The Reign Of Istar Read Online Free PDF Page B

stared, amazed. Nelk was an elf. A maimed
     elf. Arryl wondered about the sort of elf who would deal in death, decided he must be a dark elf, one of the outcasts of elven
     society.
    Tremaine studied Nelk. He seemed no different from the few elves the knight had met,
     except that the arrogant, delicate features were marred by a sardonic twist of the mouth,
     as if Nelk - that could not be his true name - had seen too much of the world and not
     found it to his liking. But he handled a mace with a skill becoming that of a Solamnic
     master, a necessary skill, since the elf lacked the lower half of his right arm and could
     not, therefore, have used a shield to any real purpose. His natural grace and agility also
     served to compensate for his physical handicap.
    Nelk's opponent was a human, a thin, brown-haired man who both looked and moved like a
     snake. He fought with a sword and Arryl, who took an instant dislike to the serpentine
     man, grudgingly had to admit he was skilled.
    It was a strange duel, mace against sword. Both men were caught up in their practice and
     it was evident that here were two masters. Arryl forgot his troubles, watching the two skilled fighters at work.
     Although Nelk had only one arm, his mace was nearly three feet long. He moved with a speed
     that few humans could match. His heavier adversary compensated for a lack of elven speed
     by utilizing both sword and shield as few men in the knighthood could have managed.
    The weapons clanged together again and again, never remaining motionless. Each time one
     duelist seemed about to break through the defenses of the other, a counterassault brought
     them back to their standoff.
    Then, Arryl saw the human make a blunder. An over- extension of his arm left his side
     vulnerable. It was a very slight mistake, but a master such as Nelk should have been able
     to capitalize on it easily.
    Nelk ignored it. The gap in the human's defenses vanished instantly. Once again the two
     were on even footing.
    “Hold, Sylverlin!” The elf stepped back, still guarding himself. His serpentine
     counterpart did the same. Both men saluted each other, then smiled grimly. Nelk was not
     breathing hard at all; his human adversary seemed only slightly put out by the strenuous
     activity. Arryl silently applauded their abilities.
    Turning, the elf eyed the newcomers. The rest of the gladiators melted away as he walked
     over to inspect the small group Raag had brought him. “What is this?”
    “Arack said,” was all the ogre commented.
    “Mine, then.” The elf surveyed the trio of prisoners. He seemed amused by the boy, and
     sneered at the half-elf. Most elves - even dark ones - looked down upon half- breeds as
     being less than either of the two races from which they had sprung.
    Nelk paused when he came to Arryl. “You are a fighter, I see.”
    “Solamnian,” Raag offered. “Ah. The knight,” said Sylverlin, coming up behind. Both
     instructors studied Tremaine with interest. Tremaine straightened. “I will not fight in
     your Games.“ ”Won't you?“ Nelk shrugged. ”We'll see. Arack gave you to me and that is all that matters.“ ”Too good for us?” Sylverlin hissed. He even
     sounded like a serpent. “Arack waits,” Raag grunted. Satisfied that Nelk was now in charge of the
     three, the ogre turned and departed without another word. Nelk watched him go, seeming to appraise
     the ogre's every movement.
    “He'd still beat you, my good friend,” the reptilian man commented offhandedly. “Raag's
     quick in the head when he needs to be, not to mention having a skin as tough as a
     breastplate.”
    “I am well aware of both my limitations and his, Sylverlin. Best to worry about your own.
     If we had been dueling to the death, I would have crushed your rib cage after that last
     ploy of yours.”
    “You mean the opening I left? Wasn't a mistake, my good friend.” Sylverlin bowed in
     mockery to Arryl, then slid off