Illusions Alternative

“Don’t make me kill the child,” the stranger said. Brannon kicked and gasped in pain even as he tried to speak. “Let me g … aaagh …” The phrase trailed off in a choked gurgle. Tears of pain and fear rolled down his reddened cheeks.

Chandra hated to lose. She absolutely hated it!

But she knew the scroll in her hand, however unique, wasn’t worth Brannon’s life. She held it up as an offering and called, “Don’t hurt him! You can have the scroll.”

***

It landed a few feet in front of him. “A wise decision. My impression is that you don’t make many.”

But before he could turn the boy over, Chandra heard her name called from the monastery. She turned to see Brannon looking out from the hole she had blasted in the wall.

“Chandra! What’s happening?” he shouted from a distance.

An illusion!

***

The Purifying Fire, Chapter 1