Champ jammed the spyglass into his pocket and hurriedly turned to Simon with new confidence surging in his voice,
“What do we do Simon, they're close now! Maybe we should stop and show them a thing or two. I BET I CAN SUMMON A WHOLE FLEET OF BIRDS TO-”
A glimmering shard of ice pierced the cart right next to where Champ was seated, splintered wood flew into the air, sending chunks off to the side of the road. Champ recoiled into Simon reflexively.
“We could run instead, running is probably a better option,” Champ said timidly
Simon snapped the reins making the horses move faster, which caused the cart to shake violently.
Simon's strong voice echoed over the thundering horse hoofs and vicious howls of their pursuers.
“Take the reins, young sir! The brand marks us and changes us. It takes the life we once knew turns it upside down and knocks us on our backs. But if you stick with me I'll show you how to get right back up!”
Simon thrust the reins over to Champ, turned and moved to the back of the cart, and stood facing their foes, he steadied himself into an intentional stance, both his feet moved apart and his arms outstretched low to his sides. His plain nondescript robes flapped raucously in the wind. His eyes flickered with glittering blue light as more energy from the brand was being burned.
One of the hound masters postured on their horseback and slung another jagged ice javelin toward Simon. Simon stood still and raised one hand as if to catch the spear and as he did a small tear in space opened in his palm. The long jagged ice spear vanished into his arm, and Simon outstretched his opposite palm in an almost fluid-like fashion and launched the same spear back towards the nearest houndmaster impaling him, knocking him off his horse.
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Champ cheered with a mix of fear and amazement welling inside him. This was the most action he had seen in his entire life, outside the stories from traveling merchants or performers.
“Thank you, Champ, not too bad if I do say so myself,” Simon shouted over his shoulder.
“Wait! Watch the road-”
The cart and horses left unattended had veered off the road and headed into the forest. The horses rushed forward and dragged Simon and Champ in the cart along with them. As they entered the woods champ tried hurriedly to grab and pull on the reigns to have the horses stop,
“Simon, they won't stop! I'm pulling as hard as I can!”
Champ shouted over the sounds of the cart jostling violently. Simon didn't hear, he was too busy dodging what seemed to be blades that were flung at him by the remaining pursuer on horseback.
Weightlessness overcame Champ as his vision turned upside down. He had been flung from the cart as the cart capsized. The floor rapidly approached Champ and he landed hard on the loamy forest floor. The impact knocked the air from his lungs and he winced from the pain. A few yards away Simon clambered to his feet with a shield in hand. The assailant's onslaught strikes were blocked blow for blow by his newly acquired shield.
Champ saw Simon shouting something in his direction but he couldn't make out what was being said. Champ's head was sore and his ears rang still. He got to his knees slowly and watched as Simon rolled and parried strike after strike. Champ looked off to the side where the cart crashed, checking to see if the horses were still near. There was no sign of the horses to his dismay, but a wolf-like beast was sprawled on the floor, lifeless next to the wreckage. This sight gave him some hope for the situation at hand.
Champ thought to himself “I have to help him, it'll be easy two on one!”
Champ stood from his knees, his body ached, and was off balance, he was eager to aid Simon and walked as best he could towards him.
Crack He heard a branch snap behind him. A low growl, visceral and bloodthirsty, emanated closely behind him. Champ shivered and his stomach dropped
“There were two wolves," Champ thought gravely.