FOREVER KNIGHTS: #7 King of Assassins

SEBASTIAN

Tev and Deragan help Me Save Him

Bast grabbed daggers from both sides of his waist band. Dropping to sit on his heels. Growling so low it drew a hundred pairs of orange eyes his direction.

I’m an easy kill on the floor. Ready bait.

The moment Radix registered who he was, seeing through their eyes, he redirected all his rodents.

“That’s right.” Bast curled a finger invitingly.

Come to me Little beasts.

As they got near, he reared up onto his knees. Carving with his dual daggers in a motion so fast he swept through the Nonis. Cutting them nearly in half until they climbed over piles of their own dead to reach him. A constant flood.

He began walking on his knees to make his way through them. But there’s too bloody many!

“Tev!” He roared. Realizing the number was gaining ground.

I’m here. Tev was close enough to send Bast the thought.

Close enough to hear me. Bast knew.

In moments the slender blonde entered the tavern, hatchets drawn. When he moved it was a blur of motion. He jumped over them, body vaulting so he could cut through them as his feet flowed over his head. When he landed, he walked on his knees as well. Working through the back of the Noni swarm.

Tev was close enough to see the rodents still taking bites out of Mardichi on the way over him. His stomach and intestine were already exposed. Tev shifted sideways to outstretch a boot to the giant’s side and kick him over. The man weighed so much he still only slid a few feet. Tev had to kick his limp form a second time to get him completely from the Noni battleground.

What’s he doing?

“Are you helping save him or kill him?” Bast objected from across the room.

“I’m uncertain! Big Bastard may already be dead.”

He’s trying to get him further from their teeth. Bast realized through the flurry of motion.

“He’s too big and too stubborn.” He warned Tev.

When they thought they were making headway, they were disheartened to see more Nonis pour through the open door of the tavern.

Dammit all to hell.

“Bast this may be impossible. Can you unleash your dragons?” Tev called over the din of snarling and snuffling. And the slopping sounds of skin ripping and scraping over the bloodied floor.

“I’d be too vulnerable.”

Another man pushed through the door. “Is he still alive!”

Deragan. Bast nearly sighed in relief. He’d never been so grateful to see him.

“Mardichi!” Deragan gestured his gaze landing on the poor state of the behemoth. “Is the barbarian even still alive?”

“Yes!” Bast responded at the same time Tev yelled no.

He is. Bast gave him a dirty look before glancing back at the stillness of the redheaded man. I hope he is.

Are we too late?

“Tev, make me a path!” Deragan barked.

Tev did. Leaping to his feet, he slid through the Noni’s turning on his knees to cut through them until Deragan had an open way.

Deragan ran through. Putting a boot on Tev’s shoulder as leverage to jump the rest. Which were already closing ranks. Once to Mardichi’s side, Deragan dropped next to him. Slapping Mardichi’s face until he blinked bleary eyes up at Deragan.

“Light up, Barbarian.”

Mardichi grunted, lifting his head, he moved energy through fragments of his body until his eyes lit red.

Brilliant. Bast was stunned. That hadn’t even occurred to me.

“Thank you.” Deragan said. Taking the barbarian’s massive hand, positioning it palm open to the wood floor. Skin burning so hot even Deragan felt flesh searing where he held Mardichi’s wrist.

In moments the wood ignited.

Tev watched slack jawed. “That’s ingenious!”

Deragan glanced over his shoulder. “You two always tearing in with hatchets and daggers when you’ve a fireball laying here waiting to ignite.” Deragan used his free hand to tap a finger to his skull.

The fire under Mardichi’s hand brightened and bloomed instantly. Licking over the wood.

“Help me get him out of here!” Deragan hoisted up what was left of the barbarian. The other two rushing to help him.

The Nonis shrieked in agony. Small bodies popping and sizzling in the growing fire.

Deragan heaved the barbarian over his shoulder while Tev and Bast tried to help in front and back. Carrying arms and legs to alleviate the massive weight.

“Me alehorn.” The barbarian lifted his head to point at a table.

“Are you serious?” Tev demanded.

Yes, he’s serious. Bast knew. Rolling his eyes Heavenward.

“Alehorn!” Mardichi grunted weakly. Pointing repeatedly.

Tev stomped to the table and swept up the heirloom before stalking back to follow them out.

“He’s worried about a blooming alehorn!” Tev muttered. Cursing.