Part 15
Slashed, Smashed, and Skewered
“I may have to show you more of my cards.” the constable said, grinning.
The Vassal jumped back as three thorns impacted into the ground where he had stood, drilling into the road.
“He goaded him into revealing his ace,” Namic said.
“It would have been better to hold it off a little longer,” Ranin agreed. “But it certainly was a dramatic entry.”
The Vassal glanced in the direction the projectiles had come from. Nearly a thousand paces from the fight stood a large reptilian creature over five feet long and standing more then a foot off the ground.
“Crystal Iguanas are powerful beasts but difficult to control,” Namic said.
“No cat?” the Vassal taunted, “Did I put it out of its misery?”
“Well, let‘s say I exchanged it for something superior,” the constable said.
“Indeed. I doubt he could handle and maintain three Kazans,” Namic said.
“You never know,” Ranin said.
The Golem charged again. The Vassal evaded the attack, eyeing the Iguana. When the golem tried again and the Vassal began to counter the Iguana reacted and sent thorns to intercept, forcing the Vassal to retreat.
“They have him on the run,” Ranin said, worried.
“An interesting strategy,” said Namic. “using the Crystal Iguana to cover the Golem’s wide opening with a long ranged attack while the Golem keeps our friend pinned down and unable to go after the Crystal Iguana.”
“How long do you think he can avoid the Golem?” Ranin asked.
“That will not be his concern.”
As the Vassal evaded another attack of the golem, a blade was thrust at him from the side. The Vassal of Fire attempted to twist but the blade caught him and gashed out his side. The soldier, who attacked him turned and fled, as the Vassal attempted to follow, but the thorns from the Iguana impeded his progress. The Vassal eyed the Iguana as he avoided another attack of the Golem. Slowly three new spikes were growing from the shrinking tail.
“He may have seen its weakness,” Namic said.
“But can he take advantage of it?” Ranin said. “Whatever it is.”
Taking the opportunity he struck at the Golem slashing across its chest, but still the Golem continued. The Vassal withdrew further from the Crystal Iguana as the Golem chased him down. The Vassal dodged the Golem’s strike and feigned to attack. The Iguana’s thorns ripped through the air between them, but the Vassal quickly darted back around as the thorns passed and struck at the golem’s exposed back.
“Attacking between cycles!” Ranin said.
“He has left his guard down,” Namic said.
“Huh?”
A sword ripped through the Vassal of Fire’s arm, and then the soldier who struck the blow turned and fled. The Clay Golem turned and landed a solid blow to the center of the Vassal’s chest sending him across the street. The Vassal forced himself up and looked at his partially attached right arm. Scowling, he slashed it off.
“Eh!” Ranin squirmed.
“Interesting,” Namic said.
“He is preserving strength,” Namic continued. “That arm would be useless and only get in the way. Worse, it would take effort to keep the form of it up.”
“Yeah, but?” Ranin said, disgusted.
“And this is not even at my strongest,” the constable gloated.
The Vassal grunted then charged the approaching Golem.
“What is he planning?” Ranin asked.
The Vassal leapt clear of the Golem then pivoted back attacking its side. His blade barely began to impale the golem when the Iguana’s thorns impacted between them. One drilled through the Vassal of Fire’s left leg. The Vassal continued moving, heading straight to the constable.
“He bought himself time,” Namic said.
“To fight the constable?” Ranin asked.
“I doubt that is the plan,” Namic said.
With his good leg the Vassal leapt at the horsed constable. The constable met the attack head on drawing his saber to deflect the Vassal’s claymore. The Vassal sailed past the constable, hit the ground, rolled onto his feet, and continued to run.
“He broke the blockade!” Ranin said.
“He bought what time he could,” Namic agreed.
“Follow him,” the constable ordered. “And do not let him escape.” The Iguana and Golem, accompanied by a group of soldiers, gave chase to the injured fugitive, “The rest of you,” the constable continued. “Find the girl and the old man.”
“Where is she?” Ranin asked desperately.
“Over here,” Namic said.
Ranin looked where Namic pointed out and saw the girl and Uncle Ben arrive at the inn. They grabbed their belongings and exited out the back, starting a long roundabout trek towards the port side of town.
“What is our friend doing now?” Ranin asked after verifying the girl and her uncle were safe and noting that Sworder had yet to return.
“You should see for yourself,” Namic said.
That was something Ranin never needed to be told twice. Sworder was keeping to the shadows. Ambushing solders and distracting searchers, while avoiding the constable and his Kazan’s.
“How is he still fighting,” Ranin said, viewing the one armed, limping Shadow Warrior.
“Determination,” Namic said. “But I fear he may take it too far.”
So Sworder continued until evening, resting more often and longer as the day continued on. As the sun set, the two watched Sworder face one more opponent. He had brought Sworder to open combat, and there held him at bay.
“He is quite skilled,” Namic said.
“But he’s playing a risky game,” Ranin said.
The Swordsman pressed Sworder not allowing him to escape. Sworder, however, was tired from the long day and stayed at a distance outside the reach of the opponent’s longer blade. The swordsman pushed Sworder back but Sworder did not let himself be pinned against the wall.
“It’s quite a racket they are creating,” Ranin said.
“Indeed,” Namic said, “It cannot be too long before more guards come to this man’s aid.”
Sworder took one of the few opportunities to counter attack. Sworder’s short sword came dangerously close to the swordsman but he evaded the blow. Planting one foot, he lunged at Sworder with his sword.
The sword ran through Sworder, right beneath the rib cage. Unheeding the injury, Sworder smashed the swordsman’s planted leg. The leg buckled under the pressure and the man cried out in pain dropping his sword as he fell to the ground.
Sworder stepped back slowly removing the blade from his torso. Clutching the wound he began limping away. Stumbling as he went, he was barely able to keep himself up.
“He is having difficulty holding his form,” Namic said. “He has to get to his Master.”
“Will he be able to find her?” Ranin said.
“Finding her is not the issue,” Namic said. “But rather can he reach her in time.”
It took Ranin a few moments to find the girl. She and her uncle were hiding in an alcove, where one roof over capped another, creating a dark spot.
As the sun began to set the shadows grew longer stretching across the roof top. Uncle Ben sat against the wall asleep but the girl kept watch over the roof. A small figure slowly climbed over the side of the roof. The girl tensed as she watched the figure. Then she saw it was Sworder pulling himself over the up and onto the roof, laying still on the rooftop.
“Sworder!” the girl cried running over to him.
He lifted himself up slightly as the girl embraced him. “Are you all right?” he asked the girl weakly.
“Yes, thanks to you.” She said, then pulling back, she continued, “Thank you Sworder.”
Slowly Sworder began to stand but faltered. The girl supported him, holding him up.
“Your arm!” She said horrified.
“Do not worry,” he said, comforting her. “I will have one tomorrow.”
Tears began forming in her eyes, making her eyes gleam in the twilight. “Do you need help with anything? Is there anything you need?”
“I need some rest,” Sworder said, wearily, attempting to stand again.
The girl supported him up then worming herself under his remaining arm, helped him across the rooftop into the darkness. He sat down against the wall with a sigh of relief. The girl moved to the packs and grabbed a blanket but when she turned back Sworder was gone. In the darkness she wore a sad smile, then wrapped herself in the blanket as she sat under the overhanging roof, watching.
“Well, I guess that ends this chapter,” Ranin said.
“There is still much to be done,” Namic said.
“Like what?” Ranin asked curiously.
“They have a ship to catch tomorrow and I doubt the constable will give up so easily,” Namic said.
“He would not have his people search through the night?” Ranin asked, incredulously.
“No, but already the city has been secured,” Namic said. “He will have reason to believe they are still in the city, thus in the morning they will continue the search.”
“Do you think our old friend will have the stamina to continue?” Ranin asked.
“A short night can do much for a Kazan,” Namic said. “But I fear that he may be on the edge.”
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