Abased - The Exiled Warrior

Chapter 19.3 - Deception

The bobbing of the torch in Tajar's hand was visible for a few seconds before he rounded a corner at full speed. Most of the light went with him. Clarisai was a silhouette between them.

A snarl erupted from in front of them followed by Tajar swearing loudly and the thud of something heavy hitting the ground.

"It's to the left!" Tajar shouted.

Clarisai's pace slowed.

"Run! Run! Run!" Alam urged. He pulled alongside her.

They rounded the corner and instantly entered a large natural cavern. A glistening white creature, the size of an ox, was on the left side of them, five paces away. It had turned to pursue Tajar. His torch wavered only three paces beyond it.

"Throw left!" Alam shouted.

The grag in front of them paused and turned its eyeless head towards them.

Alam flung his greaves and arm guards past the grag that was between them and Tajar. Clarisai followed suit. The armour clanged against the stone. Again the grag turned its head, this time towards the metallic noise.

Clarisai put on a burst of speed and ran past the beast. Alam followed directly behind.

It sensed them and flashed out a snapping pincer towards Alam. Too late, Alam was already at full pace beyond it.

Alam looked ahead. There was no sign of a boulder pile in sight.

Bouk lied to us!

Tajar was faster than the rest of them. A gap was widening between him and Bouk.

To the right a second grag appeared out of nowhere. It charged onto the path and collided with the dargu. Bouk was knocked back off the path and onto his back.

"Throw left!" Alam shouted as he hurled the ancient, priceless scale mail through the air.

Ahead he caught the glimmer of metal as Tajar did likewise.

Bouk started screaming. The grag's tentacles writhed and twisted, seeking him out.

With a clang the thrown armour struck rock.

The monster raised its head.

Get up Bouk!

Behind them the multiple feet of the first grag were making their own cacophony as it set off after Alam and Clarisai.

Bouk kicked up pebbles as he scrambled to his feet.

Alam and Clarisai reached the second grag and passed its rump on its right side.

"Stay right!" Tajar shouted. The torch lay on the ground at his feet. He was twenty paces away, bow in hand.

An arrow was loosed with a twang followed by the wet sound of it embedding in the second grag's head.

Alam willed his wounded leg into more speed. Clarisai was right in front of him.

A large thud sounded behind. Alam risked a glance over his shoulder and saw that the first grag had slammed into the one that was threatening to devour Bouk.

With a squeal the creatures collapsed on top of each other.

A short laugh of relief burst out of Alam.

He looked ahead again, beyond Tajar who had picked up the torch and was yet again running.

"I can't see the boulders," he said to Clarisai.

"Me neither!" she panted.

Bouk was limping. It would not be long before Alam and Clarisai overtook him.