H2H Combat

Concentrating on casting the silver chain at Morwena, I’d neglected the threat to myself. Suddenly a water witch was beside me, her taloned finger hooking up toward my jaw. Faster than I could ever have believed, my left arm parried the blow, but we locked together and fell hard before rolling farther down the hill.

I was immediately fighting for my life again. Witches are physically strong, and in close combat even a grown man would be in serious trouble. I fought, punched, and struggled, but she gripped me tightly and began to drag me toward the water. I’d kept my promise to Grimalkin and used my chain against Morwena. But in doing so, I’d lost the chance to retrieve my staff, the only thing that gave me a fighting chance against a witch such as this. The only other weapons at my disposal were salt and iron but my arms were pinned to my sides.

The next moment we rolled into the water. I just had time to close my mouth and hold my breath and then my head went under. I struggled even harder, and we spun round again and my face emerged for a second or so, allowing me to take one more breath. Then the water closed over me again, and I felt myself being drawn down. My new swimming skills were useless. The water witch had me in her grip and it was too strong. Down and down I sank, into the depths. I fought to hold my breath but my lungs were bursting and there was a darkness over my eyes.

How long I fought to be free I don’t know, but my struggles grew weaker and at last the water rushed into my mouth and up my nose and I began to drown. The final thing I remember is a feeling of resignation. I’d done my best but it was all over now and I was finally dying. Then it grew dark and I stopped struggling.

But my battle in this world wasn’t over. I awoke to find myself on the hillside again, coughing and choking while somebody pressed and pounded my back. I thought I was being sick but it was water, not vomit, that was gushing from my nose and mouth.

It seemed to go on for a long time, until gradually the pounding stopped and I found myself breathing without choking, although my heart was beating so fast I thought it might burst. Then someone rolled me onto my back and I was looking up into the face of Grimalkin.

“You’ll live, child,” she said, pulling me up into a sitting position.