Stone Dragon (The First Realm) by Klay Testamark Page B

weren’t bad enough, there was an alien mind in my head and it would extinguish me in less than three months. To say I was in big trouble would be the understatement of the century. I was twice damned, twice condemned.
    On the bright side, they probably didn’t want me as king anymore.
    It took two hours to find a road. I was somewhere on the Green Plains, roughly between Drystone and the southernmost city of Vergath. I’d flown farther than I thought.
    Thankfully, I was no longer naked. Say what you will about our drinking habits, but elves come prepared. I’d tucked a set of clothes into hammerspace. Granted, the thin shirt and boat shoes weren’t the best for a midnight hike, but I’d packed them against waking up in a strange bedroom. Who knew I’d be leaving the city via dragon? It certainly wasn’t in my horoscope.
    Leo: Forces internal and external have put you in a dangerous spot. Maintain control over yourself or risk causing a scene. Now is not the time to debut an outrageous new look.
    It was a clear night, with a full moon, and to make sure I didn’t trip on anything I had my Sight working. Everything was sparkly, but there wasn’t a farmhouse in sight.
    There wasn’t any sign of pursuit, but that made sense. Flying is tremendously draining if you don’t have wings. Also, this far from a city there were no patrols. I was counting my other blessings when—
    “Stand and deliver!” a man boomed.
    Shit.
    The man stepped onto the path. From his voice, size, and manner of dress he was obviously human.
    Humans. There was no mistaking them. Six feet tall, heavily muscled, and armed to the teeth. And that was just the women. This character towered a full head and shoulders over me. He was broad, massive, and decked in fur and leather.
    “Hand over the valuables!” he said, slapping his side so I could see the longsword on his hip. “Come on, be quick about it!”
    “Have you taken a look at me? I’ve only got the clothes on my back.”
    “I’ll have none of that! I know you elves—you all carry pots of gold and cookies.”
    Let’s kill him , Cruix said.
    “Shut up, you bloodthirsty animal!” I said.
    “Hey!” The man looked hurt. “This is a legitimate economic transaction. Just cough up some coins and you’ll be on your way.”
    Regular or extra-crispy?
    I gritted my teeth. “I’ve had a really bad day. Please step aside.”
    “I can’t do that.”
    “Fine.” I reached behind me and pulled out my sticks.
    The man drew his sword, but hesitated. “Is that all you’ve got?”
    I twirled them, but he didn’t seem impressed. “I have spent twenty years mastering the sword,” he said. “It would be dishonorable to use that skill on an unarmed man.”
    “Hey, I am armed!”
    He shook his shaggy head. “That won’t do.”
    “Another time, then?” I tried to slip past him but he blocked me with the outstretched blade.
    Why don’t we — I silenced Cruix with an effort of will. It was easier now that I was an elf again.
    “If you give me your word not to run away, I shall make the fight more equal,” said the highwayman. Since the alternative was to kill him, I nodded.
    He went to a nearby tree, where he selected a straight branch and hacked it free. Trimming off the twigs, he fashioned a staff as long as his sword.
    “Now we are ready to fight,” he said, holding the staff in a low guard.
    The moon was high and bright, but I asked whether he would need additional light.
    “That will not be necessary,” he said, and I saw his own eyes flash. Oh, right. Humans have catlike night vision.
    We attacked at the same time, our weapons splitting the air. Stick met staff met stick. We parried and swung. Our weapons clacked—they clattered and cracked. He had a double reach advantage (longer arms and longer weapon) but I was dual-wielding. And the first rule when fighting a dual wielder is Watch both hands .
    He parried my strike, went for a rib shot. I batted it aside and snapped a cut