Chapter 14 The Indignities of Feathers #4
While Ridan examined the bones, Brune tried to control his breathing as he watched the dark shadow. In his concentration, he tripped over something that made a metallic thunk.
A large chain was coiled on the ground. The size of his fist, it looped around itself before trailing back toward the wall. Following the chain with his eyes, it led to the middle of the darkness. He stared, hoping to make out whatever was there.
The chain shifted again. The metallic clink was softer this time. A figure materialized. Hunched over, it looked odd. Bumpy and misshapen, with shadows darkening around its every move.
As if sensing his examination, the figure stopped moving. A set of bright yellow eyes popped open.
Brune gasped just as the scent increased. It was so thick he felt like he had stuck his head in a Snap Jaw nest. Gagging, he brought the back of his hand up to his nose.
Those bright eyes blinked once before they shifted, looking towards the back of the cavern.
Just as Brune turned, he heard Ridan shout.
He had his shield on his arm before he could make sense of the situation. Spinning on his heel, he lifted the shield just as a slab of granite splintered against its ruby face. Groaning under the impact, he lowered the shield to take stock of the situation.
Two massive humanoid looking creatures were slipping through the back entrance. They lumbered slowly, limbs contorted and stiff. Half a head taller than Brune, and broad as he and Henroen put together, it was no surprise at how slowly they moved.
What was a surprise was when they lifted what should have been their hands, only to have a massive rock form from between its disarticulated fingers. It grew until it was the size of Brune’s head and then launched itself at Ridan.
He yelped, spinning out of the way only for the rock to smash where he had just been standing, bits of broken rock flying out like shrapnel.
More magic?
Brune didn’t know what it was, but he was certain he didn’t have time to find out. They moved slowly, as if their legs were too heavy or not attached securely. But their rock projectiles were deadly and accurate.
Hoisting his shield, he stepped in front of a panting Ridan, taking off at a brisk run to hopefully draw their attention.
Rocks slammed into his shield, knocking him into the wall.
He swore as his cheek screamed in pain. Regaining his feet, he shouldered into another hit, letting his momentum push him through it.
Emerging on the other side in a cloud of rock dust, he planted his feet and swung his hammer with all his strength.
The flattened head of his hammer crunched into something thick.
It sent vibrations reverberating through his arm, but he could tell his weapon had bitten into something.
The thing screamed hoarsely. Like its throat was replaced by a hollow reed.
Brune pulled his hammer free, taking a chunk of the thing’s abdomen with him.
It crumpled to the ground. Brune was horrified not to find blood spilling from the wound, but mud. Thick, viscous mud splattered on the floor at his feet. Stumbling backwards, he watched as the thing fell forward into the mess.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ridan dodging attacks from the other monster. He deflected a smaller boulder with his sword, ducking under the thing's massive arm to strike.
Only for his sword to clang off its side, nearly spinning out of Ridan’s grip.
Brune gaped. His hammer had no such trouble. It had taken out the Gollum with a single blow.
Letting Ridan serve as a distraction, he raised his shield to slam against the beast's outstretched arm, knocking it up as he swung his hammer and clipped its chin. Its head snapped back, severing at the throat. It collapsed in a muddy heap, like its comrade.
Chest heaving, Brune glanced down at his hammer. It didn’t look any different. There was nothing special about it. Ridan swore angrily as he righted himself, kicking mud off his boots.
“They were impervious to a blade…” he mumbled, still transfixed by the sight of his muddied hammer.
He had so many questions, but just as he wanted to ask, he felt eyes on his back. Turning, he found golden eyes watching them. After a moment, the chain scraped against the rocky floor and the figure crawled into the light.
It was a man. Or at least, mostly a man.
Those eyes were bright and round, slightly bigger than a human’s.
Dingy hair curled in matted ringlets against his head, falling onto a face that was far too thin to belong to anything living.
His nose was thick and flat, tapering to a point just above his upper lip.
But the thing that stood out was a pair of brown and white misshapen wings folded to the man’s back. One was bent at a terrible angle, curling into his spine. The other dragged piteously, long feathers broken off and exposed.
The feather on his wrist jerked forward, and he untied it, watching in fascination as it flew towards the man. He collected it with palsied hands, looking at it with wonder. Stroking the little thing with large clawed fingers, his golden eyes zeroed in on Brune.
“Where is Schok?”