Of Cunning Minds: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 36 - In the Face of Danger

Sebastian whipped around and stared at the woman. She was tall with chestnut brown hair pulled into a low bun. Delicate bangs tickled her forehead.

"Anne?" he croaked.

"We can catch up later," she said sternly. Her wand was raised and pointed directly at Harlow. The wizard had composed himself and was staring back at her with a malicious glint in his eyes.

"Two Sallows in one day, man am I lucky." He licked his lips and took aim at Sebastian. "Crucio!" The spell hit him before he had time to protect himself. Pain rippled through his body as he collapsed to the ground. It only lasted seconds, however, as Anne fired a jinx at Harlow, breaking his concentration.

Sebastian pulled himself up and clutched his wand. "Stupefy!" he yelled. Harlow blocked it and casted another spell, this time in Anne's direction. She dodged it effortlessly, rolling to her side and out of harm's way.

"Diffindo!"

"Expelliarmus!"

"Depulso!"

The spells rang through the air, one after another until Sebastian was sweating profusely. Harlow was a stronger wizard than he cared to admit, and he and Anne were having a difficult time breaking his defensive spells.

In the midst of fiery eruptions and exploding rocks, Sebastian was brought back to a time where he and Anne used to practice spells in the Undercroft. They always joked that they'd be the perfect dueling duo. Not only were their spells powerful, but they also came up with a series of combinations that were bound to trick their opponent. Sebastian inhaled sharply.

"Nosedive Maneuver," he shouted to Anne.

She threw him a curious glance. "What—"

"Do you remember it?" Sebastian blocked another one of Harlow's spells. His body was growing weaker by the minute.

Anne swallowed and nodded curtly. Sebastian sighed in relief and positioned himself directly in front of Harlow. He signaled to Anne and tightly grasped his wand. This had to work.

"Bombarda!" Anne roared. The spell hit the sand behind Harlow's feet, causing him to stumble forwards.

"Flipendo!" Sebastian yelled before Harlow had a chance to regain his balance. His body flipped forward and his face hit the ground. When he raised his head, blood was streaking out of his nose. He fumbled for his wand, but Anne was quicker.

"Levioso!" Harlow flew upwards, levitating meters above the sand. He flailed helplessly. Sebastian delivered the final blow.

"Stupefy!" Harlow crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Anne wiped her brow and leaned over the wizard's incapacitated form. "What an oaf," she said dryly. Sebastian stared at her. He couldn't seem to form words and he knew it wasn't just because he was out of breath. Anne's eyes met his and she frowned. "Look, Sebastian—"

"We need to help the others," he interrupted.

They ran up the shore, fighting more goblins and wizards along the way. Sebastian spotted Ominis and Anastasia up ahead, struggling against an angry troll. He commanded his feet to move faster; Anne was close behind him.

The troll was swinging its club haphazardly. Ominis and Anastasia barely had time to cast spells as they were too focused on dodging the troll's attacks.

"Confringo!" Sebastian yelled. The spell did nothing against the troll's armor. Anne fired several jinxes at the roaring creature, but they too were ineffective.

"Any ideas?" She called out.

"The only exposed surface is its neck!" Anastasia responded while pulling Ominis further away from the troll. "We'll have to hit it there!"