Chapter 6: Hades Briar
After the first several seconds, it became clear that the Razored Lunger wasn’t following Tulland into the briar thicket. It was what he had wanted. It should have been good. It should have been an unquestioned win.
The victory would have been easier to remember if Tulland’s entire body wasn’t being perforated by thorns. He was cut in far more places than he could count, stabbed in others, and completely immobilized by the pain and terror of moving any further. For a few long minutes, he sat there in agony and tried not to writhe. He was completely filled with fear that he’d just die there, impaled by thorns as he slowly bled out.
Quite the showing. I’m very impressed.
Oh, god, shut up. Be quiet. Tulland refused to talk out loud so the thorns couldn’t work their way further into him. Don’t you have enough from me?
What’s enough? As it stands, I’ll barely get enough energy off you to subvert a small territory, or to push a few divisions of monster troops through the ever-cursed shield that your precious Church put in my way. I was hoping you’d at least show me the tiniest bit of competence.
Rich, considering what you gave me to work with.
It is a poor soldier who places the blame on his sword. You’ve already given up. Believe me, there are those who would still be pushing through the pain.
Oh, yeah? Who?
Altreck, for one. I considered him for your role, you know. The only reason I didn’t go for it is he had a certain simplicity to his moral fiber that would have prevented me from making much headway. But he certainly wouldn’t resign himself to death without even trying.