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I looked across the room at Shard, having no more time to think of Krol, "Come Shard, let us finish this."Before I could react, Shard leapt over the guards, headed directly for me. She caught me in the shoulders, her blade missing me by bare inches. I fell hard on my back, but kept enough wind in me to continue rolling, throwing Shard over me with my feet. I rolled to my stomach and got to my feet as Shard landed lightly some distance from me. I stood lightly, ready to dodge or block in a moment's notice, the Dagger well-balanced and waiting in my hand.
Shard charged towards me, and I spotted a small opening; I plunged in heedless of my own safety. My dagger broke the flesh of Shard's side, but it was only a glancing blow. Too late, I realized that she'd lured me into her. My ears flicked backward, hearing the whistling of her blade coming to strike me down. I fell to one knee and her sword cleaved the air just above my head. I growled, looking over my shoulder to glare at her. A snarl curled my lip as I ruthlessly plunged my dagger into her hip. Shard roared in rage and pain, impaling her sword, not in me, but into the marble floor of the Throne Room.
"Sekhmet! Help me!" she cried.
Krolaun took a step forward, "You damned coward!"
An enraged screech like the roar of a lioness cracks through the air, and something came into solidification before me. I couldn't even react as this newcomer kicked me in the jaw sending me flying back into the wall. Stars danced in my vision and I fought to keep consciousness. My limbs would not respond when I begged them to move. So, dimly I watched the battle rage on.
Krolaun leapt into the fray, drawing a dagger from beneath his cloak. He struck at the nearest opponent, that being Shard, his movements showing his intent to kill. He grappled with Shard for only a moment, until a huge thunderclap rocked the room and a bolt of lightning fell from the sky, striking the area before the dias.
The new, smoke-grey figure turns his eyes upon my attacker, "Tsk, tsk...You have been a bad goddess, Sekhmet."
The elf watched Bast in awe, giving Shard that moment she wanted. She raised her sword above her head, and threw it. I was aware of the huge sword coming towards me, but I could not move. I could only watch. This is it...
Krolaun turned, "No!" The dagger flew from his hand, flying desperately towards Shard's sword. It impacted and there was a flash of light as the two metals collided. I heard metal impaling marble as the sword landed only a few scant inches from my leg.
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© 1999 E. Angeli Mansfield