Turrly

By Steve Shumaker

Turrly begrudgingly takes on the task of hunting for the dragon who kidnapped King Kentigern's daughter. Bad enough he's being sidelined from going in to battle with the rest of the army, but his travel companion is the weak and sniveling court magician, Matchitew. Has the king gone out of his mind, thinking that this mismatched pair are going to

• Language: English
• Publisher: Falkor Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9780989684569

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TURRLY

Steve Shumaker

Copyright © 2014 by Steve Shumaker. All rights reserved.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission from the author.

ISBN: 978-0-9896845-6-9

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TURRLY

STEVE SHUMAKER

"Y

eh wan’ed t’see me, ser?"

Turrly Torquil shoved his massive frame into General Finlay’s tent. It was a broad tent, and easily the largest tent of King Kentigern’s army. With Turrly inside, it felt small. He wasn’t a tall man; six feet, maybe six one, but he was just as wide across the shoulders and not a bit of fat. He looked like an eight foot man had been crammed into a six foot man’s skin, and the difference was shoved into his muscles. His skin was a milky white, and his hair was the same dark red as his eyes; the sight of him in battle created the impression that he was more monster than man.

Turrly, yes, come in. Have a seat. You’ve dealt with dragons before, haven’t you? The general shifted uneasily in the seat behind his war table. He looked like he had just eaten a lemon, skin and all. Turrly didn’t notice.

Indeed I have, ser, three of ‘em, so far. Lookin’ forward t’the day I can get me hands on more a the beasts. He smiled a nostalgic smile, recounting the memories. Great fighters they are, Fin. Glorious deadly. Talons like spears, teeth like swords. And fast? Bloody Hell, mate, yeh’ve never seen such speed on man, beast or demon. The first one was thirty feet long, from tail tip to front teeth if et were an inch. Did yeh ken the only time I ever consider armor is just before I fight a dragon? An’ by then it’s usually too late f’r that, th’ beast’s on ‘is way t’ try an kill me. Yeh can’t outrun a dragon, the only option yeh’ve got is t’stand an fight. An then it’s usually dumb luck that keeps yeh alive. Dumb luck and skill yeh wouldn’t believe. The albino belted out a laugh that shook Finlay’s insides. "If yeh think I’m skillful in a battle against men, yeh should see me take on a dragon."

I’ll cut straight to the point, Turrly. I have received grave word from our King. It appears that his daughter has been kidnapped.

Aye, that’s horrible news, Fin. What’s that got t’do wi’ me?

Finlay frowned. Apparently, our king has requested that you go find her. Your skill in battle is great. King Kentigern has not understood your refusal of his promotions.

"I’m not one t’lead men. I’m meant t’be fightin among them, not hangin back from