Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Two - Interrogations

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Two - Interrogations

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Two - Interrogations

Fighting one on one was a lot easier than twelve or so on one.

Which, now that I said it, was a rather obvious statement.

I ducked under a swing from Big Greens bat, then hopped back a few steps until I was closer to the back lines. A grenoil behind me was swinging a chain around, which just seemed terribly dangerous. I knew how painful a whap with a flail could be from my time in Threewells.

I heard the crunch of gravel shifting as the grenoil behind me stepped up, so I hopped up and kicked back with both legs, catching him in the shin.

The grenoil croaked as he stumbled forwards.

I handed on my tummy, but had just enough time to spin around and bunch my legs up against my chest so that when the grenoil landed, it was onto my feet. UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

His face was real close to mine for a bit, so I got a nasty faceful of alcohol-smelling breath. Ew, I said a moment before pushing a hefty chunk of stamina into my legs.

The grenoil went flying away until he crashed back-first into a buddy and they went down in a heap.

I didnt have time to enjoy my victory before another was jumping towards me, knife-first.

I rolled over, picked up my spade and bounced to my feet just in time to parry a swing with the haft. There were so many of them! And they werent being nice and taking turns either.

The man, an actual human in dirty rags, probably thought I was gonna back up to make space. So he didnt expect it when I reached up, held on to the rim of my hat, bent my bun ears back, and rammed his nose with my forehead as hard as I could.

The poor man went down with a very smushed nose.

Sorry! I said a moment before I had to dodge to the side as another grenoil came at me with a bat.

I blocked his second swing, both hands on the shaft of my spade, but the impact and shaking made me lose my grip on my weapon.

I watched my spade clatter to the ground and the grenoil grinned at me. He started to pull his bat back.

I slapped him full-on in the face so hard that his face twisted to the side and my entire hand felt like Id pressed it to a stove.

Two more were moving at me, with knives and clubs, and I heard more moving in from behind.

I jumped, used one of their heads as a springboard, then skipped off the walls of a shop to land back down behind the bulk of the group. I had my back near one of the rusty lamp posts along the side of the street. It would maybe keep them from hitting me from behind... I hopped.

Get her, dammit! Big Green roared.

Lightning shot out of the shop, nailing one of the humans in the chest and sending him down in a writhing heap.

And someone kill those two! the man screamed.

Then a couple of grenoil pulled up little crossbows and fired into the shop. I heard Amaryllis squawking in protest as she no doubt ducked out of the way.

I looked around. I was down a spade and the only other weapons I had were in my pack.

A grenoil tried to sneak up behind me, but I caught sight of him from the corner of my eye. With a quick half-twist and a snap-kick, I rammed the sole of a foot against the lamp.

The rusty base snapped and the two-meter long pole crashed onto the grenoils head.

That... looked like a weapon to me.

I spun backwards, grabbed onto the shaft of the lamp with both hands, and brought it up and around to face off against the greater number of adversaries.

Some of those Id knocked down earlier were back on their feet, and they didnt look very happy.

Come on guys, I said. Cant we talk this out?

I heard they love Buns at the brothels, one of the men said. I wonder how much youd go for.

Just, shut up! Big Green said as he leapt for me.

A bolt of electricity connected with his back, and a glass-tipped bolt speared through his leg. The grenoil, already moving forwards, crashed face-first into my heel as I spun into a tight heel-strike.

He crashed to the ground like a particularly lumpy sack of potatoes.

His buddies ran, some of them saying some very rude things as they decided that a life of crime wasnt for them. At least, thats what I hoped. They at least paused to pick up their buddies that had been knocked around a bit, all save for Big Green who was left on the ground where he groaned into the cobbles.

Should we finish him off? Amaryllis asked.

Amaryllis! I gasped.

What? The least he can do is give us a bit of experience.

I frowned at my friend until she rolled her eyes and looked away. I was kidding... mostly. This bag of dirt has cost us a quarter hour already, and could have hurt you, or any of us. He can at least have the courtesy to answer some questions.

Amaryllis pushed Big Green over with the top of a talon until the grenoil was resting on his back, right next to the lip of the sidewalk. Im not, Im not telling ya anyzing, he spat.

Come now, just a few little questions, Amaryllis said.

Awa, my, my uncle told me stories about how he got some bad people to talk, um, maybe I could try what he told me, Awen said.

That sounded way better than whatever Amaryllis had in mind. Sure! Id love to see you try, I said.

Awen flushed and moved closer to the big grenoil before dropping onto her knees next to him. Um, are you okay? she asked the guy.

Screw you, human, he said.

These thugs were so rude. Were they raised... I looked around and let the thought drop.

Awen, in the meantime, opened up her little shoulder bag and pulled out a pair of pliers. She set them on the ground next to her.

You think you can torture me, girl?

Next, she pulled out some screw-drivers.

Im not telling any of ya nothing.

Awen placed her heavy hammer next to the pliers. It would be nice if you did talk, she said. Then we could give you a potion and you could leave us all alone.

When my damned coward boys come back, Im gonna teach all of you a lesson!

Awen sighed and reached into her bag. She grabbed something, looked down, then shrugged and placed it next to her hammer.

The wand of cure hysteria stood tall and proud next to Awens other tools. It was pretty big. I was surprised it even fit in her bag.

I... I... what are you going to do with that?! Big Green asked.

Blinking, Awen picked up the wand. This? She obviously pushed some magic into it because it started to humm as it vibrated.

Ill talk! Ill talk!

I looked to the side where Amaryllis had her face covered by her arm feathers. The poor thing, for all her bravado she couldnt look at someone being tortured, even if it was clear that Awen wouldnt actually do anything.

So, mister Big Green, I said in as intimidating a voice as I could manage. I pointed to him. Why were you so mean earlier?

I, I cant say, he said.

Awens wand buzzed louder.

Rainnewt! It was Rainnewt!

***