Freelance Heroics Read Online Free PDF Page B

was eating up every second of it.
    “I think it’ll do,” said Raedren.
    *      *      *
    “Next up, Mas Kil’Raeus will face off against the burly assassin from Malediction, Taton ‘The Shadowfist’ Vigg’Somala!”
    Mazik stopped waving at the cheering crowd and turned to watch the Gate of Life open. As Birel Faral limped his way back into Gladiator’s Way, Mazik’s next opponent emerged.
    Vigg’Somala was a big man, with thick arms and hands that could hold a bowling ball in each palm. He was dressed lightly, his loose-fitting black pants and tunic prioritizing speed over protection. In his right hand he held a blunt dagger nearly long enough to be a short sword, and around each forearm were burnished steel bracers.
    He reminded Mazik of the cultist with the big hammer from a month ago, only he presumably wasn’t going to try to kill him.
    Burly assassin, got it , thought Mazik. Over the past few days Mazik had tried to find out about their opponents so they could prepare, with only limited success. He silently thanked the announcer.
    Vigg’Somala met Mazik in the middle of the arena. “Afternoon.”
    “How’s it goin’?” chirped Mazik, all smiles.
    Vigg’Somala stared at Mazik for a long second, then inclined his head. “I hope we’ll have a good match.”
    “Absolutely.”
    The two bowed to each other and moved into position. Mazik took the opportunity to keen his opponent. Vigg’Somala’s mana pool was nothing to sneeze at, but Mazik could tell that he was the more powerful of the two. That meant that if it came to a beatdown, Mazik could overpower his opponent.
    He didn’t think that was likely. The Big Six wouldn’t have put this man into the ring if the power differential was a concern.
    “Is everyone ready?” called the announcer. The crowd cheered on the competitors’ behalf. “Let the duel between Mazik Kil’Raeus and Malediction’s Taton Vigg’Somala . . .”
    Bwaaaang!
    “Begin!”
     
     
    Mazik knew that, as the more powerful caster of the two, he was expected to stand still and cast from range. Which is why, when Vigg’Somala charged, Mazik charged right back.
    Mazik raised barriers and fired, hoping to catch Vigg’Somala before the other man could do whatever it was he was known for. But Vigg’Somala managed to evade Mazik’s spells, and there was a flash of light. When Vigg’Somala reappeared, there were three of him.
    Illusion magick. Mazik knew how to deal with invisibility spells—their battle with the Cult of Amougourest had ensured that—but for multiple image spells like this, he had only theoretical knowledge. From what he remembered, the key was to figure out what kind of illusion he was dealing with. Were they mobile? Were they corporeal? Could they move independently? Or worse, were they all three?
    The three Shadowfists continued toward him, the two on the sides spreading out to approach from his flanks.
    Mazik pulled to a stop. Barriers appeared around him, and he leapt back as the three Shadowfists lunged. Their daggers struck his barriers, and Mazik watched to see which ones did any damage.
    All three of them. They’re the bad type , thought Mazik as his barriers shattered. He lashed out at the nearest Shadowfist, but as soon as he struck, two of them disappeared, leaving him with only the one to his left.
    The real Vigg’Somala lunged.
    They exchanged blows, and then there was another flash of light, and three more Shadowfists surrounded Mazik. He raised his barriers. He knew that getting hit by one of the illusions would hurt as much as getting hit by the real thing, but if he were always on the defensive, they would wear him down eventually. The Shadowfists struck and disappeared, leaving the one to his front.
    Mazik unloaded spells into Vigg’Somala, but as soon as he fired there was another flash of light, and there were three again. I need a reliable way to figure out which one’s the real one, but if this guy is smart enough to put