The Chronicles of Swords and Sorcery

Eryx Hunter

It was almost agonizing having to work with Perseus. He thinks he knows it all.. What an arrogant ass.. In the week we had been traveling, it seemed our relations only got worse. We argued over who would take first watch, and which road to take. When to use magic.

I think the toll and stress of being actively hunted by the magehounds was getting to us both. It came to a head one night. A full moon, as we bickered over who was going to take watch first.

"I took the watch last night. It is only right that you do so tonight!" I argue. Perseus scoffs, "Yes, but I hunted and got us more food! I'm exhausted. Of course I wouldn't expect a pampered princling to understand."

I could already feel a growl bubbling in my throat, "How dare you! If anyone here is a princeling its you! The oh so favored knight of the Queen! Do you share her bed too?" Perseus stands, venom in his eyes, "Do not say such things about the Queen! Perhaps you would be favored if you didn't let your daddy hold your hand and choose all the sweet errands for you!"

I stand abruptly, "You know nothing!" I spat. "I didn't ask for that!" Perseus steps up to me, only slightly shorter. I gleaned only a small bit of satisfaction looking down at him.

"You're nothing but a spoiled rotten sorry excuse of a knight, who can't even lose with dignity." He snarls at me.

I see red. Shoving him roughly. We were on each other in a furious dance of hatred.

He caught my left side with a swing of his arm, and I swung, catching his jaw. He grabbed my collar, jerking me off balance, slamming his fist into my gut.

I choke briefly, before surging forward, tackling him to the ground. We grappled, rolling on the ground and cursing and punching.

It was a crude fight, hatred and blind fury driving us rather than skill and discipline.

I snarl, fire erupting from my hands and down my arms, and I send a burst if flame towards him. Perseus rolled away, gritting his teeth, before whispering an incantation, lightning hitting me in my chest.

I'm knocked off my feet, which allows him to try to pin me down. I grunt, flipping us, slamming his hands down over his head, pinning him underneath me. His eyes were wide, looking up at me. I didn't have time to discern what was there in those blue eyes.

I just glare down at him. "You-" A loud snarl interrupts us. I see Persy pale underneath me, and we both surge up, turning to look.

His description of the beast had done it no justice. It looked... horrifying. Straight out of a Beasts and Lore book.

I reach for my sword, only for it to not be there. I let out a small noise, damnit.. Half-way between us and our camp.. My sword lay on the ground. The beast took a step forward, snarling again. It's eyes glowing blue.. Then yellow. As it looked between us.

Perseus swallowed, loudly enough I could hear and drew his sword. "Eryx.. get to your sword. Quickly..." He paused, "NOW!" He pushed me towards it and I stumbled, lurching towards it, a cold shock going through my body. My eyes widening.

I dove for my sword, turning back to see Perseus. The magehound leapt across the clearing, letting out a truly horrifc screetch and howl, slamming into perseus and sending him rolling.

Okay Eryx.. you can do this...

I surge forward, swinging my sword hard, cutting into its thick hide. It snarls, turning, swiping at me. I barely escaped its claws.

Perseus was up finally, bringing his sword down and cutting across his face. Having missed the chance to embed the sword in its skull when it moves.

When it turns on Perseus, I move. Ripping my sword up and underneath it's chin, and through its head.