ushernet Terror Eleven - Ambush
Terror Eleven - Ambush
Terror Eleven - Ambush
Terror Eleven - Ambush
I hold onto Felixs hand as we run down one alley, then shift over and run down another.
There are screams behind us, calls telling others where were running.
Im beginning to have a few small regrets. Notably, I should probably not have flashed so much gold around. Im still not sure of the actual value of gold, but it seems like the dozen coins I have left are enough to encourage people to rob Felix and me.
Or maybe worse.
Some of the things the men are shouting at us are downright disgusting.
I glance up at the sky as we continue down another passage between two warehouses. The sky above is dark and speckled with tiny white pinpricks from the sea of stars. I cant see any signs that there's anyone watching us, but I can almost feel the attention of something oozing with loathing. It isnt even directed at me.
The thugs following us wouldn't be so excited if they had any ability to sense the magic in the air.
But I dont want that kind of help. I dont need it.
Im perfectly able to take care of myself.
Some jerk jumps out from behind a stack of crates, and its all I can do to gasp as he grabs my wrist and pulls. I hiss as my shoulder strains, and I separate from Felix for a moment, letting her go on ahead for a few steps. Got you! the man hisses.
His breath is rancid, like rotting meat, and even with the poor light I can tell that his teeth are crooked and closer to green than white.
I dont even need to think to flood my core with disgust.
Dark magic isnt great offensively, but being disgusted is just about the best way to defend yourself. I punch the man in the chest.
He barely even shifts.
So I punch him again and again and again. Theres no pain, and with each blow, my hand darkens, little licks of flame-like magic coating my hand more and more. My fist hardens, and I start to see a reaction as my blows grow heavier.
The man slaps me.
I feel it, of course. I even see it coming, though the best I can do to avoid it is tilt my head to the side so that the slap hits my cheek.
I dont want him breaking my glasses.
The man seems confused, which is just great because he doesnt react when I jump up and punch him in the chin.
Something finally snaps, and he stumbles back, bumping into the wall a moment before falling back.
I pant a bit, some focus going to shifting the magic around in my body.
Being able to endure doesnt translate to being able to hit hard.
I should have used some other magic, but the emotions were all wrong.
Miss Valeria!
I look up, then in the direction Felix is pointing.
The little scuffle has taken a few seconds, and now those chasing us are closing in.
H-help! I call out.
Instead of having the guards rush over, the door to the carriage bursts open and a man jumps out, landing with a heavy thump on the road before he turns our way.
Hes huge, a big slab of muscle barely contained within a perfectly nice suit. Not a very colourful or lacy one, but a nice suit all the same.
He tugs at his moustache, then he starts walking towards us.
No fear, little ladies, he says with a voice like a foghorn. A few bandits wont take me more than a moment!
I watch him raise one leg up, then shift his foot around so that his heel is pointing straight down. Then I feel it.
Earth mage! I warn Felix a moment before his leg rockets down and rams into the street.
We both stumble and trip as the road bounces underfoot.
The thugs behind us arent so lucky.
I land in a roll, the remains of my endurance spell bleeding off, but doing its work in keeping me from being hurt. All that means is that Im able to get on my feet in a hurry and watch as the thugs run into a wall of blunt-ended spikes.
Theres screaming and cursing as some of them ram into the poles. Others are nimble enough to dodge, but that just means that theyre at the front when the guards finally decide to act and start charging over, long halberds lowered and pointing at them.
I decide that the better part of valour is being elsewhere, so I stumble over to Felix and help her up before jogging back towards the gate.
Are you well, ladies? the big man asks.
I inspect him right away.
[Romulus - The Earthen Pillar - Vigilant]
Adept Rock Crushing Behemoth
Novice Earthy Hero
Initiate Gourmand
Thank you, I say.
Three classes. He has to be a noble of some sort. More importantly, hes associated with the Church of the Hero. Its not the clothes or the nobility that give it away; its the second title.
The Earth magic helps too, but using a kind of magic associated with a particular god doesnt mean that someone worships them or anything.
Are you well? he asks.
Fine, I say. Just fine. Thank you again, Sir Romulus.
It is nothing. Now, what can two young ladies be doing out here with so many fools after them?
I glance back for a good excuse, but all I see are thugs beating a hasty retreat while the guard pick up some of those that fell or that they caught. Its only a fraction of them, of course.
Well, thats a bit complicated, I say.
***