“He’s not dead?” Eleda shrieked.

Claws bore down on Mouse and Cel. Mouse jumped left, and Cel broke right. Stone shattered between them where the claw struck. Eye rolling in his head, Sidd growled. His shoulders bulged, and he chased Cel, momentarily forgetting Mouse.

Mouse shook his head. He danced after Sidd, maneuvering into the beastfolk’s blind spot. An opening, anything!

"Is he undead?" Eleda asked, slotting another arrow to her bow.

Mouse glanced back at her. She stood atop the stands, perched on the highest step. Shaking his head, he said, “He’s blighted! Blighted are damned hard to kill. We have to hack his limbs off or—do you know any powerful spells? Light, preferably. Fire will do in a pinch.”

“Blighted? Here, in the center of the Barrier? How…” Eleda muttered to herself.

“Light! Fire! Eleda, focus. We need you!” Mouse shouted.

Sidd whirled, enraged by the shout. He darted at Mouse. In one instant, he crossed the dueling grounds and arrived before Mouse. Mouse raised his sword, but too late. Before he could block, a massive hindpaw slashed at his gut. He ducked back, a second too late. Claws sliced his abdomen.

“Mouse!” Cel shouted.

Pain lit Mouse's stomach. He staggered back, crumpling around his stomach.

Sidd’s ears twitched at the sound of Cel’s voice. He turned and chased after her instead, forgetting Mouse once again.

Mouse took the chance and fled, a hand to his gut, expecting blood and viscera. Instead, he found cool metal. He glanced down. The corset?

Sweat broke out down his back. He shivered. That was too close. Then: I need to thank mom when I get back.

Cel sprinted for him, barely remembering to dodge Sidd’s paws. “Mouse, dammit!”

“I’m fine, I’m fine!” he shouted. “Don’t get hit!”

Relief spread over Cel’s face. A second later, she rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the advice, mom.”

“Eleda!” Mouse called.

“Fire, light… er, yes! I have something!”

“I hope so. You do worship the Sun God, right?”

“Goddess. Hold him down, this spell takes a while!” Eleda set down her bow and pointed one palm at the sun. The other she aimed at Sidd. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then started to mumble to herself.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Panting lightly, sweat beading on her forehead, Cel bumped up against Mouse. “What’s she doing?”

“Probably a focus mantra for the spell, I’ve heard more powerful spells need that kind of thing.” Mouse shrugged. He specialized in cantrips and tricks, himself. His reservoir of magic wasn’t large enough to allow any more than that. Moussaesa, on the other hand, had used runes, mantras, even songs or dance to help her cast magic. The more powerful the spell, the more complicated the ritual required to cast it. Or so it seems. I’ve never had enough magic for more than a few cheap illusions and a shield or two.

“You mean, you’ve used them before, right, Princess?”

Mouse rolled his eyes. A paw smashed down on the floor at his feet and cut off the quip he was about to fire back at her. He feinted a slash at Sidd, drawing the beastfolk’s ire. Cel used the moment to quickly escape.

Sidd rounded on Mouse and roared. Hot, fetid breath pounded against Mouse’s face. The smell of rotten meat blasted against him. He held his breath and jumped back. Claws slashed through the air where he’d been moments before, so close he could feel the wind brush against his nose.

Powerful legs bulged, calves bursting through Sidd's trousers. Mouse threw himself to the side just as Sidd pounced. Claws dug into stone bare inches from him. The beastfolk’s shirt tore, revealing a burly chest with paler fur. The instant Sidd struck, he whirled and lunged again, both paws swiping for Mouse's head. Mouse hit the ground and rolled back, out of reach.

Sidd was on top of him before he could stand. Huge forearms crashed down on either side of him. Sidd’s torso cut off the sun. Blood dripped on his shoulder, and Mouse looked up to find Sidd’s remaining eye staring at him, all black, an elated smile on his face. Sidd ducked his head for a bite.

Mouse jammed his sword up as Sidd’s head crashed down. Sidd’s jaws snapped shut on the blade. Sparks flew where teeth met metal.

Sidd ground his teeth against the sword and pushed against Mouse. The sword keened, straining under the force. Mouse’s arms trembled. Against Sidd's strength, his full power was nothing, and here in the humans' territory, the heat and bright sun sapped his strength. He couldn't hold out for long.

Mouse glanced out the corners of his eyes, searching for a path out. There was none. Sidd’s limbs completely caged him in.

Sidd pushed harder. Mouse's arms dropped. The sword fell toward him. At the last second, he pushed with all his strength and kept the sword from slicing into his shoulder. Teeth gritted, Mouse snarled and forced the sword back half an inch.

A low growl rumbled from Sidd’s throat, half a chuckle.

Mouse narrowed his eyes. He’s playing with me.

Fire singed Sidd’s side. The unmistakable scent of burning fur prickled Mouse’s nose. Sidd released the sword and turned in the direction of the new attacker, distracted. Instantly, Mouse threw himself in the opposite direction and slid between Sidd’s fore and back legs as the beastfolk whirled toward the new attacker.

Mouse craned his neck. Eleda?

No. Eleda stood atop the stands, hands outstretched, still chanting. Light accumulated in her nearer palm, while sunlight streamed toward her far palm. Eyes shut, she focused on the spell.

Who? Mouse turned, brows furrowed.

On the far side of Sidd, the princess with swept-back horns stood on the dueling grounds. Fire flickered around her lips and danced as she breathed out, breath shimmering with heat. Gold eyes with snake-narrow pupils glared down at Sidd, head tipped back to accomplish the feat despite her lesser height. Red-gold scales sparkled at the base of her crimson horns and down the side of her face, along the scalp line. Gold rings sparkled around her horns, and gold caps tipped them.

“Thanks!” Mouse shouted.

She narrowed her eyes and scoffed.

Sidd’s massive paw slammed down at her. She stood upright, lazily raising a hand to meet his.

“Watch out!” Cel shouted, too late. Sidd's paw slammed down on the princess.