Fate's Hand by Lynn Christopher

Author:Lynn, Christopher [Lynn, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Christopher Lynn
Published: 2013-09-02T05:00:00+00:00

It took no time at all to hear the yelps and shouts of a party clambering through the woods. Yusar stood and casted illusion flames to surround him. He had already fixed a stoneskin on himself while waiting for his new recruits. The gnolls— fifty or so, by Yusar's estimation—broke into the clearing and immediately halted upon seeing the giants. The giants stood placidly behind Yusar, their weapons sheathed. Yusar spotted the largest and most fearsome-looking gnoll standing in the front and held up his hand for silence. Yusar directed a second illusion flame spell to circle the gnoll. Most of the tribe barked and yelped and shrank from the fire, but the alpha gnoll remained unperturbed. The large beast took a deep puff of breath and let out a primal grunt to silence the group behind him. He looked back at the wizard and lifted his snout in a caricature of a smile, revealing long, white fangs and black gums.

The alpha gnoll was massive even by their standards. He had thick brown and orange stripped fur and a long black mane. Several gold rings adorned his ears and his mane was braided with small skulls and bones wrapped in the ends. The gnoll sauntered forward to see the symbol scorched into the ground.

“I am the one you seek foolish yogul. That is my name.”

Yusar cocked his head.

“You speak well, for a gnoll.”

“You speak well, for a dead man.”

The gnoll spat to the side and glared at the writing. “Only a man wanting to die would come into my territory, with a host of giants, and write my name on the ground. You cast harmless fire and expect to scare us away? No, I am no stupid dog, as you believe. I am Lar, these are my warriors, and you would be advised to leave. Now.”

Yusar still felt taken aback at the agile tongue and beautiful dialect of the gnoll. He looked past Lar to the gnolls. Most of them looked to be simple and unintelligent, but large and powerful.

“I am sorry.”

“Sorry for what, human?”

“Sorry I have to destroy such a creature as you.”

With a preternatural agility, Lar brought his spear to bear, but Yusar was a step ahead. The wizard dropped down and pounded his hand against the ground, releasing a spell. The symbol on the ground ignited with such a force that Lar was lifted off his feet and thrown back. Yusar stood, dusting his robes at the knees, and shot the bewildered gnolls a withering gaze. He walked across the petering fire and considered the gnoll, smoldering flesh and all. Helpless.

Yusar unclasped his cloak and covered the gnoll with it, extinguishing the small flames, ignoring the stench of cooked flesh and the labored breathing. He stood back up and addressed his audience.

“Who are the mightiest warriors of Lar?”

After a tense wait, three large gnolls pushed through the herd to the front, weapons in hand.

“You would follow Lar to your deaths?”

The three exchanged looks between themselves. “We would.”

Yusar

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