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Old 09-05-2006, 03:10 AM   #162
piosenniel
Desultory Dwimmerlaik
 
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Had it not been for the faint skittering of pebbles to his left, Rôg would never have glance up toward the source of the sound. And the moon, of course, cooperated in its own way, a skiff of wind parting what few thin, hazy clouds there were to let the pearly light come through. He looked up, a surprised look taking hold of his features.

And just as astonished were the dark eyes that peered down at him.

He’d only a quick look. A young boy, he thought. Or a girl, perhaps . . . the tail of some bright, thin scarf flashed for a brief moment in the pale light as the figure stood to turn and as soon was gone, disappearing behind the low hillock.

Rôg held his breath, listening hard for any sounds that the figure in the dark might be creeping near to do who-knows-what sort of injury to him. He’d had enough of that, already this night . . . the hurting that is; the feathered shaft had flown too swiftly and too true. Hearing nothing, he fled quickly back toward where his companions were.

~*~

From a distance, he could see the figures of the Elf and the young man, Dorran. Their weapons were in their hands and they fought with determination against three of the slavers. Skilled as the two of them were, and what with Lindir being an Elf and all – still three mounted warriors against two on foot laid the advantage to the slavers. Rôg had no sword, and even his walking stick and knife had been left behind with his horse.

Improvise! he hissed to himself.

He bent over quickly and picked up a number of fist sized rocks. Gripping one with his first two fingers close together on one side of it and opposite where he’d placed his thumb, Rôg leaned back that side of his torso and drew back his arm, whipping it forward, then, in a quick smooth motion. His eye was on the horse nearest him, and specifically on the large target of the beast’s hindquarter. He released the jagged missile just as his hand cleared his ear; and it closed the distance quickly between him and the horse’s rear end.

As the rock hit hard against the unprotected flesh, the horse bucked and reared, sending the rider tumbling to the ground . .

Last edited by piosenniel; 09-07-2006 at 12:42 AM.
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