Chapter 11: Fight for Life

Carn stiffened as a dart hit him in the side of the neck. Instantly, he jerked it out and examined the dart. It was painted to resemble a small bird with a long, sharp beak. The needle glinted evilly as the moonlight reflected it. Another pain sprung up in his arm. He tried to duck, but the air was suddenly full of soft whistling. Three more darts struck him, one in the back, one the neck, one the thigh.

A chill began to spread from the darts. He tried to pull them out, but the venom was already running its course. He ducked down and pulled his sword out from its scabbard. He raised his head and rolled as more noise made its way to his ears. He couldn't move as quickly and two more darts hit there mark.

… Is this where I die? Are they trying to kill me?...

Carn's body was becoming lethargic and his movements too slow for his commands. Through clouding eyes, he could see dark figures moving from the shade of the trees.

…Nice welcoming party. Something to make the guest feel at home…

He slumped to his knees, unable to stand. The figures moved slowly forward. Moon light glinted off spears and other weapons held in there hands. Some held the long blow guns that were unleashing their killer birds toward him. Each one stung and numbed his skin, leaving a feeling of frostbite on each bite.

… Cowards, not even trying to come any closer. That guy probably doesn't even know how to use that sword. Fool, most likely got it off another person like me…

The men closed in around him, making a circle and watched him struggle against the poison. They grinned malevolently, their teeth yellow. One made a noise that sounded like the rasping of a blade, and Carn realized that he was snickering.

… Laugh at me while I'm down, will you? Think you are more powerful, eh? Think you'll beat me, do you? Well, bring it on…

Carn struggled to his feet, each movement a torture. He would not die at the hands of these disgusting people who thought they could best him. He managed to stand, but the ring closed in upon him, some of the figures darting in to stab him with a dart before leaping to safety. They were playing with him, taunting him as he died. More began to laugh and more people came from the trees to watch this stranger become weaker and weaker.

…Damn you, damn all of you…

Children ran down the beach to get a better view as the stranger slumped and fell to his knees again.

…You won't beat me…

Women came to watch, and all the people were laughing at Carn and his dragon, which they had left untouched, for it would snap at any of the natives if they came too near. It could protect itself, but not that man over there, he is defenseless.

…No…

A roar erupted from the center of the circle of men and children. A wave of energy ran across the beach, making the trees wave and the sand to swirl. The watchers on the outside of the ring fled, screaming to the safety of the trees. The circle was broken and in the center stood a hunched figure.

Carn stood, a silhouette against the moon. His knees were bent, shoulders hunched. Both hands rested on his sword, its tip on the sand in front of him. Blue flames licked up the metal and the same light emanated from his eyes. Around him lay a circle of men, stunned by the wave. He straightened and his blazing eyes turned upon the watchers in the trees.

An arrow flew from the darkness and headed for Carn. Carn brought his sword around in a blue arc and caught the arrow in midair. With a twitch of the point, it split cleanly in two and landed on the sand. More arrows flew at him, but he swept the blazing blade around again and each arrow was halved, head from feathers.

He began to advance up the beach and the people fled farther into the darkness, screaming their throats dry. They were terrorized by the blue flame and the person who wielded it, the rider of the blue flame.