Guild Wars_ Ghosts of Ascalon - Matt Forbeck [73]
“I know of your Soulkeeper and her Vigil,” Bladebreaker said. “What fool’s errand brings you here?”
“That I cannot reveal,” said Ember.
Bladebreaker sneered, “Then you may go on your way. We will take care of your prisoners for you.”
Ember stalked closer to Bladebreaker. “You misunderstand. They are coming with me.”
“Wait,” Bladebreaker said suspiciously. “Are they your prisoners, or are you theirs?”
Ember snarled at the implication. “Neither. We work together as part of the Vigil, and you must allow us to pass.”
Bladebreaker snorted. “You are free to go where you like, Doomforge, but I cannot allow these ‘friends’ of yours to wander free through Ascalon.”
“You will let us pass. All of us.” There was menace in Ember Doomforge’s voice.
“Do you challenge me?” Bladebreaker’s stance made it clear he relished that thought.
Ember let out a laughing growl. “Do you not think I would enjoy tearing these weaklings to pieces and then helping you storm Ebonhawke from within? I ache to exact revenge on our ancient foes, but I am after bigger game.”
Dougal could not tell if Ember was bluffing or not, but for the first time Bladebreaker took a step backward, surprised. “Bigger game than the thorn of Ebonhawke? The city our people have laid siege to for over two hundred years?”
Ember ignored Bladebreaker’s disbelief and nodded.
Bladebreaker gaped at her, then drew his jaws together into a determined wall of pointed teeth. “These are my prisoners.”
“These are my allies,” said Ember. “I challenge you for their lives.”
“Accepted,” said Bladebreaker. “Challenge, then, and all is fair.”
Ember drew her sword, its wet blade shining. With a gesture, she directed Riona and Killeen to retreat to the edge of the sewage pond. The other charr motioned with their own weapons and the two women reluctantly complied. Both were somber, and Dougal knew each was looking for an opportunity to turn the tables on their captors.
“I tell you that I must bring these people with me and that my orders come from General Soulkeeper herself,” said Ember, hefting her blade as if it were a trifle. “You must accept what I say. Or you must die for your error.”
Bladebreaker drew his sword too. It was filthy black but for its single sharpened edge. The pair approached each other with the care of priests observing an ancient ritual. When they were within three feet of each other, they reached out with their swords and slapped them together. The sharp sound rang out through the narrow valley. From there, the fight was on.
Dougal looked around to see the charr engrossed in watching the fight, paying far more attention to it than to their foes. Kranxx had been allowed to sit up, too, and he had his massive pack in his lap, his arms hugging it possessively. Over by the pond, Riona stood tensed, her hand drifting to the pommel of her blade, and whispered to Killeen.
Ember struck first, charging Bladebreaker with her sword held high. He raised his weapon to parry it, but she brought her blow down so hard that her blade still glanced off the spiked armor on his shoulder. He countered with an underhanded swipe of his off hand that sliced across Ember’s belly. His claws slashed through her fur in three parallel lines.
Ember howled, less in pain than protest, and rolled backward out of Bladebreaker’s range. She wiped a hand across her middle, and it came back streaked with red.
Ember charged at Bladebreaker again, hammering at him with her sword. She fought unlike any human Dougal had ever seen. She brought every bit of her strength and speed into play and moved like a furious blur. She gave no thought to fending off a counterblow or to raising any sort of defense. She simply attacked, attacked, attacked.
Bladebreaker didn’t seem as if he had a chance. Ember knocked him back on his heels with her first strike, and he never recovered. All