by?”
His question was cut off by the crisp burning sensation running down his leg. Phaelor’s warning came moments before the Gnaal struck. Fire spread across the treetops. Thunder rumbled overhead. The ground began to shake as the Gnaal stepped from the darkness. Fennic vomited uncontrollably. Rotten flesh covered the creature’s skull. Two rows of horns ran down the center of the head. Deep set eyes burned the foulest shade of green, whispering pure malevolence. Hugely muscled and standing ten feet tall, the Gnaal had massive wings curved with spikes.
The Gnaal swelled in size, drawing up to almost double the height. The sound of swords being drawn echoed in the glade. Delin couldn’t control his shaking for he was sure the end had come. The Gnaal stepped closer. Norgen prayed for his friends, knowing he’d soon be amongst those already slain by the demon. He doubled his grip on the axe haft and prepared to attack.
“Get down Dwarf!”
Flaming arrows sped from the night to strike the Gnaal in the neck, chest and thighs. The monster roared even as the shafts erupted in flame and melted away. Phaelor blocked a swing from the heavy cudgel. The shock struck Fennic in the shoulder and knocked the boy unconscious. Another flight of arrows hit the Gnaal in the face. Then another. And another, giving Delin enough time to dart under and drag Fennic away.
The assault intensified. Arrows were now pouring in from three sides. The Gnaal reeled back under the relentless assault. Four shapes rode out from the night with swords drawn. It wasn’t until they stopped to pick up the Dwarf and his companions that Delin saw them for what they were. Their upper bodies were of muscled men while the rest were huge, barrel bodied horses. Each had long hair tied back with jeweled bands. They hefted the three upon their back and turned to run.
Showing no fear, the fourth Centaur twirled his sword and charged the Gnaal. His thundering hooves were drowned out by the Gnaal’s roar as it surged forth to accept the challenge. Delin could only watch in horror as the Gnaal hefted his cudgel and swung. The weapon caught the Centaur in the chest and crushed bone and flesh. He died without a sound. A final flight of arrows riddled the Gnaal as the Centaurs retreated. The last thing Delin saw was the monster triumphant over the freshly slain corpse.
Delin wasn’t sure how long they rode, only that the sun was up the next time he awoke. Nightmares haunted him. He watched his rescuer die needlessly over and over each time he closed his eyes. He was certain the Gnaal was close on their heels, ready to slaughter them all. Not even the purple stone gave him comfort. Exhaustion over took him again and he succumbed back to sleep.
There wasn’t any bucking when he finally roused. The world wasn’t racing by in a green blur anymore. Though it certainly felt like it after enduring the riding motion for so long. The smell of roasting meat on the fire aroused his appetites. More of the Centaurs were milling about. None of them paid him much heed. They seemed intent on learning the fate of their brother. Norgen stood with his arms folded across his burly chest quietly conversing with their leader. The Dwarf smiled upon seeing young Delin awake.
“Well now, I was beginning to wonder if you planned on sleeping through supper. Even young Master Attleford has recovered from that nasty blow. In fact, he hasn’t shut up yet,” Norgen laughed.
Delin stretched some of the soreness away. “Are we safe?”
“Safe enough for now,” a golden haired Centaur said with a smile. He saw the fright still in Delin’s eyes and said, “There is no need for fear now. My men and I were sent to find you. Ah, forgive me, my name is Ris Kaverling and your life is far from danger so long as my band guards you.”
“Sent by whom? Not to say that I don’t appreciate the help, mind you, but I’m not too sure of many things these days,” Delin replied.
Norgen grunted.
His question was cut off by the crisp burning sensation running down his leg. Phaelor’s warning came moments before the Gnaal struck. Fire spread across the treetops. Thunder rumbled overhead. The ground began to shake as the Gnaal stepped from the darkness. Fennic vomited uncontrollably. Rotten flesh covered the creature’s skull. Two rows of horns ran down the center of the head. Deep set eyes burned the foulest shade of green, whispering pure malevolence. Hugely muscled and standing ten feet tall, the Gnaal had massive wings curved with spikes.
The Gnaal swelled in size, drawing up to almost double the height. The sound of swords being drawn echoed in the glade. Delin couldn’t control his shaking for he was sure the end had come. The Gnaal stepped closer. Norgen prayed for his friends, knowing he’d soon be amongst those already slain by the demon. He doubled his grip on the axe haft and prepared to attack.
“Get down Dwarf!”
Flaming arrows sped from the night to strike the Gnaal in the neck, chest and thighs. The monster roared even as the shafts erupted in flame and melted away. Phaelor blocked a swing from the heavy cudgel. The shock struck Fennic in the shoulder and knocked the boy unconscious. Another flight of arrows hit the Gnaal in the face. Then another. And another, giving Delin enough time to dart under and drag Fennic away.
The assault intensified. Arrows were now pouring in from three sides. The Gnaal reeled back under the relentless assault. Four shapes rode out from the night with swords drawn. It wasn’t until they stopped to pick up the Dwarf and his companions that Delin saw them for what they were. Their upper bodies were of muscled men while the rest were huge, barrel bodied horses. Each had long hair tied back with jeweled bands. They hefted the three upon their back and turned to run.
Showing no fear, the fourth Centaur twirled his sword and charged the Gnaal. His thundering hooves were drowned out by the Gnaal’s roar as it surged forth to accept the challenge. Delin could only watch in horror as the Gnaal hefted his cudgel and swung. The weapon caught the Centaur in the chest and crushed bone and flesh. He died without a sound. A final flight of arrows riddled the Gnaal as the Centaurs retreated. The last thing Delin saw was the monster triumphant over the freshly slain corpse.
Delin wasn’t sure how long they rode, only that the sun was up the next time he awoke. Nightmares haunted him. He watched his rescuer die needlessly over and over each time he closed his eyes. He was certain the Gnaal was close on their heels, ready to slaughter them all. Not even the purple stone gave him comfort. Exhaustion over took him again and he succumbed back to sleep.
There wasn’t any bucking when he finally roused. The world wasn’t racing by in a green blur anymore. Though it certainly felt like it after enduring the riding motion for so long. The smell of roasting meat on the fire aroused his appetites. More of the Centaurs were milling about. None of them paid him much heed. They seemed intent on learning the fate of their brother. Norgen stood with his arms folded across his burly chest quietly conversing with their leader. The Dwarf smiled upon seeing young Delin awake.
“Well now, I was beginning to wonder if you planned on sleeping through supper. Even young Master Attleford has recovered from that nasty blow. In fact, he hasn’t shut up yet,” Norgen laughed.
Delin stretched some of the soreness away. “Are we safe?”
“Safe enough for now,” a golden haired Centaur said with a smile. He saw the fright still in Delin’s eyes and said, “There is no need for fear now. My men and I were sent to find you. Ah, forgive me, my name is Ris Kaverling and your life is far from danger so long as my band guards you.”
“Sent by whom? Not to say that I don’t appreciate the help, mind you, but I’m not too sure of many things these days,” Delin replied.
Norgen grunted.
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