through it. ‘This is the closest dwelling and the first place to search.’ he thought. ‘After all, Vantrax said we would be close to the stones.’ He pushed the gate open forcefully, breaking the latch that held it in place effortlessly with his immense strength. The warning bell sounded the alarm loudly and the two nervous warriors behind him instinctively turned around and brought their swords up, as if expecting an imminent attack from some imaginary foe. Sawdon wasn’t impressed by their reaction, he glared at them both in disgust and grunted his disapproval. He continued walking silently down the side passage, with the others following cautiously behind, and they entered the large rear garden.
As they rounded the path, Sawdon saw that the kitchen door was half open. He drew his own sword and beckoned for the others to follow him. They crept slowly and silently towards the door, but Adrob suddenly stood on a stone that was lying on the concrete path. The scraping of the stone as it slid along the path under Adrob’s weight was too loud not to be heard. Sawdon turned and scowled at him. There was no longer any need to creep and the Thargw headed straight for the kitchen door at speed, closely followed by his two companions.
Harry had heard the stone scrape along the concrete, his Keeper’s instincts took over and he rasped his instructions to the boys.
“Quicknto the hall!”
He ushered them past him with his right hand, as he swapped the sword to his left. The boys did as they were instructed, they’d just cleared the hall doorway when the giant frame of Sawdon appeared at the back door, blocking out the light with his huge frame as he stood in the entrance. He scanned around the kitchen and then glared straight at Harry, who was now stood between him and the hallway exit. Sawdon hadn’t seen the boys escape, but he did hear a footstep as they ran through the hallway and his eyes opened wide as he realized he had his prey trapped.
His look of fury then turned to one of mild surprise as he recognized the man who now stood before him, with sword in hand. He was somewhat older than in their previous encounter, he’d aged dramatically, but it was definitely the same man.
“Keeper!” he snarled triumphantly at Harry. “Raar! It has been far too long. You have made a fool of me for the last time. And I see that you are not alone? You have done well to hide your existence for so long. But you have changed. The years have not been kind I see. You have grown old and feeble. Give in to me now, you cannot hope to best me. Give me the stones, and I will grant you a quick and painless death.” he growled menacingly.
Harry’s reply was swift and unexpected. He immediately threw himself straight at Sawdon, his sword expertly switching from left to right hand and launching a furious attack in the same instance. He had never expected to see Sawdon again. The warrior who had killed his beloved wife and ruined his whole life, was now standing before him, in his house! He knew that Sawdon was going to kill him and his grandson unless he could prevent it somehow. There was no hesitation, he had no choice he thought. He seriously doubted his ability to outrun Sawdon and he knew that the Thargw would not have come alone. He found himself ‘one on one’ with him now for the briefest of moments, before the warriors with him were able to join the fight. He decided quickly that he had to strike now, while he had the chance!
Harry’s sword came hurtling through the air towards Sawdon’s chest, but the blow was parried just short of its intended target by the sword of the mighty warrior, the clash of weapons being so swift and furious that it stung Harry’s hand. He launched another two quick thrusts, but both were met by the Thargw’s sword and the warrior edged his way forcefully forward into the kitchen, until first Adrob and then Boghias entered the room.
The first exchanges had been made, the fight was already a few seconds old, but Sawdon had yet to launch any offensive move. He seemed to be toying with Harry, as if realizing that the ‘old man’ before him no longer posed any real threat.
Jake and Ben had run into the hallway and reached the foot