Asthmatic teacher Matt Southers is busy hating his job and his life when two oddly dressed strangers make him a crazy offer. He knows they can't be serious, but the offer brings back memories of his role-playing days in college and he agrees to at least discuss it over burgers. Several beers later, Matt awakens in a bed not his own, on a world not his own, and is thrust into an impossible role. He must take the place of a dead prince and lead an army to defeat a powerful wizard. Impossible? Heck, yes! He knows he can't do it. But then he meets Commander Ria Hawkmoon, who is like no other woman he's ever known. Before he knows it, he's in love with her. Too bad, since she's carrying a torch for the dead prince--Matt's double--and she seems to hate Matt for being so much like the prince. Can things get any worse? Well, yes, they can, when the evil wizard Gremian Brecc strikes and the final battle for Urrathe begins? |
A
scream, the most hideous sound Matt had ever heard, ripped through the
still morning air. A distant splashing sound followed. An instant later,
around a pile of boulders dashed Spot. The dog sprang towards them,
dripping wet, strings of blood-tinged drool trailing from either side
of his mouth. Panting, tail tucked between legs, he gave an excited
"Yip!" as he flashed by them in the direction of the castle.
Behind
Spot lumbered the most incredible beast Matt had ever hoped--not to
see.
It
reared up on its back legs when it caught sight of them; it was taller
than a grizzly and twice as massive. It was covered in thick black fur
dripping with water, and one huge arm, as broad around as Matt's waist,
ended in a great paw dripping with blood.
Its
head seemed to split in the middle. The huge mouth, packed with inch-long
fangs, ripped out another high-pitched scream.
Matt
scrambled for his sword, cursing it for being so far from his hand.
Ria, wasting no time with curses, sprang for her own and seized it by
the hilt. A quick snap and the sheath and belt flew off, leaving three
feet of shining steel pointed up at the creature's throat. It looked
a tiny thing compared to the beast's hulk, but Ria stood her ground,
never wavering when the thing let out another screaming snarl.
Matt
reached his own sword and unsheathed. Just as he turned to face the
thing, it reared over the commander, great limbs spread wide, dwarfing
her. Ignoring the threat of her blade, it dove towards her.
Ria's
silver sword aimed straight for the huge beast's throat. A paw bristling
with deadly curving claws slapped it way, but quick as lightning she
jabbed again. The blade slid into the creature's belly. Crimson blood
spurted as Ria withdrew the steel shaft and poised to plunge again.
The
beast screamed again, this one clearly born of agony, and lunged at
Ria. She stood her ground, sword at ready. The beast didn't give her
a chance to strike again; before she could move, it slammed her with
one massive arm, flinging her, sword and all, against a tree.
Matt
heard Ria hit the unyielding wood, but the beast rounded on him so quickly
that he couldn't see where she fell. He stood en garde, his sword
high, as it approached. It reared over his head, let out a growl. A
stream of blood pumped from the hole in its belly. He smelled the acrid
stench of the thing, saw the gleam in its tiny eyes as it paused, almost
as if it relished his fear. |
