Lloyd: Goblin Pyros, Round 03b

“Dad!”

Blood spurted out of Lloyd’s mouth as he uttered the word while drawing in a deep breath. He coughed out more blood as he rolled unto his side while his hands were grasping for support from the floor only to find it slip as the blood on it prevented him from getting a firm hold.

Is this my blood? Where am I?

Lloyd looked around and tried to focus his eyes. There was fire and smoke everywhere around him making it difficult for him to see.

I know I saw dad. But that's impossible. Casp Avertin was killed by Chopper five years ago.

His brain finally registered what was happening, his thoughts went back to the last thing he saw before he fell. He was charging thru the cloud in an effort to attack the warchanter when one of its smaller companions appeared as if out of nowhere and stabbed him with its knife - the same goblin which was now lying next to him on the floor.

I should have been paying attention; remembered my training. Jarek would make fun of me when he finds out about this.

Looking up, he saw that he was somehow now inside the noxious cloud. Since he was still where he fell, he could only assume that it was moved by the warchanter. Lloyd quickly looked up searching for the goblin spellcaster. He found her near him and locked in combat with someone.

Griffin!

Ignoring the hurt he is feeling, Lloyd rolled up from beneath the store counter. The move caused the blazing ball of flame beside him threatened to burn him and make it difficult for him to breathe. He coughed once more, holding on to the counter for support lest he topple over once more.

I have to get up. C’mon Lloyd, your friends are depending on you.

Still coughing out blood, Lloyd got up to one knee and grabbed the female goblin’s cloak, pulling her back a feet from Gryffin. The warchanter screeched in surprised and tried to bring around her magic rod towards its new attacker but Lloyd’s hold entangled the arm which was holding it. Infuriated, the goblin kicked at the half-elf in an effort to free herself.

Lloyd gave out a short chuckle.

* * *

Lloyd laughed as Jarek continued to taunt Gryffin.

The three friends were playing by the woods in Chopper’s Isle. His eladrin friend was having a hard time trying to hit the apples Jarek was throwing at him. Gryffin preferred to stay indoors reading books and tinkering around shop of his fathers, it was thus fair to assume that he was less proficient with physical activities that his other friends were most used to doing.

“Loosen up. Tension is your worst enemy when it comes to a fluid swing.” Jarek shouted. “Keep your stance square. Your feet should be parallel to each other. This stance puts your body in the best position to coil, stride, and swing.”

“Remember to extent the log towards the apple just before contact.” Lloyd yelled. “Concentrate on driving through the apple.”

Gryffin gave a shout of frustration much to his friend’s enjoyment.

“Anytime now Gryff” Both friends shouted.

* * *

“Anytime now Gryff...”

The goblin’s eyes went wide as she realized what was happening. She turned around at the exact time that the eladrin’s wizard came crashing down on the side of her skull sending her slumping down to the floor.

The cloud within the room clears up as the one who conjured it falls. Lloyd looks around the store, sees it clear of goblins, gives his friend a grin before his eyes roll back and he collapses back down on the floor.