The Spook 9 - Slither's tale by Delaney Joseph Page B

nerveless fingers, I drove my magical shield towards it like a hammer; the blow was terrible and it fell sideways, its four legs buckling beneath it. It hit the ground with a heavy thud, rolled over in the snow and lay still.
    I dismounted and approached my enemy with caution. I had expected the hyb assassin to be more difficult to defeat and half expected some trick. I glanced at its lower body and saw the assortment of blades and weapons in sheaths on its flanks.
    It was now at my mercy, so I pulled off its helmet and held a blade at its throat.
    The hyb was unconscious, its eyes tight shut. I had no time to waste, so I sent a magical barb straight into its brain so that it awoke with a scream. The eyes suddenly opened wide and gleamed a malevolent red. For a moment I felt giddy, and the world seemed to spin; my grip loosened upon my blade.
What was wrong with me?
I wondered.
    Just in time I became aware of the danger from the creature’s eyes . I could barely look away, the compulsion to stare into them was so strong; they had an hypnotic quality, and had the power to suck away the will so that time ceased to matter.
    I regained my focus and stared instead at its mouth, which was full of big teeth. I spoke slowly in case the creature was still befuddled from that last terrible blow I had struck. ‘Listen very carefully to me,’ I warned it, pressing the knife into its throat so that I drew forth just a little blood. ‘I have been wronged and I go to make my plea before the Triumvirate in Valkarky. It is my right.’
    ‘You have no rights, mage!’ the hyb roared, spitting the words up into my face, its big horse-teeth gnashing together. ‘You have murdered one of the High Mages and are to be killed on sight!’
    ‘He attempted to obstruct me when I was in the lawful process of repossessing my property. It was a criminal act and he attacked me further. In self-defence I was forced to kill him. But I have no personal quarrel, either with you or with any other High Mages. Give me your word that you will not oppose me further and I will set you free. Then you may bear witness to my plea in Valkarky and oppose it if you wish.’
    ‘You are dead, mage, whether by my hand or another’s. The moment you set me free I will cut your flesh and drink your blood.’
    ‘Your fighting days are over,’ I said, looking down at the creature. ‘It is I who will wield a blade. It is for me to cut and for you to bleed. Soon I will drink
your
blood. It is as simple as that. There is only pain left for you now.’
    There were screams as I killed it. Not one came from the hyb; the creature died bravely, as I had expected. It could do no less. The screams came from Nessa and her sisters, who had brought their mounts under control and returned when they saw that the danger had passed. It was almost an hour before Bryony stopped sobbing.
    After telling the girls to control themselves, I led them on in silence. I thought over my fight with the hyb. What had gone wrong for the creature? Perhaps it had underestimated my capabilities – or maybe luck had played a part?
    I realized that was certainly true. The jet of steam had surprised it and given me an advantage. This detracted from the feelings of pride I should have felt with the defeat of such a powerful adversary. I was not safe from skaiium yet. I must strive even harder to avoid its clutches and maintain my strength as a warrior mage.
    The three purrai avoided my gaze and wore expressions of revulsion on their faces. Could they not understand that it had been necessary to kill, and that by doing so I had preserved all our lives?
    That night I found us a cave to shelter in. There was no wood to use for fuel so we could only chew on the remaining strips of meat that I had cut from the wolf the day before.
    ‘This is no life at all!’ Susan complained. ‘Oh, I wish Father still lived, and this was just a nightmare, and I could wake up safe and warm in my own bed!’
    ‘We cannot