"Enjoy it while you can, Athgar of Athelwald," shouted Eadred as blood poured down his face. Using his shield, he pushed Athgar back. The unsteady bowyer's feet caught on some uneven ground, and he tumbled to the dirt with Eadred now looming over him.
The king struck, again and again, forcing Athgar to hold up his shield in an effort to stem the endless flow of blows, until he felt a tugging, and then the shield flew from his hands, tossed into the crowd.
Eadred, who had discarded his own shield, stood over the Fire Mage, his sword held above Athgar's face, both hands firmly on the hilt ready for the killing blow.
"It's time to put an end to this!" Eadred shouted for all to hear.
Athgar, seeing the sword hovering in front of his face, uttered a spell, the only one he could cast in so short a time. A small green flame leaped to life, and he thrust out his hand in desperation. The effect on Eadred was instantaneous; he cringed, fear filling his face. Even the spectators were shocked, many backing up, making more room for the combatants.
Athgar rose to his feet, allowing the flame to die. "I don't need my magic to defeat you, Eadred."
The king's face grew red. "I am your king!"
"You are no king!" shouted Athgar. "A true king looks after his people. All you've done is hoard wealth and see to your own comfort."
The crowd started murmuring, and Eadred looked around as if seeing them for the first time. "This is unconscionable," he shouted. "You are the one who is a traitor to your people. You have sided with the Orcs."
Athgar shifted, taking the weight off his wounded leg. "It is the Orcs who will help us win, Eadred. Can't you see that?"
"You cannot talk to me like that." The king's eyes sought out his guards. "Kill him!" he ordered.
One bodyguard stepped forward, drawing his sword, but then an arrow took him in the chest. He staggered back, gaping at his wound as he collapsed. Witnessing this, the others backed up, holding their hands away from their weapons.
Eadred cursed, then rushed forward, taking Athgar by surprise to slam into him, driving them both to the ground. They kicked up dead sticks and leaves as they rolled around, the crowd parting to allow them through. When the tumbling ceased, Athgar was once again on his back with Eadred straddling his legs, pinning him in place as he placed his sword over the heart.
Athgar, still holding his axe, moved it up, striking the king's sword, but Eadred's grip was solid, and the blade didn't waver. With nothing else to do, Athgar gripped his axe by the head, pushing up with all his might. The blade of his weapon struck upward, through the broken links of chain to sink into the king's chest, catching for a moment as it struck bone, and then he pushed harder, feeling the splatter of blood as the axe dug into flesh.
Eadred's eyes went wide in surprise, his grip weakening until the sword fell from his hands. His eyes rolled up into his head, then he slumped forward onto Athgar's prone form.
Athgar was struggling to breathe under the crushing weight until a pair of Orcs pulled the king's body off of him, and then Natalia was beside him, examining his wound. Many gathered around the couple, their voices cheering his victory.
"I'm fine," he said to her, his voice breathless.
She helped him to his feet while others crowded in, congratulating him on his victory. Somebody called out in alarm, and hands went to weapons. Moments later, the voice of Kargen boomed out across the village, "What have we here?"
"Athgar has beaten Eadred," said Raleth. "He is now our king."
"I am no king," said Athgar. "Merely a fellow Therengian who wishes to see his people safe."
Kargen pushed through the onlookers, Shaluhk by his side. It only took a moment for the shamaness to notice Athgar's wounds, and then she was moving in closer, conjuring forth her magic. The flesh knit as the magic took hold, and a sense of relief fell over Athgar. He looked up from his newly repaired wound to see expectant faces staring down at him.
"The enemy is coming," he declared. "They won't be satisfied until the last of our people lie dead. If we flee, they will only follow, chasing us down to the ends of the Continent. The time for action is now while we are still strong! We must stand with our Orc allies and rid ourselves of this threat once and for all."
The crowd was enthusiastic, but one of Eadred's guards spat on the ground. "They are led by Temple Knights," the man said. "How can we hope to defeat such men?"
Athgar looked at Natalia. "Will you lead us?"
"Me?" she replied.
"You're the battle mage. You're trained in such things."
"Very well, but only if you command the Therengians."
"Me?" said Athgar. "I'm no leader."
"Yes you are. You just haven't realized it yet. These people, YOUR people, look to you for inspiration."
"Very well," he said, "but they are OUR people, not mine alone." He returned his attention to the villagers. "As many of you know, Natalia is a battle mage, trained in the art of war since childhood. It is she who will lead us to victory."
Those assembled erupted into cheers, drowning out any further objections.
Kargen moved closer, leaning in to be heard over the noise. "We must talk, my friend. There is much to discuss."
Athgar looked around, spotting some familiar faces. "Harwath, secure those chests while we retire to plot our strategies."
"Yes, Athgar," the man replied.
"The wound is healed," said Shaluhk, "but you still suffer from blood loss. You will be weak for some time."
Kargen passed
