Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #14 May 2015 | Page 61

We left Damitri and Lady Selena fleeing the inn, let’s
rejoin the story in Part Two…

The figures that circled the inn waited for their master.
Murlac tested the wards that blocked their access and
spat; he would have burned the inn down if he had
not needed her intact and now he had been forced to
report his delay, the punishment for which he did not
relish.
“Murlac,” the disembodied voice called out, catching
his attention and he turned to find the figure of his
master slowly manifested from the night behind him.
“Why do you not have the girl?” The ice in his voice
cut through the blackened exterior of the killer and he
trembled on the spot. “The inn is warded my master,
we cannot gain entry without damage to ourselves or
risk to the girl,” he feebly replied.
The pale hand of the dark robed figure shot forward at
the man’s throat and Murlac found himself choking as
his body was lifted into the air.
“I have little time for excuses, Murlac. You and your
men are expendable, so get me the girl.” He dropped
the trembling figure to the ground and move towards
the inn doors, which suddenly opened. In the doorway
stood a giant figure wielding an axe that glowed with
a silver light.

The giant’s voice rang out: “Begone, these people are
not for you.” Several of Murlac’s men quickly moved
towards the now open doorway when the giant’s voice
rang out again. “Begone I say for this inn is protected,” and with that his free hand burst into silver fire
that caused the figures to draw back. “An cèitean na
solas gabh sibh.” His words were firm and loaded
with purpose as the silver fire that engulfed his hand
seemed to suddenly dim, causing the figures to run
forward once again, the giant grinned. “Now burn!” he
roared as he thrust his hand forward; a burst of silver
fire flew from his hands and enveloped the entire inn
with streaks of light emanating from the windows,
quickly turning the charging men to ash.
A similar fate would have been granted to Murlac had
he not thrown himself behind his master, for although
the spell was powerful he was not powerless to resist it, and the magic split around him as water splits
around a rock in a river.
Wulfran was taken by surprise that the figure could
withsta