Jess Lebow: Obsidian Ridge

Now it was Quinn's turn. Shifting deeper into the center of the triangle, he flew toward the ceiling and grabbed hold of Jallal's feet. Burying the blades of his gauntlet into the man's calf just above the hoof, Quinn yanked him sideways and then let go, tossing him out of the triangle.

One by one the threads of energy slipped away from Jallal, until he wasn't even connected to a single ruby. From high up in the air, he plummeted to the floor, no longer suspended by the humming, levitating magic of the floating gemstones. With a heavy thud, his body slammed to the ground; his head landing last, making a sound like a ripe melon falling from a farmer's cart. His sword impacted tip first, burying itself in the stone floor beside him.

"Your brother is dead," said Quinn. "The princess is free, and the Elixir trade in Erlkazar is over." The magic coursing through his skin filled him with confidence and energy. "You shall never beat me. I've won." He did a back flip, thrilled by the heightened sense of victory and power he now felt.

Far below, Jallal stirred. He was slow to move, holding his head in his hands. After a short while, he sat up and glared at Quinn. Then he moved to his knees.

The fall was not a short one. Most men would have been killed by such an impact, their internal organs simply shattered from crashing into the ground. Jallal was not most men, but even his demon-enhanced body was severely damaged by such a drop.

His sword, still vibrating from the fall, served as a cane, and Jallal lifted himself up off the floor with its aid. He coughed, spitting something into his hand. Then he pulled on the hilt, groaning from the exertion.

The blade slipped free of the floor and lifted easily into the air. The strange sword seemed a natural extension of Jallal's hands, balanced just right, no strain or fumbling. It just simply moved where he wanted it when he wanted it. Taking several steps back from the triangle, he held the blade waist high behind him, parallel to the floor as if it were his tail.

He hobbled as he walked, clearly staggered from the fall. Then he stopped, closed his eyes, and took a warrior's stance-poised to fly into battle.

"We shall see how confident you are when you no longer have your little toys," Jallal said.

Opening his eyes, he took a deep breath and charged across the room. He ran on the tips of his hooves, the wounds from his fall not slowing him. His horns cast a heavy shadow on his head, and his sword glistened orange and red as it cut through the charged air.

Then it impacted the first ruby, shattering it to dust with a single blow.

A huge bang echoed through the chamber and bolts of energy shot out in every direction. Light filled the room, revealing the cracks and crevices on every wall. The threads hissed and popped, reaching out to every imperfection in the obsidian and trying to grab hold.

On the floor, Jallal's charge carried on. Tiny threads of magic mauled his shoulders, arms, and legs. The energy releasing from the ruby exploded from the ruined gemstone, coveting his whole body in a dance of light. It stretched out behind him as he ran several more steps, long curving strands of magic trailing to catch up.

His blade impacted the second ruby and bit deep, nearly cutting it in half. The top section of the gemstone teetered for a moment, then it toppled over, a million tiny cracks shooting out across its surface. By the time it hit the floor, the one single ruby had become countless smaller ones, and they rained down on the obsidian, bouncing and humming a melodic tune as they trickled to a rest.

Hovering near the top of the triangle, Quinn dropped from the air, his weight no longer suspended by the magic of the rubies. Threads of energy popped and squirmed all around him, touching his skin then dissipating into the air. He felt his stomach lurch as he plummeted, then his feet hit the ground, and he jumped, trying to tumble away from the falling pile of shattered gemstones.

Quinn spun twice then landed hard on his side, sliding across the slick floor and coming to a stop when he collided with the wall of the chamber. His back and hands were cut to shreds on the sharp edges of the ruined ruby scattered all over the floor. And his ribs ached from the impact with the wall.

The first ruby, no longer attached to the other two, sputtered and shook. It wobbled in time with its low, vibrating hum. The tip and base moved in opposite directions, spinning in ever-widening circles.

Quinn rolled onto his back, dazed from the fall. He opened his eyes to see Jallal looming over him.

"Never beat you, eh, bodyguard?" Jallal was breathing quite hard, but a smile crossed his parched lips. The gums in between his teeth were bright red from the blood he had coughed up.

He lifted his sword up over his head, in preparation of a killing blow. "Any last words?"

Quinn's eyes grew wide, then he pulled his arms over his face. "Behind you!"

The final ruby had turned itself completely sideways. The oval-shaped gemstone swung quickly end to end, looking like a massive floating disk. Orange light flashed off the facets of the ruby, and it hurled itself from its perch.

A heavy warbling sound filled the chamber, and Jallal spun around just as the gemstone hit him. The sharp, spinning man-sized ruby connected with his belly and carried on through. Jallal was cut into tiny little pieces as if he'd been hit repeatedly by a swinging guillotine. Chunks of flesh and tattered bits of bone were flung everywhere as the ruby impacted the wall, taking out a huge chunk of obsidian, and bounced back into the middle of the room.

Shards of stone and bits of ruined flesh covered Quinn, but that was the least of his worries. As soon as the last ruby landed on the ground, the entire Obsidian Ridge lurched downward. Quinn was once again lifted into the air as the citadel fell out from under him.

Korox slapped aside an assassin with the flat of his blade and pressed in. He'd had enough killing for one day, and didn't want to strike down any more of his countrymen if it could be helped.

Breaking bones and bloodying noses, however, was still within bounds.

With the pommel of his sword, he struck a half-ore between the neck and the shoulder, dropping him to his knees. With the palm of his other hand he smashed a half-elf in the jaw. The bone made a satisfying crunch as the assassin stumbled back, his face in his hands.

From across the battlefield, Korox had seen the Matron cast the magic circle that held out Xeries's beasts. He had watched the obsidian creatures turn away from her and come after his men, and he had wondered if her spell would keep him at bay as well. But whatever enchantment she had prayed for, it apparently didn't work against kings or the warriors of Erlkazar.

Seeing his target ahead, Korox grabbed another assassin by the back of his head and threw him aside like a child's toy. His men had surrounded and taken most of the other assassins as he stepped up beside the Matron and grabbed her by the throat.

"You are going to answer for this treachery," he said, holding her in his powerful grip.

She took hold of his hand, but didn't struggle. Her touch felt somehow warm and familiar. She looked up at him, and he down on her, staring deep into her eyes. He recognized those eyes.

Pulling the veil from her face, he felt the sting of betrayal once more. "Divian."

"Yes, Korox." The senator scowled at him, her eyes narrowing.

"It was you." The king put the pieces together. He thought back on the mysterious attack only a few nights before. Vasser had saved his life from an unseen assailant. "You were the one who tried to kill me in my own chambers. I thought you had been attacked, but it was you. You simply missed."