The Lengthening Shadow
Chapter 31: Sacrifice

Tarsch ducked as another fireball came sailing overhead. Spera, ignorant of the fact that it was a duel, struck up a conversation with Samuel. “So, mouse, what do you think of your death?”

“Quite dramatic, I’d say. Lots of bling.”

“And do you like it?”

“I don’t know how someone could like how they’re going to die, but I guess this is pretty good.”

“Aren’t you going to fight back?”

“I guess I should. I mean, I’m not going down without a fight, and I’m going to take you with me.”

“Oh really, now. You honestly think you can kill me?”

“I’m going to try.”

Spera answered with a huge blasting bolt straight at Samuel. The mouse was pushed back and back until he was back against the wall. Then he realized he could escape. Opening the door that Spera had forgotten, he ran out… onto a flat stone balcony with no railings, about twenty feet in diameter. Suddenly, Maria who was on the levels above, dropped down something. She called down to him, “I see you’re in trouble. You might need this; I found it in the lower levels.”

It was a bundle wrapped in cloth. Samuel quickly unwrapped it and saw something so beautiful it took his breath away. It was a long silver sword with the name Suumort engraved on the handle. Spera gaped when he saw it. “Koranan Silver! Where did you get that?”

Suddenly, Spera charged up a blast. “You will end now! I have put up with you for long enough! Die now!”

Samuel knew he could not escape. He was preparing to die when Spera’s blast was intercepted. Tarsch had leaped in front of him and taken the full force of the blast. Spera laughed. “He’s dead, or dying! You can’t get away this time!”

The mouse did not know how he did it, but he did. Samuel leaped forward, pulled the sword back, and thrust, stabbing Spera through the heart on the edge of the cliff. The mink gaped, his eyes clouding over. Samuel yanked Suumort out and kicked the dead Destromancer off the cliff. The threat of Spera and Deadbeast Bluff had ended.

Samuel rushed to Tarsch’s side. The dead mink’s words were true; the Verdancer was close to death. Vi’lle and Morgan rushed in, followed by the rest of the Company. Tarsch looked weakly up at the mouse. “Have you killed him? Is Spera dead?”

“Yes.”

“Then I ask my master Vi’lle for permission.”

The badger wiped away a tear. “Whatever it is, yes.”

“Then I give you this, Samuel.” The dying ferret handed Samuel the Aspenstaff. “Goodbye, my friends. It has been a good run, but I have reached its end. Farewell.” With that, Tarsch Varlane died.

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