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[Lazybones]

Sorry for the long delay between posts; the Rappan Athuk story is taking a bit longer than I'd initially planned to finish.

I'm almost finished statting up the main characters (at least the initial group), and will try to get a Rogues' Gallery thread up soon.

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Chapter 4


Jaron did not hesitate. He drew an arrow from the quiver across his back and fitted it to the taut string. Perched precariously on the end of the wagon seat, the halfling lifted his bow, drew, and fired in a single smooth motion.

The shaft flew true, and caught the kobold solidly in the chest even as it lunged forward to strike. The reptilian warrior let out a small screech and toppled over, vanishing out of sight behind the mound of boulders. Its spear clattered harmlessly away.

Both sides in the melee suddenly realized that they were not alone. The elf lifted his staff and pointed, saying something to his companion, who did not respond, instead slashing at a kobold who tried to get inside her guard. The kobolds, other than glancing back at the new arrivals, kept their focus on their current prey. If they were distressed by the sudden change in odds against them, they did not show it.

Jaron thought that strange, and paused in reaching for a second arrow, scanning the cluster of rocks and brush on the far side of the road, ahead to the right. That allowed him to spot the danger a moment before it became too late.

“Take cover!” he yelled, grabbing Callen by the arm and dragging him off the wagon. The trader cursed and dropped his crossbow, throwing his arms out to stop his fall as he toppled over into the packed dirt of the road. Jaron landed more smoothly, keeping his feet, and spun just in time to see the blazing arc of fire that fell down out of the sky, right into the bed of their wagon.

The firepot exploded in a crackle of roaring flames, sending out eager tongues over the packed casks and crates. Callen yelled in protest, and ran back, not toward his goods, but toward his horse, which had already started to panic as the fire spread quickly behind it. The horse pulled against its harness, but with the wagon brake set, it only succeeded in dragging the wagon half off the road. Behind it the straps of its harness were tangled well before the trader could start to work them free; instead Callen drew his belt knife and started hacking at them, trying to stay clear of the wild kicks of his panicked horse.

Jaron ran forward, trying to see where the kobold sniper had taken cover. The far side of the road offered numerous places for concealment, and he was all too aware that the protection on his own side was scant by comparison. He could have remained behind the wagon, but knew that Callen would have then become an excellent target, distracted as he was by the threat to his horse. He had to make himself the more dangerous prey.

He fired again, and scored another hit that crumpled the last of the kobold spearmen. The dragonshields were now left alone, but if anything they pressed their attack with greater vigor, lunging forward and stabbing at the human woman with their small swords. She parried the first thrust but the second stabbed its blade into her gut, knocking the wind out of her. She fell to one knee, and the kobold stepped forward to finish her. Jaron tried to grab another arrow, but knew he would be too late even as the sunlight flashed upon the descending sword in the kobold’s hand.

But the blow never landed. The elf loomed over the human woman as he stepped forward to support her from behind, his stare fixed upon the kobold warrior. Jaron felt a sudden chill, and for a moment, it was as if a black cloud had fallen around the pair. Then he blinked, and all was as it had been. Except that the kobold warrior was staggering backwards, clutching at its head, a terrible keening coming from its jaws. It fell to its knees, still moaning, and then pitched forward onto its face.

The other kobold tried to stab the elf, but the human woman recovered quickly, thrusting her longer blade up through its guard, driving half of the length of the steel through its armor and into its chest. The kobold died in a flutter of its limbs, its sword clattering on the ground beside it as it slid off her sword.

Even as the last kobold warrior died, Jaron was looking again for the sniper. The elf helped the human woman to her feet; she looked somewhat pale, but she’d gotten her second wind, and evidently the kobold warrior’s last thrust hadn’t penetrated too deeply, for she was able to stand unassisted. They too were obviously aware of the sniper, for their attention was also on the far side of the road, as they warily swept around to the left.

“Show yourself, creature!” the woman shouted. “Surrender, and you may yet live!” She gestured to her companion, who continued to circle around to the left. She caught Jaron’s eye, and he nodded in acknowledgement as she started forward, toward the cover on the far side of the road.

Jaron caught a hint of movement within the brush. He lifted his bow, at the same time that the elf raised a hand, flashes of energy flickering between his fingers. He nearly loosed when a head popped into view, but with a cry he caught himself, sending the arrow flying harmlessly away to the right.

“Wait!” he yelled, hoping that the wizard had equally fast reflexes. Jaron ran forward, passing the human woman, who lowered her swords warily.

“All done, Jayse?” Beetle said as he stepped out of the undergrowth, a broad grin on his face.

“Are you all right, Beetle?” Jaron asked, quickly checking to see if his cousin bore any wounds. The other halfling merely shrugged; he was looking at the travelers, and seemed particularly interested in the elven wizard.

The woman walked past the halflings and peered down into the brush. “Got the bastard,” she said. Jaron left Beetle and ran over to her, to find the kobold slinger lying on the ground, blood still oozing from the deep puncture wound in the side of its neck.

Jaron looked up, his eyes wide, and looked at Beetle, who was chattering at the elf, as though they’d just met by accident on a casual stroll.