#pinefell

My blow struck home, killing Connelly instantly. He flew soundlessly past and hit the rising platform with a thud. However, this left me with a dilemma. Connelly hadn’t been the only one not to consider the full consequences of his actions. The other side of the platform, where I would land, plummeted away from me, leaving only a hard drop to the roof or a deadly one over the edge.

My legs spun…

Connelly charged, then leapt overhead into the air. I deflected his attack easily, but the platform tilted menacingly in my direction. I ran to the other end of the stage, hoping to balance things out. The platform was not in danger of falling off the roof, but the roof was pitched steeply enough that a full tilt could send me sprawling at least twenty feet. Even if I was uninjured, a man with…

Balance http://wp.me/spU4W-balance

Previous: Abbey

I reached the edge of the main group of scaffolds. Only a makeshift bridge lay between me and the platform I was headed towards. But I hesitated. Something was wrong. Nothing was collapsing, no platforms were breaking. There was no sign of movement at all, where before there had been chaos and glimpses of Connelly flitting ghostlike around me.  Now everything was still. Too still.

Abbey http://wp.me/spU4W-abbey

Previous: Lament

I strode through the door and immediately felt the premonition of danger, the amber-pommelled knife I held warning me of the sapphire one being used against me. Connelly was trying the same trick. I swung Sa’Lithra and intercepted the incoming blade easily. Unfortunately, it was just as tough as my sword and survived the impact without damage. As if on an invisible wire, it…

Lament http://wp.me/spU4W-lament

Previous: Pinefell

“No.” That was all I could think, all I could say, as his blood gushed out on the flagstones. I dragged him away from the deadly doorframe, still in disbelief. Not gentle, savage Dyélo, Dyélo who fought wolves barehanded and mourned over fallen badgers. Dyélo of the quick laugh and the quick strike.

Essedri joined me at his side a second later, and took a glance at the wound.…