[piosenniel]

SHARON'S POST

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The guards competing with Mika and Corby were no fools. Although they would never admit it, they recognized the hobbits were agile and intelligent. Practicing day after day, their prisoners had become experts at hitting the mark. But the men also knew they had a clear advantage in terms of height and strength.

Makil eyed his companion and whispered something in his ear. The other grinned back and laughed.

"Alright, since the choice of the game is yours, we'll pick out the stones. Also, the place where the contestents will stand."

Corby and Mika suspiciously eyed the men and shook their heads. Some nonsense was afoot, but they would have to go along, and deal with it the best they could.

Makil sauntered over to the rockpile by the side of the cavern and spent a moment sorting through it. Then he selected the four largest stones he could find. These were three times heavier than the ones normally used.

Makil walked back to the line, and surveyed the playing field. "This is far too close," he barked at Azra. "Take the line back twenty paces." The girl complied, hoisting and moving the rock which marked the place where the contestents stood.

"Now, we're ready," The guard stepped confidently forward.

If the stones and playing field had been left untouched, the competition would have been over very quickly. The two guards could not have bested Mika or Corby in a fair game of Candlestones. But this was no fair game.

The hobbits were at an initial disadvantage because of the changes that had been made. Almost immediately, Mika and Corby found themselves trailing behind. But, very slowly, they adjusted their game and crept up in the scoring. By the end of the first round, the hobbits and men were dead even.

The second round began. Guards and prisoners were rivetted to their seats. No bids were made, no money exchanged hands. There seemed to be more at stake than a simple game of chance. Again, Mika and Corby started out behind, but gained ground as the competition went forward. Then, out of nowhere, the two began hitting their stride. They shot down candle after candle, while the guards stared on aghast.

For the first time, the hobbits sitting and watching forgot their fear and remembered pride. They stood up to yell support. Their anger seemed to be spilling out in all directions at once. Several of the younger ones began jeering and taunting the guards.

Makil rushed over to Corby, his face red with fury, and hauled the hobbit up by the collar. "This time, you won't get away," he snarled. The guard snatched a dagger out of his belt, drawing his arm back to strike a death blow. The blow never came.

Instantly, hobbits raced forward to mob the guards. The first to die at their hands was Makil. Other prisoners aimed at the candles lighting the arena, taking them down with stones. Daggers kept hidden were now pulled out, as the hobbits worked together in teams to tackle the guards and slit their throats. Others raced over in the direction of the newly dug garbage ditch, where stakes and sharpened vizers had been concealed earlier in the day. A dozen hands scrambled in the dark to seize weapons that could be turned on the hated guards. The battle for the main cavern had begun.

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PIO

They had gone a short distance down the tunnel when Pio put a restraining hand on Mithadan’s arm and brought the group to a halt. A wan shaft of lamplight fell like a bar from the left side of the corridor across the path fifteen feet in front of them. It was the alcove where the tunnel guards were.

They could hear the sound of dice rolling on a wooden surface, followed by soft cursing as the cubes came to an unlucky halt. A small laugh rang out, and the sound of coins scraped from one side of the table to the other. ‘Try again, Malantur?’ came a voice well slurred with drink. ‘No more, Ardamir! My purse is as empty as the wine jug! I’m going back to lie down.’ They heard the sounds of someone fumbling with keys in a lock, and the noise of a great door opening and closing.

Ardamir sat down heavily in his chair. He pulled a hidden wine skin from beneath his vest and took a long pull on it. It had been a lucky night for him, he thought. The few coins he’d won would supplement his meager guard’s pay. His key ring dug into his side as he slumped against the arm of the chair. He fumbled for it, and put it, clanking, next to the pile of coins. One more pull at the skin, and his head drooped to his chest , a small, dark red rivulet of cheap wine escaping from the side of his slack mouth to stain his all too dirty shirt. He did not wake until it was too late. A strong arm pulled up his lolling head by his greasy hair, and sharp blade sliced him deeply, ear to ear. Blood spilled down his shirt front, covering the wine stains, and his head lolled once again on his chest.

Pio reached round him and grabbed the keys. She threw them to Mithadan and wiped her knife on her leggings, resheathing it for later use. Khelek was stationed in the shadows of the corridor just outside the alcove, to watch for any guard coming out from the Men’s Locks. He was to dispatch any such as swiftly and quietly as possible.

Mithadan lead them on, past the storage closet just beyond the alcove, and up to the open entry way into the Hobbit Locks area. They hugged the eastern wall as they slipped into the enclosure. Pio had placed Kali now between her and Mithadan, putting an occasional hand on his shoulder to guide him.

So far, they had neither seen nor heard any guards. The trio had come to the cell where Daisy was kept. Mithadan stood guard, while Pio called softly to Daisy to pass out the key. Once done, the Elf unlocked the door, and Kali rushed in to bring her out. He had just given her the sword he had brought for her, when the bright flare of torchlight from behind surprised them.

Pio turned to see two guards, swords drawn, advancing on Mithadan.

[ October 30, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[ November 01, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]