Rise of the Blade - Charles Moffat [58]
"Is what?" prompted Chev.
"Is picking the lock," she sighed and reached for her pouch of lockpicks. "In which case there's probably a dozen mundane and magical traps that I'll have to bypass which will take a long time."
"Time which you'll have," Chev guaranteed her with a sword salute and walked away in perfect confidence.
Valeska watched him go and looked back to the huge bronze doors. "Even if I get past the lock, how do I get the damn heavy doors to open?" She sighed and sat down cross legged in the dim lighting to sort through her picks.
Magical sword in one hand and a short blade taken from a fallen guard, Chev walked down the broad corridor of the west wing. Coming to the foyer the three guards on duty heard his arrival and one moved to the door to sound a bell alarm. The warrior ignored the guard at the bell and advanced on the other two guards.
Not very impressed by Chev's stature, the larger of the two advanced and swung a heavy claymore towards the warrior's head. The huge sword was blocked with both blades and pushed to the side while Chev kicked at the big man's vulnerable groin. The guard fell backwards more in shock than in pain and landed in a heap only to be finished off with a quick jab to the throat.
The other two guards backed themselves into corners out of fear. Chev advanced on one and then the other, killing with the brutal efficiency that was his preference when dealing with such pathetic warriors. Had he been fighting someone like Pierce he would have taken the time to evaluate his opponent but such careful examination of a foe would have been a waste of time on the guards before him. True, he was trying to buy time for Valeska, but there were better ways to keep the guards busy.
The bronze doors leading outside started to push open under the weight of more guards coming to join the fight. Chev looked about and dodged through a draped archway that held the staircase leading to the second floor. As he ran he took his time to make sure they heard his ascent.
"Up the stairs!" came the shouts from below as guards surged after the lone warrior.
Had Chev known a bit more about Doctor Pierce's history he would have known that Pierce had been cursed with the much exaggerated story of how he had killed the famed Tarrasque, a beast so large and vicious it made dragons tremble in fear. After the legendary battle, Pierce skeptics had hunted him down and challenged him. After several months of duel after duel, the Doctor's title was considered confirmed as he was unbeatable in single combat. Now that Chev was Pierce's superior, the thought of becoming the best of the best and the fringe benefits that came with it was such that the guards below were scrambling over each other to get at him.
The fighter waiting at the top had a vague idea that the commotion below was becoming a contest of sorts, but thought it ironic that they were scrambling to be the first to die. Bravery was one of Chev's strong points, but he was far from being stupid or foolish. He had no doubts that had he been physically weaker that he could still best any opponent set before him. Sure, in the example of Pierce, it would take some time and a good deal of ingenuity, but he was up to any challenge.
The first guard to reach the top however was not and after being stabbed by four twisted swings he