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*Contains violence*
When I look back at the fighting, I catch a full glimpse of the shaved-head tribesman at one point and it occurs to me. He was the man in the throne room the first night, the one who taunted us by purposefully speaking our language. I figure he must be of pretty high importance. And it seems I'm correct in my assumption as it appears that all the orders being given are promptly obeyed. Although I can't understand what he's saying, I can understand that much.
He seems to be orchestrating a maneuver, and it's only during the action that I come to see what was being planned.
A group of tribesmen fire arrows at the talstav's eyes and when they do, another group, including the bald leader charges in close. The creature lets out a screeching roar as the arrows rain down on its face and it swings a huge clawed foot on the front leg towards the archers. Many are killed in the assault. But the group that charges in begins to jump on the talstav's other legs, using their weapons and shields to attempt to climb upwards.
The talstav realizes what is happening and quivers. It ducks its head down low and assumes a weird posture. Catall yells something I can't understand but it's drowned in the melee. The bald leader yells something as well and all the men jump off the creature but most are too slow to shield the attack.
The talstav bristles, vibrates for a mere moment and then shoots some of its scales outwards with so much force a few of them bury into the walls. Most men are too slow to hide behind their shields. Only the leader and a few others manage to survive the attack and although I don't know how, I realize none have hit me or Catall either. When I look down on the ground though, I see a few scales lying around us. I have barely any time to process before the talstav screeches again and rears up.
"Geir!" I hear Catall yell. And I notice now that the large warrior has grabbed ahold of one of the creature's legs and has proceeded once again to attempt to climb it. He drops his shield in his haste and when he is finally able to mount the talstav, it roars again. I watch the bald man in wonder, seeing his fluid and strong movements as he climbs upwards. I also see the scales protruding from one of his legs although they do nothing to slow him down.
Once on top of the giant, horrific beast, he strikes at its back above the front set of legs with his spear. And it seems as if the man will be successful in whatever his plan was, since the creature's legs are too short to reach him and knock him off. And the talstav is too busy being engaged by a few brave but apparently suicidal tribesmen to attempt other methods of attack.
So I am taken completely by surprise when the large man is lifted into the air, trying to stab at whatever is holding him. He is being held tightly by what appears to be a tail. It has barbs on the tip that have planted themselves deeply in the side of his body. So he struggles, but he is stuck. And although the remaining fighters try to stop it, the man is lifted high into the air as the talstav moves its large head underneath his struggling body. It opens its mouth and it seems this man will meet his end tonight like many others in this courtyard stained red with blood. But as we all watch in silent horror, convinced we will watch it devour this warrior like a snack, a large spear glances off the side of the talstav's head.
I look over, trying to trace the origins of the spear and I see it. It's him. Valaric is standing in the middle of the courtyard, still slightly reeling from the forceful throw. But he regains his balance quickly and easily, staring at the giant beast, seemingly undaunted.
The talstav now seems particularly interested in the Reth and it drops the bald man immediately to face the Reth instead, its tail whipping around behind it in a deadly show of intimidation. The warrior falls to the ground and weakly clutches his bleeding side as others run to retrieve him. Everyone else in the courtyard is still, now watching their leader.
I see Kami next to Valaric and she watches with silent, calm indifference as the Reth faces down the creature boldly. And as we wait with bated breath, he lifts his right hand up to Kami, who removes his glove. I'm not sure what happens next because I can't see them very well, but it appears that Kami does something to his hand, and when he pulls away it looks slightly red. I don't know if I'm imagining things but I don't have time to contemplate it because the talstav lets out another awful roar. This time, it's horribly loud and most of us in the courtyard react by covering our ears.
But not the Reth. He watches the creature for a few long moments before he pulls out two swords from sheaths on either side of his body and swings them in circles in each hand. The talstav and the boy watch each other for long moments, each one emanating confidence. I can only look on in awe.
Reth Valaric yells something to the beast and Catall shifts uncomfortably. I see him look down at what he has been holding. It's a small, smooth rock with what appears to be a glowing symbol on it. The symbol looks like three circles, each inside the next, with an X running through all three. He looks up again and this time he shouts something to the Reth, who turns his ear towards us slightly in response. Catall clutches the rock again tightly, his knuckles turning white.
We all watch as the Reth and the creature stare each other down for what seems like hours. Then the Reth runs towards the talstav with impressive speed. The talstav reacts by trying to side-swipe Valaric with his front foot. But with incredible agility he leaps completely over the talstav's leg. I am amazed and enthralled, thinking the battle will be evenly-matched.
We're saved! I tell myself with relief. However, the talstav uses a foot on the next set of legs to catch the Reth mid-air and send him crashing into a pillar. He throws the boy so hard the pillar cracks in half and collapses in a splendid, messy manner.
I feel my mouth fall open and my eyes widen. There's no way anyone could survive that. I've just watched Valaric's death.
YOU ARE READING
The Northern Tribes
FantasíaEsme is captured by the feared and barbaric Tribesmen the night they burn her village to the ground. With the promise of being a slave- and with her family, friends and neighbors all dead, she doesn't know what else to live for. But fate provides he...