Curse of the Shadowmage - Mark Anthony [94]
"Well, he's a big help," Ferret noted acidly.
"Let's get moving," Mari said with urgency. "We have only a few minutes to find a place to confront K'shar."
"At least we have the advantage of surprise," Ferret said hopefully.
"It may be our only advantage," Mari replied grimly. "K'shar has been known to single-handedly lay waste to legions of Zhentarim and Red Wizards."
As quickly as they dared, they guided their mounts across the remaining span of the bridge. As they stepped off onto solid ground, Mari noticed a third crystal embed ded in the surface of the bridge. An idea struck her.
"All right, I have a plan," she told the others. "It not be a good one, but I don't think we have a lot options."
Scant minutes later, the four were hiding behind the gigantic foot of one of the stone colossi. Mari peered cautiously over the statue's clawed toe. Very soon, on the opposite side of the bridge, a tall figure appeared out of the mist. The Hunter was a striking man, his form fitting black leathers a suitable match for his deep-bronze skin and golden eyes, and a vivid contrast to his closely cropped white hair. Swiftly K'shar started across the span, moving with little thought for his own safety. When he reached the center of the onyx bridge, Mari leapt from behind the statue. She stood at the end of the bridge raised her short sword high. The blade glowed with brilliant purple magic.
"Greetings, Hunter!" she shouted, her voice ringing out clearly in the cold air.
K'shar halted at the center of the bridge, instantly crouching into a wary stance, a cat ready to pounce.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Greetings, Al'maren," he said in a formal tone, trans-forming his crouch into a fluid bow. He straightened with a curious expression. "I must thank you. Renegade." Mari was taken aback by this. "Thank me. Hunter? For what?"
"For providing me with a most excellent chase," the half-elf replied smoothly. "Never before have I had such a worthy opponent. You have given my life new meaning, Al'maren, and for that I will always be in your debt." Mari laughed harshly. "I don't suppose that means you've decided not to kill me."
"I think you know the answer to that, Renegade." K'shar's smile became a feral grin. "What is the chase without the kill?"
"A pleasant walk in the countryside?" Mari offered with mock ingenuousness.
K'shar shook his head. "It is nothing. I know you understand this, Al'maren. You have your duty, even as I have mine." The half-elf tensed, ready to spring across the bridge.
"I wouldn't make a move if I were you," Mari said. "You see this crystal?" Mari gestured with the blade to the nearest of the three clear stones embedded in the bridge. "Its a a magical keystone. Without it, the bridge will collapse. My friend is a mage, and he has cast an interesting enchantment on my sword-an enchantment of magical dispelling. Mages can be so terribly handy, can't they? If I strike the keystone with this blade, the crystal will shatter. And I think you're intelligent enough to guess what would happen next, Hunter."
Slow, deliberate applause rang out over the chasm. K'shar was clapping. "I salute you, Renegade," the half-elf said in admiration. "You are more worthy than I had even guessed. Truly, you have given me the chase of a lifetime. And you have given me a new experience as well."
"And what experience is that?" Mari asked, curious despite herself.
"Losing," K'shar replied with a rueful smile. "For it is clear that you have won, Al'maren. I congratulate you."
K'shar's reaction unnerved Mari. Strangely, she felt almost sorry to have to kill the half-elf. In a way she rather liked him. She was surprised to find herself saying so. "You know, I think in a different time and we might have been friends, Hunter."
"You may be right. Renegade. However, at present our duties contrive to make enemies of us. We will have to save friendship for another lifetime."
All of a sudden, K'shar lunged into motion. As he did Mari brought the glowing sword down against the the keystone with all her might.