Page 50 of Tattered Huntress
I blinked rapidly, trying to adjust my vision quickly enough to prepare for an attack. There were smooth dark rocks at my feet but I couldn’t see anything else. I slowly turned on my heel to check what was behind me.
That was when I saw one round yellow eye staring back at me.
Chapter
Nineteen
Squeaking with both shock and fear, I reacted instinctively and flicked the little fireball towards the owner of the eye. Out of the darkness I caught a glimmer of shadow as a huge, muscled arm rose up and batted it away, extinguishing it so I was plunged into total darkness again.
I raised my hands expecting an assault, but the creature – whatever it was – didn’t move. ‘Your magic isn’t welcome here, elf,’ a deep voice creaked. ‘And fire will not hurt me.’
I gulped in a breath of musty air and kept my arms in front of me. Just because it hadn’t attacked yet didn’t mean it wouldn’t. ‘I can’t see anything,’ I muttered. ‘I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I only wanted to get some light so I could look around.’ I waved my hands desperately.
There was a long heavy sigh. ‘It is dark. What do you expect from a cave?’ It was a fair question. ‘You,’ the voice continued, ‘are not very intelligent.’
I was too scared to be offended. ‘You’re right,’ I managed. ‘I’m not. So if you could help me out and point me towards the nearest exit, I’ll be on my way.’
The creature tsked. ‘I have waited a long time for a newwarrior to challenge me. You will not leave until we have done battle.’
There was a lot to unpack there, but before I could say anything there was an odd crackle and I felt a wisp of a breeze. As if from nowhere, a dim green light started to glow, revealing the creature and a large section of the cave.
He was easily more than seven feet tall, looming upwards like some sort of spindly giant. His muscles were tight and wiry, and he was entirely hairless. He was draped in some sort of cloak and one clawed hand held a sword, the edge of which was gleaming in the greenish glow. His other hand clutched my bag. And, yes, he only had one eye.
I glanced from the creature’s face to my bag and back again. ‘You helped me,’ I said in sudden realisation. ‘You must have done something to help me when I fell.’ I started to relax; maybe things weren’t as bad as I’d thought. Maybe this strange cyclops creature was benign.
The tiniest frown marred his smooth forehead. ‘Of course,’ he said. ‘I caught you before you hit the ground.’
I breathed out. ‘Thank you for that.’
The frown deepened. ‘I cannot fight a corpse. I saved you because you have to be alive if we are to do battle. Only when I beat you may you die.’
Uh… ‘Or we could not do battle at all,’ I suggested hopefully. ‘We could have a little chat then you can show me the way out so I can leave you in peace.’
He looked me up and down. ‘Where is your weapon? You should draw your sword now so we can cease these words and begin.’
That wasn’t the response I’d been looking for. ‘I don’t have a sword. I don’t have any weapon. I’m not here to fight.’
‘Your protestations are beginning to bore me,’ he rumbled.
This was not going well. I had to switch tactics – and fast. Istuck out my hand. ‘I’m Daisy,’ I said. ‘It’s, um, lovely to meet you.’
The creature stared at my hand, pursed his mouth then handed me my bag. ‘Take out your weapon.’
‘What’s your name?’ I persisted as if I hadn’t heard him.
The single yellow eye blinked slowly. ‘You may call me the Fachan.’
Okay. This was good. I was making progress. ‘Have you lived here for long?’
‘I have been here forever.’
Right. I nodded slowly. ‘Wow. That’s a long time.’ Think of another question, Daisy. Keep him talking. ‘Uh, do you like living here?’
My floundering question wasn’t good enough. The Fachan threw back his head and roared, the terrible sound echoing upwards with such volume that I had to cover my ears. ‘Enough! No more talking! We will do battle now!’
He was twice my size and he had a sword. I was canny and quick, but even on a good day I couldn’t win against a creature like this. This was no mindless vampire or irritated snake; everything about the Fachan screamed skill, power and strength.
I knew when I was outgunned – but unfortunately I didn’t know where I was or how to escape. Beyond the wide circle of green light cast by his spell, there was only darkness. I didn’t know where the door might be – I didn’t know if therewasa door. All I could do was persuade the Fachan that a fight wasn’t a good idea.
