Hunted: Part 12

As Lucian ran towards the next archer he stole glances over the edge of the shield. The archer across the arena was less of a threat but still dangerous. The man he ran towards had an advantage with his shots as Lucian ran directly towards him. The closer they came together the harder it would be to see the incoming arrows. Lucian's best net would be to watch the man's hand for when he released his shot.
Bringing his shield up Lucian was greeted with two more *spangs* as arrows struck the metal. He glanced once again to take stock of his opponents.
The archer he approached was holding his shot waiting for the right time to shoot. This wasn't good at all. Once Lucian brought his shield up to avoid another arrow he would leave his legs and right side open as the angle of incoming arrows changed. Out of his peripheral vision he watched as the far archer drew back to fire once again...they were going to time this well.
Suddenly the man before him lurched awkwardly as an arrowhead sprouted from his eye socket. The arrow he had held launched harmlessly overhead as his body then fell to the arena floor below. Looking past the place where his foe had stood he saw Devlin standing. She held a bow of her own straight ahead. Her other arm still by her ear where she had released the string. The smirk on her face let Lucian know he was in for a, "You owe me one" and he smiled back at her.
Her eyes widened in shock and surprise and Lucian saw a shaft and fletching appear in her side.
"DEVLIIIIIN!!!" Lucian screamed and he sprinted towards her heedless of any possible danger. The archer on the opposite side also ran in the same direction, moving to protect the wizard.
As Lucian drew close to Devlin his mind raced taking in almost too much information. Her breaths were coming in short, shallow, pained gasps, there was blood at her mouth, she was still awake and had not fallen back onto the arrow, how to remove it, should it be removed, how to help her...and on...all in an instant.
When he reached her she was kneeling but falling backwards. Dropping his sword and shield Lucian caught her and eased her into a more comfortable position. Very little blood was at the wound but judging by the location at least one lung was punctured...maybe both...maybe more than just lung. He pushed these thoughts away.
"I'm here Dev. I'm here. I've got you and you're going to be alright." His heart thundered in his chest and his mouth was bone dry.
Devlin coughed spraying flecks of blood onto her chin and chest. "You normally lie better." she tried to smile but it quickly became a wince when she tried to breath in.
"Shhhh...don't talk. Save your breath and I'll get you out of here.", Lucian soothed brushing his hand against her forehead.
"I'm not leaving...but...don't feel bad..." her breathing was becoming shorter and faster. "I got what I always wanted today." She panted.
"What was that Dev?" Lucian asked swallowing dryly.
"I got you...to cry out my name...with feeling." She smiled and laughed softly between coughs.
He smiled down at her brushing her cheek with the back of his hand.
"You see Luc...," she gasped "You aren't the only one who has cheesy lines." And with that her eyes became distant and she was gone.
Most people say that rage burns in them. For Lucian that was never the case. For him rage was always a thing of cold...and now it poured over him like an arctic waterfall from head to toe.
Laying Devlin down gently he stood and turned towards the remaining men. The archer had passed the wizard's chair and was heading down the walkway towards him. The archer's pace slowed when he saw his prey stand and he held an arrow at the ready.
Lucian bent and picked up his sword. The handle seemed to hum in his grasp and it felt like a part of him, sharing in his ice cold rage. His head was bowed slightly as he took a deep, slow, deliberate breath. Slowly he raised his head and eyes to stare at the man before him. His face was a mask of calm as he raised the katana in his hand and pointed at his foe...and then he began to jog forward. His pace was not fast at all. It was a distance pace. The pace of one who had traveled long time under his own power. The pace of one who knew how to keep going in even the most desolate of places. It was the pace of a Waste Runner.
The archer knew distance was his ally so he took careful aim and the naked man before him. The fool had left the shield where it lay in an obvious emotional mistake and he would pay for it dearly. He aimed at the lower mid-mass of his target, shooting for the hips. As the arrow flew he smirked at how painful this man's death would be.
*TAK* The arrow seemed to unintentionally strike the hilt of the man's sword as he jogged forward. The man seemed to take no notice of this good luck and just continued to jog. Another arrow was launched, this one higher. *TAK* The man's blade seemed to just barely parry the arrow aside as he continued to jog. *TAK* Again it seemed the arrow was barely parried. The man's expression didn't change nor did his pace. Despite the apparent leisurely manner in which the man ran he was almost upon the archer. In a panic the archer knocked two arrows at once to his string. It was a terrible shot for accuracy at any great distance but up close...there was no way he could block both arrows. No....way. He waited until the man was almost upon him and he loosed both arrows.
Lucian's sword flashed quickly, slicing an arrow coming for his stomach neatly in two. Blood splashed on his face and he stopped.
The tip from the second arrow was barely a finger tips distance from his left eye. A drop of blood slowly pulled away from it and fell on his cheek. Looking back from the point Lucian could see torn flesh of his forearm tangled on the shaft as it pierced through just beneath his wrist. He slowly lowered his arm and stared at the archer who stood in shock.
Lucian strode forward as the archer dropped his bow and fumbled for the falchion at his side. As the thick bladed weapon was drawn out Lucian neatly flipped his own blade so it faced upwards and slid it forward. As the archer continued to bring his weapon outwards his own motion dragged his arm along the razor-like blade cutting deeply and cruelly.
With a yelp of surprise the man dropped his weapon and turned to run. Lucian was on him in a moment. His sword sliced effortlessly through the tendons at the back of the man's legs dropping him roughly to his knees. He then stepped close and held the man in place with the back of his sword.
"Do you have any last words or regrets?" Lucian growled in the man's ear.
"Yes! I...*GUK*" the archer's words were cut off as Lucian drove the arrow, still logged in his arm, into the man's throat.
"Just wondering." Lucian finished. He then broke the fletched end off the arrow and slid his arm off the shaft, leaving it sticking from its owner's throat.
"Now wizard," Lucian began "I believe you still owe me a dance. No?"
Lucian looked up to the large chair at the end of the arena and found it empty. Quickly looking around he confirmed the wizard was nowhere to be seen.
Where rage was a frozen wasteland within him hatred always burned...and now it roared within him.
"WIZAAAAARD!!!" Lucian's roaring voice matched the fire within him. "I will find you! You will beg me for death!!!"
Lucian turned to face his fallen Devlin. Something squeezed his heart and his throat burned suddenly but he fought those feelings. He took a step forward and stumbled slightly. Now that the fighting was done his body was tired. Taking a few more steps he heard the clang of his sword as it slipped from his grasp. Looking down confusedly his head swam. "What?" he began...then he noticed numbness in his limbs..."Poison..." he mumbled. The arrows must also be poisoned somehow. Quickly he tried to begin the spell he had learned to remove the toxin from him...to heal his wounds...darkness began to envelope him...but...was it the spell or..was....he....
The stone floor felt cool against his naked body as he fell.