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Taker Of Skulls(33)

By:William King


“That’s the last of my ammunition,” she said.

“Get back over the bridge,” he said. “I’ll hold them here.”

Sasha did not need any more encouragement. Kormak did not watch her go. He kept his eyes focused on the beasts that were pursuing them. It looked like at least three were down along with their riders but there was at least half a dozen more. He counted heartbeats and watched the wolves, hoping that Sasha would have enough time to get across. He kept his sword ready to strike but nothing came towards him yet.

The riders were trying to goad their mounts forward but the wolves were nervous and snapped at the air, clearly worried by the fate of their pack mates. Kormak wondered how intelligent the creatures were. He had heard folks say they were gifted with a fell understanding that made them almost as smart as men. He had met a dire wolf in the Elfwood who was probably smarter than some of the people he had met. He fought to suppress a laugh. The quickleaf was still affecting him.

He glanced left and right to make sure nothing was coming at him from a different angle out of the shadows. Fairly soon now it was going to occur to those goblins to start tossing their darts at him. He wanted to be ready for that. He felt as if he could knock the missiles out of the air with his sword. His reflexes seemed that fast. He knew this feeling of overconfidence was a product of the drug.

“Kormak, come on,” he heard Sasha shout. “I’m over.”

Reluctantly he turned his back on the wolves and began to make his way over the Bridge of Nets. Behind him the wolves howled, as if they had gained courage at the sight of his flight.





The bridge creaked beneath his feet. There was an odd sensation of it giving way beneath him with each step.

Through the gaps in the stonework, he could see the tainted water a long way below. He risked a glance back over his shoulder. There was no sign of the wolves or goblins starting to advance yet, but it was only a matter of time.

In front of him was a gap in the stonework. The distance looked almost too far to jump.

Reluctantly he sheathed his sword. He could have tried throwing his weapon across but he was not about to risk a dwarf-forged blade falling into the waters below. The loss of his blade while still alive was the greatest possible dishonour that could befall a Guardian. He took a few steps back and raced forward, hoping to get enough momentum to make the leap. If he stumbled or hit the edge halfway through a stride he was doomed.

“Look out,” Karnea shouted.

A wolf howled, unnaturally close. Kormak glanced back. One of the great beasts was bounding nearer. Its goblin rider had a dart poised in his hand. With a wild yipping, it let loose. Kormak watched the missile arc through the air towards him. It flashed just by his cheek, fell to the floor and rolled backwards. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw it roll into the abyss. Kormak sprang, and realised with a sick feeling that he was not going to make it. He had been distracted at exactly the wrong time. He threw himself forward, stretching out his hands, and managed to catch the edge. His fingers closed like claws. He looked down and saw the glowing waters a long way below. His shoulders creaked as he swung forward. Exerting all his strength he pulled himself up.

The mangy wolf came right to the edge of the gap. Kormak feared it was going to spring on him and its weight would send them both tumbling to their doom. At the last moment, it came to a halt. The goblin on its back began to gnaw on its ear, trying to make it go forward, chittering what sounded like curses and imprecations. Kormak kept moving as the rider forced the wolf to move again.

The wolf raced forward, legs gathering beneath it to spring.

Kormak whipped his blade from its scabbard as the wolf leapt. It landed in front of Kormak, jaws snapping, eyes blazing with a mixture of fury and fear. The goblin on its back gibbered with crazed joy as if it had taken mad delight in the wild jump.

Kormak’s footing was uncertain and he was reluctant to put all his strength into a strike in case he fell. He brought the pommel of his blade down on the wolf’s nose as it lunged at him.

It whimpered in pain and crouched, readying itself for another leap.

Kormak struck again, lashing out with his foot, kicking the creature. On two legs for its spring, the wolf overbalanced. Its legs scrabbled as it tried to maintain its footing. It seemed to hang there in the air for a moment then tipped over backwards. As it fell Kormak could still hear the mad, joyous gibbering of the goblin. It seemed like it was going to enjoy the long drop all the way to the foul water below.

More of the wolves crowded forward at the end of the gap in the bridge. Their riders sent a hail of darts whizzing towards him. He knocked three out of the air with his sword. One glanced off his armour. One nicked his ear, and the rest fell onto the floor of the bridge or ended up falling away through the holes. He brandished his blade threateningly as if he was considering jumping back across and engaging in melee. Some of the wolves flinched away, while their riders giggled and looked as if they were considering leaping to meet him.