Chapter 8 - A chance to heal

The fight with the half dragon had been brutal, the creature was far and away a better swordsman that Hrodulf was with his axe showing a degree of skill and training that Hrodulf's ill discipline had not allowed him to master and soon knicks were evident on  both combatants. Hrodulf's cold rage and physical toughness having aided him just as much as Cyanwrath's skill at arms and the two broke away to circle one another warily "You are my plaything human" the half dragon spat at Hrodulf as he circled to the left, his huge blade in a high striking position.

Hrodulf knew that he couldn't match the creature in strength even with the cold fury that filled him.  He did not reply because his jaw had locked shut and his whole body quivered as the adrenaline filled him and his racing heart pumped it through his body like quicksilver making it burn like ice against exposed skin. The dragon attacked again and Hrodulf started to see the pattern... the way the creature would position his feet before making a slashing strike and the lunge that would follow it... the step to the right and the horizontal slash and returning upswing to attempt to break his guard for another lunging thrust.

A weakness... Something that Hrodulf knew he could exploit.  The patern began again and Hrodulf fell back as the creature expected, looking as though he was defending desperately. The catcalls from the assembled Kobolds fell on deaf ears and time seemed to slow as the moment to strike approached. The horizontal slash scored a line across his chest that welled bright with blood and the upswing of the blade narrowly missed his face as Cyanwrath pressed his advantage.

The lunge came in and Hrodulf stepped lightly to the left and forwards, the edge of the great blade biting into the flesh alongside his ribs and witha downward sweep Grimnir sang, a mournful sound that rent the air accompanied by a short bark from the half dragon.

The silence from the assembled crowd assaulted him in its ferocity... The Kobolds stared as the huge blade fell from the fingers of the creatures loose right hand just as the sunlight appeared over the walls of the keep.

A blue scaled hand rose to its shattered chest as its very lifeblood poured forth staining the ground red at its feet. Cyanwrath fell to one knee, a clawed hand bracing against the ground as the other reached towards Hrodulf in disbelief... before he pitched forward onto his face.

Hrodulf reached down and picked up the huge blade the half dragon had been using and turned back towards the keep, his cold fury ebbing as he did so and the pain settling in causing him to grind his teeth with each painful step that he made back towards the gates.

Behind him he could hear the clamour of the Kobolds as they took in what had just happened but Hrodulf had to put his faith in the archers above that should the Kobolds make a move they would be peppered from the ramparts.

The gate opened as he approached and he could see Morfindion stood inside the opening, a peculiar look on his face.  "You didn't think I could take him did you?" Hrodulf spat angrily through gritted teeth. The Elf grimmaced and looking Hrodulf up and down replied "The Jury is still out on if it will be a draw".At that point Grimnir fell from his grasp, Hrodulf's knees buckled and blackness took him before the ring of the greatsword joining Grimnir  on the cobbled courtyard could sound.