Torment and Terror Read Online Free Page B

options.
    These are horrible odds.
    He’d seen all of the men fight before. It was another one of those things his mind probed for. Weakness. Everybody had one, even Venir.
    It will take more than all that brawn and muscle to win this fight.
    “Come,” Slom beckoned, cutting his sword from side to side. “Fight, before my legs grow weary from standing here all day. I don’t want my knees to ache while pleasure awaits.” He eyed Kam again and licked his lips. “But know this, outlander: I’ll give her far more pleasure than any man.”
    Zurth chuckled. “Aye, we’ll double it for sure.”
    “Talk all you want, dogs. Neither of you will make it within ten feet of her.”
    Melegal cast a glance at Kam.
    Her face was red with fury. Her fingers were stretched out, and an emerald fire lit in her eyes. She cocked her elbow back. Suddenly, her eyes popped open and drifted over toward Scorch. Her fires extinguished, and she slumped back in her chair. She reached for Erin, took her from Joline, and held her tight.
    “My, the tension is killing me,” Scorch said with a yawn. “Will someone please swing something?” He looked at the back of his wrist. “I don’t want to be late for my doctor’s appointment.”
    What?
    Melegal focused back on the battle. Slom and Zurth, though doing little, were lathered up in sweat. Venir’s muscular arms were lathered up as well. The backs of his ears and neck were red.
    Come on, Venir. Kill them.
    “He’ll be dead soon enough,” Slom said, “let me enjoy it.”
    I sure know how to pick them.
    Melegal liked Slom and Zurth. They were far from innocent. Killers that worked for the like of Palzor. Each a murderer of some sort in their own right. Loyal to the highest bidder. Now, through him, they stood poised to cut down the most upright of all four men.
    And to think of those times that I wanted you dead. I never saw it ending like this. I’m sorry, Venir.
    Finally, jaws set, hulking body set to spring, Venir said, “I’m waiting, ladies.”
    Bodies poised behind their shields, sword tips pointed toward Venir, Slom and Zurth eased in a little closer.
    Melegal knew one man would have to make a mistake. Slip. Misstep. Fall. But Slom and Zurth were nothing short of sure-footed. Survivors. Desperate and fierce fighters. If Venir launched on one, the other would run their needle through his back. He probed for weakness. A wide stance, a sagging shoulder.
    Find an edge, Venir. Find an edge .
    Slom took in a deep draw of air through his wide nostrils. “Don’t worry, Venir. I’ll be an excellent father to your baby.”
    Venir sprang to life. He charged for Slom.
    The half orc swung his sword, striking like a deadly steel snake.
    Venir feinted out of the sword tip’s reach, changed direction, and pounced on Zurth.
    Zurth’s sword bit into Venir’s shoulder.
    Battle raged, Venir crashed into Zurth with his full weight and drove the big man hard into the ground. With a snarl, Venir ripped the man’s sword aside, plunged his knife into the man’s heart, and ripped it out.
    Slom moved in with the speed of a slithering snake.
    Melegal’s mind screamed, Noooooo !
    Venir turned his massive shoulders.
    Slom’s sword sunk deep into his chest.
    Glitch!
    The half-orc’s blade went in one side and out the other.
    Scorch started laughing.
    Kam and Joline were screaming.
    Melegal’s horrified eyes were frozen on Venir.
    The long hunting knife clattered on the floor.
    “Hah!” Slom said, dropping his shield. “I guess that’s that. Grog and ale for everybody.”
    Spitting blood, Venir’s wide eyes narrowed. His face darkened. His iron jaw set. With his two great hands, he grabbed the pommel of the sword stuck inside him and wrenched it out.
    Slom’s jaw dropped. His eyes screamed impossible .
    Venir unleashed all his fury in heavy two-handed swings.
    Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop!
    Slom died on the first swing.
    Venir dropped to his knees. The blade slipped free of his grasp. He lifted up his