Asgoleth the Warrior - By Bill Kirkwood Page 0,57
had been burned away revealing the white bone beneath; so too the skin of his hands had been devoured by the flames and it seemed to Asgoleth that he faced no man here but a ghastly animated skeleton. Only demos’ eyes showed any sign of life and they glittered with madness and hatred as they looked upon the barbarian who had brought his dreams of empire to ruin.
A giggle escaped the tyrant’s mouth and a dribble of bloody saliva ran down his ruined chin. Finally he croaked,
‘You fool; did you really think you could defeat me? I who hold the power of a god? You cannot defeat me fool. I shall rise above you and I shall destroy all that you have fought for and all men shall be my slaves. I shall repair this ruined body and I shall live forever and all men everywhere shall worship me. Did you really think you could destroy a god, barbarian?’
He began to laugh wildly, waving his blackened arms in the air and Asgoleth knew that he was truly insane and he had no desire to learn if his magic was indeed as strong as he claimed. A snarl ripped from his lips.
‘Let me see you replace your head, God!’
A savage sideways slash and the mad laughter cut off abruptly as Demos’ head leapt from his shoulders atop a surging spray of blood. The body took a step forward then stiffened and fell to the ground. Asgoleth shuddered as he saw that life still held a grip upon the severed head of the tyrant. A thrill of unease ran down his spine as he stared at the writhing lips, saw the light of madness blaze undiminished in the dark eyes. Could this evil creature really restore his body? Was his magic that powerful? Then to his relief he saw the tyrant’s eyes go wide with shocked surprise as death reached out to claim him.
For a moment their eyes locked together and Asgoleth saw the full horror of realisation in the tyrant’s eyes. All of his dreams of power and great ambition for empire had come to naught, ended by the stroke of a barbarian’s blade. His mouth opened in a silent shriek of unbelieving despair, then, finally, the light fade from his eyes as death closed its tight grip upon him.
For as long moment Asgoleth looked down upon his fallen foe then he reached out and skewered the tyrants head on his blade and held it aloft for all to see. Ragged cheers reached his ears, growing swiftly to a roar of victory. At long, long, last the Akonites had been defeated and Torr was free once more.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Agoleth sat astride a fine stallion, saddlebags filled with provisions and gold. He glanced behind him at the walls of the city of Torr. They were being rebuilt by an army of willing workers and he smiled as he watched. Soon the city would stand tall and proud once more and he knew that the people of Torr would survive and flourish. The war was over, their enemies destroyed and they had no more need of him. At last he felt free to take his leave.
The call of distant lands was strong upon him and he felt compelled to heed its cry. He was weary of responsibility and longed once more to wander free upon the face of the Earth owing loyalty to no one but himself.
He looked down at Amira and smiled. She gazed back at him, her eyes brimming with unshed tears and her royal dignity forgotten. She stepped forward and took his hand in both of hers.
‘Must you go, my love? If you leave I shall have no choice other than to marry a noble of Torr. The people will demand an heir to the throne. Stay and let that heir be our son.’
Asgoleth hoisted her easily to his saddlebow and kissed her with fierce passion. He held her gasping form close to him for long moments then he looked deep into her eyes.
‘We both know it would not work, Amira. I am a warrior and the soft and civilised life of the royal court is not for me, I must go. You on the other hand, know no other life. Marry your nobleman and live the life that was intended for you, it is for the best.’
Amira sniffed and looked into his eyes; she knew he spoke the truth. Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
‘I shall never forget you, Asgoleth.’
‘Nor I you’ he replied. They kissed once more and then he set her gently down.
‘Trust Bal Shoteb's judgement, Amira. He is a true and loyal friend. Let his wisdom guide you and Torr will flourish under your rule.’
She smiled and nodded not trusting herself to speak. Asgoleth tore his gaze away and took Bal Shoteb's hand in a firm grip.
‘Farewell, my friend, look after her for me and look after yourself. Perhaps one day we will meet again and share a tale or two about the old days eh?’
Bal Shoteb's voice was thick with unaccustomed emotion as he replied,
‘Farewell, Asgoleth. Know that there will always be a welcome awaiting you among the huts of the Agar Hillmen my old friend.’
Asgoleth stared down at these people who had come to mean so much to him. For a moment as he looked into Amira’s lovely eyes he was tempted to remain. The moment passed and he raised his hand in farewell. The wanderlust was on him and he had to go.
He kicked his heels into the stallion’s flanks and turned its head towards the distant mountains. Ahead of him lay strange lands and new adventures and that, for the moment, was all that he required from life.
THE END.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN