The Blue Harp Curse Read online

“By the gods… why do you think he did it?” Rynzius whispered to Grannum as he looked over the mages’ remains.

  As Grannum shook his head getting ready to open his mouth a piercing scream echoed from down the street.

  “Gods, what now!” Grannum yelled.

  Rynzius and Grannum ran in the direction of the scream.

  “Lad, you should stay and wait for help! You’re hurt bad!” Grannum yelled to Rynzius as they ran down the street.

  “No, I’m fine. I’ll get healing in a bit!” Rynzius yelled back.

  The truth was though, Rynzius was in a great deal of pain. However, he didn’t want to leave Grannum alone to deal with whatever this new problem was. Especially since Grannum just lost his axe and now only had a dagger to deal with it.

  As they ran in the direction of the scream they quickly realized it was taking them in the direction of the Blue Harp.

  When they got there they heard what sounded like crates being knocked over in an alley beside the tavern. They ran over to see yet another unbelievable sight; Lorvar armed with a knife, and Avalyn knocking over empty crates that once contained bottles and mug glasses in front of herself in some desperate attempt to keep him from her.

  “Lorvar what are you doing,” Rynzius screamed. “Stop!”

  Lorvar turned to them. When he did, they saw his eyes as white as milk, and a grin on his face like some madman.

  “Lorvar!” Grannum yelled with shock in his voice.

  Lorvar turned around to face Avalyn again, but as he did Grannum jumped for him.

  Landing on his back Grannum squeezed Lorvar and pulled his arms up to keep him from attacking Avalyn.

  “Run to Rynzius!” Grannum shouted.

  Avalyn frantically ran past Lorvar and over to Rynzius.

  “Ok, get behind me.” Rynzius said gripping his sword firmly, unsure of what was going to happen. Why would Lorvar do something like this?

  “By the gods, your back, you’re hurt.” Avalyn gasped.

  “I’ll be fine, just stay back.”

  Grannum managed to get Lorvar to drop the large knife while trying to get him to the ground. Lorvar wrestled with Grannum for a moment, but only just that. Lorvar had been a pit fighter for years, and in this very kind of situation many times before, and easily managed to grab hold of Grannum’s shoulders. He took a second to get a strong grip and, with shear strength alone, flipped Grannum off his back and into the side of the Blue Harp.

  A loud cracking noise shot out as Grannum’s thick body smashed into the side of the Blue Harp. Wood splinters sprang off in every direction. Some of the guests at the Blue Harp had gotten up and peered through their windows, those that had them anyway, after hearing the scream just moments ago. Several more guests were now getting up in confusion and worry after hearing a loud bash outside the inn, and feeling a small tremor from the force of Grannum’s impact.

  Grannum fell to the ground and did not move. After disposing of Grannum Lorvar, still grinning, picked up his knife and turned to Rynzius and Avalyn, with those milk white eyes.

  Rynzius stared for a moment, still not believing what was happening.

  Lorvar began moving towards them both when Grannum grabbed hold of Lorvar’s legs. Grannum struggled to stay conscious, and was amazed he even still was, after the blow he had just taken.

  Lorvar looked down and raised his knife to end Grannum’s part in this struggle for good, when Rynzius lunged forward swinging the flat side of his blade as hard as he could.

  Rynzius smashed Lorvar in the head with all his strength, and even though he used the flat side of his sword to knock Lorvar out, he could have easily killed him with that wound. It was a chance he had to take. Rynzius was prepared for that outcome but hoped it would not turn out that way.

  Lorvar made a growling yell, almost like some large, enraged animal, and fell to the ground.

  “Grannum are you alright?” Rynzius said hurrying to help him up.

  He groaned as he attempted to stand, but ultimately Rynzius had to hold him up “Gods, I think I might need healing too, lad” Grannum said slowly.

  Rynzius smiled a bit, but looked at the damage Grannum did to the building and knew he had to be hurt badly.

  As they stood there for just a moment, Rynzius feeling all the weight of Grannum start to pull him down as his own strength was fading fast, he stared at Lorvar worried that at any moment he would stand and finish them.

  As Rynzius started to slump over onto the wall of the Blue Harp he heard the clanking of armored guards rushing to them.

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