EXCERPT - Battle Scene
Tel ‘Shira was growing impatient. It had seemed like an eternity since she had assumed her position here in this oak, and the anticipation was becoming unbearable. The incessant rain, though much lighter than before, didn’t help the situation any.
She had participated in a number of engagements during her time as a warrior. From fighting a centaur tribe, to barghest, lizock, and even an engagement with a band of ogres from the mountains, she had more experience in combat than most. Still, this felt different than any engagement before, and she could not help but feel a certain apprehension.
Then it hit her.
A tingle ran down her spine. A loud shriek followed almost immediately, the sound of a roc in serious distress. She turned her head up towards the sound, catching a glimpse of a dark figure swooping just above the tree line.
One of her allies fell right before her, his spear tumbling to the ground as his lifeless body impacted a lower branch on its way down. His mount followed quickly behind, one of its wings torn clean off. The blood soaked its once regal feathers, pieces of bone and sinew sticking out of its side.
Another shriek followed from above, and another roc rider came tumbling down just across the clearing. Tel’ Shira climbed, swinging branch to branch. Her claws tore into bark as she catapulted herself up.
There was a flash of lightning as she flipped herself over the top branch, arriving safely above to see her four remaining allies. The illumination from the lightning aided her in seeing the two dark figures that were flying just above. Three of her allies were closing in on one of the demons, attempting a three-pronged attack to take out their enemy.
Unfortunately, the second demon had no intention of letting this assault succeed. It quickly dropped down from above, plucking one of the three riders from his mount and tearing his legs off as if pulling a weed. With a quick spin, the demon’s left claw impacted the roc and tore through with just as much ease. The blood and bodies of both its victims tumbled down through the trees and out of sight.
These demons were as large as a small drake, making the rocs that her allies rode upon look like mice by comparison. They appeared to be twins, both having leathery, black skin and demonic, yellow eyes. Each had a short tail with spikes protruding from all sides, giving them a natural weapon. Their pupils were like slits in pools of blood, and as Tel’ Shira locked eyes with the demon who had just torn her ally apart, she felt as if she was trapped in a void of despair. She had to act. Now.
As the cornered demon went to defend against the rider to its left, the first demon swooped up toward the other rider. Tel’ Shira sprang forward, her legs propelling her with speed and power. Flying gracefully through the air towards her unsuspecting prey, she pulled two daggers out from her belt, ready to pounce with precision and take down her much larger foe.
Through her peripherals, she caught a glimpse of the final living rider. He was descending towards the primary demon. Time slowed as the wind ran across Tel’ Shira’s body, each drop of rain flowing across her fur without resistance.
She landed blades first upon her prey, the daggers penetrating through the thick skin of this demon and into the flesh of his back. The demon let out a cry like none she had heard before. Following his cry of pain, he spewed out a great torrent of flame towards the nearest roc rider, instantly incinerating the unsuspecting felite and his mount.
“Overall, The Birth of Death is definitely recommended to fans of LOTR and Game of Thrones.” – Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Review“Snappy writing keeps the action moving, and satisfying doses of lore, bolstered by appendices with maps and a glossary, will keep readers wanting to return to the world of Evorath for more.” – The BookLife Prize in Fiction
philosophy, and all things fantasy. An unwavering Christian and self-declared anarchist, he dreams of a future human society where people can truly cooperate and voluntarily exchange ideas, goods, and services.
