Fires of Prophecy_ Book Two of the Morcyth Saga - Brian Pratt [124]
They watch as his first knife flies and strikes one of the guards. As the man falls to the ground, the second sinks into the man standing next to him. The rest of the guards become aware of the threat and begin scanning for the source of the flying knives. One of them shouts a warning when he spots them running toward them, weapons out.
A third knife takes out another guard and then Shorty’s final knife hits the foremost guard in the shoulder. As he staggers from the blow Scar reaches him and quickly finishes him off with a thrust through the middle.
Potbelly stays behind to guard the women and Roland, his sword and knife ready for any who somehow make it around the others. He keeps an eye out behind them as well for any who may come from within Al-Kur.
Stig faces off with a guard bearing a sword and shield, his mace smashing through the man’s shield and breaking the bone of his arm in two. He deflects the guard’s sword with his shield while following through with his mace. Connecting with the man’s helmet, he caves it in and crushes the skull beneath. As the guard falls lifelessly to the ground, he turns and engages another.
Shorty’s fighting knives dance as he joins the fray, blocking the attacks of two guards. Unable to go on the offensive, he’s at least able to put up a good defense and keep these two busy while the others deal with the rest.
Suddenly a cry splits the night and Scar turns to see Yorn fall, a guards’ sword wedged between his ribs. “Yorn!” he cries, as he strikes out at his opponent severing the man’s head from his shoulders. He runs over to where Yorn lies and engages the guard who has his foot on Yorn’s chest as he attempts to dislodge his sword. With his sword wedged in between Yorn’s ribs, he’s unable to defend himself and falls quickly to Scar’s swords. Scar looks down to Yorn but knows there’s no hope when he sees his lifeless eyes staring out.
Having killed his opponent, Stig moves to help Shorty who’s being hard pressed by the two guards he’s fighting. Coming up behind one, he cuts deeply into the man’s neck, practically severing his head from his shoulder. As the man falls, Shorty is able to utilize both knives in his fight with the remaining man and soon has him on the ground next to his partner.
Swearing at the loss of Yorn, Scar looks around and sees the rest of the guards lying dead on the docks. “Come on!” he yells as he waves to where Potbelly waits with the others.
From across town, another massive explosion rocks the morning. They look and see a large fireball reaching up toward the sky.
The morning is beginning to lighten as the sun peaks over the horizon. Scar looks to the ship, second from the end and sees movement upon the rigging where the sailors are preparing to get under way.
Once Potbelly and the others join them, they begin running toward the Crashing Wave. Reaching the gangplank, Roland hollers up to the ship, “Permission to come aboard?”
The captain comes to the rail and looks down at them. Glancing over to the dead guards lying on the docks he replies, “Permission granted.”
“Come on!” Roland says to the others as he starts crossing the gangway.
When they’re all on board they stop abruptly as four crossbowmen aim their crossbows at them. From behind the captain, the Eye comes forward and says, “Thank you captain, you’ve been most helpful.”
James is growing quite tired, especially after that last spell which took out the guardhouse. “Do you think that’s enough yet?” he asks Jiron.
Grinning back at him, Jiron says, “That should be enough to get their attention in a bad way.”
They run down a side alley as they attempt to evade another patrol passing through the area. They’ve been running and hiding after that last explosion, doing their best to avoid tangling with any large group of guards. James’ supply of slugs is beginning to run low, only ten left.
“Maybe it’s time to get the horses and leave,” he suggests.
Jiron replies as he nods his head, “That would probably be a good idea, they should be on the ship by now.”
“I hope