Arena (magic the gathering) Page 24

  “Just lie down, damn it, and act like I knocked you out!” Garth snapped.

  Ulin, however, driven by a wild rage, came at him again, feinting low and then going for a throat slash while all the time turning to work around toward Garth’s blind side.

  Ulin’s hand scraped across the arena floor and he tossed a handful of sand into Garth’s face, blinding him. Garth staggered backward, the screams of the mob rising to such a hysterical pitch that he could not hear where his opponent might be approaching from.

  Garth fell backward, as if guided by instinct, and felt Ulin go over him. Rolling on his shoulders, Garth somersaulted over, landing on his feet, trying to wipe the sand from his eye.

  Ulin pressed in again, not even giving Garth time to raise a circle of protection. Garth rolled again, Ulin’s blade slicing his shoulder open, and the sight of the blood caused the cheering to become even louder.

  Barely able to see, Garth sensed another blow coming in hard and he raised his left arm to ward of the blow. The dagger sliced his wrist open, the icy pain of the hit stunning him.

  Ulin pulled back and then dived in again. Garth ducked under the blow, coming in low and sweeping out with his legs. He caught Ulin just below the left knee and the fighter went over. Recovering, Ulin leaped upon Garth, struggling to pin him to the ground. The two rolled in the dust and Ulin moved to drive his dagger into Garth’s eye. Garth jerked his head aside as the blow came down, the dagger slicing open his cheek.

  Howling with delight, Ulin yanked his dagger free from the sand and raised it for a killing blow.

  Just as the blow started to descend Garth managed to wrench his right hand free from Ulin’s grasp and drove the blade upward. The dagger slipped in just below Ulin’s chin, piercing through the roof of his mouth and up into his brain.

  Ulin’s downward strike faltered, going wide. Garth let go of his own blade as Ulin, with a near-supernatural strength, somehow staggered back to his feet, Garth’s dagger driven up to the hilt into the bottom of his jaw.

  A gasp of amazement went up from the mob at the sight of the man staggering about and then, ever so slowly, his legs crumpled and he collapsed to the ground. Garth, panting for breath, came up on his knees, the screaming of the mob thundering around him, deafening him so that he wanted to cover his ears and shut the sound out.

  He felt hands grasping him around his shoulder.

  “Heal yourself, heal yourself, you’re bleeding to death!”

  Wide-eyed, Garth looked over at Hammen and then back at Ulin.

  “You don’t have time for him, damn it, heal yourself now!”

  Garth, gasping for breath, nodded and concentrated upon his mana. The power came slowly as he felt himself weakening. At last the power was there and Garth slowly extended his hands. The blood pouring out of his wrist, arm, and face stilled, the skin drawing back over upon itself even as he felt his strength return.

  Yet still the thunder washed over him and, squinting from the glare of the hot afternoon sun, which reflected off the packed sand of the arena, he stood up, gasping for breath.

  “Why didn’t you just stab him with your first blow?”

  “I thought I could knock him out.”

  “Cut the chivalry. This is death match and you better fight it that way,” Hammen snapped.

  Garth looked around the arena where half a dozen fights were still going on. In a circle at the south end of the arena a great spider was scampering around, holding a fighter aloft, the man writhing in agony, the mob in that section jumping up and down in their seats with wild abandon. On the east side two small armies of undead and skeletons were busy slashing at each other, while in the ring to the north of Garth a fighter was strutting about, holding up the head of his slain foe.

  Garth walked over to Ulin’s body and looked down.

  “Damn you,” Garth sighed and, reaching down, pulled out his dagger, wiped it on the sand, and then cut the man’s satchel off, tossing a mana bundle to the referee. The crowd broke into wild applause.

  Garth turned to walk back to Brown’s stands.

  “Too bad you didn’t declare it a death match, One-eye,” the referee taunted. “You could have gotten a prize.”

  “I don’t need any more spells and the hell with the blood money,” Garth snapped in reply.

  Still gasping for breath, Garth slowly walked across the arena floor, ignoring the wild howling of the mob, which stood to give him an ovation. Stepping under the awning, he went over to the food and wine, pouring himself a drink, while out in the arena the last fights were played out.

  “What happened to Varena?” Garth asked, turning to look back out on the field.

  Hammen pointed up to the tote board.

  “She won.”

  Garth nodded, saying nothing.

  Naru came back in, covered in blood and holding the satchel of a Fentesk fighter.

  “Not this much slaughter in years,” Naru announced gleefully. “Many good spells.”

  He shouldered up beside Garth and, taking up a decanter of wine, drained it off with loud, thirsty gulps followed by a rolling, self-satisfied belch.

  “Ah, now better. Perhaps we fight, I take your satchel now.”

  Garth looked up at Naru.

  “You know, it’s hard to admit, but I’ve almost come to like you.”

  Naru chuckled, his voice edged with sadness.

  “Me almost like you. Too bad.”

  “Fighter, make not friend of fighter.”

  Garth turned to see Kirlen standing behind him.

  “This slaughter is because of you. You realize that, don’t you? All the Houses will lose their best today and tomorrow.”

  “So stop him.”

  “We can’t.” Kirlen waved toward the mob, which was on its feet, howling with bloodlust as two fighters, their spells expended, staggered about the fighting circle, slashing at each other with daggers.

  “He’s killing more fighters out there today than we’d lose in a half dozen Festivals, just so he can get at you and win the mob back.”

  Garth sipped at his wine.

  “And all of you will be the weaker for it. Like I said, the four of you should stop him.”

  Kirlen shook her head, saying nothing.

  “Let me guess. He paid all of you off, didn’t he? The potential loss of contracts made good over the next couple of years.”

  “The bastard,” she said softly, her voice barely audible above the screams.

  “And of course you took it.”

  “The others did too.”

  “But of course,” Garth replied, his voice filled with contempt. “So why don’t you try and kill me now and get the rest of the bribe?”

  “In due time, in due time.”

  Garth, shaking his head, returned to his seat.

  An explosion of sound swept over the arena as the last fight ended with a mutual kill, the two fighters stabbing each other, and neither one with a single heal spell left. They writhed about for what seemed like an eternity and then both were still. The spectators screamed hysterically, jumping up and down over the spectacular finish to the fourth round. Even though any who bet upon it had lost their money, still they cheered over an ending that would be argued about in the taverns and on street corners for years to come.

  “They’re certainly getting their money’s worth today,” Hammen said coldly, before downing a beaker of wine.

  The urn containing the names of the survivors was now brought out again and the monk started to draw out the new fighting pairs. The first names started to go up and the entire arena came to its feet.

  “You’re fighting Naru,” Hammen whispered.

  “Damn.”

  Garth slowly stood up and looked over at the giant, who stood gaping at the board until his servant finally told him what the symbols meant. Naru turned and looked back at Garth and, with a huge beefy hand, motioned for Garth to walk out with him. As Naru started out from under the awning and into the bright light of the arena Kirle
n hobbled up to his side, said something, and then turned her back as Garth walked by.

  Garth came up to Naru’s side.

  “This will be to the death, One-eye.”

  “Too bad. Like I said, I was getting to like you, even though you are as dumb as an ox.”

  Naru threw his head back and laughed.

  “All think that funny. How come Naru so dumb and yet control mana so well? Don’t know.”

  “A freak of nature,” Hammen sniffed.

  “I like you too,” Naru said, looking down at Hammen. “You be my servant after One-eye dead.”

  “Not likely.”

  “How much did Kirlen offer you?” Garth asked.

  “Choice of her spells I kill you.”

  “Did you ever think why she wants me dead?”

  “You cause trouble.”

  Naru looked back down at Garth and shook his head.

  “Somehow this not seem right. Naru like good fighting, but too many friends die today. Too many. Naru have no one left to play with when this done.”

  As they reached their circle Garth looked around and saw Varena walking slowly toward her circle, a Purple fighter moving to take the other side.

  “Who is that against her?” Garth asked.

  “It’s not good. That’s Jimak’s favorite. The way the fixing is going on, I wouldn’t be surprised if he loaned some of his own spells. I hope she got the same offer from her Master.”

  “Damn fool wouldn’t take it,” Garth said. “Too much honor.”

  “Don’t worry about her now,” Hammen replied. “Remember, you caught that big lummox by surprise last time. He won’t let it happen again. Don’t let him get close to you. If it turns to hand-to-hand he’ll rip you apart and pick his teeth with your ribs. How are you feeling?”

  “Still a little light-headed from the last fight.”

  “Just great,” Hammen sighed.

  The final trumpet sounded and the referee came over to Garth, showing him the two tokens. Again Garth took the white. The referee went over to Naru and a moment later she returned to her box and sent up a red flag, to the cheering of the mob.

  “Good luck, Master.”

  “You never wished me luck before.”

  “Well, you never needed it before.”

  “Thanks for the confidence.”

  “It’s not a question of confidence,” Hammen replied. “It’s a question of being a realist.”

  “Fight!”

  Garth stepped into the circle and, concentrating his will, he immediately started to draw upon his mana. He delayed launching an attack, deciding instead to hold back, building up his strength as much as possible. Naru finally made the first move, sending a mammoth forward and Garth finally replied by again creating a wall of trees, fronted with an impenetrable growth of brambles against which the mammoth raged and trumpeted, especially when the brambles started to pierce the mammoth’s feet. Garth was surprised when Naru, using mana he had not suspected the giant would employ, sent wolves into the attack. They slipped through the trees and Garth, in turn, created wolves to fight and block them. An explosion from another circle erupted, nearly knocking Garth over and he spared a quick glance back to see Varena and her opponent engaged in desperate struggle, the circle engulfed in flames.

  Garth turned back to his own fight and was startled when he could not see Naru. The giant seemed to have disappeared!

  There was a crashing of trees and to Garth’s left, at the edge of the circle, the giant came crashing through, the trees around him withering and dying. Garth conjured one of the trees to life. Naru, laughing, turned on it, fighting it hand to hand, tearing limbs off the tree and tossing them aside so that the tree-creature simply fell over and collapsed.

  Now came wave after wave of attack against Garth, orcs and goblins, enraged dwarfs swinging their battle-axes, and nameless creatures out of the darkness.

  Garth countered by striking at Naru’s mana, weakening the lands that supported his magic, setting up circles of protection for when Naru’s minions came too close, counterattacking with winged creatures and Llanowar Elves that gleefully struck at the dwarfs, crushing them down.

  His mana weakened, Naru was forced to withdraw to his own half of the circle, laying out a wall of fire. The two stood gasping for breath, Naru shaking his head and laughing, the laughter coming like the panting of a bull.

  “You good fellow. Too bad must die now.”

  Naru waved his hands and a new onslaught began. Creatures in the air, on the sand, and rising up from underneath, coming one after the other. Garth gave ground slowly and the mob, wild with hysteria, sensing that the fight was coming to a climax, roared with delight.

  Garth erected more trees, stepping back slowly, warding off the attacks that broke through but each time it seemed as if he had less power than before. Naru again reached the edge of the forest and waved his hand. Some of the trees ignited in flame and Garth instantly replaced them. Again there was the burst of fire and again they were replaced.

  Naru stood back for a second, shaking his head with frustration. Garth stood at the far side of his circle and then, ever so slowly, he fell down on his knees as if his final power had been expended.

  Naru, with a wild cry, raced into the trees, which towered up over him, the crowd roaring insanely, expecting him to crash through and deliver the coup with his bare hands.

  Garth instantly came to his feet and pointed straight at the forest. Above the roaring of the crowd another sound now washed over the stadium, the miniature forest shaking and trembling. A loud, howling roar exploded and from out of the forest a green head appeared, its fangs glinting in the hot, late-afternoon sun. The head of the Craw Wurm weaved back and forth, like a serpent’s, looking for its prey. The creature arced over, its long sinuous body weaving up out of the forest and then crashing back down.

  A loud, bellowing roar of pain thundered out of the woods. Trees swayed back and forth, crashing over. For a brief instant a stone giant started to form at the edge of the forest. Garth waved his hands and the Craw Wurm's tail lashed out, toppling the giant. Continuing to control the Wurm, Garth now redirected its attack at Naru.

  More trees toppled and then, from out of the forest, the Craw Wurm emerged. Wrapped in its scaly coils, Naru struggled to get free, bellowing with pain. The Craw Wurm threw another coil around the giant’s kicking legs, crushing him under its weight.

  The mob, driven to an ecstasy of excitement, howled insanely. Naru continued to fight, managing to bring forth another burst of flame from above. Garth countered by blocking the fire, and then increased the Craw Wurm’s strength. The Wurm threw another coil over Naru, pinning his arms and squeezing.

  The giant's face turned dark purple. A loud scream of anguish burst from him as if the cry had been crushed out of his body. Naru’s head lolled back in unconsciousness.

  The mob, screaming with insane frenzy, cheered wildly, even though it was one of their old favorites who had just been defeated.

  The Craw Wurm raised its head, preparing to bite down and devour its meal.

  The screaming of the mob thundered.

  Garth One-eye raised his hand.

  The Craw Wurm seemed to freeze and then, in a puff of smoke, it disappeared.

  Naru, still unconscious, tumbled to the ground and was still. Garth walked over to the giant’s side and pulled his dagger out.

  A hush settled over the mob, confused by this action and then realization set in that Garth meant to deliver the death blow with his own hand. Some cheering broke out but many fell silent. This was no longer killing in the heat of combat and there was an uneasy stirring.

  Garth held his dagger aloft and then with a dramatic flourish threw the blade out of the circle. A stunned gasp swept the arena.

  “He was a worthy foe and my friend!” Garth shouted, the mob surprised that a mere fighter held the rare spell of far speaking. “I will not murder him for the pleasure of a Grand Master who has perverted the rules of the arena
.”

  “Kill him. It is a blood challenge.”

  Garth turned and looked back at Zarel.

  “I won the match, you cannot deny me that. But I will not commit murder for you.”

  Zarel, screaming with rage, started to point at Garth.

  “Will you violate that rule as well?” Garth taunted.

  “Let them live!”

  It was a lone voice, that of a woman, and Garth looked across the arena to see someone standing, wearing the dark leather armor of a Benalish warrior. Her cry was instantly picked up by the mob.

  “Let them live, let them live!”

  Garth started to create a shield of protection while all the time staring at Zarel, waiting. Furious with rage, Zarel looked back out at the mob, which was on its feet, some of them already spilling over the wall, ready to storm onto the arena floor. Zarel, his features white with fury, sat back down.

  Turning his back on Zarel, Garth reached down and touched Naru on the forehead. Naru stirred and opened his eyes.

  “Funny. Is this afterworld?”

  Garth smiled and shook his head. Extending his hand, he was nearly pulled over as Naru weakly got to his feet.

  “You mean I lose and you still alive.”

  “Something like that.”

  “I am disgraced, One-eye.”

  “I called it a spell match so, damn it, give me a spell and we’re even.”

  Naru fumbled weakly in his pouch. He hesitated for a moment and then pulled the amulet out.

  “Juggernaut, most powerful I have,” Naru said evenly.

  Garth took the amulet, and then shook Naru’s hand, the exchange causing the mob to erupt into a wild frenzy.

  The two walked back to their corner, Naru resting his hand on Garth’s shoulder for support.

  Kirlen, leaning on her staff, ignored Naru as they came into the shade, the giant staggering over to the table of food, picking up a heavy amphora of wine, and inverting it over his open mouth, the wine cascading down his pale, drawn face like a river.

  “Your sentimentality won you no friends here,” Kirlen said.

  “I brought back your best fighter alive.”

  “And you.”

  Garth smiled and said nothing.

  A loud cheer went up and Garth looked over his shoulder and felt a momentary tightening in his chest. Varena was down on the ground. But her opponent was down as well and ever so slowly Varena came to her feet and held her fist up in triumph.