Beleg glanced back and winced.  “Ah, yes…” he stammered.  “I… uh… had initially chosen those two swords during the selection process but found them to be… lacking?” “I heard about his trouble,” the other man interrupted, his smooth voice seemingly far more accustomed to stretching the truth than Beleg had been, “and as I was...Read More

Even with his intuitive twin blades, Kre had a difficult time keeping up with Beleg during practice.  The large man moved with exquisite grace and speed, weaving his large blade through the air like a leaf on the wind.  Although Beleg’s sword was heavily padded, Kre could still feel the power come through as a...Read More

Beleg slumped in a chair and sighed loudly, “Where the heck is Dain? I can’t handle this on my own.” “Master Dain,” Grivallt said, kneeling down next to Beleg, “is with the others working on verifying funds for the first part of the auction later. He will be other indisposed for quite some time.” “Blast…”...Read More

Kre took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  ‘Lord Tralagar, would you please bless me with your wisdom?’ There was no response for several seconds and then, ‘That was pitiful, but it is a start, and we shall work on that.’ Kre gritted his teeth, ‘And the sword?  My honorable Lord Tralagar?’ ‘Oh...Read More

Beleg reached for a long, wrapped bundle that Kre hadn’t noticed before and tugged on the strings holding the wrappings tight.  Beleg seemed overly careful as he peeled the cloth away, using just two fingers to do so, until a large, sheathed sword was revealed.  “Grivallt had to listen to me complain about trying to...Read More

Virryn woke him with a plate of fresh fruits and a bowl of something mushy, brown, and steaming.  “Eat up,” she advised.  “This was all I could save from Beleg.  That man has an appetite like I have never seen.” Kre nodded and accepted the food gratefully.  He wasn’t too sure of the mush at...Read More

“Barry, huh?”  Beleg muttered to himself and shook his head.  “I should have guessed that rat would pull something like this. “This one’s on me,” he continued ruefully.  “I shouldn’t have left you here by yourself.”  He took another long look around the room, now well lit after Virryn found a couple of unbroken lamps...Read More

A flash of steel. A spray of blood. A howl of pain. The melee was finally over.  Barry lay curled up on the floor clutching at the back of his left leg with his free hand.  Kre held both of his blades again, though he had no idea how.  Barry tried to climb to his...Read More

“What happened to…” Barry’s voice trailed off as he looked down at the sword in his hand. “I’m not afraid of you anymore,” Kre whispered, almost a little too low for Barry’s ears. Barry’s head and eyes slowly rose until he was glaring down at the younger man.  His lips curled up into a sneer...Read More

If Tralagar said anything more, it was lost in the immediacy of Kre fighting for his life.  Barry wasn’t going full tilt as far as Kre could tell.  The strikes were precise, but always seemed to be pulled just shy of a decent hit.  Kre had felt Beleg hit with full force once at his...Read More