GoCorral

Hey folks! Did a little more writing and finished Chapter 11. I’m still estimating 4 more chapters plus a short epilogue.

Chapter 11 – Shrine of Artemis (Continued)

Galandir held the strap of his pack and said, “Should we take anymore of those silver swords?”

The group had hiked quickly back to the spindle structure. Whatever adlishars survived the initial attack must’ve perished at the sacred pool. Their bodies had then been stacked by nymphs for bears to devour.

Tereman said, “They would make a fine ransom, but we can only carry so much. That statue of the goddess is going to take up all of the weight one of us can muster.” The paladin turned to the friend his shoulder supported, “What do you think, Blendegad? Can you carry a little extra?”

Blendegad breathed deeply. “Yes, we should. Let’s have you heal my leg as best you can first.”

Tereman said, “Of course. Galandir, why don’t you gather up the swords while I see to Blendegad?”

Galandir nodded and left to collect the silver swords of the adlishar. There were twenty three littered around and inside the structure along with fifteen within the armory and the three they’d picked up earlier. Galandir bundled them up with a blanket from the dormitory and brought them back to Blendegad and Tereman.

Blendegad sat down on the ground with his legs stretched in front of him and his arms behind, taking the weight of his torso. The greave and boot from his right leg had been removed and the shredded trouser leg was rolled up. The injuries to his leg were gone. Fresh skin showed against the dirt-stained hair of Blendegad’s shin. Tereman sat in front of Blendegad in the same pose with his head leaned back looking at the sky. Their packs were off beside them on the ground. Blendegad waved as Galandir approached.

Galandir asked, “How’s the leg?”

Blendegad said, “Doing better. I’ll need a new greave though.”

Tereman took a deep breath and let it out. “Healing that took a lot out of me. I’d say we should camp here, but…” He took a look around at the dead animals and adlishars nearby.

Galandir said, “Wouldn’t be that safe with the bear around here either. We should get a bit further east before camping.”

Blendegad strapped on his damaged greave and pulled on his boot. As he did he said, “Let’s now waste any time then. We’ll head up to the shrine and see about what managing our load before going a mile or two east to get away from that bear.”

The others nodded. They all secured their packs once more. Galandir held the silver swords in their blanket container as they hiked up the hill to the woodland shrine of Artemis.

They approached the small wooden plank building. A cold wind blew through the hills. Galandir’s arms were tired. They would readjust the weight soon after taking the statue.

An adlishar stepped out from behind the shrine. This one was wearing black pants with a silver belt, a brown sleeveless shirt, and a green shawl around its shoulders. It held a flowing silver sword in its right hand. Its left hand went up to its temple.

Galandir shouted, “No!” He dropped the bundle of swords onto his feet, wincing at the pain. He yanked his left hand backward in an instant. “A’dant!” The adlishar’s hand flew away from its forehead as Galandir’s spell took effect. The adlishar growled and stormed forwards.

The three warriors drew their swords. Tereman moved in front of Galandir to defend him. Blendegad circled to the right to flank the adlishar.

It looked at Blendegad and stopped. It backed away to the left to avoid being encircled. The creature spoke, “You have faced our kind before. And lived? Curious.”

Tereman said, “Yes. And we’re ready to kill more of y-”

The creature interrupted Tereman with a magic thrust. The force wasn’t directed at Tereman, but rather at the ground beneath him. The hillside shifted under his feet and he fell. The dirt cascaded down, knocking Galandir off balance as well. The adlishar whirled towards Blendegad and was upon him in three paces.

Blendegad drew energy from the grass, killing the plants around him. It wasn’t much life force, but it was enough. He slammed his right fist into the side of the adlishar with frightening speed. It whirled to the ground, but lashed out with its sword, slicing Blendegad along his left bicep. Blendegad cried in pain and backed away from the adlishar.

Tereman stood up again and ran towards the monster. It rolled in the dirt to face him and threw a powerful telekinetic blast in his face. The blow knocked Tereman into the air and down the hill. He sailed over Galandir before he landed to slide several dozen podes down the slope.

Galandir grabbed one of the silver swords littered around his feet. Along with his own sword he aimed them at the adlishar. “Stachit!” Galandir cast his ice magic. Freezing frost poured from the blades towards the adlishar. It threw up a force field using its left hand to block the magic before it froze solid.

Blendegad came in on the adlishar’s right. His sword blow came in fast, but the adlishar blocked it. Blendegad attacked again and again. Being further uphill, he had the advantage. He could strike with little worry of a counter blow, especially while the monster was absorbed in defending itself from Galandir.

Tereman shook the impact of his fall from his face. He got to his feet and ran up the hill. Seeing the situation, the solution was simple. Blendegad and Galandir could keep the adlishar occupied and he could slip in to kill it. Tereman got in position and advanced on the monster.

The adlishar spied Tereman out of the corner of its eye. It abandoned the force field and brought its left hand to its forehead. Blendegad lunged and stabbed the hand. The adlishar slashed at Blendegad. Tereman stepped forward and shoved his own sword into its right side. The adlishar’sswing lost its power. The weakened blow hit Blendegad’s leather cuirass, but did not penetrate.

Tereman drove his blade in further to the adlishar. “Stay out of Cimmeria,” he growled a the beast. It went limp and fell forward. Tereman withdrew his weapon.

Galandir breathed deeply as he released his spell. “That’s got to be the last of them?”

Blendegad grabbed the green shawl of the adlishar to wrap around his new arm injury. “I fucking hope so.”