WOT Adv 183

--- The Wheel Turns ---

Maer scanned the area looking for an escape. Nothing immediate. And his attackers were still darting in and out. Plus he couldn't just leave Keb lying there bleeding to death. She could yet be alive. No he had to stay, at least for the time being. Frantically his mind raced. Then he decided on a course of action.

"Such a strong and hardy man who can handle a woman all by himself while he sends two of his bedpan carriers to face a stronger adversary. I congratulate you on your victory, wetlander." The scorn was obvious. He needed to goad the man away from Keb. He needed him to come at Maer. That was the only way to save Keb now.

As he spoke, he cautiously eyed the others, and with his weapon ready to fend off any attack, quickly stepped towards some barrels stacked against the wall near the kitchen door. Then in a single bound, he leapt atop them, putting his back to the wall. There... now they wouldn't be able to get behind him at least.

He continued speaking. "Surely you are a shining example of bravery and an inspiration to your shield brothers in combat! 'Take pride in the glory of our wetlands! Look, one of our men can defeat a single woman in fair combat, and his friends only had to help him a little! Surely the hideous forces of the Dark One will be trembling in their iron-clad boots if they could but contemplate facing such a fearsome foe!'"

Maer shook his head in mock confusion, but the scorn never left his voice. "How we swept over the Dragonwall and slaughtered your kind in mortal combat is a mystery, seeing how your bravery and skill in battle have so valiantly carried you to victory on this dark and evil night!"

The man loomed over Keb and laughed. "Bah! Think what you wish, savage! You're the one surrounded with your back against a wall. And this wench's life is now over. Then your time will come for interfering!" He raised his sword to drive it into her neck.

Suddenly Keb moved, rolling rapidly to once side, snatching up her rapier along the way and then turned her roll into a crouch. The man stumbled backwards, surprised, and cursed out loud. "Blood and ashes!"

"Thought you had killed me, did you?" Keb smiled sweetly at him, but there was no humor in her eyes. "Well, it's not over yet!" she spat and circled, her rapier held warily.

The man grimaced but held his ground. "That little trick will be your last dearie!" He lunged at her, but she parried the blow at the last instant and side stepped, stabbing into his shoulder. Maer could see that although Keb's little bluff had momentarily caught the man off balance, she was still severely wounded and was quickly weakening while the man she fought seemed relatively unscathed.

The two men who had surrounded Maer approached, again darting in and out. But without climbing atop the barrels themselves, they couldn't get on either side of him. Even so, one blow managed to slash into Maer's thigh. He spun his spear in a blur and decided his next move.