Matthew Maine—The Voidwalker Saga

A vargr, a massive wolf-like monster, leaped into the air and came crashing down on Tanzik. He held up his halberd to block its massive jaws. Its teeth dug into the shaft as it clawed at him and the wood began to splinter and strain under the pressure. He yelled with effort as he tried to push it back, but its claws were long enough to scratch him, so he gave up ground to avoid them. Lura loosed an arrow at the vargr running toward her and Allena, which struck the beast in its shoulder. Not slowing down, the vargr bared its teeth as it rushed in to bite her. Allena swung her hammer and hit it in the jaw. It yelped and jumped back, getting down into an aggressive position to strike again, blood mixed with saliva dripping from its teeth. Tanzik’s halberd broke underneath the vargr’s jaws. He swung the bladed half and slashed it over the ear as it clawed at him. The claw cut across his chainmail and a sharp pain shot through his chest. His armor protected him from the worst of it, but he ...

Tanzik Albard stepped outside and drew a cloak tightly around him as the cold Serevar winds bit into him. He was grateful he hadn’t shaved in a few weeks since his beard partially shielded his face. He had arrived in the fishing village of Violet Shoals a few days ago and his reception had been as cold as the weather. Serevar was the only province in Cyfandir that had not joined the Katavy Empire, and since Tanzik was a former Imperial soldier, his presence made people more than a little uncomfortable. “Making yourself useful today?” Asked a gruff, heavyset man in fishing waders. “Fisk,” Tanzik said tersely, narrowing his steel grey eyes. “I don’t know how to fish.” “Well, you could bloody learn. Long as you’re eating our food and drinking our beer. Go find Allena, she’ll teach you a thing or two.” He felt his hands reflexively forming fists and crossed his arms to stop it from happening. “I’ve told you I’ll find a way to repay you.” “Pretty words, man, but you need to back them up. If...