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Hi Everyone,
As promised, here is another excerpt from the revised version of Ruins on Stone Hill. The relationship between Titan and Brundon is rather interesting. Based out of Ravenford, the duo are mercenaries for hire that cross paths early on with the young heroes. These two are strong, independent personalities, who clearly have respect for each other, but will never miss an opportunity to take a 'friendly' jab when the situation warrants. The following excerpt is a prime example of the camaraderie they share:
Titan Brundon
His opponent demolished, Lloyd spun around and scanned the battleground. Titan stood a few feet away, over a fallen skeleton, pummeling it into pieces with her mace. A few feet up the path, he spied Seth sitting on top of a headless skeleton. The creature was completely tied up, its feet twitching, but otherwise immobile. A chuckle escaped Lloyd’s lips. Seth never ceased to amaze him.
The halfling pointed up the trail. “I think Brundon could use a hand.”
Lloyd followed Seth’s finger and saw a strange sight. The bottom half of a skeleton stood in the middle of the path. He watched curiously as Brundon rushed up behind it and kicked it with his boot. The creature whirled around and began chasing him, but Brundon dodged and ended up behind it. The tracker kicked it and dodged again. It was like watching a strange dance.
A familiar voice came from behind him. “He sure is stubborn.” Lloyd turned in time to see Titan walk up beside him, a thin smile across her lips. “I guess we should go help him.”
Lloyd fell in beside her. They walked up the trail together as the crazy fight continued. They stopped a few feet away, watching as Brundon dodged the skeleton again.
Titan chuckled softly. “Would you like a hand?”
Brundon glanced their way and shook his head. “No, I got this.”
Titan glanced at Lloyd and shrugged. “Like I said, stubborn.”
Lloyd had a sudden idea. He held out his hammer and called over to the tracker. “Hey, Brundon, care to try it out?”
Brundon had just swung behind the skeleton again. He glanced over at Lloyd and his eyes fell on the proffered weapon. A broad smile spread across his face.
“Don’t mind if I do.”
“Sure, accept his help and not mine,” Titan said with mock disappointment.
Brundon backed away from the sightless skeleton. “Only his weapon, love, only his weapon. Of course, if you want to hand me your mace…”
“No, no. I’d like to see you wield that hammer.”
“Suit yourself.” Brundon reached the two of them and accepted the hammer from Lloyd, attempting to heft it with one hand. Without warning, the head of the hammer dipped and began to fall. Brundon swiftly grasped it with his other hand, catching it just before it hit the ground.
A short laugh escaped Titan’s lips. “Having some trouble there?”
“I’m…just…fine…” Brundon grunted. Slowly but surely, he lifted the hammer back up. He grasped it firmly with both hands, and after a few test swings was able to effectively wield the weapon. “See, piece of cake.”
Titan chuckled under her breath. “Yeah, sure it is.”
Brundon ignored her, turning and rushing the roving skeleton. In a couple of minutes he reduced it to a pile of cracked bones. Brundon stood over the pile with a grim look of satisfaction on his face. “Well?” he said, glaring defiantly at Titan.
“Oh yes, all hail Sir Brundon, the skeleton slayer.”
Sharp snorts of laughter broke out from down the trail. Lloyd turned around in time to see Seth roll off the skeleton he had been sitting on and fall onto the ground. He lay there laughing until he couldn’t breathe.
Titan taunted him further. “Well, Sir Brundon, there’s another skeleton waiting to meet its end via your mighty mallet.”
Brundon fixed his partner with an acid stare. It quickly faded though, replaced with a half twisted smirk. “Why not.” He shrugged, then strode down the trail to finish off the last skeleton.