Page 83 of Red Ruin

I shift closer to what’s left of the perimeter wall and use its cover to follow the erratic pulse of magic.

Two kobolds scent easy prey and tear across the lawn.

One looks agile, carrying a dagger. The bulkier one wields a rusty broadsword.

I block the first kobold’s tail-whip with the pole of my spear.

My hands sting from blocking the blow.I forgot. The spear’s shaft is narrower than a glaive’s.

I readjust.

Parry, lunge,stab.

I make use of the narrow spear-tip and pierce through the gap under the dagger kobold’s leather chest plate. The monster screeches and goes down.

I’m already whirling to deal with its friend.

My arms tremble as I block its heavy sword. Our weapons lock and the kobold snarls. Its long face stretches, half lizard snout, half wolf muzzle, and sharp teeth all the way down.

Fuck, I’m tired.

Parry, lunge, and—shit.

My spear-thrust grazes off its scales, missing the vulnerable spot in the center of its scaled throat.

With a triumphant hiss, the kobold darts past my spear, winding up to run me through.

Already off-balance, I turn my miss into a controlled fall. Then, I roll to the side, lifting the spear.

Scree!

I brace against the throb in my palms, using the ground and the kobold’s momentum to stab through its stomach and brace my pole.

Impaled, the kobold panics. Instead of finishing me off, he drops his sword and tries to rip out the spear.

I grit against his piercing screams. Purplish blood runs down the spear, but I can’t let go.

The monster’s thrashing slows. When it finally sags, dead weight, I lose my grip.

The kobold falls on top of me.

Its chest plate slams my ribs, its scaly-hairy scalp brushes my lips, and its disgustingly hot blood pours all over my suddenly bare legs.

I lie gasping.

Pinned.

Totally forgotten.

I wasn’t expecting to be rescued, butfuck.

Could you at least remember to leave me the godsdamned pants, Remy?

Groaning, I heave the corpse off of me. The spear is a loss, buried too deep in bone to pull free. I leave it and strip the kobold’s belt instead. The attached leather strips form a kind of armored skirt.

Enough to cover my ass.

The sword is too heavy to scavenge. I grab its buddy’s dagger and keep moving.

---