Iagothal: A New Menace (3/4)

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[ 96] Nymaya: Iagothal: A New Menace (3/4)
Tue Feb 24 02:16:29 2015
To: All Verminasia Reklah Ashtiel
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She had time to react, though not to shoot it.  The snap of its wings splintered the air above her as she hit the ground and rolled away but into the charged atmosphere followed an enraged roar.  She was up and crouched defensively by the time it touched the ground with its taloned feet and turned its bulk toward her.  Its evil, slanted gaze was a malevolent amber and glowed with the depth of its animosity.  It easily towered over her and its body was broad, bulky.  A mix of scaled black flesh and blood, with tufts of indistinguishable fur along its arms, legs and middle.  It flexed impressive claws at the ends of thickly coiled arms that could clearly rip men in half.  Likewise, its legs crouched over wicked black talons and a pair of bat-like wings stretched out over its back.  Vapor slipped between the fangs of its gruesome grin and then it came at her with a howl that set the fine hairs at the back of her neck on end. 

The face that snapped at her was bestial, more demonic than animal in the darkness but she rolled away once again.  Her sword sang in the same instance, leaving a wound along the creature's outstretched arm and sending the unique aroma of its blood to join the stink.  It barely seemed to notice the wound and its claws caught her cloak, leaving long ripped rents in the durable fabric. 

Without breaking stride she unclasped the garment while circling around the clearing with the beast who followed in stride though she was given the impression that it quivered with anticipation.  It wouldn't be long before it attacked again.  Base instinct would work against it but until she witnessed it further, she was at a disadvantage. 

The next attack was surprisingly fast.  Faster than she had anticipated as its bulk shot toward her in an unnatural glide but in the seconds between, she took stock of its openings and determined that she could cripple it, perhaps kill it outright, but only if she took the hit. 

The split-second decision made, she committed to the act but even in the doing so the ground began to shake to the thunder of hooves.  She had to twist wildly, gracelessly, to get out of the way but the beast, trapped in its initial rush, was caught by the tip of a lance and sent tumbling by a shattering impact.  She watched with a certain satisfaction, sprawled as she was in the snow, as its crumpled body came to a rolling stop and ceased to move some distance away before finally turning her attention to the horse and rider. 

He was heavily cloaked and even then tugging on the reigns of his nightmarish steed to turn it around.  Silhouetted by the stars and the night sky the unholy creature tossed its head haughtily and turned toward her, guided by a steady hand.  She rose up from the ground sword still to hand and, taking no heed of the snow caked along her side, met the advance. 

"Are you alright?" Mildly spoken.  Had her husband been concerned?  The thought was a little flattering but she responded to the query. 

"I am uninjured.  I had its trail.  If I'd waited, we would have lost it in the night sky and it might have reached the farmsteads or the town." She made a gesture toward its crumpled body, which he turned to observe now.  

(cont.)