Rise of the Blade - Charles Moffat [47]
Pierce retreated away from Chev, knowing that if the spell engulfed the warrior that it was quite likely he would tackle the Doctor and take him along for a journey beyond the Gates of Death. In afterthought however, Pierce realized that by doing so it made it painfully obvious what Khelben was doing and Chev was far from stupid.
The warrior leapt backwards into wrecked tavern, escaping what he thought was the classic mage fireball as Waterdeep's archmage sent a tiny ball of blue-white light chasing after him. One could not outrun this ball of energy but Chev wasn't about to. With the strength an average man could only dream of having, the warrior wrestled a broken table up against the door and used it as a shield as the ball collided.
The bright crackling light blinded both mage and seer. This was followed by the crack of thunder that deafened everyone within a block and alerted the city guard throughout the city. The two Harpers fell away from the alley, blocking their eyes from the radiance and trying unsuccessfully to cover their ears at the same time.
"Draque didn't say the thing was this loud!" Khelben shouted angrily and swung his staff at the cobblestones, secretly wishing they were the drow mage's head. The cobble shattered under the blow, broken shards tearing the archmage's enchanted robes and simply bouncing off Pierce's armour.
"You're not supposed to fire it at point blank either! What did you think would happen if you stood beside a lightening strike?" Pierce shouted back in disgust. He clutched his armour where his heart was, fearing for a moment that he was having a heart attack.
"At least he's dead at last," Khelben said after a long pause. He started to straighten his robes and was caught unaware when Chev's fist came around the corner of the alley.
The Doctor barely caught the hem of the archmage's cloak as he slumped to the ground, but at the same time he was wishing he hadn't for he now lacked a weapon. Frantically thinking, he cursed his own fear for leaving the two sabers in the alley. He started to reach for his mother's sword but found Chev's blade poised neatly below his chin. He looked up to meet the handsome warrior's eyes.
"I'm not going to take pleasure in killing you Doctor Pierce. You aren't really a Harper and we both know that. You would much prefer to live an easy life without the espionage, to retire once and for all. Correct?" Chev's voice was amazingly level. His thoughts were much the same: level and confident.
"Correct," Pierce croaked, not wanting his adam's apple to bump the tip of the blade. "How do you know this?"
"I have my own sources, as do you. A bard of no small fame relinguished to me a sizeable list of Harpers. When she came to your name she went into detail, expressing her own belief that you really didn't like the attention and hassle. That's why you turned down the offer of being made a Lord of Waterdeep."
"A job that pays nothing except headaches." Pierce narrowed his eyes. Chev's thought's were focused and everytime the Doctor tried to delve farther into their future the warrior spoke and brought him back to the present.
"And broken bones and blood if you're a Harper lackey."
"So why let me live?"
Chev smiled and sheathed that blade in his belt. "Perhaps because I respect you Pierce. You are the only man who has ever been able to withstand my skill and we both know that that's no easy feat." His head leaned to one side as if studying Pierce. "Especially for one your age."
The Doctor choked back his anger and wetted his lips before speaking. "I'm like a fine wine. I get better with age."
"You get weaker with age," Chev responded without thinking and then wondered if he should take that back. He straightened with pride. "I pray I never grow old Pierce. It would be much preferable to die young while I'm still in my prime."
"Because you have nothing else to live