The Haunted Traveler December 2017 Edition

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process of extracting another four.”
Trist reveled in his moment. He felt triumphant glory in the fact that he had been
stealing from right under his partner’s nose and Morrel had no clue. Trist had been very
sneaky. And very successful.
Morrel was shocked. But after the initial shock and acceptance comes the residual
anger and rage. He turned to Trist with hatred burning in his eyes. Trist looked at
him and smiled mockingly. The Death Pact was sealed. Trist plunged a hand into his
jacket…and felt nothing. The gun was gone. He looked at Morrel and saw that he was
doing the exact same thing. They had both come expecting a trap.
“I took the liberty of removing your playthings, as you can see. My associates
had them removed as they forcibly brought you to the waiting chamber. Clever little
pickpockets, are they not?”
Death was smiling as he said the words. One couldn’t see the smile but one could feel
it in his voice.
“Before I bring you the weapons you will use to attempt to exact your respective
vengeances, I will tell you some news that may cheer you up. It took me the entire day
to plan this little vendetta tonight. Hence, it may please you to know that absolutely no
one died today. Yes?”
Death saw that both men were still seething and that neither of them could have
cared less if the entire world’s population had died that day. It didn’t concern them. The
only thing that concerned either of them was the death of the other.
Death stood up. He told them to stay where they were, as he glided noiselessly across
the floor and opened the door. Two henchmen appeared and removed the desk and
chairs from the room. The room was now completely empty save for the figures within
it. One of the henchmen brought in a black velvet case about four feet long. Death
opened the case and carefully took out two gleaming silver swords with ivory skull
handles. Trist looked at Morrel and smiled savagely. So this was it. A sword fight to the
finish. Winner take all. Perfect.
Death took out one of the swords and turned to Morrel. He threw the sword straight
into the wall right next to Morrel’s right ear. In the same movement, the other landed in
the opposite wall next to Trist’s left ear. Both men were reasonably startled but quickly
gathered their senses and pulled the swords from the wall.
They then turned to Death, but he had vanished. The door was closed and presumably
locked. The two men looked at one another and smirked sardonically, each challenging
the other to make the first move.
Trist started forward, snarling an obscenity. The two men circled each other, sizing
one another up. Trist was quicker and more athletic, but Morrel was bigger and stronger.
The match was fairly even.
Morrel suddenly lunged at Trist. Trist moved easily out of the way and struck
downward on Morrel’s sword. Morrel leaped towards Trist and the two swords struck