Swords Against the Shadowland

As Fafhrd charged across the carpet, his senses unexpectedly whirled. The embroidery beneath his feet moved strangely, and the pattern shifted. Impossibly, the stylized vines and creepers woven into the rug assumed three-dimensions and rose up to thwart his attack.

Like some monstrously camouflaged man-eating plant, the carpet came to life. With a startled cry, Fafhrd swung the huge sword, slashing left and right. For every vine he cut, two more lashed at him. Serpent-like, they struck at his face, at his eyes, constricted his chest, tried to crush the breath from him. Coils ensnared his legs and sought to topple him.

Heart pounding with fear and fury, he caught a slender shoot as it looped about his neck. With all his might, he ripped it away. A sticky ichor filled his palm, ran down his arm. It burned his skin!

Malygris laughed harshly, his visage a frightening mask of anger, hatred, and pain. Turning his bloody back to Fafhrd, he bent over Laurian once more. Weakly, she dragged herself the few inches across the floor and reached for the dagger. Malygris pushed it away with a slippered toe. Then he began to throttle her once more, slowly and with relish.

"Leave her alone!" Fafhrd shouted, winning a few steps' progress into the room through the murderous jungle that assailed him. Vines whipped up immediately to encase his thighs, his waist. "Damn you to hell!"

Malygris showed no concern. "I am in hell already," he answered with grim savagery. "Without love, without hope, without Laurian."

The snap of bones filled the room. Laurian's eyes opened wide, then a sigh escaped her parted lips, and her feeble resistance ended.

"No!" Sameel streaked into the library. "I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" she cried hysterically. The vines and creepers that filled the air seemed oblivious to her presence. Before Malygris could react, she tackled the wizard, knocking him to the floor.

In her hands, she held Fafhrd's bunched breeches. Riding Malygris's back, she wrapped the leggings around his head, blinding him, choking him. At the same time, she struggled to reach Laurian's dagger.

Ensorceled vines and branches recoiled back into the carpet. Fafhrd grunted in surprise, suddenly freed, but wasted no time questioning the how or why. Raising his sword, he lunged forward. Now, with a stroke, he would avenge Laurian and Sadaster, and claim the drop of heart's blood that would end this madness.

Sheelba had sent him on an errand of cold-blooded murder, but leaping past Laurian's body, his blood ran very hot, indeed.

Before he could strike, however, Malygris rose. With little more than a shrug, he flung Sameel backward directly into Fafhrd's path. Whirling about, he clawed the breeches from his head.

Dark fire flared in the pits of his eyes. Again, the carpet's pattern came to life.

"Don't look at his eyes!" Sameel cried, throwing herself at the wizard again.

Malygris batted her aside with the back of his hand, sending her crashing into the silver sarcophagus. As she sagged to the floor, he glared at Laurian's body and backed warily toward the open window.

Fafhrd fought the vines again as they sought to entangle him. But Sameel's outcry rang in his ears, and suddenly he understood. "Illusions!" he cursed. "Here's a trick for you, monster!"

He flung the sword with all his strength, straight for Malygris. But the wizard dived headfirst through the window. The blade flashed through the space where only an instant before he had stood. The point bit deep into the woodwork, quivering. For a moment it protruded there, then fell to the carpet.

Malygris's mad spell dissolved again. Fafhrd snatched up his sword and leaned out the window. Halfway down the wall, clinging to the side of the house like an insect, Malygris looked up and snarled.

"Naked fool! I am not done with you!"

Fafhrd hawked and spat. The wad of saliva splashed on Malygris's bald head. Without a word, he catapulted over the sill and landed in a crouch on the ground direcdy below the wizard.

"Then come down and have done with me!" he called angrily, all fear gone now. Only the desire for vengeance boiled in his heart.

But Malygris refused to descend. With his strange talent, he crawled sideways upon the house, seeking escape around the corner. Fafhrd ran after him, leaping high and swinging his sword. Malygris climbed toward the roof out of range.

Drops of blood splattered the dead grass below him. Fafhrd noted the spoor with a grim nod. Laurian had struck a blow, at least. Fafhrd determined to make his own mark.

Keeping one eye on the wizard's position, he shot a look around the garden. A ring of dirty white stones made a border around a withered rose bush. Driving the point of his sword into the earth, Fafhrd tore up two rocks the size of his fists.

"Hey, spider-face!" he called. Malygris paused at the very roof edge and foolishly looked back.

The first stone impacted the side of the house, cracking the stucco and causing a shower of plaster. The second struck Malygris's elbow.