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, weakening the lands that supported his magic, setting up circles of
protection for when Naru s minions came too close, counterattacking with
winged creatures and Llanowar Elves that gleefully struck at the dwarfs,
crushing them down.
His mana weakened, Naru was forced to withdraw to his own half of the circle,
laying out a wall of fire.
The two stood gasping for breath, Naru shaking his head and laughing, the
laughter coming like the panting of a bull.
You good fellow. Too bad must die now.
Naru waved his hands and a new onslaught began. Creatures in the air, on the
sand, and rising up from underneath, coming one after the other. Garth gave
ground slowly and the mob, wild with hysteria, sensing that the fight was
coming to a climax, roared with delight.
Garth erected more trees, stepping back slowly, warding off the attacks that
broke through but each time it seemed as if he had less power than before.
Naru again reached the edge of the forest and waved his hand. Some of the
trees ignited in flame and Garth instantly replaced them. Again there was the
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burst of fire and again they were replaced.
Naru stood back for a second, shaking his head with frustration. Garth stood
at the far side of his circle and then, ever so slowly, he fell down on his
knees as if his final power had been expended.
Naru, with a wild cry, raced into the trees, which towered up over him, the
crowd roaring insanely, expecting him to crash through and deliver the coup
with his bare hands.
Garth instantly came to his feet and pointed straight at the forest. Above
the roaring of the crowd another sound now washed over the stadium, the
miniature forest shaking and trembling. A loud, howling roar exploded and
from out of the forest a green head appeared, its fangs glinting in the hot,
late-afternoon sun. The head of the Craw Wurm weaved back and forth, like a
serpent s, looking for its
prey. The creature arced over, its long sinuous body weaving up out of the
forest and then crashing back down.
A loud, bellowing roar of pain thundered out of the woods. Trees swayed back
and forth, crashing over.
For a brief instant a stone giant started to form at the edge of the forest.
Garth waved his hands and the
Craw Wurm's tail lashed out, toppling the giant. Continuing to control the
Wurm, Garth now redirected its attack at Naru.
More trees toppled and then, from out of the forest, the Craw Wurm emerged.
Wrapped in its scaly coils, Naru struggled to get free, bellowing with pain.
The Craw Wurm threw another coil around the giant s kicking legs, crushing him
under its weight.
The mob, driven to an ecstasy of excitement, howled insanely. Naru continued
to fight, managing to bring forth another burst of flame from above. Garth
countered by blocking the fire, and then increased the Craw Wurm s strength.
The Wurm threw another coil over Naru, pinning his arms and squeezing.
The giant's face turned dark purple. A loud scream of anguish burst from him
as if the cry had been crushed out of his body. Naru s head lolled back in
unconsciousness.
The mob, screaming with insane frenzy, cheered wildly, even though it was one
of their old favorites who had just been defeated.
The Craw Wurm raised its head, preparing to bite down and devour its meal.
The screaming of the mob thundered.
Garth One-eye raised his hand.
The Craw Wurm seemed to freeze and then, in a puff of smoke, it disappeared.
Naru, still unconscious, tumbled to the ground and was still. Garth walked
over to the giant s side and pulled his dagger out.
A hush settled over the mob, confused by this action and then realization set
in that Garth meant to deliver the death blow with his own hand. Some
cheering broke out but many fell silent. This was no longer killing in the
heat of combat and there was an uneasy stirring.
Garth held his dagger aloft and then with a dramatic flourish threw the blade
out of the circle. A stunned gasp swept the arena.
He was a worthy foe and my friend! Garth shouted, the mob surprised that a
mere fighter held the rare spell of far speaking. I will not murder him for
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