madnovel The Battle of the Ruined Tower II
The Battle of the Ruined Tower II
The Battle of the Ruined Tower II
Wurhi the Rat tore through the forest as though the hounds of hells followed. Branches and thickets slapped her face, stinging her skin. The barking in her wake drew closer.
As she came to the pit, St. Cristabel rose quickly, placing her stylus and wax tablet on the hull of her boat. You triumphed! she gasped.
No! Wurhi ran for the tree with the vine coiled around its branch. Did you break that fat, cheese-hided, goat lickers arm?
That whats arm?
The big oaf that leads these wretches!
Oh, him! Like a pigeons wishbone!
The tiny Zabyallan scaled the tree. Will you do it again?
St. Cristabel gave her a stern look. With relish.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))
Avernixs hounds bounded into the clearing, leaping for Wurhi. Claws scraped the tree bark and bone-shattering jaws snapped at their quarry as she desperately shimmied down a branch above their slathering fangs. Terror-stiffened fingers struggled to uncoil the vine. Bestial breath raked her skin from below. Im going to let you up! Help us!
The saint gave no answer, but took up her vermillion bearing sword and circular shield. The golden mammoth head gleamed upon the sapphire-hued metal.
With a heavy crash and rough shouts, four pursuers burst into the clearing with spears readied, jabbing their fingers toward the petrified Zabyallan as she freed the vine. The lead warrior spat a battle cry and charged, her spear raised to skewer Wurhi, who cried out and dropped the verdant cord. It plummeted toward the pit even as the spear rose up.
Bronze glinted in the dusk.
Air hissed passed the razor point.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Thunk!
A vermillion bearing sword flew from the pit and skewered the Garumnans side.
Its edge split armour and flesh like water. Its bulk crushed hard bone and soft organs alike. Driven deep into the tree, its victim was left a twitching, crimson mess upon it.
In the stunned silence that followed, St. Cristabel leapt onto the vine with her shield on her back. Her armoured form ascended with the agility of a leopard. Only her powerful arms were used to heave herself up, her mighty legs dangled freely until her metal-clad boots touched the pits edge. She rose to her full height before the warriors. Booming out a jaunty laugh, her blue eyes came alight. At last I taste freedom!
Her gaze levelled upon the Garumnans. Cast away your arms or die.
They retreated fearfully, but kept grip on their spears.
Swifter! Kyembes lips twisted into a vicious grin.
The man recoiled.
By the Three, Ill do it myself! the Bear-Breaker drew his heavy sword with his good hand. Make way!
The gigantic heir shouldered his way through his warriors ranks, nearly bowling some off the steep stairs to their doom. Kyembe considered firing with his ring, but the slow build of flame would allow the front man plenty of time to skewer him.
No, he would wait for the giants headlong rush then shear his neck open. With any luck, that would break the rests nerves. If they sought revenge instead though, it would likely be the end of him. Eppon took up place behind the front pair of men, but moved no further. Kyembe frowned uneasily. What was this?
Shield! the Bear-Breaker roared. One was passed to him, and he cursed. My shield arms broken, you fool! Send it to the front!
The shield was passed up the curving stairs to a front man. He hefted the heavy protector, so large that he needed to drop his spear to wield it. His fellows behind jutted their spears past the rim. Advance! Eppon roared. The shield bearer came forth cautiously and the column marched slowly behind. Beyond the shield, Kyembes vision was blocked.
It was not a terrible plan. Exhausted and crippled as he was, he doubted he could dislodge the great shield before those spears spitted him. That was, if he allowed them to get close. If they were to advance so slowly then how could he resist cracking the shell of such an obliging snail? He raised his ring toward the grinning demonic face painted across the shield and channeled the eldritch energies. Burns crept up his arm. The eyes of the ring flared with white hellfire, sputtering and slow. Yet his enemies advanced slower.
His ring flared.
Foolish, Bear-Breaker! he called. Your death-
Now! Eppon barked.
The front man dropped the shield and abruptly crouched.
The warriors behind him brought bows up with strings drawn.
Kyembe froze. Oooh-
Twang! Twang!
Agony seared into him. One arrow burrowed into his belly and the other his forearm.
His concentration broke. The hellfire sputtered.
VrooooshaBANG!
It erupted, searing his hand and blowing him backward onto the stones.
He dropped, his full weight landing on his broken arm.