Page 68 of Knox
"They look intimidating," Knox continued, "but they’re quite susceptible to magic."
Adrian took a deep breath, feeling a little better. "So, you have a plan?"
"Of course," Knox assured him. "Just stick close, and I’ll make sure nothing happens to you."
Adrian nodded. He still wasn’t one hundred percent reassured, but he was going to put on a brave face—which lasted until they turned a corner and spotted a couple of orcs on the street in front of them.
Adrian’s breath caught in his throat as he stared at the orcs. They were massive, each easily over seven feet tall, with greenish skin, long tusks and bulging muscles. They wore crude armor and carried weapons that looked as if they could cleave a car in two. The creatures grunted and snarled, their yellow eyes scanning the area for their next target.
He instinctively stepped back. "Knox…"
"Stay calm," Knox instructed. He moved forward, placing himself between Adrian and the orcs, his eyes narrowing in concentration.
Adrian watched, his fear momentarily overridden by curiosity, as Knox raised his hand and muttered something under his breath. A shimmering distortion appeared in the air, and suddenly, one of the orcs roared in anger, swinging its club at its companion.
The other orc bellowed in response, clearly seeing an enemy where there was none. They charged at each other, their weapons clashing with a force that made the ground tremble. Knox’s illusion had made each orc see the other as a threat, and now they were locked in a brutal combat.
Knox stood there, unflinching, watching the chaos he had created. "They’ll tire themselves out soon," he said calmly. "Or one will kill the other. Either way, we can pass safely."
Adrian felt a mix of awe and unease. Knox might not know how to use a phone or a television, but orcs were no problem for him.
Because he doesn’t belong here, a voice whispered in the back of his head. Just like those orcs don’t belong here.
Adrian shook his head, forcing the voice to shut up. Now wasn’t the time for doubts.
"Let’s move," Knox said, his eyes still on the fighting orcs. "Before they realize what’s happening."
Adrian nodded, following Knox as they skirted around the brawling monsters. As they did, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
Finally a message from Leon.
"Troll!!!!" was all it said.
A second message popped up a second later. "Bellhammer Square."
"You said orcs were easy," Adrian said. "Are trolls easy too?"
Knox licked his lips. "Trolls are not very susceptible to illusionary magic. Frankly speaking, you can’t manipulate thoughts where there aren’t any."
"Oh. Leon says there’s a troll in Bellhammer Square. Where is…?" He trailed off as he heard a deafening noise like a building caving in. His head snapped in that direction. He had the worst feeling that was where the square was.
The closer they got to Bellhammer Square, the more the sounds of destruction filled the air—shattering glass, the groaning of metal, and the unmistakable roars of a troll.
When they finally reached their destination, Adrian felt like throwing up. A massive troll, easily twice the size of the orcs, was wreaking havoc. It had ugly mottled skin and beady eyes, and currently, it was swinging a lamppost like a club, smashing it into anything that moved.
Frantically, Adrian scanned the area for signs of his friend.
"Panicking won’t help," Knox said. "Stay calm."
"Right," Adrian muttered, trying to take deep breaths instead of giving in to the urge to hyperventilate. "What do we do about that?" He nodded toward the troll, which was currently tearing the roof off a car as if it were made of cardboard.
Knox’s eyes narrowed. "I’ll distract it. You find your friend and get him to safety."
Adrian opened his mouth to protest, but Knox had already stepped forward, shadows gathering around him. With a flick of his wrist, tendrils of darkness shot out, wrapping around the troll’s limbs and pulling it off balance. The creature roared in fury, swinging its makeshift club wildly as it tried to free itself from Knox’s magical grip.
"Go, Adrian!" Knox commanded.
Adrian hesitated for a split second, then turned and ran, searching the chaos around the square for his friend.
