Chapter 6.1

I backed away from the point of Sharp’s sword. Geldswan was back in my room, and the only metal on me was the heavy crucifix and its thick chain.

"I see now why you’re so silent." Sharp’s voice cooed like a dovekeeper before he broke a bird’s neck. "You’re a Silent Monk. But not a good one, we find out. Was my lady pleasant enough for you?"

Hardly, I thought as I glanced around frantically. The hallway was bare and cramped, murky in the afternoon’s dull light, and there was nothing close enough for me to lay my hands on. If I ran for help, my disguise would be shattered.

"Your pet bullies aren’t with you today. So tell me, would you prefer to fight, or to die quietly?"
I pointed to his sword, and motioned that I had none.

"True. I have my sword, and you have your God." He spat the last word out, then lunged. I ducked right, toward his weak left side. Since my left side was stronger, that usually gave me more room – but I lacked a weapon, save my fist. His sword kept from getting close enough to use it.

"What’s the matter, monk? Can’t you fight? Of course not – you only have time to pray to your one little god. Your god so weak he couldn’t even save himself. Where is your god now? Listening to some other sniveling coward?"

Damn it, we should have given him to the Christians.
Again he lunged. I ducked right again, and my shoulder slammed the wall. I had run out of room. Had I only something with which to block the sword...

The heavy crucifix slammed into my chest.

I yanked it off and held it in my left hand, the chain dangling toward the floor.

"So you agree with me? But that won’t stop this." Sharp raised his sword and brought it down in a slashing blow.

This time I ducked left, striking back with the chain as I moved. It looped over the blade and slid down to the hilt, where it caught. Throwing the crucifix to my right hand, I yanked the sword from Sharp’s grip and flung it, with the crucifix, down the hall behind me. Startled, he watched it go, pausing just long enough for me to slam my left fist into his chin.
Without a sound, he folded to the floor.