Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [201]
The chiefs see the tornado coming toward them and turn as they begin riding fast further up into the pass, trying to outrun the approaching swirling mass of death.
“How is he?” Jiron shouts to Fifer.
“Not good!” he tells him. “His heart’s beating fast and he’s having trouble breathing.”
Jiron comes over and kneels down next to him and says, “James! You’ve done enough!” When it doesn’t look like he’s getting through to him, he shakes him and hollers, “James! You can stop!”
Eyes suddenly pop open and a great cry of pain escapes him. Then he suddenly collapses into unconsciousness.
The barrier collapses and the tornadoes begin to dissipate. “Alright boys!” Illan hollers. “Stay together and protect James and Miko.”
When the wind dies down and the tornadoes are gone, they take in the destruction James has wrought. Hundreds of men and horses lie dead or dying all around them. On the outskirts of the devastation, over twenty horsemen can be seen still on their horses. They’re all that remain of the host which accompanied Abula-Mazki.
A horn from the pass announces the return of the chiefs and their men. They pause there momentarily as the horn blasts again. “Here they come!” Illan says to the others as both the riders in the pass and the ones on the outskirts break into a gallop as they move in to attack.
Two archers remain and they begin firing off arrows but none strike their marks. One manages to hit the ground within a foot of Miko, the other was deflected off Uther’s shield.
“Strike the horses if you can’t get the men!” Illan tells them as they brace for the attack. “Remain together!”
Jiron positions himself over James and Miko while the others form a circle around them. Knife at the ready in his good hand, he stands firm as he watches the riders thunder closer.
The area around where the barrier had been is littered with the dead and provides them some cover. Also, the charging riders have to slow when they reach it to prevent their horses from stumbling.
Illan and the others move to attack while the riders are trying to move through the dead bodies. “For Madoc!” the battle cry can be heard as Uther’s sword takes out the first rider.
Other cries are heard as the battle is joined. Hinney and Keril stand shoulder to shoulder as they manage to hold their own against three riders.
One horseless rider manages to break through the ring of defenders and runs toward where Jiron is waiting. A smile crosses the rider’s face when he sees a man with only one good arm and just wielding a dagger at that.
Striking out at Jiron with his sword, the man so sure of victory, is surprised when Jiron easily deflects it to the side. Suddenly crying out in pain, the man falls to the ground after Jiron breaks his knee with a well placed kick. Trying to block Jiron’s next attack, he swings his sword wildly.
Jiron strikes out with his foot again and connects with the man’s groin. Then with his other foot he kicks the man’s swordarm, causing the sword to go flying. He then moves in with his knife and finishes him.
Standing up, he looks around at the battles going on around him. The defenders are taking a toll, especially Jorry and Uther who have a ring of bodies around them. Fifer has two dead while Illan and Yern have accounted for seven.
Keril suddenly cries out as a sword takes him in the side. Hinney quickly engages the rider as his friend falls to the ground. Other riders come and join the one fighting Hinney, Jiron knows he’s not going to last long.
Suddenly, to the south, more horns can be heard. Jiron looks and sees dozens of riders riding fast toward them. Damn! More reinforcements!
The horns sound again and an answering horn can be heard coming from the pass. The riders engaging the defenders suddenly break off and race to their awaiting horses. Leaping atop them, they join the riders coming fast from the pass.
Jiron can see the clan chiefs giving them an ugly look that says this isn’t over before they race off to the west. The large group