Spook’s: Dark Assassin (The Starblade Chronicles) by Joseph Delaney

Author:Joseph Delaney [Delaney, Joseph]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: k'12
Publisher: RHCP
Published: 2017-01-04T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

A SHAIKSA WITH A BOW

THOMAS WARD

WE HAD BEEN following the new ley line, heading towards Beacon Fell. I could see its forested slopes in the distance. The sky was clear and the first hint of dawn light showed directly ahead in the east.

Ahead lay a wood – a likely place for our enemies to lurk and ambush us. I considered making a detour and following its western edge. However, that would mean leaving the ley line and I might still need to summon the boggart.

So, leading the way, I strode on into the trees. Five minutes later, just as the sun rose, lighting the treetops, we reached a clearing. Immediately I saw danger waiting at its centre: an armed and armoured figure with the three pigtails that marked him out as a Shaiksa assassin.

This was no ambush. It was an open challenge.

‘They’ll never give up!’ Jenny cried out in alarm.

Each dying assassin called out with his mind to summon the Shaiksa brotherhood to avenge his death. I had killed an assassin on the riverbank back in Polyznia; I had fought the second Shaiksa that Alice had slain with her dagger. Moreover I had led an army across the Shanna River into their territory. No doubt they considered me a threat that must be removed once and for all. Jenny was right: their vengeful pursuit of me would never end. They would be satisfied only when I was dead.

Blood growled and began to move forward, her fur standing on end, saliva dripping from her jaws. I clicked my tongue and she halted and looked back at me. Had she been human, I’d have judged her expression to be one of disappointment.

‘Look after the dog, Jenny. Blood has no chance against such an opponent. He’d just cut her to pieces,’ I said.

‘Summon the boggart, Tom! Don’t risk your life again,’ Jenny pleaded, placing her hand on Blood’s back to restrain her.

‘I think I should save the boggart for something worse,’ I said, putting down my bag and laying my staff beside it. ‘I should be able to deal with this.’

‘Worse? What could be worse than fighting that killer? Remember what happened last time. You could die again, but this time you wouldn’t come back!’ Jenny cried.

I didn’t reply. There was nothing to be said. I’d already made up my mind to fight. It would be a fair contest and I was confident I could win.

I removed my cloak to allow myself more freedom of movement, and then I reached up to the shoulder scabbard and drew the Starblade. Gripping it two-handed, I strode towards my opponent.

The Shaiksa’s armour was black and of the highest quality, plate laid across plate so as not to allow the slightest point of vulnerability. Around his neck he wore a bone necklace. Grimalkin, the witch assassin, had always worn a necklace of thumb-bones; within each item lay the stored magical power of its dead owner – a resource she could draw on if necessary. From this necklace hung the shrunken skulls of the Shaiksa’s defeated enemies.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.