Chapter 28: Reversal

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Reversal

"The man who digs a grave for another should always be careful where he stands when the dirt begins to slide." — Seneca

The narrow tunnel was filled with the stench of blood and wet fur.

Riven gripped the hind leg of the dead burrow-rat and dragged its heavy carcass along the stone floor.

It was much heavier than he’d expected.

Every few steps, he had to stop and catch his breath. His injured shoulder throbbed with each pull, sending sharp pains down his arm.

He gritted his teeth and continued.

Behind him, the scratching grew louder.

The other rats were coming.

He could hear their claws scraping against the stone and their high-pitched squeaks echoing through the passage. There were more of them than he could count.

Riven glanced over his shoulder.

Several pairs of eyes were visible in the darkness.

He didn’t need to kill them all.

He just needed to get them out of the tunnel.

He lowered the lantern and continued dragging the carcass backward. The narrow passage forced him to move slowly, and the dead rat caught against the rocks several times.

His shoulder was beginning to burn.

He ignored it.

Eventually, the tunnel widened, and Riven emerged into the four-way intersection.

The orange glow of Boulder’s torch illuminated the walls.

The two mercenaries were still there.

Boulder was leaning against the wall, casually tossing a small wooden die between his hands. His battle-axe rested on the ground beside him.

Gorn stood nearby, using a small knife to clean beneath his fingernails.

Neither man seemed particularly concerned.

They hadn’t expected Riven to return so soon.

Or perhaps they hadn’t expected him to return at all.

Boulder looked up when he heard the dragging noise.

His hand stopped in midair.

"What the hell?"

Gorn turned toward the tunnel.

His eyes widened when he saw Riven dragging the dead burrow-rat behind him.

For a moment, neither man spoke.

Then the scratching started.

It came from the passage behind Riven.

Louder.

Faster.

Closer.

Gorn’s expression changed.

"Wait..."

A pair of glowing eyes appeared in the darkness.

Then another.

And another.

The first burrow-rat burst out of the passage, followed closely by several others. Their claws scraped against the stone as they pushed and scrambled over one another.

Boulder immediately grabbed his battle-axe.

"What in the hell?!"

Gorn drew his short sword.

"The nest!"

The first rat lunged toward them.

Gorn stumbled backward, nearly tripping over a loose rock.

"You weren’t supposed to make it out?!"

Riven released the dead rat’s leg.

Its carcass fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

He stepped away from it, keeping his sword between himself and the approaching creatures.

"You said it was clear."

His voice was quiet, but both men heard him.

Boulder didn’t answer.

He was too busy raising his axe.

The first rat charged.

Boulder swung.

The axe struck the creature across its head with a sickening crunch. The rat collapsed, but two more immediately pushed past its body.

"Get ready!" Boulder roared.

Gorn moved to his side, his short sword raised.

The narrow tunnel had forced the rats to approach in a tight group, but the intersection gave them more room to spread out. Several began circling around the fallen carcass, while others charged straight toward the mercenaries.

Riven watched carefully.

He didn’t move to help them.

His shoulder was already hurting, and he knew he couldn’t afford another fight like the one in the tunnel.

Besides, he had no reason to risk his life for men who had deliberately sent him into danger.

Boulder brought his axe down again, splitting another rat’s skull.

Gorn stabbed one through the throat, then quickly retreated as another lunged at him.

"Kill them!" Boulder shouted.

"I’m trying!"

Riven took another step backward, keeping his distance from the fighting.

The rats were focused on the mercenaries now. The blood and noise had drawn them into the intersection.

For the first time since entering the quarry, Riven had a chance to observe them properly.

Boulder was strong.

His swings were powerful enough to kill the rats in a single hit, but his movements were slow. Each time he brought his axe down, he needed a moment to recover.

His Axe seemed to be glowing a dim blue color perhaps a weapon enhancement spell.

Gorn was faster, but he struggled whenever more than one rat attacked him at once.

Gorn cast fire arrows between swings.

Neither man was nearly as comfortable fighting as they had pretended to be.

A rat suddenly broke away from the others and charged toward Riven.

He tightened his grip on his sword.

The creature lowered its head, baring its yellow teeth.

Riven stepped aside and thrust.

The blade pierced its neck, but the impact sent a sharp pain through his shoulder.

He nearly lost his grip.

The rat thrashed against the sword, forcing him to stumble backward. He pulled the blade free and retreated behind the fallen carcass.

He couldn’t keep taking those fights.

Not with his shoulder in this condition.

Riven looked toward the entrance.

There was still a clear path back through the tunnel.

He could leave.

But Boulder and Gorn were standing where they could see him.

And if he tried to pass them while the rats were still attacking, he might end up caught between both sides.

He would have to wait.

Another scream echoed through the intersection.

Gorn had been knocked against the wall. A rat had caught his leg, its teeth sinking into his leather armor.

He kicked it away and stabbed down repeatedly until it stopped moving.

"Get this under control!" he shouted.

Boulder answered with another furious swing.

Riven watched them struggle.

They had wanted him to crawl into that tunnel alone.

They had expected him to deal with the rats while they waited safely outside.

Now they were dealing with the same creatures themselves.

Riven tightened his grip on his sword.

He wasn’t smiling.

He wasn’t enjoying the sight.

He simply wanted to survive.

And if Boulder and Gorn were going to make him fight for his life, then he had no intention of making things easy for them.

The intersection was filled with squeals, shouting, and the heavy impact of Boulder’s axe.

The trap had changed hands.

Now the two mercenaries would have to find their own way out.