Swan Song

Twenty

  This had been a bad idea! Her heart threatened to hammer it's way right out of her chest as sweat poured down her face, stinging her eyes, but she ignored both. She couldn't afford to slip up.

  Anike hissed as DeKnave landed another heavy blow. The fire pocker she held in both hands blocked her from the sword's sharp edge but not the bone jarring pain that radiated through her arms and clenched jaw, from the force of his swing. Anike groaned as she pushed DeKnave back. Breathing heavily she tried to think. He was tired as well but she couldn't land a single blow on him. She was stronger now, her reflexes quicker but it only seemed to help her defend against the inevitable.

  DeKnave came at her swinging, his sword slamming into her weapon with a deafening clang. She pushed back grunting, but he changed course quickly swinging low and cutting her thigh. She screamed as pain tore through her. The thick white leggings she wore had sustained a few rips saving her but this time they bloomed red. Anike's leg buckled. But there was no time to worry about it as DeKnave came at her again. She had to figure out a away to get the upper hand or this battle would be over all too quickly.

***

  Malachi cut a path toward the young woman Roan had bade him to protect, the best way he knew how, with magic. Killing especially for him was always a last resort but his spells managed to drive back the enemy, some stalled by hallucinations, others blocked by barriers and grabbing vines and a few formidable warriors put straight to sleep. The automatons were easy work. He could tell by the magical signature they gave off that they weren't human at all. An impressive feet though to conjure such sturdy figments and so many. DeKnave truly had skill.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here to help you," Malachi called as he drew closer. His soft brown eyes, long curly hair and baby smooth, lightly tanned face weren't exactly menacing, but a magic user tossing soldiers and guards left and right could rattle anyone.

However instead of trying to help or at the very least expressing her gratitude she somehow conjured more gaurds and ordered the attack! What? She was working with DeKnave?

For a moment he stood still, unsure of what to do. Then he noticed it: the pendant around her neck. It radiated magic. And the look on her face. It was that of a woman possessed. The necklace must have been controlling her. So now the task was simple: get the pendant, break the spell. Easy. Hopefully. Right after he cleared away the ten guards the young woman had conjured. Oh. No. Make that twenty. Malachi heaved a sigh before attacking.

"Get him! He threatens your princess!" the girl shrieked. She began to back away leaving him to contend with the conjured warriors. Oh no you don't! Malachi thought. You're not getting away that easily. He rushed the guards and levitated himself over them landing right in front of her. Before he could lay a hand on her however the guards grabbed him dragging him back.

  The young woman held up her pendant and screamed. Raw magical energy rushed forward throwing him across the clearing. What power! Unfocused and untrained certainly, but she had a great capacity for magic. She was going to be harder to beat then he thought, Malachi acknowledged as he tried to pick himself up off the ground.

Unsteady on his feet he would have fallen on his face if not for the hand that reached out to help him. Malachi looked down realizing it was the witch DeKnave had been fighting and Roan had saved. He looked around, and though the battle was still raging, the prince was nowhere in sight. He must have gone after DeKnave, Malachi realized, as he caught sight of Calvin.

"What?" he just realized the witch, who he was still leaning heavily on, was saying something.

"I said, 'Are you alright?' She gave you quite a blast," the witch seemed surprised herself.