06-25-2009, 05:04 AM
2)
His grip on the long spear tightened as Daniel grew agitated. As the strange footsteps grew closer, he noticed the craven expression on Tiberiusâs face. The man was practically on his knees, begging for forgiveness.
Another wave washed through him from the passage ahead, and something else. A glimmer. A shimmering. As the crisp crunch of his feet hit the floor, the shape began to take form in the lit passageway. Though it was still obscured by the otherworldly light of the crystalline walls, Daniel could make out a shape with his elven sight. The slender figure approached.
Marcus slid beside Daniel and readied the crossbow, taking aim at the figure dead ahead. He glanced at Daniel for just a moment and then thought twice. Okay, boy. Weâll do it your way, he thought. He swung the weapon to his right.
âWell, well, well,â an unfamiliar voice sounded from the passage. It wasnât Robinâs at all, but a manâs voice. âAnd the three mewling pups come to the bearâs den at last.â
âLord Balthus. I did as you askedâ Tiberius cringed even more than before. âI serve only- â
âYou serve only yourself, worm,â interrupted the figure ahead declared. âAnd what better use for worms than as bait?â
âLet her go, Balthus.â Daniel demanded.
âHa ha ha ha ha,â he laughed as he approached. âOr else what? You weak, pathetic, elfling. Your precious Robin has been crushed.â
No longer concealed by the light of the walls, the crystalline figure stepped even closer.
âAs... will... you... all...â
âA Xanthum!â He may not have been the best archer in the realm, but the Guardianâs sped the crossbow back up and let loose the oaken shaft with astonishing speed and accuracy. Before Daniel even noticed Marcusâs action, the bolt sped through the neck of the crystal puppet. The head rolled off the body and shattered on the floor.
âHa ha ha ha ha,â Balthusâs voice echoed. âSuch spirit... old man. Letâs see how you fare against death itself.â
Daniel poised himself as the glassy statue raised its diamond sharp arms.
His grip on the long spear tightened as Daniel grew agitated. As the strange footsteps grew closer, he noticed the craven expression on Tiberiusâs face. The man was practically on his knees, begging for forgiveness.
Another wave washed through him from the passage ahead, and something else. A glimmer. A shimmering. As the crisp crunch of his feet hit the floor, the shape began to take form in the lit passageway. Though it was still obscured by the otherworldly light of the crystalline walls, Daniel could make out a shape with his elven sight. The slender figure approached.
Marcus slid beside Daniel and readied the crossbow, taking aim at the figure dead ahead. He glanced at Daniel for just a moment and then thought twice. Okay, boy. Weâll do it your way, he thought. He swung the weapon to his right.
âWell, well, well,â an unfamiliar voice sounded from the passage. It wasnât Robinâs at all, but a manâs voice. âAnd the three mewling pups come to the bearâs den at last.â
âLord Balthus. I did as you askedâ Tiberius cringed even more than before. âI serve only- â
âYou serve only yourself, worm,â interrupted the figure ahead declared. âAnd what better use for worms than as bait?â
âLet her go, Balthus.â Daniel demanded.
âHa ha ha ha ha,â he laughed as he approached. âOr else what? You weak, pathetic, elfling. Your precious Robin has been crushed.â
No longer concealed by the light of the walls, the crystalline figure stepped even closer.
âAs... will... you... all...â
âA Xanthum!â He may not have been the best archer in the realm, but the Guardianâs sped the crossbow back up and let loose the oaken shaft with astonishing speed and accuracy. Before Daniel even noticed Marcusâs action, the bolt sped through the neck of the crystal puppet. The head rolled off the body and shattered on the floor.
âHa ha ha ha ha,â Balthusâs voice echoed. âSuch spirit... old man. Letâs see how you fare against death itself.â
Daniel poised himself as the glassy statue raised its diamond sharp arms.