The Howling Delve - Jaleigh Johnson [115]
Kail put his boot against the cavern wall and pushed off, hurling himself back to the battle.
When he emerged into the light, his suspicion was confirmed.
Meisha and Dantane stood on the bridge with Talal between them. Meisha saw Kail coming and motioned to the demon, which stalked cautiously down the walkway toward the group. The globe of darkness had gone, and Dantane continued to hurl spells, but the demon kept coming, measuring the wizard's strength.
Kail flew up from beneath, his sword leading. He slashed along the demon's flank and kept going, up out of his reach. On the bridge, the advantage was temporarily theirs. As long as they could stay put of the demon's reach and resist his aura, they could fight. If he managed to herd them back into the tunnels, they were mice in the snake hole.
A massive, clawed paw struck out at Kail's face. He flipped over backward and came from beneath with his blade out straight. He stabbed for the demon's chest, but he dodged away.
Kail pulled out of the roll and floundered, losing precious time as he righted himself. His grasp of the flight spell was tenuous at best. He took a claw to his shoulder for his mistake, a wound that burned down the length of his arm.
Kail circled under the bridge and came up in a burst of speed, hoping for surprise, but the demon was gone. Weary of the wizard pricking at him, the beast chose to charge down the bridge to the spellcasters and Talal.
Dantane threw out a hand as though to ward off an attack. In response, a wall of thick stone sprouted from the bridge, growing like a blunt spike to intercept the demon's charge. The demon slammed into the wall, shaking the entire bridge,, but the spell held firm.
"The rope!" Kali yelled up to Garavin. He grabbed the dangling end and flew over the wall. The demon continued to pound and claw against the barrier. He would wear it down quickly, Kail knew.
He floated down, putting the rope in Talal's hands as Garavin retied it from above. Meisha flew beside him, helping the boy scramble to the relative safety of the upper bridge.
"He's breaking through," said Dantane. The wizard weaved on his feet, drained by the force of all the released Art.
"You have to keep him on the bridge," said a new voice.
Kali reacted instantly. He swung his sword with all his strength.
Aazen's blade caught it. Steel sang loudly in the cavern.
Kali cursed. Now they were pinned from both sides.
Aazen lowered his weapon, motioning the man behind him to stay back. "I'm not going to kill you at the moment, Kail," he said.
"A pleasant fact to know," Kali remarked, keeping his sword raised.
"At least not until the demon is dead. Get to the othet bridge," Aazen said, addressing his man.
"No. Over there." Kali pointed to the closest walkway below, well out of range of his friends above.
Aazen nodded, and the thief tossed a grappling hook out over the chasm. Aazen remained with Kail and Dantane.
"I will guard the wizaid," he offered.
This elicited a sardonic laugh from Kali. "How generous of you."
Aazen waved a hand impatiently. "We have no time to argue. Fly and work that sword while you have the opportunity."
"He's right," said Dantane unexpectedly. "Go."
Kali shook his head. "Don't trust him."
"I do not," Dantane snapped. "I'm not as blind as you. But he has it aright. Go, while you can."
Kail's gaze remained on Aazen, silently promising what would happen if he bettayed them. He stepped off the walkway, allowing himself to float in the air. He turned, flying toward the disintegrating wall.
He landed on the top in a skid. Using the spell to aid his balance, Kail slid down the opposite side. He brought his sword down vertically just as the demon came at the wall again. This time the demon couldn't dodge, and his blade sheared into the beast's ribs. Kail twisted aside, expecting an immediate retaliation, but the demon fell back, surprised, favoring his side.
Kail pressed, stabbing him in the haunch, anywhere he