[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio or Mith--

Could one of you cut and paste this? It needs to go at the very beginning of Pat's post on 10/30 at 4:49 a.m., or the end of Mith's post at 10/29 at 5:34 p.m. Thanks

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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.

[ November 01, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]