He stepped forward menacingly.
“Speaking of which,” Harlondo’s left hand shot out. Gewey barely had time to react as a small knife whizzed by his head.
“Not bad,” Harlondo said with approval. “I was afraid this would be too easy to be proud of.”
Gewey let the pulse of the earth flow through him even more until it was like a raging river. Time began to slow, just as it had when he had fought the soldiers. He leapt forward, slashing down at Harlondo’s head, but the man moved easily away. Gewey stared at him in shock for a moment, then attacked again. Over and over, his sword found empty air as Harlondo countered with virtually no effort. Gewey had seen only one man move like that.
“You’re a…”
“Yes,” Harlondo interrupted, smiling. “You didn’t think Lee Starfinder was the only one, did you? But it’s worse than that, boy. The master has empowered me with energy from the Sword of Truth itself.”
Gewey felt his confidence drain.
“Don’t feel too bad, you’re not the first to underestimate me. Once I’m finished with you, I’ll find the rest of your friends and make sure you’re not the last.”
Gewey filled with rage at the thought of his friends falling to this demon. He ran headlong at Harlondo and thrust his sword at his belly, but Harlondo twisted and stepped away, bringing his own sword down. Gewey felt searing pain as the blade cut deep across the back of his shoulder. He spun around, sword extended, Harlondo ducked and again his blade found Gewey’s flesh, this time slashing open his upper thigh. Gewey backed away as Harlondo pressed the attack. He tried to block the onslaught, but Harlondo was too fast. Again and again, Harlondo’s sword cut deep, opening new wounds. Blood soaked Gewey’s clothes, and the wounds on his arms and shoulder made his sword feel heavy and awkward. His legs throbbed and shook with pain. He felt weak with blood loss, and could hardly hold onto his sword, as Harlondo came in for another attack. This time, Gewey was barely able to duck in time to keep his head on his shoulders. The blade sliced the top of his scalp, sending him tumbling to the ground. He rolled back, then stumbled to his feet.
“Why prolong the inevitable?” Harlondo asked. “You have fought well. Let me end your pain.”
Gewey glared at Harlondo and squared his shoulders. He looked to the edge of the clearing and saw Kaylia, tears streaming down her face. ‘I’m sorry,’ he thought. Kaylia eyes filled with sadness as though she had heard him.
“Still some fight in you, eh?” Harlondo laughed. “Good.”
In a flash, he was on Gewey again. This time Gewey was able to fend off the blade, but Harlondo closed in and smashed the hilt into the side of Gewey’s head. Gewey fell to the ground, dazed, blood pouring into his eyes and mouth. His surroundings began to feel dull and distant, and he wondered if this could really be the end. He attempted to stand up, but Harlondo merely laughed and kicked him back to the ground.
Harlondo stood over him with a satisfied smile. “And so ends the only child of heaven,” he mocked. “I’ll send your regards to your friends, starting with that one over there.”
‘Don’t give up.’ Gewey could suddenly hear Kaylia’s voice, clear as day, in his mind. ‘Don’t make me watch you die.’
Pain and desperation filled Gewey’s heart, as Harlondo raised his sword for the final stroke. Suddenly, the earth erupted and the ground shook violently. Harlondo’s eyes shot wide as the ground exploded, sending both men flying.
The last thing Gewey saw, before darkness took him, was the ravaged body of his enemy lying next to him. 'This is a good death,' he thought as the world around him faded to black. Gewey smiled with relief and let himself fade into the darkness.
Lady Fritzina struggled to her feet. In front of her was a crater ten feet wide and three feet deep. The mangled body of Harlondo lay a few feet away from her, alongside a pale and lifeless Gewey. She stared at the scene in horror. Kaylia lay on the ground next to her, struggling against her bonds. She picked up her dagger and pulled Kaylia to her knees.
“I could kill you,” Fritzina warned. Her voice trembled with fear and shock. “But if you promise that your friends will leave me alone, I will let you live.” She pulled off Kaylia’s gag. “Swear to it!”
“I swear none of my companions will touch you,” she said, her voice dripping with malice.
Lady Fritzina slowly backed away, then took off into the night.
Kaylia struggled to her feet and hopped to where Gewey’s sword lay, working the rope that held her against the blade. Once her bonds were cut, she ran to where Gewey lay. She put her hands on his face and closed her eyes. His life force was faint and fading. She put his sword in its sheath and attached it to her belt, ignoring the searing pain it caused as it touched her skin. Tears fell down her cheeks as she pulled his body upright. Using all of her strength, she threw him over her shoulder. The mile-long walk back to the city gate seemed to take a lifetime as she felt Gewey getting weaker. By the time she arrived, he was barely breathing.
The city was in turmoil. The guard post was empty and the gate had been left open. Kaylia found an abandoned wagon and put Gewey in the back. Panic in the streets made it difficult to maneuver, but eventually she arrived at Lord Ganflin’s manor. The gatekeeper was trying to fix the broken gate when Kaylia jumped from the wagon.
“Help me!” she commanded.
The gatekeeper looked in the wagon and gasped. “Was he hurt in the earthquake?”
“Are you deaf?” she screamed. “I said help me.” The gatekeeper flinched, but obeyed.
They hadn’t gone more than a few feet when Dina and Ertik came running from the house. They gingerly lifted Gewey from the wagon and rushed him inside. As soon as Martin saw what they were doing, he directed them to a nearby study where they laid Gewey down on a couch. Kaylia knelt down beside him, holding his hand.
“Get me something to make bandages,” she cried. “I must stop the bleeding.”
Martin went to a closet and retrieved a linen sheet. Kaylia began to tear it into strips and bind Gewey’s wounds.
“I’ll fetch a healer right away,” Martin said, bolting from the room.
“What happened?” Dina asked. “Who did this?”
“It was Harlondo,” Kaylia told her. “He is an agent of the Dark Knight.”
“Where is he now?”
“Dead,” Kaylia answered.
“Are you sure?” Ertik asked.
Kaylia shot to her feet, suddenly noticing the new face among them. “Who are you?’ she demanded.
“It’s alright,” Dina assured her. “He’s a member of my order. He’s here to help.”
Kaylia looked at him for a moment. “Do you have skills as a healer?”
“No. But if we can get him to Valshara, there are those that can help him. We have the best healers that have ever lived.”
“How far is it?” Kaylia asked as she knelt back beside Gewey.
“We can be there in two days,” Ertik replied.
“We leave as soon as the local healer arrives. Go get the carriage ready.”
“We should wait until he’s been treated,” Ertik advised. “That will take time.”
“No need,” Kaylia replied. “Whoever Martin brings will be coming with us.” She brushed back Gewey’s hair. “She can treat him on the way.”
“Kaylia,” Dina said. “We should-”
“I said get the carriage ready,” Kaylia yelled, cutting her off. “Now.”
Dina nodded and left the room. Ertik followed.
A few minutes later, Lee came running in. He saw Kaylia kneeling down at Gewey’s side, her eyes closed. “How is he?” he asked softly.
“He lives,” Kaylia answered. “But not for long if he doesn’t get help.”
“Dina said a healer is coming. She also told me you plan to take him to Valshara tonight.”
Kaylia nodded.
Lee stood there for a long moment, considering. “You need to tell me exactly what happened. I’m sorry, but I need to know before we leave.”
Kaylia recounted what happened. She was unable to hold back her tears when she told him of the fight between Gewey and Harlondo.