Diffraction

Chapter Twenty-Three: Against the Maul

"Of utmost concern to my effort: Is his interest related to the Rebellion, and thus the Sunguards' efforts to oppose it? Or is his interest in the subject and her role in these events?"

Like a plate-and-chainmail boulder of muscle, Jahrin barreled into the dining hall of the Maul cave, his greatsword held low behind him. Splinters flew in his wake and hulking bodies scrambled in alarm. He cut right and headed for three of the beast-men.

Decades of experience built on several years of military training to prepare him for the chaos of combat. His subconscious mind tracked the movements of opponents and allies like a gameboard. What to outsiders might seem uncoordinated made perfect sense to the tactician. Eight—no, nine—in positions around the room. Tables and stools as obstacles. Exits through the door at the right wall and the curved sloping hallway to the left.

"Block off the hallway," Jahrin called.

Boxes of stolen goods lined two of the large room's walls, most crudely smashed or torn open. A cooking fire with a rack burned in a pit built into the back wall of the room, with bloody chunks of flesh set on a stand nearby. An aroma of fatty meat like bacon filled the room. Best not to think of that. There will be time to identify bodies from the City once we win.

Ellers came through the door second, turning left, toward the hallway Jahrin indicated. Vaerandir followed at his heels but faced the Maul.

Jahrin didn't even need to glance to know the two Arcanists would take positions just inside the door, launching magical attacks from relative safety. A fireball streaked across the room and devastated one of the hairy beings, confirming Jahrin's assumptions.

Clad in a breastplate over a chainmail shirt, Josephine—in typical Soulforged fashion—took a position to protect her vulnerable allies. She marched past the Arcanists and held her ground, shield raised, fingers loosening and tightening on the haft of her warhammer.

Jahrin focused on the three bear-like creatures still holding scraps of meat, rising from the filthy wooden table.

With a strong swing, he clove the table from beneath, throwing the wood and the items upon it into disarray. The Maul scattered backwards, stumbling around stump-stools and each other. One tripped forward and landed on the ground at Jahrin's feet. It loosed a shriek-like bark as the fighter's greatsword plummeted toward it.

Near the back of the room, a few Maul reached for bows propped up against the crates, stringing the weapons with surprising speed. "Archers," Jahrin called out.

Ellers dashed between tables and reached the nearest Maul with a bow. His long knife swept in a high outward arc, slicing into the beast-man's wrist. The Nightshadow flipped the blade in his hand so that his thumb rested on the pommel instead of the guard. The black edge flashed back inward across the bicep of the Maul's other arm. Its arrows clattered on the ground as Ellers jammed the knife into its chest.

One of the biggest Maul held a thick spiked club made for piercing armor. It emitted a low growl and lumbered toward Josephine, who crouched into a battle stance. The creature swung the club with weak but swift motions, keeping Josephine focused on defensive movements. She parried with her hammer, blocked with her shield, and stood her ground. Her golden Justice Gracemark flared on her right hand.

With a sudden powerful backhand strike, the Maul caught Josephine's shield with the spikes of the club and sent it wide with the force of the blow. Its free hand shot out and grasped her chainmail. With a handful of armor, it jerked her forward, off balance, then shoved the Soulforged into the stacked boxes behind her.