The Silent Enemy by Richard A. Knaak Page A

to burn, but one of the rugs smoldered, creating a noxious odor that stirred Nermesa from his stupor.
    And as Nermesa’s head cleared and his gaze focused, he recognized just enough about his assailant to know his identity.
    Wulfrim.
    The Gunderman pulled a dagger from his belt. He carried no other visible weapon. A sword would have clattered and made for an awkwardness of movement his treachery forbade. Still, Wulfrim was a Gunderman, which meant that his proficiency with the small blade made him at least as deadly as an ordinary swordsman.
    Nermesa’s sword still lay sheathed some distance away. Trying to buy time while he sought some manner by which to reach his own weapon, the knight muttered, “Why this, Wulfrim? What do you plan?”
    “More than you can dream, Aquilonian,” was all that the bodyguard replied. “More than you can dream!”
    He lunged at Nermesa, the dagger cutting swiftly in a cross motion. The knight gave thanks that he had never loosened his armor. The edge of the Gunderman’s dagger scraped against the lower rim of the breastplate. Nermesa found it odd that Wulfrim should aim at such a place rather than for a more vital one, like the throat, but did not argue his luck.
    Falling back, the Black Dragon collided with the bed. Nermesa barely had time to register this before Wulfrim came at him again. The dagger came slicing down and would have torn into Nermesa’s thigh if not for the Aquilonian’s rolling to the side at the last moment. Instead of flesh, the bodyguard’s blade tore into the expensive covering.
    Seeing his chance, Nermesa threw himself in the direction of his sword. However, Wulfrim quickly turned and seized him by the leg. Nermesa stumbled forward, ending up on one knee.
    The Gunderman tried to pull him back with the one hand, while no doubt positioning his dagger for another strike. Nermesa kicked with his free leg and felt it connect hard with Wulfrim’s jaw.
    His adversary let out a grunt of surprise, and the hold on Nermesa’s leg loosened. The knight immediately scrambled for the sheath. He seized the lower edge and dragged it toward him. The sheath fell with a clatter, shaking the sword but fortunately not tossing it free.
    A brief shuffling noise from behind Nermesa was all that warned him that Wulfrim was moving in on him again. The Aquilonian swung the sheath around.
    His timing was fortuitous. The sheath acted as a shield, blocking Wulfrim’s dagger. The bodyguard cursed and raised his arm. In his other hand, he now clutched the cloth again.
    Nermesa slipped his own hand toward the hilt of his sword as he deflected yet another attack. Wulfrim must have noticed, for the Gunderman, dropping the cloth, grabbed at the sheath with the obvious intention of wresting both it and the sword from his intended victim.
    From without, Nermesa suddenly heard the sounds of approaching men. Somehow, he doubted that they were rushing to his aid. Wulfrim surely acted on the orders of his master, and since the bodyguard’s attempt had clearly not succeeded yet, Lord Eduarco wanted to make certain that Nermesa would not escape.
    Wulfrim continued tugging on the sheath. Nermesa decided to let him have it and the sword. Using the Gunderman’s own strength, the knight shoved the heavy hilt upward. It struck the would-be assassin in the temple.
    Tumbling backward, Wulfrim struck the floor. Nermesa’s assailant lay there, moving but clearly stunned.
    The Black Dragon had no time to concern himself with the bodyguard. Those without were already using force to break open the door, which was still bolted. Nermesa immediately surveyed the chamber for the hidden passage that Wulfrim had clearly used but could find nothing. The window was too narrow for him to crawl through. If Nermesa wanted out, he would have to use the door.
    Leaping forward, he batted the bolt to the side.
    Barely had Nermesa done so, when the door burst open, and three men poured inside. Nermesa noted little about them