Crystal Doors #1 by Kevin J. Anderson, Rebecca Moesta Page B

with this teaching staff. Itook a weapon of my own. Together we fought the hordes of merlons.
    “They stink like rotting fish, and their inky, bottomless-pit eyes have a glazed look, like the eyes of a drowned man. They have flapping gills along their necks, but merlons can live in the air much longer than fish can.
    “The attackers fought using their long claws and spears tipped with sharpened shells. Their scimitars had scalloped edges and flow holes cut through the blades. Three merlon warriors wielded spiked clubs topped with poisonous sea urchins.” Tiaret stared at the water clock as clear streams continued to pour from one cylinder to another, filling basin after basin, raising the markers to keep track of the hours. The tinkling flow seemed soothing and hypnotic, but the storyteller did not relax.
    “Even in our most extreme battles, I have never seen Master Kundu fight like such a whirlwind. I vanquished at least twelve merlons, and Kundu killed many more.” She turned the staff’s sharp point upward, showing dark stains, and ran her fingers along the curved hook at the handle. “The spear end, the hook, and the dragon’s-eye stone were equally effective against them.” Even from her sitting position, Tiaret twirled the heavy weapon a few times over her head, producing a distinctive whistling sound.
    “Argo’s ship had twelve crewmen, the captain, Kundu, and myself. Many sailors fought with their bare hands and fists, throwing themselves upon their scaly enemies.” Her mouth turned down at the corners. “Two cowards jumped overboard, though I do not know how they intended to escape.The sea was full of merlons and other sea creatures, and soon the water ran red. The cowards screamed and thrashed, begging for help, but we could barely help ourselves.
    “I fought in a daze. After a time, my attention became focused only on survival, on swinging a weapon, cracking skulls, and stabbing scaly chests.
    “Then the two sea serpents we had seen before joined the battle, but now they wore heavy armor. Their heads sported metal studs, solid lumps that turned them into living battering rams. They swam in from the open water, picking up speed, and crashed into the side of our ship. A single impact was enough to split the already damaged hull. One of the masts toppled, bringing down two sailors who had climbed to safety.
    “The storm around us grew stronger. Waves hammered against the hull, and the sea serpents came back for a second attack. The ship was now cracked and began falling apart.
    “I looked up, covered in green merlon blood. My own weapon was slippery with fishy slime, and when the enemy came at me again, I struck, but lost my grip. I found myself unarmed, with merlons closing in. Master Kundu saw it, too. He called my name, and —” She fell silent, wrestling with her terrible memory. “And he threw me his teaching staff. I did not ask for it, but he threw it to me and then flung himself at the merlons nearest him, punching and kicking. I caught the teaching staff and swung it, smashing the merlons close to me. I fought as hard as I could, trying to reach Master Kundu, so I could defend him. But I did not get there in time. Four merlons dragged him overboard into the water. I could not save him.”
    Tiaret closed her eyes as tears welled up. But she would not leave her story unfinished. “I realized then that only Captain Argo and I were left alive. I was on the other end of the deck, and I ran to help him, so we could stand back to back for our last battle. But seven merlons surrounded him. Though the captain slashed with his notched sword, the merlons overwhelmed him. I could not even see him go down in the flurry of scaly bodies.
    “The sea serpents rammed again, and a broken yardarm fell past me, knocking one of the merlons aside. Desperately, I grabbed onto the yardarm and, as a heavy swell swept me overboard, somehow I kept my grip on the teaching staff. I plunged into the frothing water.