
Venir tapped Helm with Brool. “I can’t say why, but I do. And just so you know, I tried to kill them, but I didn’t. Someone else did.” Venir reflected on the battle at Castle Almen. He didn’t have the armament then. A man named Creed did, and he killed Catten and Verbard. Venir’s hands had been full enough finishing off Tonio. “You look disappointed.”
“In a strange way I am,” she said with a distant look in her eyes. “I was looking forward to this, once I figured out who you were. Now your execution won’t be quite as satisfying.”
“You know, when I kill, I don’t take names or revel in it. Killing underlings is like stomping on worms. Their lives just don’t matter.”
“You’re right.” Elypsa gave a nod to the sword-wielding vicious. “It’s time to feed the worms.” In Underling―which Helm understood just fine and translated seamlessly for Venir―she added, “Attack!”
The vicious pounced with the quickness of a mountain lion. Fast and agile, the supine brute turned loose a two-handed swing.
Brool parried.
Clang!
The powerful strike sent shockwaves through Venir’s arms. He countered with quick jabs, aiming the ax
e spike at the vicious’s eyes.
Helm ebbed a warning.
Elypsa waded in with her swords and struck.
Venir blocked her efforts with the shield. In a split second he was fully engaged. Flanked by fighters quick as snakes, Venir’s iron limbs were put to the task.
Bang! Clang! Bang! Slice! Chop!
“You can’t keep this up forever,” Elypsa said. Her blade strikes were as fast as anyone’s. She jabbed, sliced, and struck. “We are only toying with you. I’ve been training for hundreds of years, and you’ve only been alive a few decades.”
“Training is one thing. Experience killing your brood by the thousands is another!” Venir countered with a windmill chop in between two of the vicious’s swings. He brought Brool around so fast the great blade hooked Elypsa by the hands and ripped her blades out of her grip. At the same time, he defended his flank with the shield, hoping to block the vicious’s steel.
A split second too late.
The hulking underling drew first blood from Venir’s shoulder.
“Argh!”
The vicious drew back for another swing.
Venir changed tactics and sprang at Elypsa.
The female underling was on the ground, scrambling for her swords.
Venir kicked her in the jaw with ram-like force that lifted and snapped her head back.
She moaned and sagged to the ground, out cold.
Venir turned just in time to catch the vicious’s next strike on his shield.
Bang!
“It’s just you and me now, brood!” Venir said to the monster. He couldn’t worry about Elypsa now. He had to trust Helm to warn him if she came to consciousness. Now, he had to finish this fiend. “I’ve fought your kind before, and I’ve slaughtered them all. You will be next.”
The Darkslayer: Bish and Bone Series Collector's Edition (Books 1-10): Sword and Sorcery Masterpieces Page 78
