27.12.2012 Views

(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

you. You may <strong>not</strong> HIDE from punishments for CRIMES <strong>to</strong> come.”<br />

"So we can leave?" I coughed, propping myself up on my hands and knees.<br />

When had I fallen? My head was swimming.<br />

“NO. I have judged the guilty.” Vhailor's eyes flared, and he raised his axe,<br />

his gaze searing Annah <strong>to</strong> the bone. She stepped back, the spit and vinegar<br />

now tepid and dull. “You have EARNED your fate.”<br />

He swung.<br />

Too slow... I reached out, the weaves <strong>of</strong> magic slipping from my grasp as the<br />

heavy blade fell. Strong enough <strong>to</strong> cleave through flesh and bone as if it<br />

were butter, force great enough <strong>to</strong> sunder the barriers <strong>of</strong> treachery. He was<br />

fueled by a will that clung <strong>to</strong> this world <strong>to</strong> correct an injustice he couldn't<br />

name. So much power.<br />

And I was <strong>to</strong>o slow.<br />

The crack <strong>of</strong> white-hot light, like burning metal, blinded me for an instant. A<br />

cold terror chilled me as my vision swam in<strong>to</strong> focus. Would I still <strong>be</strong> able <strong>to</strong><br />

pull Annah back and bind her spirit <strong>to</strong> her shell, I wondered, if the final<br />

judgment <strong>of</strong> a force like Vhailor was what killed her?<br />

And then I saw it, the frail old warrior standing <strong>be</strong>tween justice and the<br />

condemned, karach blade trailing sparks in deflecting the axe.<br />

Dak'kon.<br />

Vhailor roared. “<br />

.”<br />

Dak'kon spared no words, and Annah backed <strong>of</strong>f, giving room for the two <strong>to</strong><br />

circle. Dak'kon danced from one step <strong>to</strong> a<strong>not</strong>her, his forms flowing and light.<br />

I recognized the stances: Thel'dekon's Pace, <strong>to</strong> <strong>do</strong>dge the heavy blows. Four<br />

Leaves Falling, the two-handed grip for parrying. The sharp song <strong>of</strong> his zerth<br />

blade played a harsh duet against the heavy slams <strong>of</strong> Vhailor's axe. Focused<br />

as he was, it was only a matter <strong>of</strong> time <strong>be</strong>fore he was overwhelmed. Even<br />

the sharpest sword couldn't protect one from the force <strong>of</strong> an avalanche.<br />

Annah was circling, trying <strong>to</strong> find a weak spot. Grace was bolstering<br />

1032

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!