Lost in Realm
12
The enraged Ratfolk roared, staggered back and nearly toppled over. Jhalnin quickly picked up the cue and leaped forward and a blade in his left hand sliced across the enemy's right ankle. The gang boss managed to move away at the last minute. Not giving up, the Drow immediately dashed aside, climbed up the dusty crates near the wall, jumped from the top and made his second attack from above. All of them were carried out in a fluid motion. There was a reason why the Drow was a weapon master back in the day.
Nhilva tossed the dagger in her hand so it was held backward. Then she launched forward to make her close-range melee attack as well. Priestesses of a house weren't just taught spells and arcane knowledge. They were trained by the weapon master in melee combat skills, too. The founding Matron Mother of Arabúnd believed one must be prepared for circumstances when magic could not be used. A very wise notion, she must say. Especially given the situation she was in now. She knew a lot of others did not agree with that. They thought magic was more powerful and as long as they were in Lolth's favour, there was no way they would run out of magic.
Pfft.
She paid attention to the Ratfolks' ankles, as well. Furry folks did not like wearing shoes, which made the limbs the vulnerable point in battle. Using her right leg as center, she spun and dodged past the creature's short sword attack before she stabbed the blade into the joint area. The beast grunted and swiped the floor with his other leg, trying to trip her. As it happened, her partner moved to a different side where she was standing and managed to slash the opponent's left calf. Both of them watched the giant male stagger and fall down to one knee for a moment.
Nhilva fired another fire bolt, this time at his other eyes. The Ratman raised his shield of reflex and blocked away the shot. Then he swung his sword to attack her. She dodged aside and then again when the blade came her way, she dashed back, tossing her dagger at the opponent's head. It missed, for the male moved away before the weapon reached him. The blade sank into his shoulder instead. This time around he was shaking as he screamed. The giant Ratfolk grabbed the nearest shelf and hurled it toward her direction.
She did not think, with many heavy objects flying her way; she tossed her hand forwards and chanted the first spell that came into her mind. Strong gale force wind, centered from her, swept out, promptly stopped and pushed everything away. It included Jhalnin and the Ratman they were fighting with. It was a miracle. Now she knew there is another spell she could use. The shelf ended up landing near where the merchant's son was kept. However, the door remained unscathed. It was a pity.
"Lolth has been kind to you." Jhalnin slanted one side of his mouth up before he returned his attention to the enraged Ratfolk.
Nhilva snorted, keeping her eyes on what was more important than a deity she considered cruel and heartless. She could not believe there was an elven race, the whole race, which loyally followed her without a single second of doubt. From the original host's memory, she knew she was once totally faithful to the Spider Queen, too. Until she met the man she fell in love with. Taking a deep breath, she cast the wave spell again. This time, she aimed the perimeter at just the Ratman. The giant staggered, and for a moment, dropped his guard toward the attacks. Scimitars slashed across the tendons on the legs, severing them successfully. Now, the individual could not even stand on his feet.
She watched him roar in pain. And suddenly without warning, he fired a spell at her.
She forgot this one was actually a spellcaster. Three missiles bolted out from the palm of his furry hands and zigzagged their way to both her and Jhalnin. She made a quick launch sideways, and took a roll as soon as her hands were on the ground. From the explosions behind her, she knew the shots were missed. And from the sound she heard, the missile missed Jhalnin, as well.
Nearly.
"Oh, you are so dead," growled the Drow male. He closed in and waved his melee weapons again. Seconds later, tendons of the Ratman's arms were also cut. He could not do anything but lay on the floor.
"Get the door," said Nhilva as she picked up the daggers and sheathed them back to her boots. In her opinion, the male could not do anyone any harm now. Only a skilled healer could repair such damage, and she doubted their people could find one before they ferried the kidnapped son out of here. And after tipping the merchant about the Ratfolk, she did not think they would be able to live as openly as they were. Yes, they might still be stealthy, but with a heavy bounty on the top of their heads, it would be slightly tricky.
A disgusting sound of something being run over by a blade made her stopped dead in her tracks; turning her head, she realized the Ratman was now dead.
Obviously Jhalnin had other ideas.