FrivYeti/CalinPg5
Table of Contents
Previous Page
As the hobgoblins advanced, Brewan and Bryce retreated, backing towards the sleeping monster. Brewan raised his saber menacingly to the nearest and hissed to Bryce, "Okay, do we have a plan?"
"Well, first I would suggest that we fight them. Then they kill us, and probably eat our corpses or something like that. Then we get avenged, I hope." Bryce raised his spear, but looked glum. "I couldn't beat one of those things, let alone two."
"Yeah, me too. Why aren't they attacking?" Brewan watched the hobgoblins nervously. They watched back. One chuckled and said something in a language that neither soldier understood. "What are they waiting for?"
The hissing that filled the clearing suddenly doubled in volume, and he got the feeling that he had his answer. Brewan turned as the great serpent reared up, shadowy wings flinging wide, the clearing plunged into night, and screeched. It towered above him, its head pointed down, black tongue flicking in and out as it considered its newest prey, and its wings blocked the sun and turned the sky around their edges dark with night. Through their membrane, he saw the stars glittering, cold and uncaring. Fear filled him, and he forgot the hobgoblins entirely, spinning to flee the clearing.
At the same time, Bryce heard the screech and spun. He clutched the spear like a life-beacon as he gaped in terror, desperately trying to muster the courage to act. Behind him, the hobgoblins roared with glee and fell upon Brewan, using the flats of their axes to knock him over, tripping him and laughing as he tried to rise and run again. Bryce heard it, and a part of him understood what was happening, but he was transfixed. Slowly, agonizingly, he raised his spear, as the curious serpent nudged forwards. As it leaned towards him, its hiss redoubled, and Bryce felt it humming through his soul, pulling out every fearful thought and putting them on display. Brewan howled in terror, a howl cut off as a hobgoblin smashed its axe handle into his head and he collapsed, and Bryce felt something else, something so deep inside he almost hadn't noticed it.
Anger.
How dare those monsters make him so afraid, and for what? For their own amusement? How dare they torture Brewan and drive him into a frenzy of terror, just for the fun of it. How dare they come to HIS valley, and threaten HIS people! The sun shone down on him, and he felt his fear vanish. In his mind, he heard an echo. "They will not threaten my children any longer! Through me, you are Exalted, Garamond Bryce! Return to the world the light of the Unconquered Sun!" As a gleaming golden circle began to form on his forehead, he took action.
Raising the spear, Bryce steeled himself. The serpent lowered itself to look at him, scorning his weapon in its curiousity about this strange little light, and about the bit of meat that didn't run. With a roar of anger, Bryce stabbed forwards, and as he did so, he felt power suffuse him, coiling out from the depths of his soul and coating him in gleaming light. Golden light coursed up the spear's haft as it struck directly into the serpent's snout, guiding it into a perfect blow. The serpent was caught entirely off-guard by the spear's approach. It roared in pain and surprise as the golden spire cut through its thick skin, and recoiled, dripping bits of shadow that splashed in dark puddles on the ground, the grass twisting to escape before withering underneath. Within its mind was nothing but confusion. Morsels weren't supposed to fight back, and they weren't supposed to hurt it. The master wasn't present to order it in the event of new developments, and its world was in confusion. Flapping its wings, it took to the air as Bryce turned to regard the hobgoblins. The four of them stared in shock. Events had just transformed in a way that none of them were prepared for, and one of their easy targets had just become a major threat. One raised its axe halfway, as though to attack, and then paused, looking to the others. Bryce took advantage of their confusion.
"Leave. And leave my people alone." Bryce raised his spear threateningly, and glowered, taking a step towards the hobgoblins. In unison, they stepped back. Bryce advanced another step, letting a grim smile play across his features, and the hobgoblins broke, fleeing in terror in all directions. Bryce smiled in truth for a moment, relieved at his escape. He wasn't sure what he was capable of anymore, not with this new power, but he didn't think four fully prepared hobgoblins were within his power to defeat yet. A flash came to him, of a greater war, against beings who made the hobgoblins look like gnats, but he knew in his heart that he was no longer that Solar. It was better not to risk it. Rushing forwards, he knelt to look at Brewan. He was still breathing, but he didn't look good. Bryce shoved the implications of his situation to the back of his mind as he thought. He had no medical training or knowledge, but he knew that if he left Brewan here, he would die. Picking him up carefully, sunlight fading from his chest and forehead, he began to stagger towards town.
