The Dragon Swordmaster - 10

The Plot Foiled

The creature that had posed as Nerina laughed. "You can't stop me or my minions," it boasted. Cynara lifted her sword touching the tip of it under the beast's chin.

"I can stop you," Cynara replied. "Your minions are already facing an army of dragons and a forest of angry trees. We have foreseen your intentions. If you do not leave this realm, you shall most assuredly die here."

"Then you would condemn the Elven princess to die?" the creature sneered. A spark slowly inched its way up the shaft of Cynara's sword, snapping loudly when it contacted the creature's chin.

"You underestimate the power in this room. While I hold you here, Nerina will be free from your prison. And when she returns, you will die along with any of your breed that are foolish enough to challenge us." Another spark struck the beast's chin, cracking louder than the first. All eyes were on the two at the center of the table. No one noticed that two of the players had left the room. "Do you have a name? Or shall I choose one for you?" Cynara grinned as broadly as a dragon could. Cynara stabbed her sword into the cooked boar's head at her feet and raised it to her maw. After swallowing the whole head, she turned the tip of her sword back to Arnold. A small spark travelled down the edge of the sword, but before it could strike him, Arnold leapt backward away from the table.

The guests left the table and took cover behind the dragon as she sneered at the monster across from her. Cynara left over the table scattering plates and silverware to the floor. Tapping the beast on its shoulder, she announced, "I dub thee Arnold, Lord of the Boars. And I intend to claim your head." The creature started to snicker, then broke into loud laughter. He pressed his hands together to form a small fireball, but before he could throw it, the tip of Cynara's sword emitted a bolt of lightning causing the fireball to fizzle out.

Arnold clapped his hands together and drew forth a larger fireball. Cynara raised her sword and willed it to glow. A bolt of lightning flew out the tip of the sword cutting through the fireball. The fireball crackled and sparked while the bolt poured energy into it. Arnold struggled to maintain control over the growing object in his hands. He focused his thoughts on pushing the fireball away. Off to the side of the room, a young elf ran into the arms of her father. The creature fell for the distraction; his concentration broke. Cynara gave one last push against his fireball, cutting through the other side and reducing the creature to ashes.