Sentinelspire - Mark Sehestedt [140]
The druid raised his staff and spoke a single incantation.
Berun did not know if his life was failing so fast that his brain had already begun its long sleep, or perhaps it was simply the blessing of the Oak Father upon the bow, but in that instant he thought he saw a flash in the air as Chereth's magic failed him. The arrow flew straight and true, burying itself in the half-elf's chest. It struck with such force that it spun him around, and when he fell upon his hands and knees, he was facing Berun. By the time he gripped his staff and pushed himself to his feet, he was shaking like an old man with palsy-
–and Lewan had another arrow drawn and nocked. But only for a moment.
Chereth opened his mouth in a last, desperate attempt to call forth his magic, and the arrow struck him there, passing between his teeth. The steel point bored through his skull before the wood of the arrow stuck.
The old druid fell back onto the vine-covered roof, his legs kicked twice, and he died staring at the sky.
Chapter Forty-One
The bowstring was still vibrating when a great mound of vines and leaves erupted. Sauk rose to his full height, snapping branches and raking thorns down his skin as he freed himself. A few thick vines round his shoulders would not give, so he swiped at them with a dagger until the severed ends dangled behind him like some bizarre, thorny half-cloak. He spared Lewan and Talieth a quick glance, dismissed them, and fixed his gaze on Berun. He stomped toward the oak, and Lewan heard a growl growing in the half-orc's throat. "Lewan…" said Ulaan.
"Stay back," he told her, then took another arrow from his belt, laid it across the bow, pulled the arrow to his cheek, and aimed the steel point at Sauk. "Stop, Sauk! Stop where you are."
The half-orc's gaze flicked to Lewan. Sauk saw the threat and stopped. He turned to face Lewan and smiled. "You think you can take me with that twig tosser"-he spat blood onto the leaves -"before I get to you? You'll only get to loose one arrow before I reach you."
"I've been a hunter most of my life," said Lewan. "Once chance is all you ever get."
"Stop this! Both of you!"
Lewan heard movement behind him, and from the corner of his eve he saw Talieth step up beside him.
"Sauk," she said, "I know you. I know your code. You won't prey upon anyone weaker than you."
"This isn't about honor anymore," said Sauk. "This is about blood. Berun killed Taaki."
"No. His lizard did-and only after Taaki almost killed him. It was survival, Sauk. Life and death. You would have done no different in the same situation."
Sauk snarled, the growl building in his throat, blood running off his good tusk and the silver one. His grip tightened around the knife.
"I am truly sorry about Taaki," said Talieth. "But understand this. The only one on this tower stronger than you right now is me, and am telling you that if you take one more step toward Kheil with murder in your eyes, it will be the last step you ever take."
Talieth's voice sounded weak and strained, but Lewan heard the truth in her words. It was not the first time he'd been told that Sauk believed that killing those weaker than him was dishonorable. The bow, drawn and ready and aimed at Sauk, made Lewan a formidable foe. And though it took every ounce of will he had left, Lewan slackened the bow and lowered it-though he kept his fingers with a tight grip on the arrow.
Sauk ignored the gesture, keeping his eyes fixed on Talieth. Lewan noted that the half-orc gripped the knife so tightly that his entire arm trembled.
Sauk threw his head back and roared. Talieth took a half-step back and raised her hands, a spell already forming on her lips, but when Sauk lunged, it was behind him. He buried the knife in Chereth's chest. Lewan heard bones break like shattering stone. Sauk pulled the knife down, cutting through muscle and shattering the dead druid's ribcage. Lewan stared