The Shadowseeker - Victor Kloss Page 0,75

importantly, it could take significant impact – perfect when faced with a goblin bearing a large wooden club.

Grignak came forwards with a blow to the head, which Ben parried, the impact jarring his hands. He managed to keep hold of his sword and followed it up with another block, before narrowly dodging a strike that would have sucked the air from his lungs.

Grignak came again, and Ben had to be at his most alert to place his sword in the right place to avoid his head getting pummelled. Again and again the goblin attacked, with Ben venturing only the occasional response. Though Ben was tempted to launch something more ambitious, Grignak was an experienced fighter and Ben was fairly certain any such move would end in disaster. Instead, he stuck to his initial strategy. With each attack Grignak made, he became that bit weaker, thanks to the effects of the energy-sapping spell. Soon Grignak was huffing and puffing, and was able to launch attacks only with a grimace of defiance.

Ben waited until he was sure the timing was right. Grignak came forwards, barely able to lift his club. Ben parried it easily and then went on the attack, launching a series of lightning strikes. Grignak, despite being exhausted, managed to parry and dodge the first two, before being caught cleanly on the temple by the third. The goblin went down on his knees and dropped his club, though he continued to stare up at Ben with a look of defiance and hatred.

Ben moved in and grabbed Grignak's wrists, meeting only weak resistance that he overcame easily. He put them behind the goblin's back and brought out another spell, which he pressed against the goblin's hands. Instantly handcuffs formed, chaining Grignak's wrists. Ben did the same with the goblin's ankles.

Grignak tried to bite Ben's arm, and he had to take a quick step back. The goblin stood up slowly, and made a motion to attack again, but Ben saw the fight go out of him. He had done it! Ben wiped his brow, which was wet with sweat and blood. Elation swelled his chest, but he forced it down. It wasn't over yet.

“I'm going to escort you back to the Institute,” Ben said. “Should you cooperate, I will do what I can to make your punishment as lenient as possible. Try to escape, and I'll make your life hell. Am I clear?”

Grignak gave him another evil look, but nodded without argument.

“Good. Now, change back into your human disguise,” Ben ordered.

Grignak's appearance faded and transformed. Within moments, the ugly, rough-clothed boy was back, looking a little worse for wear, still chained by the spell.

It was only when Ben marched Grignak through the village, back to the train station, that he realised how battered and bruised he felt. He was aching in all sorts of places; he was pretty sure he'd sprained his wrist, blocking Grignak's blows, and there were several mysterious patches of blood on his clothes. As quickly as he wanted to return to the Institute, he was almost glad when the still lethargic Grignak set a slow pace, for Ben doubted he could go much faster.

They attracted one or two looks, mainly because of their weary state rather than anything else. Ben had double-checked with the dwarf salesman who had sold him the handcuff spell that they would be invisible to the human eye.

Ben allowed Grignak to return to his natural goblin state when they reached the London Dragonway, and he proved no trouble on the journey back to Taecia. Ben checked his watch upon arrival. It was now 4:45pm, an hour and fifteen minutes before the exam's deadline. He noticed Grignak was sitting straighter, which meant the energy-sapping spell was finally wearing off. Ben focused as they stepped off the carriage and exited the station.

“Remember what I said,” Ben said. “If you come peacefully, I'll do what I can to help. If not, it won't be pleasant.”

“I've done that, haven't I?” Grignak said, with an accusing look.

“Almost, yes,” Ben agreed, keeping his voice mild. He was careful not to show any weakness, but the truth was that if Grignak ran now, Ben wasn't sure if he'd have the energy to chase him.

They marched slowly up the hill. Several times Ben thought he saw Grignak twitch and Ben had to resist the urge to reach out and grab him. The great walls surrounding the Institute came into view, and Ben's mind started drifting to the common room, a nice comfy