Free The New World (The Last Delar) by Matthew Cousineau Page B

massacre in the hall of Eel begins.
    Two Meno farmers fall to the ground, helplessly crying out for aid.  As a Runner roars with the blood of the fallen farmer dripping from its teeth, Black Claw lands on the Runner's neck and drives his thumb claws into the beast's eyes.
    "Their eyes! Go for their eyes!" yells Black Claw as his thumb claws gouge out the Runner's eyes.  The Runner roars in pain and squirms out of control, trying to free itself from Black Claw's grip.  Black Claw is thrown to the side and the Runner falls to the ground, mortally wounded.
    Chaos reigns as the battle continues.  Many of the Menoli's best and strongest are slain; the barbarian soldiers strike down unarmed farmers and gatherers as they whip their Feather Runners.  Grey Back is the first Chief to fall in the onslaught. Two Salali desperately defend his dead body.  At the loss of Grey Back, Red Fist takes control of the men and gliders.
    "Take the slain soldier's weapons and kill the beasts!" yells Red Fist in a final attempt at victory.  "Black Claw! Out the window! Open the door and save the city!"
    Black Claw and a few gliders crawl up the walls and exit out a high window.  They crawl around the tree to see the city under attack.  The guards at the gate have come back into the city and are trying to fight their way up to the hall door.  Black Claw yells out orders to his soldiers.
    "I will take the leaders! Kill the soldiers by the door and save our trapped brothers.  Now, MOVE!"
    They all jump and dive down toward the steps.  The soldiers near Black Claw dive first, attacking the Runners and their masters while Black Claw assaults the Nossa bodyguards who first accompanied Ush-Ka into the hall.  Black Claw lands on a warrior's back and drives his claws into both sides of his neck.  He jumps from the slain Nossa's back who falls and rolls down the stairs.  Black Claw lunges for the other bodyguard, and they both fall to the ground, wrestling as they stumble.  Rolling down the stairs through the chaos of the battle, they come to the last step.  Only Black Claw stands, his fur covered in blood.  Black Claw turns to the hall doors and leads the remaining guards back up the stairs.  In a quick assault, he and his guards are able to slay the remaining enemies and open the door to the hall.
    Inside, Red Fist is mortally wounded, and only a few Salali and Meno remain to guard him.  The injured and dead lie in a lake of blood.  One Runner and two warriors survive, and they surround Red Fist and his men.
    "The end is at hand, you weak old fool," spats a soldier before he whips a Runner to attack.  The Runner's jaws clamp shut around a Meno's arm, and Red Fist creeps backwards, preparing for the end.  Behind the cries of the armless Meno, a wounded Dirty Hands rises from the ground with a Nossa sword. He swings the blade and slices off the Nossa's hands that hold the Runner's chains.  The warrior screams, and Dirty Hands grabs the Runner's chains.  Dirty Hands yanks the chain, and the Runner slips and falls onto the bloodstained floor.  The remaining Meno and Salali jump on the runner and slay it with ease.  The last rider retreats to the door, only to be killed by the Meno guards who have fought their way in.  Dirty Hands goes to Red Fist's side.
    "Are you alright? Can you walk?" Red Fist nods his head as Dirty Hands helps him to his feet.
    The door opens, and Black Claw enters with a few other warriors.  The warriors who were not in the hall during the first attack look around in shock. They were not prepared for the sight of the dead and wounded sprawled across the floor.  Black Claw quickly approaches Red Fist. 
    "The city is lost, we cannot defend against this onslaught.  They are too many and we have too few warriors left.  The dog Ush-Ka has outmaneuvered us.  We must retreat."
    Red Fist lifts his dying head, "You must lead our people . . . gather what soldiers you can, lead the women and children to safety.  Our