and care being shown by the warrior to his fallen colleague. “He is not long for this world. The wound is too deep, and it will not stop bleeding.” he added, as he knelt down beside his friend cradling his head in his arms and trying his best to ease his pain. Adrob had become quite close to Boghias over the past year or so, they had their differences but he liked him, he respected him as a warrior, and Sawdon’s treatment of his friend angered him.
Sawdon halted his scan of the countryside. The Thargw was still furious, he looked down on the stricken Boghias who was lying on the floor in Adrob’s arms, gasping desperately for each painful breath. Sawdon could see that he was dying, nothing more could be done for him. ‘Death is just a matter of time,’ he thought, ‘and time is a precious commodity in our current plight.’
Suddenly, the mighty warrior drew his battlesword. Without warning, he plunged it deep into Boghias’ body, expertly cutting his heart in two with one blow so that death was immediate. It was the kill of an expert.
Adrob jumped up startled and he reacted without thinking. “The Lords of Srenul!!” he exclaimed, cursing loudly and instinctively going for his sword. A split second later, Adrob’s rational thought processes had returned and, realising the folly of his actions, he halted his sword arm, immediately throwing his weapon down onto the floor.
He was just in time! The mighty battlesword of Sawdon came within inches of cutting him down, the Thargw’s intended strike being pulled deliberately so that the blade fell just short of its target, the wind from it caressing Adrob’s cheek as it sailed swiftly past his face. Adrob knew that he had come within a split second of death, he shook violently with fear as he now faced Sawdon’s wrath.
“I... F-forgive me my Lord!” he begged, falling to his knees. “I do not know what possessed me. I...”
Sawdon merely scowled at him and grunted loudly, he was not one for wasting conversation and he didn’t intend to discuss the incident. “Come!” he growled, as he marched off toward Heron Getracht. “We have to report to the King.”
Adrob picked himself up gingerly. He trudged obediently behind Sawdon without saying a word, mightily relieved to still be alive. They entered the gates to Heron Getracht fortress and walked into the courtyard. Sawdon made straight for the well in the centre, he wound the bucket up quickly and poured its entire contents over his head, wetting the thick black hair on his body. Once he’d finished, he turned around to face Adrob.
“Come. It is time once more to admit to failure.” he snarled. “Do not expect to survive this meeting, Adrob. You should make peace now with whatever God you worship.”
The anticipation of King Vantrax’ likely reaction to their news had already frightened Adrob. Now that Sawdon had added to it, he was absolutely petrified. He noticed that Sawdon had a curious smile on his face. The Thargw obviously didn’t fear death, he didn’t seem to fear much at all, not even King Vantrax! Adrob could see that Sawdon was prepared to die for his failure to capture the stones, but the same could not be said of him. He considered briefly running for the hills, but he knew that Sawdon would strike him down if he tried before he even reached the gates. He decided that he had no choice but to face Vantrax and stick as closely to Sawdon as possible, reasoning that the King would not deprive himself of a warrior of such ability and hoping that, in allying himself so closely with him, he would earn leniency from a man who would ordinarily kill him for such failure, without a second thought.
The two warriors climbed the stairs and entered the tower room to find Vantrax looking out of the window slit in the direction of the mountains, having observed their approach. The evil wizard heard them enter the room and turned around to greet them.
“So, three are sent, but only two return? What happened?”
“Boghias is dead sire.” answered Sawdon directly. “Killed by the…”
“Aaaggh!! Spare me the details, Sawdon!” interrupted Vantrax impatiently. “The stones. That is why you were sent. What news of the stones?” he demanded.
“They are here my Lord, on Rhuaddan.” replied Sawdon, glancing at Adrob with a look that said, ‘If you value your life, you will keep your mouth shut and let me do the