Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #14 May 2015 | Page 62

His first blow was to gauge his opponent, who quickly
ducked his blow and circled behind him drawing a
spiral horn hilted sword. Wulfran attacked again, their
weapons ringing as the cloaked figure time and time
again matched his blows and turned them aside.

shoulders, and the second could only stare down at the
long silvered blade that now protruded from his chest.
Withdrawing his blade Damitri quickly sheathed it as
the remaining swordsman fell to the ground. His eyes
quickly darted to the surrounding trees before returning to Selina, who was staggering back to her feet.
“You killed them,” she said her voice shaking.

Deciding a change of pace was needed, Wulfran
struck at his opponent’s weapon and when they turned
to avoid the blow his arm shot out grabbing the defender’s flailing cloak, quickly turning and dragging
him off balance before throwing him to the side. The
dark warrior quickly recovered and rolled with the
throw, swiftly returning to his feet.

“I am your guardian, we all have a purpose m’lady,” came his stoic response. Their brief respite was
quickly broken by the sounds of a large beast in the
distance. “Come,” Damitri soothed as he offered his
hand. “There are many more behind us.”

Murlac, seizing the opportunity, charged at the large
man and slashed him across his shoulder, causing a
roar of pain from the large figure. His audacity was
rewarded with a swift back fist that spun Murlac on
the spot as the large axe removed his head from his
shoulders, his body quickly turning to black ash.

As they started to make their way again she whispered
to him, “Why do they want me so badly?” “Because
M’lady, they fear your purpose.” He slowed and
turned to face her, a look of confusion on her face. “I
promise I will explain everything to you as soon as
we’re safe.” He turned from her again and resumed his
pace: “If we can make the edge of the forest by daybreak, we have a chance.”

Clutching his shoulder Wulfran quickly turned to the
remaining dark warrior who stood still for a moment,
almost sniffing the air. “A clever gambit lightwarden,
but your ruse is up.” He took a step back: “Take relish
in your victory, for the war will be over by the coming
dawn,” and with that the figure faded into the vary
darkness of the night.

Damitri knew that if he was alone, escaping would
be easy. Vastly outnumbered, he was fearful of his
charge falling into the hands of the lords that dwelt
below the black and twisted forest of Ur.

Wulfren quickly returned to the safety of the inn,
where he began to comprehend the finality of the warrior’s words. “Prove them wrong, Damitri, prove them
wrong,” he prayed.
Selina’s heart pounded as she ran through the forest,
her arm outstretched as her guardian Damitri guided
her through the thick undergrowth.
“Quickly,” he hissed, “they are gaining on us.” His
warning rang true as two of their pursuers sprang from
the undergrowth, their obsidian blades glowing with
a purple fire. Yet for all their cunning their ambush
was for nought, as Damitri quickly threw Selina to
the ground before drawing his own silvered blade in
a swift arc. Such a sense of honed purpose and precision, it caused the attackers to freeze in their steps
as the first of Damitri’s assailants’ heads fell from his

A swift movement to his left brought his attention
back to the situation at hand and he quickly spun on
the heel of his boot as a black barbed arrow grazed
him across his cheek before striking the tree next to
him. He quickly led Selina through the trees to his
right and, as he became aware of their pursuers behind
them he realised he was being coerced into a specific
path until finally he found himself staring at a group of
those that were following him, the Nightfell marauders.
Damitri’s hand flew to his hilt when a deep voice rang
out, a voice that Damitri knew too well. “Enough of
this,” the voice thundered as a tall figure steeped into
view. The black leather plates of his armour seemed to
merge into the darkness of the night, a pair of swords
hung comfortably at his waist and his long black hair
tied back giving Damitri a clear view of his face.

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