Deathscent by Robin Jarvis

Author:Robin Jarvis [Jarvis, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780007450473
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2011-01-25T13:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

Angel Versus Demon

Pushing the stallion to its limits until it clattered and jarred beneath them, Brindle and Jack had ridden like a hurricane and finally caught up with Old Scratch in the clearing beneath the Iribian’s night boat. There, against the newly built scaffold, the wild boar made his stand and whirled a horrendous head towards them. From the slanting eyes and the mutilated maw, scarlet froth was spitting as the temper inside him boiled to a new degree. Sitting behind Brindle, Jack Flye looked on that infernal beast and knew that from this place only one of them could walk away. “Give me the pole,” he demanded urgently. “Get in as close as you can and I’ll strike. One direct blow will slow him, then I’ll finish it.”

Brindle pressed the broken staff into his hand and spurred the horse nearer. Yet, at that crucial moment, the metal steed tossed its head and the mechanisms locked, jamming it completely. Nothing the Iribian did could free it, the horse floundered blindly before the scaffold and Old Scratch seized his chance.

With a roar, he flew forward, slamming his mighty shoulders into the steel legs which dented and crumpled like tin. Another punching blow brought the stallion to its buckled knees and Brindle and Jack leapt from its back. The brass tusks went ripping inside, crashing deep into the horse’s chest.

A hideous crunching of metal filled the woodland and the stallion toppled motionless to the ground. Old Scratch pulled away. Mangled copper pipes twisted about his tusks and a victorious gargle bubbled from his scarlet foaming jaws. Then, malevolently, he turned to glare at Jack and Brindle.

The Iribian was helping Jack to his feet, while casting around for the stilling staff. “Make for the scaffold!” he ordered.

Jack leaped on to the first rung, swinging his legs high and out of reach. The Iribian remained on the ground, pacing a wide circle away from the scaffold, keeping Old Scratch busy while Jack ran to safety.

The cloven hooves scraped the ground and, with a barbarous shriek, Old Scratch charged. Brindle darted aside but the mechanical mirrored his movements and the tip of one brass tusk went tearing through a leg of the homespun breeches, gouging into the flesh beneath.

Clinging to the scaffold, Jack watched helplessly as Brindle faltered, grasping his leg while the dark orange blood welled between his fingers. The boar’s bellowing rang beneath the firmament and he lunged in for the kill.

Suddenly there came a thundering of hooves and Henry Wattle galloped into the clearing, wielding his staff like a lance and hollering terrible cries.

“Begone!” he bawled, rushing straight for the murderous beast and hitting him squarely in the side with the steel tip. “Prince Henry, destroyer of dragons and killer of giants, is here to make sawdust sausages of you!”

Knocked aside by the stilling pole, Old Scratch snarled. Henry doubled back for a second attack while Brindle hurried to the scaffold. “This time I’ll not miss your crest!” Henry yelled, charging his pony towards the ferocious boar.

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