by Lucas Thorn
“You are a sneaky bitch, Nysta. A very sneaky bitch.” He tossed the broken knife at her feet. Sweat sheathed his cheeks as he realised she'd stepped back only to give him time to see the broken knife. To realise his mistake, and to take advantage of the hesitation his surprise would trigger. Bitterness made his words sharp. “And you will kill me now, I am thinking. Well, make it quick then. Do not make it slow, that is all I will beg of you. And listen to me for this, because I would not kill you slow. We are friends. And it is what friends do. Even those who stab you in the back and steal your knife.”
He closed his eyes.
And waited.
Then snapped his eyes open, feeling a rustle of cold air as the blade's edge left his cheek.
Saw the elf walking away, newest weapon in hand. A knife he still couldn't believe was in her fist instead of his own.
“Wait!” He shook his head in disbelief. “Why haven't you killed me? I really think for you, it is better you kill me.”
“Kill you?” She threw him a smirk. “But I just saved your life, Eli. You should be grateful. Means you owe me.”
“Owe you?” He sputtered as the thought pierced his brain. Had to raise his voice as she moved further away, but made no move to follow. His fists were white at his side, fingernails digging deep into his palms. “I tell you, Nysta, the only thing I owe you is a quick death. You stole my knife, my friend. My best knife! I will find you one day. You can count on this. All the world knows Eli keeps his promises. And I promise I will find you. And then we shall see. It will be different next time. I swear this. I swear this thing on the body of my dead brother! I'll show you, my friend! I will! You dirty cheating cowardly bitch! Hey! Where are you going? Come back here. I'll kill you with my bare hands!”
“Such ingratitude,” the elf sighed, pausing to roll her shoulders. “Even after I just saved your life.”
His gaze drilled into her back, a fierce fire burning deep inside black coals of his eyes as visions of vengeance swam inside his skull.
Then, as she disappeared behind the rocky wall, his expression softened. The weasel-faced mercenary clutched the wound across his chest and looked down at the broken knife glinting in the snow.
Shook his head in wonder at what had just happened.
Then smiled broadly.
And began to laugh.
Further up the path, the elf allowed her lip to form a smile of her own as Eli's barking laughter followed her up the mountain.
But the elf called Nysta said nothing as she returned The Ugly to its sheath across her back.
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You can trade them for gear in Doom's Reach when you reach Level 97.
Nysta will return in
Nysta #4: Blade of the Vampire King
The elf has crossed the Bloods only to be caught in the path of a Caspiellan cleric and his obsessed Grey Jacket survivors. And if that wasn't enough to deal with, Chukshene returns to drag her into a quest of his own. A quest which will lead them to one of the most dangerous places in the world.
A Black Keep.
Once home to an unspeakable evil vanquished by Grim and Rule, it is now haunted by Gul'Se, the insane immortal wife of the King of the Vampire Lords.
But all the evils Nysta has faced will pale in comparison to the greatest threat which might kill not just her body.
It might kill her soul.
For the mysterious darkness which was released in the Deadlands has begun to move.
And it demands death.
Death.
And more death.
Also Coming Soon:
Hemlock and Melganaderna #1:
Trail of the Necromancer
for further updates and pretty maps, visit http://www.lucasthorn.com