The Wandering Cleric: Chapter 11

"Durgan!" Saturos shouted back to his dwarven friend.

"On it lad!" Durgan shouted back as he turned to face one of the oncoming ships pouring into the motions of casting a second spell.

Enialis stood by watching the flaming ship sink into the water as the men that had survived Durgan's fiery onslaught jumped overboard. As Tara and the archers picked off those remaining pirates attempting to board the ship. The captain had already turned the ship about to meet the two ships coming their way. As they closed the ship coming in on the right came to a crashing stop, wood splintered and the bow of the bow of the ship caved in as it collided with the invisible wall Durgan had erected. Enialis didn't even have the time to congratulate Durgan before the last ship was on the. Firing ballista, and catapults. With a shout Tara and the men in the ropes were firing arrows down on them even as Durgan began casting yet another spell.

"To me men!" Saturos shouted loudly as he led the men under his command onto the pirate ship.

~ ~ ~

On the pirate ship Saturos crashed into a group of pirates, his battle axe slashing away screaming with each hit. Leaving the three men laying bleeding on the deck Saturos rushed forwards, a cold fire flamed in his eyes as he cut a swath through the pirates. Above him Arrows arced into the crowd mowing down men as he moved towards the stern of the ship and the tiller. Men all around him fell crying out in pain and anguish from their wounds. Bodies danced in their death throes all around and the occasional flash of light from Durgan's spells light up the darkness of the night. As Saturos crested the stairs he came face to face with the captain of the ship, a dwarven female, her dark red hair covered by a raven black bandanna, the studs on the armor she wore glinted in the fire light. Her stone grey eyes smiled as she bowed sweeping out the razor thin sabre at her side. "Well than lad come and meet yer death at the hands of Dorna Bladebite!"

Saturos growled as he rushed forwards slamming his axe in a heavy downward stroke which Dorna almost lazily dodged. Saturos' shield slapped away the seeking sabre and he slashed at her, this time she ducked the swing of the axe but was unprepared for the crushing blow of Saturos' mailed boots. She reeled back slashing wildly as she stumbled. Thinking to capitalise on her quick reaction Saturos pressed forwards leading with his shield, Bladebite seemed to straighten almost immediately and rolled around Saturos raking a heavy slash across Saturos' right thigh. Saturos grunted and slammed the haft of his battle axe into her face and slammed his shield towards the dwarf. His opponent fell down and jabbed upwards narrowly missing a vital spot and gouging a cut into Saturos' side.

"What you think this will be over with the three ships?" Dorna Bladebite asked as she swiped the blade across Saturos' legs leaving two more cuts in his leg, "there be far more of us!"

The dwarf ducked and swayed away from Saturos' seeking axe blade. Thrusting twice more two more cuts appeared on Saturos one on his right bicep and the second along his cheek. Another kick from Saturos flattened the dwarf to the ground but she rolled away from the downward chop of his axe and slashed a line across Saturos' chest. "Anyways boy we just be a diversion, it's the capital they be after," the pirate laughed, "but I'm thinkin' it's too late for your recious king now"

With a step to the left and a quick slash from the right the dwarf hopped out of the path of Saturos' axe and buried her sabre into his side with a heavy jab. Howling with rage Saturos grabbed the dwarf's arm with his shield hand and brought his axe crashing down. The dwarf let out a gasp which turned into a sigh which was drowned out by the wordless screaming of the axe.

~ ~ ~

As Tara vaulted onto the ship she spied Saturos with his axe burried half way into the dwarf. Tara's gasp echoed over to the other ship, "oh god's Saturos are you ok?"

Stifly Saturos wrenched his axe free of the dwarf's body and shook his head, "there's more of them Tara. Gods be damned we need to send word to Edgar."

"Come Saturos we should get back to tell the captain," Tara responded urgently.

Saturos nodded but than fell to the deck unconcious. Tara dropped to the ground next to Saturos screeching at the top of her lungs, "Enialis!"

~END~