Sphiel's Song (A GameLit Virtual Fantasy Adventure)

by Alara Branwen

The big goblin turned around to see the elf directly in front of him. She stabbed him three times in rapid succession before dislodging her sword and running onward. The big goblin looked at the one staring out of the window. “Get her you fools,” he said, a trail of blood leaking from his mouth before he fell to the ground.

  The other goblins looked at each other out of the huts then back at the elf rushing toward their their king’s living quarters. Gulpgulp was a powerful warrior and was responsible for their safety. He could take care of her.

  There was still a hint of magical energy on the air. The other goblins cowered in the huts and lowered their weapons to the ground.

  TWENTY SIX

  Sphiel grinned as she dashed toward the large dirt hut in the middle of the village. She couldn’t believe that worked! Then again, if someone came into her town and used a powerful spell to utterly destroy her, she’d probably be scared too.

  Your skill with bluff has grown to 1!

  Your skill with bluff has grown to 2!

  Your skill with bluff has grown to 3!

  The elf closed the popup windows and continued on. A few goblins attempted to stand in her way, but she began singing and they let her pass. Two guards tipped their helmets to her and made room as she rushed past the entrance to the large hut.

  Two goblins appeared in the hall with their spears at the ready. She raised her voice but they weren’t budging. Seeing that her bluff was ineffective, she stopped and took up a battle stance. The goblins roared and ran at her. Both stabbed at the same time.

  The elf lowered her sword and knocked one of the spear points away while the other slid off her buckler. She ran into them and used her size to crash into and knock them over. Both goblins hit the floor and dropped their spears. They rolled over and tried to reach for their weapons but Sphiel turned on them and the guards opted to run away as fast as their small legs could carry them.

  Another goblin came at her from behind, but Sphiel turned and met his mace with her sword. Their weapons clanged together once, and then again. The elf stabbed at the goblin and he dodged aside. She tried to kick him in the face but he ducked.

  Sphiel continued pressing the attack. She knew there were more guards protecting the king and she had to finish each engagement quickly. The goblin continued pumping his mace in front of him as the elf struck. He slowly backed away, trying to create more room between him and his opponent.

  Sphiel didn’t let up for a second. The elf brought her sword up and swung over the goblin's head. Her buckler was to her side and body was wide open. The goblin bellowed and took his mace with both hands, thrusting it at the elf’s stomach. She smiled. He’d taken the bait.

  The elf hopped to the side, jumped forward and spun on the ball of her right foot. She was at the goblin’s unprotected back. With the accuracy and speed of a viper, she lashed out with her sword and struck the goblin in the back of his neck.

  She didn’t wait to watch him fall. Sphiel ran a few more feet down the large hall to see a pair of large goblins that came up to her chest wielding flails, long black poles on which a spiked ball rested at the end of a chain.

  The twirled the deadly black balls as they gripped the poles with both hands and grinned. Sphiel charged and halted before one of the balls struck her stomach. The goblin to her right lunged forward and missed her. The ball smashed into the floor and sent up a small cloud of dust. The one to her left swung the spiked ball. The elf brought up her buckler and blocked it. There was a loud crunch as the spikes were buried into the now cracked wood. Sphiel’s arm was numb, but she suffered no damage.

  The goblin tried to pull his weapon from the shield but it was stuck. His partner swung his weapon at Sphiel. The elf jumped up and forward. The spiked ball passed under her as she lifted her knee and yanked her shield toward her. Her knee connected with the goblin’s chin and he fell back.

  Sphiel dropped the buckler when she landed on her feet. The second goblin wailed and lunged at her with his weapon with a mighty blow. The elf dropped to her back and grabbed the large pole of the flail still attached to her shield. The goblin’s strike passed harmlessly over her. She twirled her body around and the flail’s chain caught his ankle. He stumbled and fell on his back.

  The elf pulled herself up and viciously stabbed him. The other goblin staggered to his feet and leaned against the wall. Sphiel pointed her sword to him and he motioned down the hall, allowing her to continue.

  She reached the entrance to the throne room and stopped. She saw no goblins standing inside, only overturned tables. The other goblins were obviously inside waiting to ambush her. If she walked into that room, she’d be dead in a heartbeat.

  Goblins were probably behind the tables with missile weapons and maybe…

  Sphiel had an idea. The elf sheathed her sword and walked casually toward the entrance. Just before she entered she dropped to the floor and reached out with both hands. She felt goblin feet, two of them. She wrapped her fingers around them and pulled forward.

  The goblins standing behind the door were pulled onto their backs. Sphiel pulled one of the goblins into the hallway with her as arrows soared over her head. The goblin tried to swing at her with the two handed axe he held, but from his prone position he couldn’t get in a precise swing.

  The elf grabbed the long haft of the axe and straightened the blade. She took it with both weapons and pushed down, burying it in the goblin’s skull. The other goblin, also wielding a massive axe got up and charged into the hall. The weapon was too big for him and his strike threw him off balance. Sphiel quickly drew her weapon and stabbed the goblin beneath the armpit, piercing his heart.

  The elf grabbed this goblin and held him to her chest and ran forward. Arrows came flying at her. One borrowed itself into the already dead goblin, while another caught her in the side.

  Sphiel Lvl. 11

  Health 66% (-10%)

  Stamina 51%

  Mana 80%

  Character Status

  Healthy

  Sphiel reached one overturned table and the goblin behind it fired a shot. This one also hit his dead comrade. The elf jumped behind the table to feel the sting of another arrow hit in her backside.

  Sphiel Lvl. 11

  Health 56% (-10%)

  Stamina 49%

  Mana 80%

  Character Status

  Healthy

  The goblin behind the table reached for his sword but Sphiel grasped him by the neck and punched him in his large nose with all her might. The blow dizzied him and he dropped his weapon. She slammed his head against the table a few times and he stopped breathing.

  Sphiel removed the arrows in her body and gritted her teeth as blood flowed into her clothing. An arrow from one of the goblins behind the other table thocked into the wood. There were four other overturned tables, arranged in a horseshoe around the goblin throne. From behind the throne she could see abnormally large feet. If she didn’t know any better, they were shivering.

  Four more arrows came her way. Sphiel ducked behind the table and all sailed overhead. She grabbed the short bow and one of the arrows from the quiver of the goblin bowmen she felled. The goblins all raised their heads. She fired her arrow and they fired theirs, all missing their marks. They followed this up with three more volleys before she realized she wasn’t going to hit anything. She guessed just because she was an elf she was good with a bow.

  There was nothing for it. She poked her head up from the table to draw their bow fire before ducking back down and hearing four arrows sink into the wood of the table. She took the corpse of the goblin bowman she killed, hopped up and raced toward one of the tables.

  Sphiel hoped she could reach them before they were able to fire another arrow, however her hopes were shattered when an arrow came from behind and sank into her leg.

  Sphiel Lvl. 11

  Health 46% (-10%)

  Stamina 41%

  Mana 80%

  Character Status

  Healthy

  The elf
shrieked and threw the goblin she held at the bowman behind the table. The corpse hit him in the face and his next shot went ride. Sphiel slid around to the back of the table and drew her short sword. The goblin pushed the dead body off of him only to find Sphiel’s sword coming at his throat.

  There was another overturned table close to this one. An arrow came at her as she looked over the rim of the table and she ducked down. She could feel the air from the wooden missile ruffle her hair.

  Sphiel found a dagger in the boot of the goblin she just killed. The goblin nearest her hopped up behind his table and nocked an arrow. The elf poked her head up and threw the dagger at him. His arrow nailed her in the shoulder. However, her aim was true as well. The dagger sank into the goblin’s cheek and he dropped behind his table.

  Sphiel Lvl. 11

  Health 36% (-10%)

  Stamina 37%

  Mana 80%

  Character Status

  Healthy

  Sphiel quickly crawled along the floor to this other table. Two missiles came at her and missed her by inches. When she reached the goblin, he pulled the dagger from his face. Black blood fell on her blond hair from his wound as the dagger’s blade came down.

  The elf rolled to the side and grabbed the goblin’s shoulder as he buried the dagger into the dirt. She pulled him away from the weapon, drew it out of the dirt and stabbed him repeatedly.

  Sphiel poked her head around the left side of the table and had sight of the goblin king. He looked at her, eyes wide, and pointed at the elf.

  “Kill her, you fools, kill the witch.”

  The goblins behind the final two tables drew short swords and rushed her position. Sphiel looked at the door and screamed. “Okay Shiva, get them now.”

  The goblins paused and looked at the empty doorway. Sphiel grabbed a bow and arrow and fired at one of them. It was much easier to hit a target that was standing still. The arrow found its mark and sank into the creature’s stomach.

  “Shiva, what are you waiting for. Get that guy.”

  The goblin looked at the empty doorway again, then snarled when he figured out the ruse. However, this gave Sphiel a chance to fire off another arrow at the goblin. The goblin dropped to the ground and the arrow sailed over him. The elf quickly pulled the arrows penetrating her body and limped at the goblin with her short sword.

  They met near the center of the room and their swords bounced off each other. The goblin’s swordplay was rudimentary and normally Sphiel would be able to kill him. However, her injuries were catching up with her. She was limping and it threw her swings off balance. The goblin was able to maneuver around her.

  When her speed failed her she started swinging her sword in wide heavy arcs. This threw the goblin and he backed away. Sphiel loosened the grip on her sword and found that delivering heavy strikes was easier. She slashed wildly at the goblin, backing him away. When the creature’s back hit one of the tables he knew that he was cornered and resolved to charge.

  His attack was rushed and desperate. He lunged at Sphiel with his sword, trying to strike at her stomach. His attack went off center but still managed to slice her side.

  Sphiel Lvl. 11

  Health 29% (-7%)

  Stamina 30%

  Mana 80%

  Character Status

  Healthy

  Sphiel struck the goblin’s head with the pommel of her sword. The blow was softened by his leather helmet, but was still hard enough to drop him to the ground. Sphiel stepped on the goblin’s sword and glared down at him. His eyes went to a dagger in his boot then back to her.

  “Do it,” Sphiel snarled, “but make it count, it’ll be the last thing you’ll ever try.”

  The goblin displayed typical goblin bravery by hopping to his knees and running for the exit. Sphiel turned to the king, thinking he would take this opportunity to attack, but he was no longer behind his throne.

  Why didn’t he attack her anyway? She was wounded and preoccupied with his minions. It would’ve been the perfect opportunity.

  Her eyes followed the fleeing goblin. When he passed through the entryway to the throne room he crashed into something and fell to the ground. The elf limped over and saw the king laying face down in the hallway. The elf rolled her eyes. Of course he didn’t attack her. He was a damned coward. Sphiel walked over to one of the bows on the ground and picked up an arrow.

  King Gulpgulp cursed at his minion for causing him to fall to the ground, but stopped when he heard the drawstring on the bow pull back. The king looked at Sphiel and glowered.

  “Don’t move you miserable wretch,” Sphiel said as fiercely as she could manage. She stood, blood oozing from her wounds. She imagined that she must’ve been a frightful sight.

  “What are you going to do?” Gulpgulp said, his eyes focused on the arrow drawn at him.

  “What do you think coward? I’m going to kill you.”

  Gulpgulp stammered incoherently. There were footfalls behind him and he saw four of his subordinates running up behind him.

  “King, you’re still alive?” one of the goblins said.

  The goblin adopted a bold pose and placed his meaty fists on his hips. “Of course I’m still alive. That sorceress can’t slay your mighty king. Now, kill her.”

  The goblins looked at Sphiel, then back at Gulpgulp. “We think our powerful lord should fight the elf woman.”

  “What are you talking about. I’m your king. Do what I say and kill her.”

  The other goblins didn’t move.

  “Do you want me to flail the skin from your bones?”

  “You should be more afraid of what my magic can do to you,” Sphiel said in a level voice.

  The other goblins, including their king, backed away.

  “Coward,” Gulpgulp snarled, “hiding behind your magic and that bow. Why don’t you fight me like a real warrior.”

  Sphiel saw Balanos’s face and her blood boiled. She looked the goblin in his yellowed, bloodshot eyes and shook her head. “No. You’ll pull some crap like you did last time. I’ll kill you where you stand.”

  “I have no tricks up my sleeve,” the king said.

  One of the other goblins nodded. “Yeah, cause none of us are stupid enough to attack you. We’ll let our brave king do it.”

  Gulpgulp shot the goblin an ugly look before drawing his sword and taking a shield from one of his subjects. Any cowardice that was with him was gone and was replaced with resolve. “Fight me elf. I will slay you and avenge the destruction you’ve brought to my kingdom.”

  “You will die and face vengeance for murdering my friend,” Sphiel said. She dropped the bow and arrow and drew her sword. She feared that she’d just made a mistake, and all the goblins would charge at her. They looked like they might, but a glare from her kept them in place.

  Gulpgulp roared and charged into the throne room. Sphiel met his charge and their swords violently crashed. They held their weapons together, fiercely trying to outmuscle each other. The elf’s wounds poured liquid fire in her veins and she faltered, sliding back a few inches.

  The king struck at her two more times and she met each blow, but they both rocked her body and sent a new bout of pain coursing through her. Gulpgulp feinted with a stab to her stomach and struck at her leg. She managed to move it out of the way but she leaned off balance.

  The goblin struck furiously and Sphiel had to wildly swing her sword so she could buy enough time to regain her footing. The goblin king slashed down at her and she barely brought up her sword in time to catch his attack. Gulpgulp pushed her sword down and attempted to stab her, but she sidestepped the attack. The goblin’s foot kicked at her wounded leg. The elf grunted and hopped back.

  Gulpgulp renewed his attack swinging his sword fiercely at her, trying to find an opening. Each blocked strike heightened Sphiel’s pain. She gripped her sword tightly in order not to drop it. The agony working through her body ate away at her resolve. Her character screen was showing she was tiring and each movement of her muscles brought
stabbing pain.

  Sphiel remembered Balanos’s eyes when the light went out of them. She heard his screams and the goblins mercilessly pounding his body with maces. The elf’s mind calmed and she relaxed. She became focused and knocked aside a blow aimed at her chest.

  Gulpgulp came at her with another attack routine. The elf’s eyes squinted and she met his blade. Her strike was filled with vigor and this time it was the goblin king that was knocked back. He recovered and came at her again. The slashed at her several times, his blade a silvery blur. She matched his strikes and delivered a few of her own.

  Sphiel stayed in the same spot, keeping the pain wracking her body to a minimum. The goblin tried various attacks to get her off balance or to push her back, but the elf’s sword becames a viper, quickly striking at the goblin’s face or arms. She managed to score a few hits, drawing blood.

  It was the goblin king’s turn to get tired. His breath eventually came in gasps after several unsuccessful charges. When his last attack was rebuffed by a counter that left him with two new cuts, he growled.

  Sphiel could tell rage was pouring through the goblin king. He was frustrated, at not being able to find an opening in the immobile elf’s defenses. His eye twitched and Sphiel knew he was going to come at her with everything he had. That was fine with her. She wanted him to unleash his fury, because no matter how angry he was, it wouldn’t match her unbridled rage.

  The goblin king screamed and launched a vicious assault. He swung his blade high, working Sphiel’s sword up before stabbing at her legs. She spread them and the weapon hit air. The elf stabbed at Gulpgulp’s neck but he backed away. He stepped forward again, striking at any open part of her body.

  Sphiel knocked aside his attacks each time. Her body was suffering. Her limbs were going numb and her heart felt like it was going to explode. But none of that mattered to her. She was focused solely on her opponent and his swinging blade.

  The goblin king came at her and Sphiel stepped back, parrying his attacks. She launched an assault of her own pushing the goblin king back and regaining ground. By his twitching cheek and widening eyes, the elf knew her opponent was getting more desperate. His swings were getting heavier and wider. The elf reverted to dodging his blows, enduring the pain her body caused her.