Power of Words: Part 4

Excerpt from Dragon's Heart:



He pulled the blade out with a twist and spun, throwing himself to the side and grabbing Stricken from where it stuck straight up. A spray of blood answered his pull as he let the shield slip across his back once more. The remaining two cloaked men glanced at each other in what he suspected was unease, where there had been ten a moment before, only two now stood. That was enough to disconcert anyone. He continued to move back though, his eyes watching the images that danced before his eyes more than the men themselves. He spun abruptly, sheathing Fury and yanking one of the spears out of a fallen cloaked man, the one who was missing the insides of his head. He turned back, catching the man to his left blade with Stricken, and ducking below the head height swipe. He drove the spear up into the hood, yanking it back with enough force that bits of skin were still attached to its metal head.
He pushed back from the remaining cloaked man, smiling with elation even as he knew the cloaked man was shivering in fear. The blade trembled in the hooded man’s hand and the Mercenary laughed as he started forward, leading with his left hand, Stricken flashing forwards. The cloaked man faded back, preparing to block the sword even as the thick wooden shaft of the spear clipped him in the head. The cloaked man staggered to the side, losing his footing. Never one to pass up such a glorious opportunity, the Mercenary darted forward, driving the spear into the hooded man’s gut. He spun suddenly, dodging the last thrust from the cloaked man as he did. As he snapped out of his spin, he slammed Stricken through the man’s chest, ignoring the blood that splashed up to spot his face.
For a moment there was silence as the hooded man keeled over backwards, the Mercenary letting gravity do the work as Stricken and his spear came out. Smiling, he bent and cleaned them on the dark cloak before sheathing them and retrieving his second spear.
“Well” his steward said, breaking the silence, “I’m sure that didn’t go as they planned.” The guards laughed and mimicked the words in amusement even as he stretched his hands above his head.