The Last Talisman by Licia Troisi Page B

vision, awakening an image in his memory.
    There had been a red-clothed Dragon Knight that fateful day when the Tyrant’s army at last penetrated the force field of the nymphs. There was no way Ido could forget it. He’d been the one to force Nihal to battle Fen. In that instant, hovering there before the Scarlet Knight and his black dragon, it all came flooding back to Ido.
    Nihal was paralyzed before Fen and the ghost assaulted her mercilessly. Ido came to her aid just in time to overhear crude, mocking laughter.
    â€œKill or be killed, knight!” The scarlet warrior looped above her, riding his black dragon.
    â€œNihal! Fight back, damn it!” Ido shouted.
    Propelled by an unspeakable rage, Ido had charged the Scarlet Knight, engaging just long enough to cross swords once or twice. He hadn’t gotten a look at his face or his armor. He’d struck him once, and then they were drawn apart in the heat of battle. Nelgar arrived at Ido’s side, and from that moment, the dwarf lost sight of the scarlet figure.
    Once again, Ido felt the anger welling up inside him. This time, there’d be no one to stand in his way. At last, that worm would pay for the suffering he’d caused Nihal. Ido could feel something stirring in his stomach, a renewed vigor. He spurred Vesa, launching himself at the black dragon. In a violent clash, the two crossed swords. Then Ido drew back a short distance.
    Between gritted teeth, Ido muttered: “You’ve met your match.”
    The knight turned slowly toward him. He was enormous, and not a single inch of skin was left visible beneath his red armor. Even his face was shielded. A blood-red demon. His sword, too, gleamed with the same rich red as his armor, the very same scarlet as Vesa. Ido couldn’t even see his eyes. He was pitted against a soulless warrior.
    The Scarlet Knight gestured with his sword, as if greeting Ido, then threw himself upon him. A dogged battle ensued. The red warrior’s fighting style was similar to Ido’s. He too kept his movements to a minimum, relying on the strength of his wrist, which might have made for a more interesting battle had Ido not been so taken with blind fury.
    The dwarf felt his opponent’s blade strike his hand. Vesa backed away.
    Calm down. Keep calm, dammit!
    He heard the muffled sound of derisive laughter from beneath his opponent’s helmet.
    â€œGetting under your skin, am I?”
    Ido launched into a frenzied attack. In all his years of battle, he had never burned with such violent passion, never felt such hatred for an opponent, never lost his head.
    He swept in as close to their opponent as possible, forcing Vesa to assault the black beast with tooth and claw. The rhythm of the duel increased, but the Black Dragon Knight seemed unperturbed, parrying every attack without fail.
    His opponent was a fine swordsman, Ido had to admit. Vigorous, powerful, but sly and agile as well. An uncommon enemy. How long had it been since he’d gone up against such a worthy adversary?
    One instant of distraction, one rash movement, one tiny miscalculation and that would be it. The enemy’s sword struck its target and Ido’s helmet went flying. Ido lost his balance, gripping Vesa’s back to keep from tumbling into the air. By the time he had righted himself, the knight’s sword was at his throat. Ido had just enough time to curse under his breath.
    It’s all over.
    â€œIt looks like it’s all over,” the knight uttered, his sword slashing through the air.
    Out of instinct, Ido pressed his eyes shut and felt the blade strip the flesh from his torso.
    Breathless, he felt himself being carried off. When he reopened his eyes, he was on back of a different dragon. Seated in front of him was Mavern. Vesa, meanwhile, was behind them, fending off the Scarlet Knight’s dragon.
    â€œThis isn’t over, you coward!” his enemy called out.
    Ido reluctantly submitted to treatment