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The Steel Orb
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As I was walking, captive, I thought of the advice the priest had given me. But how was I to make the sign of the cross? I could try. I tried to move my hands, hoping something miraculous might happen.
Clamp struck my face, and said, "Don't try to wriggle out."
My face stung. I held my tongue, and then let out a rebel yell: "LORD, HAVE MERCY!"
The world seemed to move like melting ice.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
I watched every detail of rage flare in Clamp's face.
I heard a shift of cloth and bodies moving.
I saw his hand raised, to strike a crushing blow to my face...
...and descend...
...and caught in the talons of an iron grip.
I did not turn my head. I was too bewildered to look and see why my face was not stinging.
I had somewhere heard that voice before. It seemed familiar. And it was speaking quietly.
I had heard this voice speak quietly in contentment. I had heard it speak quietly to tell a secret. I had heard this voice speaking quietly in banter. What I had not heard was this voice speaking quietly because it was beyond rage, a rage that had gone beyond burning fire to be cold enough to shatter ice.
"Let him go," the voice hissed.
I recognized the voice of my Teacher.
"Let him go," Fortress glared.
Clamp laughed, and let go of me. "Fortress! How wonderful to see you! May I get you a glass of wine?"
Fortress began working on my bands. He said nothing.
Clamp said, "A great Teacher like you has much to offer, could probe much secret wisdom. You seemed to have a knack for--"
I felt my stomach quiver.
A crowd was beginning to form around us: no one was right by us, but many were looking.
Fortress said, "No."
My stomach knotted. I had an overwhelming sense that I should move.
I obeyed it.
Clamp looked at Fortress.
Fortress looked at Clamp.
The anger in Fortress's face began to vanish.
Clamp seemed to be leaving fear and entering terror.
I backed off further.
I saw a faint ripple of muscles across Clamp's body.
I began to scream.
Metal sang as a sword jumped from its sheath.
I saw, moment after horrid moment, the greatsword swing into the side of Fortress's head.
Then I heard a shattering sound, and when I realised what was happening, Clamp had been thrown up against the far wall, while Fortress was in the same place.
The sherds of a sword hilt dropped from Clamp's hand.
The anger vanished from Fortress's face. He looked, and said, "Come back, Clamp. We need you."
I could hear the sadness in his voice.
Clamp ran away in abject terror.
I had been fasting. Even if I had not been fasting, I would have...
I fainted.
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The Steel Orb
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