“Fighting Over What?” - A Tale of Heroes - Scene 62: Granthurg

Granthurg shouted, “ANTONERRI!” before he jumped up and broke through the bushes in the hedgerow. He unslung his hammer as he started running. The pounding of his heart in his head matched the heavy thud of his feet on the ground.

He could see Antonerri struggling with the two men at the wagon. Hold on, there, friend! I’m on my way!

In an instant, something swept his feet out from under him, and he fell forward, reaching out to block his fall. He hit the ground hard, and the handle of his hammer bounced and struck the side of his face. That pain was harsh, but immediately a heavy weight landed on his back and grabbed at his neck. The blow knocked Granturg windless, and dropped him fully to the ground.

“You’re going to sell it, aren’t you?” a voice said. A sword blade appeared in his peripheral vision. Granthurg rolled a bit to one side and brought up his arm to shield his face from the blade. The motion caught his attacker off guard for a moment. “You’re going to sell it to the Dragon’s Flame, aren’t you? They’d love to get their hands on it!”

Won’t these people ever leave me alone! He took advantage of the moment by twisting his body the other way, throwing the man off balance. Granthurg rolled away, grabbing his hammer as he did.

They both stood and faced each other. Granturg felt warm blood running down his face. Was that from the hammer or the blade? He wasn’t sure, and didn’t want to lose his focus on the attacker. He held his hammer before him ready to block with the handle or swing with the mass.

“Maybe you idiots would get some useful answers if you just told me what it is you’re after!”

“Maybe I’ll just take it from you after I kill you!”

Granthurg steeled his stance. He could hear Thissraelle’s voice shouting, but couldn’t make out what she was saying. I don’t have time to waste on this! She needs my help! 

“Not today, you won’t!” He lunged ahead. The man was nimble and quick with the sword, but Granthurg blocked his assaults with the hammer’s handle. Twice he landed hard blows with the butt end of the handle. “Does that feel good? It hurts, doesn’t it?”

They danced a tight choreography of thrust, parry, hit, shift. The attacker faked a motion to the left and went in with a lunge from the right. Granthurg twisted to barely avoid the blade, which cut through his vest and shirt. The man stepped back to re-set his stance. Granthurg wiped the blood from his face, then shifted the grip on his hammer.

“Didn’t it ever occur to any of you,” he hissed, “That if I had it, I would use it to defend myself?”

The man’s eyes narrowed, and he rushed in, sword first, reaching in for the kill.

Granthurg shifted, and swept his hammer by the handle, parrying the incoming sword to the side. He continued to swing it up above his shoulder and back down onto his assailants extended hip, with a crackling and crunching noise. With a shriek, the man collapsed onto the ground, writhing in agony.

Granthurg stood and caught his breath.  “You wait here.”

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Question for the comment section below: What is it they're trying to get from Granthurg? What do you think it is?

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This continues the story of the heroes in Wynne, in Twynne Rivers, in the world of The Hero's Tale, Family Friendly RPGs. Here's more info on The Hero's Tale, and family friendly RPGing.


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