The Jewel of Turmish - Mel Odom [51]
Off-balance from the lunge, Haarn was ill prepared for the wolfs follow-up attack. He ducked, collapsing toward the muddy ground and wrapping his left arm over his head.
Stonefur's leap carried him too high. The slavering jaws didn't close on the druid's head as intended, but they grazed Haarn's arm. The trickle of blood along the druid's limb felt warm and welcome against the freezing rain.
Still in motion, Haarn threw himself to one side, falling over into a roll before the wolf could claw him. Stonefur hurtled overhead but landed on the ground. The wolfs callused pads and claws dug into the stony earth, stopping him short and bringing him back around.
You will die, lifekeeper, Stonefur promised.
The other wolves in his pack howled their approval.
Haarn tested his injured ankle as he got to his feet, wanting to make sure it would stay strong enough to support him.
Kill! the wolf bitch carrying pups snarled. Kill, and let's eat, Stonefur.
The wolf came again.
Haarn dodged to one side, but his foot slipped on a rain-slick stone and he almost fell. Before he could get clear of the wolfs headlong rush, Stonefur's fang gashed him again, ripping along his ribs. Fire burned the length of the druid's wounds. Before Haarn recovered, the wolf returned.
Ragged fur tore across Haarn's mouth as the wolf slammed his shoulder into the druid's face. Stonefur's jaws snapped closed on the juncture of Haarn's left shoulder and neck, seeking the jugular.
Bowing his back, Haarn fell forward in an effort to dislodge the wolf. He felt the flesh on the top of his shoulder tear. Warm blood cascaded down his body. Desperate, the druid swept the club around, swinging it from his knees.
Stonefur had expected the blow, though, and made sure he wasn't there when it arrived. Before he could recover from the neck wound and from being off-balance, Haarn looked up just in time to see the wolfs paw streak toward his face. The claws bit into his cheek, tearing down to the bone with ease.
Blood spurted up into Haarn's left eye, blinding him. He swept his knife up, keeping it along his arm. His hand touched the wolfs fur, but the animal wasn't there when the blade followed his hand. He knuckled his right hand around the club's handle then pushed himself erect.
Stonefur galloped in wide circles around the druid and growled, You tire, lifekeeper. Men no match for wolf clan.
Haarn exhaled, saving a small, silent prayer to Sil-vanus to gather his attention and make his heart cold toward his opponent.
J kill you, lifekeeper, Stonefur taunted, then we take time with woman. Chase her, bite pieces off and eat them, and let her run till she can't run anymore. Her death will be slow, painful.
Haarn had no doubt that Stonefur would make good on his promise, and the druid knew that no matter how skilled a warrior Druz Talimsir might be, she was no match for the wolf pack.
Stonefur raced by, cut back toward Haarn, and hoped to score another blow with his claws. Haarn chose to avoid the attack, stepping back and giving ground. Seeing the reaction as a weakness, Stonefur pressed his conceived advantage, racing forward again.
Haarn brought the club up and managed to jam it across the wolfs open jaws, fending his attacker off and keeping the saliva-covered fangs from his face and throat.
The druid teetered backward, off-balance. Before he could recover, the wolf dug his claws into the muddy ground and lunged forward.
The druid fell backward, trapped under the wolfs massive weight. The cold, greasy mud slapped against Haarn's bare back with chilling intensity. His breath left his lungs in a rush. When he breathed in again, he smelled the wolfs fetid breath and the stench of wet fur. He struggled to keep the club in place in his opponent's jaws and stay out of reach of Stonefur's fangs. Sharp rocks dug into Haarn's back, bruising and tearing the exposed flesh.
Broadfoot growled, sounding angry and fearful.
Stonefur turned his head, biting down on the club and seeking to tear it from Haarn's grip. Lightning flashed and was reflected in the pitiless depths