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Gideon's Spear
Gideon's Spear
Gideon's Spear
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Gideon's Spear

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For Finn MacCullen, it's time to Irish up.With a shout, Finn held the spear aloft. Come along, ye manky beasties, he yelled, throwing every bit of Gideon-ness he could into his voice. I've a wee point to share with ye! Gripping the end of the shaft in both hands, he swung it around and around over his head, creating a whistling sound. Faugh a ballagh! The Spear! Goblin voices screeched in panic. The Spear of the Tuatha De Danaan!Yeah, you got that right! Finn yelled back.When a power-crazed sorceress and the neighborhood pack of beast-like goblins team up and threaten both his master and his friends, thirteen-year-old Finn (not Finnegan) MacCullen does the only thing an apprentice monster hunter can do: he takes the fight to the enemy. And woe to the foe he meets along the way.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateFeb 4, 2014
ISBN9781937053956
Gideon's Spear
Author

Darby Karchut

A boy and horse could outrun all the sadness of this flat world. If the boy believed, and the horse was swift. The sorrel knew he was fast enough to help the boy. He just needed open grassland and a light hand on the reins. He'd show Ol' Mr. Grief his heels. Why, he'd run so fast that the wind would peel that sorrow right off the boy. Like a snake shedding its skin. Leaving it caught in the grass and drying up in the sun. Dust to dust. All the horse needed was a chance. Alex Nash dreams of being a soccer star. Or a graphic artist. Maybe both. But being a cowboy? Nope and no way. Not if it means being anything like his seldom seen father. Then, out of nowhere, tragedy shatters Alex's world, and when he thinks life couldn't sucker-punch him again, it does. He's forced to live with Roberto Nash, a man he barely knows. Or wants to know. Until Alex finds out his dad has bought him a peace offering of a sort, one with a red coat, lightning speed, and a fighting spirit. A spitfire of a horse that just might heal Alex's heart and reunite father and son.

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Rating: 4.7499999375 out of 5 stars
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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Being a thirteen-year-old boy is tough enough. Being the thirteen-year-old Spear of the Tuatha De Danaan and apprentice to a Knight, with monsters and a witch after you is challenging to even the bravest young teen. Author Darby Karchut has written another winner. After reading FINN FINNEGAN, BOOK ONE OF THE ADVENTURES OF FINN MACCULLEN, I didn’t think the series could get any better. I was wrong. GIDEON’S SPEAR, the second book in the series, continues the story of Finn MacCullen and Gideon Lir, the awesome duo I met in book one. Sometimes Finn is just a boy. He makes mistakes. He tests his Knight’s patience. He gets into trouble. Other times he fights a witch and the Amandan creatures, alongside his master, Gideon, with bravery and amazing skills for so young a warrior. What I love most about these novels is the relationship between Finn and Gideon. It’s more than a mentor, apprentice relationship. In addition to teaching Finn the skills of a brave warrior, Gideon also shows Finn the need for good manners and respect of others, the way a father guides his son. Finn reacts the way any teen boy would react: sometimes with anger or resentment, still knowing Gideon is right. In GIDEON’S SPEAR, secrets are revealed. Neighbors are not always what they seem. And life is never dull for Finn and those around him. Darby Karchut has given each character his/her distinct personality. Mac Roth, Gideon’s oldest friend, is the kind of friend everyone should have, and one of my favorite characters.Each scene is written with such detail it makes the reader feel like you’re there, fighting the monsters with Finn and Gideon, or at the house while they’re training, or with the neighbor twins and their family. Author’s notes at the end of the story explain the source of many of the names and terms used in the novel. The reader also gets a peek at the third book in the series, THE HOUND AT THE GATE. It looks like another winner. If only we didn’t have to wait a year to read the whole story. Every middle school library and classroom should have copies of Gideon’s Spear. The novel would also be popular in high schools, I think. So now we wait to see where Finn and Gideon take us next. A very nice novel, Ms. Karchut. Thank you.###
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    GIDEON'S SPEAR was an excellent sequel to FINN FINNEGAN. Finn is still getting used to the idea that he is really Gideon Lir's apprentice and that he has found a home where he is loved and valued. Finn is having a bit of trouble getting used to the idea the he is the legendary Spear that can defeat the Amandan. He is also having some issues with the parents of his friends Rafe and Savannah. Their father is convinced that Finn is being abused by Gideon because he frequently has bruises and cuts. He has called Social Services and set a caseworker on them both.Rafe and Savannah are African-Americans and come from a warrior tradition themselves. Their African grandfather has given Rafe an assengai and taught him how to use it. Being thirteen-year-old boys they find great humor in saying assengai. Rafe and Savannah have had first hand experience fighting the Amandan and know that they are real. But Gideon has forbidden Finn to tell Rafe and Savannah's parents about what is really going on.The main conflict in this story comes from a witch - though she prefers "enchantress" - named Iona of the Hills who wants to control Gideon's Spear. She has made an agreement with the Amandan and is working with them. Gideon has a long history with Iona. He is convinced that she is the one who caused his son to take foolish risks and lose his life. He has been trying to get retribution for hundreds of years. The story is filled with action. Between fights with the Amandan and car wrecks, both Gideon and Finn are in lots of danger. I love the relationship between the two of them. Gideon isn't the gushy kind but Finn's confidence that he will be there for him is growing. I loved Finn. Despite being smart-mouthed, disobedient and given to Celtic rages, he is brave, resourceful, and fiercely loyal to those he loves.I can't wait to read THE HOUND AT THE GATE to learn more about Finn and Gideon.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Gideon’s Spear by Darby Karchut(Book #2: The Adventures of Finn MacCullen)Source: AuthorRating: 4/5 starsSometimes the hardest part about being a book reviewer/blogger is being honest especially when that honesty may hurt an author that you consider a friend. But, just as the author stays true to their story and characters, I must stay true to my thoughts and feelings about the books I read and know that my dishonesty would be both disrespectful and unappreciated. So, for the first time ever I have rated a Darby Karchut book at a mere four stars and yes, I feel crappy about it Overall, Gideon’s Spear is NOT by any means a bad read and in fact, it is still a very good read BUT I found myself struggling with this read and feeling very frustrated and unsettled by the time I reached the end. As with all of Darby’s books, Gideon’s Spear is driven by its’ characters and this is where the bulk of my frustration comes from. For the first time ever, I can’t see where all of the characters fit into the grand scheme of things nor can I see what their purpose is as related to Gideon, Finn and, the discovery of the Spear. Here’s the character roll call:Finn: though certainly more experienced than he was in Finn Finnegan, Finn is still just a boy of thirteen and stubborn as all get out. Though he doesn’t set out to defy Gideon, he often does and that creates a far longer list of chores for the young apprentice. His loyalty to Gideon and his friends is as commendable as his commitment to learning and training. But, the road to maturity and acceptance of his new role as Gideon’s Spear is going to be very long and very painful. Gideon: Still smooth and sexy and rockin’ a fine accent! Gideon’s devotion to and affection for Finn is growing with each passing day which makes his need to protect and prepare his charge even more critical. The stakes are even higher now that Gideon knows Finn is the mythical Spear and his need to protect Finn goes into overdrive. To be fair, Gideon begins to open up to Finn about his own past and why he is so crazed about protecting his apprentice. Mac Roth: Still smooth and sexy and rockin’ a fine accent! I need more of him and that is all!Lochlan: Son of goat!! Another O’Neill!!! To be fair, Lochlan has, thus far presented himself in a far, far better light than his deceased cousin but, his role as something other than Mac Roth’s apprentice has yet to be revealed. I find it hard to believe that Darby would sacrifice one character (Asher) and not give the replacement (Lochlan) - a family member no less! – such a minor role. For now, Lochlan remains a bit of a mystery.Savannah and Rafe: I have absolutely no idea what role these two are to play in either Finn’s life or the grand scheme of things. These kids have this amazing backstory with Zulu warriors and a very, very slight connection, through their grandfather (whom we need more of!) to the Tuatha De Danaan and the hunting of the Amandán but beyond being Finn’s friends, I don’t know why they are a part of the read I can only assume that Darby is keeping them around for some major purpose down the road . . . .but, we all know what assuming gets us, am I right?Iona: Bugger all!! I am absolutely clueless where this one is concerned. She is absolutely tied to Gideon and his past (though I don’t think she is tied in the way Gideon has always believed), she knows Finn is the Spear and, she is up to no good. As with many, many other things in this read, I can’t imagine the amount of trouble she caused in this particular read and the relatively small plans she admits to Gideon are even a drop in the bucket compared to what she has planned. Iona is old and very powerful and I can’t believe her ultimate goal for the mythical Spear would be the control of the Amandán. She’s far too prissy to want those smelly bastards around for long.The Bottom Line: Despite my high level of frustration, I still really liked this read and am, as I always will be, a devoted follower of Darby K.! Darby is an author I can depend on to produce high quality work that I want to return to time and time again and so, this new experience of frustration is confusing, to say the least. Honestly, this whole not knowing and not having a clue about the characters is a new ball game for me. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have to know all the answers and I don’t have to know what’s coming but this not even having a smallish clue is a wholly unexpected event and not something I am at all used to with Darby’s books. So, at the end of the day, I am still going to recommend this read to everyone I know with the assumption that Darby has something really spectacular up her sleeve for the future of Gideon and his Spear. After all, Darby K. has never let me down :)

Book preview

Gideon's Spear - Darby Karchut

1937-2013

The Song of the Tuatha De Danaan

I am a wind on the sea,

I am a wave of the ocean,

I am the roar of the sea,

I am a bull of seven battles,

I am a hawk on the cliff,

I am a teardrop of sunlight,

I am a gentle herb,

I am a boar enraged,

I am a salmon in a pool,

I am a lake in a plain,

I am the vigor of man

I am the meaning of poetry,

I am a spear on the attack, pouring forth combat,

I am the god who fires your mind.

Also by Darby Karchut

Finn Finnegan

(Spencer Hill Press—March 2013)

Griffin Rising

Winner of the 2012 SharpWrit Book Award

(Twilight Times Books)

Griffin’s Fire

(Twilgiht Times Books)

Griffin’s Storm

(Copper Square Studios)

Non-fiction with Wes Karchut from Copper Square Studios:

Money and Teens: Savvy Money Skills

Winner of the 2013 EIFLE Award

Celtic Pronunciations

Fáilte (fall-sha) Welcome

Céad mile fáilte (kad meel-a fall sha) A hundred thousand welcomes

Gle mhaith (glay moth) Very good

Codladh sumh (culla sovh) Sleep well

Poc sídhe (poke she) Fey or fairy stroke

Sláinte (slawn-che) health

Faugh a ballagh (FOW-an BALL-ah) Clear the Way!

Eireann go braugh (aerin guh BRAWKH) Ireland Forever.

Zulu Pronunciations

Nants ingonyama bagithi (nants en-ven-ya MA ba-gee-tee) Here comes a lion.

Words and Phrases

Tuatha De Danaan (tua day dhanna) An ancient warrior race of mythical beings from Ireland

Amandán (Ah-mon dan) Goblin-like creatures

bodhran (bow-rawn) Irish frame drum played with a double-headed stick

mielie pap (mee-lee pap) A traditional South African porridge made from corn and meal. It can be served with meats and vegetables

assegai (ass-a-guy) A short stabbing spear with a long spearhead traditionally used by the Zulu and other peoples of southern Africa

Praise for

FINN FINNEGAN

Overall, a great choice for adventure-loving readers who prefer their battle scenes with a hefty dose of ancient weaponry, ground-fighting skills, and just a touch of magic.

— School Library Journal

"If Lloyd Alexander had written The Ranger’s Apprentice, the result might have been something like Finn Finnegan. Fantastic!"

-- Mike Mullin, author of Ashfall and Ashen Winter

The blend of adventure, Celtic lore, and modern times make this an engaging choice for young and adult readers as well.

— Booklady’s Booknotes

This is another fabulous book by Darby Karchut, again set in Colo-rado and revolving around a young boy who is just beginning to find out who he is and what he can be.

— A Reader’s Ramblings

Finn Finnegan brings classic adventure into a modern day setting for a great read. The Celtic lore in the story is fascinating and gives it an extra richness. This will appeal to all those readers (myself included) who love the idea of a hidden and dangerous world within our own sometimes too ordinary world.

— Dee Garretson, author of Wildfire Run and Wolf Storm

Finn Finnegan is a Fine Folio of Fantastic Fiction!

— Middle Grade Ninja

One

Screaming bored out of his mind, thirteen-year-old Finn MacCullen blew a long sigh as he wandered around the clearing in the woods. The late-afternoon rays of the summer sun lit the trees surrounding him, tinting the trunks of the Ponderosa pines with the same shade of bronze as that of the large knife, almost the length of his forearm, he held in one hand. With a snap of his wrist, he flipped it into the air and caught it by the handle.

Holding the weapon level with his eyes, he tilted it to and fro, trying to view his reflection. For just a moment, he caught a flash of blue eyes in a boyish face dusted with freckles, and a mop of hair the same flaming color as the blade. Adjusting the angle downward, he grinned as he was further rewarded with a glimpse of a twisted rope of gold, as thick as the Knight Mac Roth’s thumb, that encircled his throat just above the collar of his T-shirt. You are, Finnegan MacCullen, he murmured to himself, adjusting the torc so that the twin knobs on each end of the neckpiece were dead center under his Adam’s apple, one kickbutt warrior.

Gravel crunched behind him.

He whirled around. Oh, crap. His heart rammed against the roof of his mouth at the sight of his worst nightmare.

His master, the Knight Gideon Lir.

Pissed off.

Again.

Dressed in a denim shirt and work boots, Gideon stomped down the path toward him, slashing at the undergrowth on either side with an enormous hunting knife when it dared impede him. To Finn, the black-haired Knight seemed to grow twice as large with every step.

While still a few yards away, Gideon yelled, What the bleedin’ ‘ell are ye doing?

As if he wants the entire state of Colorado to hear him, Finn thought. Which he probably does.

I ordered ye to stand safe by that tree, not mince about admiring your beauty.

Finn noticed that his master’s accent was about as subtle as a supernova, a sure sign of trouble. I’m sorry, Gideon. I was just stretching my legs. Hoping to deflect the Knight’s anger, he added, And you asked me to remind you to tone down the whole Irish accent thing so that— The rest of his sentence was cut off when his master grabbed him by the arm and hustled him backward, pushing him none too gently against the massive trunk.

The Knight’s eyes, the same uncanny blue as his apprentice’s, narrowed when he reached out and tapped the torc around Finn’s neck. "If this is distracting you from our evening’s hunt of the Amandán, he said, mimicking Finn’s American inflection, then we should just be rid of it. I know of an abandoned gold mine, not three miles from here, I could pitch the thing into." He held out an open hand.

Finn reached up and clutched the torc protectively. Ah, come on, Gideon. I’ve only had it for a few days. Look, I’m totally focused now. He shifted his wiry body into battle stance, legs shoulder-width apart and weapon held across his body at the ready. Just show me one of those ugly goblins and I’ll—

They both froze when a shape alighted on the ground next to them in a clap of ebony wings. Muttering to itself, the crow strutted closer. It reached out and pecked at Finn’s athletic shoes as if trying to untie them.

Steady, boyo, Gideon whispered.

I hate these things, Finn muttered back, curling his toes inside his shoes. The crow cawed as if laughing at him.

Aye, but they’re bleedin’ useful, warning us if any Amandán are near. When they’re not playing us for fools. As the bird aimed another peck, Gideon stomped a boot at it. "Whist! Flee unless you have something to caution us about, you black devil."

The crow hopped back with a squawk of indignation, then spread its wings and hoisted itself into the air. They watched as it made a loop over the treetops. A second bird joined it. Both crows whirled around each other in anticipation before soaring away.

Their heads whipped around when a branch snapped a few yards up the trail.

Gesturing for Finn to stay put, Gideon eased across the clearing and along the path on silent feet. Finn noticed how his master paid close attention to the shadows, how his eyes swept the area. He tilted his head, a wolf on the hunt, to listen to the rustles and scratches of the late afternoon.

As Finn watched, exhilaration and dread wrestled with each other inside of him, as they always did when he and his master were hunting the Amandán.

Or being hunted by them.

A figure burst out of the bushes. With a growl, a creature, not quite human, not quite ape, launched itself at the Knight. Its black-tipped fingers scrabbled for Gideon’s face.

Twisting to one side, Gideon dodged, and the Amandán hurtled past him as he stuck out a foot. A yelp split the evening as the goblin tripped, hit the ground, and tumbled end over end into the undergrowth. Scrambling to its feet, red-eyed with rage, it charged the Knight again, running slightly sideways on all fours, its dark-green pelt blending in with the vegetation. "Poc sídhe," it hissed through yellow teeth. Dirt and twigs spewed up behind its feet as it came.

"Ah, poc sídhe yourself." Gideon shifted his grip on his knife and made a come along motion with his hand. As the goblin sped up, he began chanting the Song of the Tuatha De Danaan, the ancient, magical words giving him strength and speed. Just as the Amandán leaped for him, Gideon dropped to one knee. With a grunt, he buried the weapon in the goblin.

The Amandán exploded into a cloud of grey-green ash. Gideon ducked his head, trying to shield his face from the worst of the powdery remains. He waited until the cloud drifted away with the breeze before rising. "Bah. He spat to one side. Wiping his mouth, he strolled back to Finn waiting by the pine. Amandán taste as disgusting as they smell."

Finn nodded, taking his master’s blade when Gideon handed it to him. Kind of like burnt rubber. He thought back to his first encounter with a goblin. The second day of his apprenticeship.

Is-is it dead? he asked his master after one of the beasts had attacked them during a rainstorm in the local Wal-Mart parking lot.

Oh, ‘tis not dead. Gideon bent over and picked up the weapon. He held it between thumb and finger to rinse it off in the diminishing rainfall, the cloudburst as quick to leave as to arrive. Amandán are almost impossible to kill. All I’ve done is weaken it. ‘Twill take some time for that one to gain enough strength to re-form and attack again.

He watched as the Knight peeled off his overshirt, gave it a brisk shake, and draped it over a tree limb. A Celtic knot tattooed on his master’s right arm peeked out from under the sleeve of his T-shirt. Finn stared at the tattoo, the ancient symbol of Knighthood amongst their people, the Tuatha De Danaan. Ye gods, I’ll never be as good at hunting or fighting as he is. Of course, if he would let me do more hunting and fewer drills, I might get better at it.

Gideon took back the blade and wiped it clean on his jeans. Now, since the beasties often hunt in pairs, we’ll see if we can’t catch the second one before it goes to ground.

Can I circle around and flush it out? Finn shifted from foot to foot.

The Knight hesitated, then shook his head. I’d rather you not track that far ahead of me.

Why?

Because it’s too dangerous.

Ah, come on, Gideon, I want to—

I said no.

But how can I learn anything if all I do is follow you around?

Gideon’s face darkened. Arguing with me is as dangerous as hunting the Amandán.

But I’ve fought them before. Finn’s voice cracked in frustration. I know—

You know less than you think. A few skirmishes with the goblins do not make you ready to hunt alone.

"Why won’t you let me at least try?"

Because you’re not ready!

Finn scowled. It’s because of the whole Spear thing, isn’t it?

Oh, aye, that’s it, Gideon said, heavy on the sarcasm. Discovering that my apprentice of less than two months is none other than the legendary Spear of the Tuatha De Danaan has made me decide to treat you differently from now on.

It has? Finn’s heart sank. I’m sick of always being different. I just want to be a Knight. Like Gideon and Mac Roth.

No, you dolt. Gideon reached out and cuffed him lightly on the side of the head. I don’t care if you’re the High King on the throne of Tara, you’ll continue to learn the ancient ways of the Tuatha De Danaan. To meet our enemies in battle armed with knife and dagger and the strength of our Song.

Finn nodded. An odd relief filled him. Okay. I mean, yes, sir. He blinked in surprise when the Knight laid a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

Remember, Finnegan MacCullen. Gideon’s Spear you may be. But you’re also Gideon’s apprentice. He sighed dramatically. More’s the pity for me.

Ah, me heart bleeds for ye now, to be sure, Finn said in a pitiful imitation of the Knight’s Irish lilt.

Mocking me, are you?

Finn grinned and nodded. He ducked and came up laughing when his master swung another cuff at him and missed.

Failing to hide a smile, Gideon turned and led the way up the path. Stepping around the pile of ash in the middle of the trail, they continued westward, climbing higher into the foothills as if to meet the lowering sun. Around them in the woods, squirrels rustled about in the dried leaves under the scrub oaks, hiding caches of acorns. A breeze flowed down from the mountains further west, cooling them as they walked along.

The shadows around them thickened. After a mile, Gideon and Finn slowed to a cautious creep. Up ahead, to one side of the trail, a pair of enormous boulders leaned against each other to form the mouth of a cave, about the height and width of a man. Or an Amandán.

Gideon dug into his jeans pocket and pulled out a small white stone, its edges translucent. Almost immediately, it began to glow in his hand with a pale light. He held up the stone.

Standing behind his master, Finn gasped when the moonstone’s light caught a pair of greenish eyes, like a cat’s, deep in the cave’s opening. Um…Gideon? he whispered.

Aye, I see it. Raising the stone higher, he called out. Come along, beastie. I’ve something for you.

"Nar, I know what ya gots for me, the Amandán growled back. I seen what ya did to me friend back there. It spat. No, I’ll just stay in here. Out of reach of that nasty piece of bronze ye be carrying. It made a smacking sound with its lips. Unless ya want to send that whelp of yers in here after me."

What, and waste a perfectly good source of free labor? Not likely. He spoke over his shoulder. Finn, I want you to move around to the side while I…

"Did ye say Finn? the Amandán said. Its eyes disappeared briefly as it turned its head and hooted into the interior of the cave. Signaling. Ye be the Knight, Gideon Lir. It hooted again, louder this time. We hears some wild tales about ye and that whelp there."

Voices echoed from within the cave. Finn looked down in confusion when the gravel by his feet began bouncing about. Tremors vibrated through the soles of his shoes. The vibrations grew stronger, mixed with distant sounds of harsh cries and shouts.

Next to him, Gideon stiffened. Ye gods, he cursed under his breath, then spun around and shoved Finn back down the trail.

Flee!

Two

Finn ran for his life. With Gideon on his heels, he tore down the path, feet finding their own way over rocks and roots. Bushes and boulders and black-barked trees flashed past in the dusk. Turning his knife hilt-first as Gideon had drilled into him, he gripped it tightly as he sprinted along.

Faster, the Knight shouted behind him. And don’t stop until you’re safe home.

Too busy concentrating on not tripping to answer, Finn dug deeper. Panting, he began chanting a line from the Song, singing the swiftness he needed. I am a wind on the sea.

A tingling started somewhere around his ankles, then coiled up his legs, picking up speed until it seemed to burst out of the tips of his hair. His ears thundered with the roar of the wind, from the Song, or from his pace, he wasn’t sure. He kept chanting as he shot along the trail.

Breathing in rhythm with his pounding feet, he followed the trail eastward. Ahead of him, the lingering rays of the sun reflected off the windows of High Springs and winked at him through the trees. As he neared their neighborhood, he yelled over a shoulder. Do you think they’ll chase us right to our back yard? When Gideon didn’t answer,

he slowed and risked a peek back.

The trail was empty.

Skidding to a halt, he whirled around, gulping for air, sweat stinging his eyes as he strained to catch a glimpse of his master. Off in the distance, a voice, scarcely heard over his pulse thundering in his ears, shouted once.

Finn hesitated. He glanced back at the line of backyard fences dividing the suburban neighborhood from the woods. Their own house sat tucked away by itself on the end of the street. Just one section of the roof and Finn’s dormer bedroom window showed over the treetops.

Rubbing the back of his hand across dry lips, Finn turned his face westward. I know he told me to go home. But there’s no way I’m leaving him to face all those Amandán by himself. What if they drag him into their cave? The early supper they had eaten churned in his gut at the thought of crawling into that black hole. Wiping sweaty hands on his jeans, his palm brushed against the lump in his pocket. He reached in and pulled out his own moonstone. Cupping it in his hand, he looked down at it. Wish it would light up for me like it does for pure-blooded Tuatha De Danaan—just in case I have to go in there. Being a halfer sucks, he muttered to himself. Shoving it back into his jeans, he clutched his blade and started back up the trail.

* * *

Face streaked with goblin residue and sweat, Gideon lifted his blade higher, a red flame in his hand. Mounds of ash overlapped each other on the ground between the Knight and the remaining goblins. He eased back against a rocky outcropping and bared his teeth, his eyes glowing battle blue.

"Come along,

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