Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: Blood-lust, Part III Message-ID: <1smgpeINNqj8@news.gac.edu> From: Thorr-kan, the White Minotaur, and Horde Father-Confessor Date: 10 May 1993 21:17:34 GMT >Just behind the fallen chief, the minotaur realizes no one faces him. >Grunting, he pulls the short sword from his chest. "Weapon," he grunts, and >goes looking for more enemies to slay. Six other goblins are scattered among the clearing. Two are searching the body of Roger and arguing over his katana. Three others have been trying to divide the spoils from Wanderer. The sixth is busy acting as a projectile. The minotaur had taken a lone goblin by surprise. Expecting his chief, the creature hadn't even bothered to turn towards the sound behind him. He died from his carelessness, his neck broken under Thorr-kan's grasp. The body goes sailing across the clearing, impacting on Thorr-kan's biggest threat: the two with bows. One of the archers dies, crushed. The second barely avoids the same fate by searching Roger's pack at the right instant. Thorr-kan follows at a sprint. Throwing the body brings agony from his chest wound, but, for some reason, he can ignore it. Pain is already fading under a strange warmth and blood not longer flows. Somehow, that does not seem right... The tribesmen know that their fellows are dead, and that the beast before them is probably the reason. Survival is at stake now. Three spear-carries form a ragged battle-line; the archer drops back and nocks. A snarl escapes from the minotaur. He cannot reach the primary threat! Setting a portion of his mind on guard, he turns his attention to the insects in front of him. With only a short sword, they actually pose a challenge. Thorr-kan feints right, testing his enemies. He blurs into motion: a thrust here, a parry there, a dodge somewhere inbetween. But no matter how hard he fights, wherever he moves, a spear always blocks his way. The goblins are reluctant to close. But if they can keep the beast occupied long enough... Thorr-kan has steadily been giving ground to spear carriers. His battle-rage is more hindrance that help now. Hot anger builds, blocking thoughts of tactics or technique. All the minotaur wants is to KILL. Somewhere, a goblin prayer is answered. The archer had finally collected enough wits to get off a shot. The results are impressive. An arrow slams into the minotaurs right shoulder. Another skips off his horn. A spear slips through his guard, catching on a rib. One more arrow whips into his left leg. A roar of frustration rises from Thorr-kan. 'Death be damned! These insects will pay!' comes the red-tinged thought. Ignoring the spear-wielders, the minotaur cocks his arm and throws. His short-sword sails through the air, glittering in the light. Transfixed, the goblin archer finds death stuck in his throat, his skull split. The victory costs Thorr-kan. He takes another jab to his wounded leg. Trying to dodge and get a little more room, the minotaur stumbles. A goblin, bolder than the others, leaps forward at the opportunity. Like his chieftain, he falls to an invisible bite and sting. Gleep appears over the fallen minotaur, berating him loudly, then fading away again. Thorr-kan can make nothing of this creature. But his attention is quickly drawn away. The minotaur needs a weapon of some sort. Perhaps the halberd that tripped him will prove useful... He grabs onto it, rolling away from yet another spear-thrust. As Thorr-kan's hands close about its haft a coolness comes over him. Red-tinged vision shifts slowly to a gray. At the back of the minotaur's mind, a calmness starts building. A power from the weapon flows into Thorr-kan's arms. It feels...right, somehow; he does not question it. As he rolls to his feet, he re-assesses the situation. Two goblins remain. They will be easy meat. The halberd snaps to the guard position. A spear-thrust is deflected up to the right. The second is caught by the blade and shattered on the down stroke. The minotaur spins completely around and slams the head of the halberd through the unarmed goblins's chest. Thorr-kan yanks his weapon free as the creature falls. With a ferocious bellow, he swings a final time. Goblin halves fall far apart. The minotaur stands for a moment, then removes the arrows. Immediately, the wounds close and start healing. Thorr-kan's mind is in the midst of the same process. Somehow the battle was wrong. But it is over. A weight settles on his shoulders, and he recognizes the scent of a friend. Slowly he is becoming the White Minotaur again.. However, something still keeps Thorr-kan on edge. The Horn of Justice is still radiating. Turning his mind and senses lose, Thorr-kan slips once more into a fighting stance. To a casual observer, there would seem no difference between this being and the killing machine present just minutes before. Said observer would only be partially right. The battle-rage is there; but now, it is harnessed to a cold and quick rationalness. This control is the fine distinction between a master warrior and a mindless fighter. A hiss sounds from his shoulders. Gleep, too, senses a wrongness. Warrior instincts focus on one of the fallen humans. He is rising from amidst the corpses with a strained and wild look. A Power animates this human. Who or what he was is no longer important. A challenge is issued. The Horn flares in response and the White Minotaur nods grimly. Kiri-Jolith has not forsaken him. Once again he is drawn into open conflict with other-worldly powers. He is no match for such and has not a hope of victory. But since when has that mattered? It is now a matter of honor: his own, his god's, his fallen comrades. Thorr-kan roars his acceptance and strides forth to do battle. -Thorr-kan, the White Minotaur ****************************************************************************** Peace through strength! Victory through annihilation! Matt Cutter, e-mail to mcutter@nic.gac.edu OR mcutter@vax2.gac.edu Gustavus couldn't afford my opinions if they wanted them! ******************************************************************************