Free Duty Calls: The Reluctant War God Book 1 by Bill D. Allen

blows against stone in some sort of mining operation.
    As I neared, I could see there was some sort of activity going on against the side of the mountain. Groups of men were digging and others were carrying buckets of excavated material to be discarded. Teams were tearing at the mountain with pickaxes.
    What were they digging for? Boulders for a catapult?
    The trees were becoming thicker to either side of the path. Blackflame started at something in the shadows. This surprised me because Blackflame was not by nature skittish. Even though logic told me there could be nothing to fear while we traveled the veil, I warily drew my sword.
    As we passed an oak tree, something leapt from above and attacked me, knocking me off Blackflame. A cold burn raked across my chest. I struck out as I rolled on my back, pushing the dark mass away as we both returned with a jolt to mortal reality.
    The creature was some sort of large black cat, and yet longer of leg Tall like a man, and obviously magical. It hissed and snarled at me. I put the point of my blade between us, in-line with its eyes. Muscles rolled under the cat’s black fur as it coiled for another pounce. I felt blood trickling down my chest where the claws of the cat had torn my flesh.
    I struck before it could get another chance. I executed a low, fast thrust, extending far and jabbing the sharp point of my slender blade past the paws of the creature to strike its breast—the blade wouldn’t penetrate.
    The cat charged and I was forced to fall to my back and fend off the slashing clawed hands. I dropped my sword, grasped the cat man’s arms and avoided the disemboweling strokes of his feet by kicking the beast in the belly with my boots and throwing the animal back.
    Again we spun and turned, facing each other. I managed to snatch up my blade again. The creature was immune to mortal steel, but this time, I drew from the eternal fire within me and traced a line around the edge of the blade. It glowed with lethal energy.
    The cat looked at the flaming sword with fury. The rage it exhibited was astonishing. It slung spittle from its curled back muzzle and roared first, and then spoke. “Who are you? No man, surely. You walk the silent path. You have the sacred fire. What is your name?”
    “Just Carl, the good ole boy. And you must be Fluffy.”
    “You are making a mistake, godling. Hissss…You should join Jegu. You belong to Jegu. We all do. ”
    “Sorry, but you started this. I just want to end it,” with that, I attacked again.
    This time I feinted another thrust, which caused the cat to retreat back with its neck extended. I neatly switched the plane of my attack and swept the blade across the broad black neck of the cat. The enchanted steel cut cleanly through the creature as if it were made of smoke.”
    The cat’s body writhed and began to boil into a black liquid and was utterly consumed in an instant. Gone as if it had never been except for the lingering smell of cat piss. But then again, that never seems to go away no matter how you try.
    I released my breath, which I had been holding, and bent forward, resting my hands on my knees. From far off I could hear the sound of a hunting horn. My struggles with the cat creature had alerted the guard. I could just see the faint impression of tents and watch fires in the distance, but trees blocked most of my view. I wouldn’t get any closer tonight. My hopes of reconnoitering the camp were over. Obviously the Jegu were prepared for threats of all kinds.
    I mounted Blackflame and rode like hell for Tarnon. As I rode away, I sensed a presence following me. I looked over my shoulder and saw a red glow in the distance. This false dawn was Jegu the god, searching for me. I faced forward and hunched down against Blackflame’s back, spurring him on for greater speed.
    I felt the consciousness of Jegu seeking me out. I felt the cold touch of its mind. It filled me with a sensation I had not felt in a millennium. I felt the icy