Desperate to evade the lethal spikes that glinted in the early afternoon sunlight, Galindra tripped over a small rock protruding from the spongy ground,
She righted herself, one eye on the club, and stumbled through a muddy puddle. The chilly water splashed her pants, soaking through the already damp material, some of it overtopping her boots and spilling down to her ankles.
The discomfort seemed to galvanize her, and she cried out, “I’ve had enough of this!”
Taking the nearest troll by surprise, Galindra gripped the dragon staff two-handed, made an abrupt about face, and swung it with all her strength, severing the outstretched club in half.
But she’d come too close to the troll. He cursed and went to backhand her. Galindra saw the blow coming and threw herself sideways.
She didn’t quite make it. It was as if she had run headlong into a wall. The impact sent her flying backward into a deep moorland puddle, water fountaining upward.
Darkness leached into the corners of Galindra’s vision and she felt as if a gigantic bell had been rung right next to her ears. Her fiery staff guttered out.
She sputtered, shaking her bedraggled locks, and attempted to stand up. A massive figure loomed over her and a huge hand clamped itself onto the back of her skull. Powerless to prevent it, Galindra was shoved down into the water. Her head disappeared below the surface as the troll uttered a triumphant bellow.
“Hold her down, hold her down,” screamed the second troll as he stomped to a halt beside his comrade.
Galindra heard the muffled yell but couldn’t make out the words. She’d snapped her mouth shut a scant heartbeat before being pushed back under the water. How long could she hold her breath? And what if the other attacker stabbed her while she was defenseless?
Her heartbeats thudded in her ears and a sharp pain constricted her chest as her lungs strove for air that wouldn’t come. The troll’s grip was unyielding.
Panicked thoughts tore through Galindra’s mind. She fought to stay calm. She knew she wasn’t strong enough to break free. But if brawn couldn’t defeat her powerful opponent, perhaps there was another way.
She stopped struggling and let her body go limp, closing her eyes. Just when it seemed the aggressor hadn’t noticed, or intended to finish her off now regardless, she felt herself lifted from the pool of rainwater as the creature uttered a victorious roar. “She’s finished!”
He swept the dagger from its sheath at Galindra’s waist, then slung her over his shoulder. She sucked in a soft breath, careful not to make any noise but grateful for the fresh air flowing into her lungs.
“Dead?” asked the other troll.
“Nah, only unconscious. I reckon she’ll be a tasty supper.”
“You certain she ain’t fakin’ it? These alt-forms can be slippery customers.”
The first troll paused, seeming to think it over, and said, “I’ll whack her on the head jus’ to be sure. Then tie her up.”
He chortled, the sound like the rattle of stones trickling down a hillside. “Can’t have our food crawlin’ away on its own, now can we?”
Galindra was dumped onto the ground. Through slitted eyes, she glimpsed the troll raise his war club and prepare to deliver a blow doubtless intended to stun her. It might even kill her.
She dare not put her hand to the foresense gem at her neck, in case the troll realized too soon that she was conscious. She’d have to do without the stone’s ability to focus her powers, and instead rely on her raw abilities.
Silently sucking air in through her nose—her mouth shut tight—Galindra urged herself to remain steady and focused her senses inward, recalling all she had been taught at the Hall of Magic about manifesting her elemental weapons when in dire need.
She pictured a raging furnace at the bottom of a subterranean pit, its flames devouring all that came in contact with them. I summon you.
Through narrowed eyes, she saw the troll hesitate, his club held high. He peered down at her, suspicion darkening his features, then cursed, his brow furrowed. “She’s awake. It’s a trick!”
“Kill her. Kill her now,” shouted his companion. “Don’t let her—”
Galindra rolled to her side and shot to her feet in one fluid motion, a dagger gripped in each hand. Instead of naked steel, the blades were formed of fierce, glimmering, yellow-red fire.
She flicked her wrist, and a dagger streaked through the air with a swish, like a sharpened sword slicing through a thick curtain.
The nearest troll clawed at his throat as the elemental blade bit deep. He toppled to the ground with a moist gurgling sound, his legs thrashing.
Galindra motioned with her hand. The dagger ripped free—blood and gore spattering the prone figure—then flew straight to her open palm.
The second troll let out a string of curses. “You’ll pay for that!”
He charged at her. Instead of bringing his club above his head, he swept it from side to side in front of his torso. “Try an’ stick me if ye can, human. You’re dead meat.”
Galindra backpedaled, her arms flailing, doing her best to stay out of reach of the swirling, murderous weapon.
Ignoring his comrade, who lay on his back moaning and making throaty gurgling sounds, his feet still spasming, the troll rushed at Galindra.
He slashed at her, the clubhead coming perilously close to her chest. She drove herself back, sensed her foot slip into a puddle, and stumbled, falling to her knees right in her attacker’s path.
The troll’s mouth curled into a malicious grin. “Got you now, alt-form!”
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