The way was clear to him now; he only needed hinder this slip of a girl and satisfy his Thirst (all at the same time conveniently) and then to the Portal. Before the Ghoul began his descent he stretched out with his mind and hurled one of the powerful formulae at the damsel. It would bind her with etheric forces and permit him his chance to have his way with her.

He picked his way down a slope that would allow him to ambush her, thus permitting him to throw the full force of his will against her, when he heard a sharp crack.

He turned to see a youth armed with axe and sword had just appeared on the slope above him. A young woman was there as well.

“I am come to stop you. I have guessed your intent and you will not be permitted to harm another as you did me.”

The Ghoul grimaced in defiance, “Thwart me if you can!” He drew his sword and the warrior launched his attack.

The Ghoul had gained in strength and skill but the warrior was showing the legacy of his time wielding the Rune Sword. They dueled along a ridge, neither wishing to make the first misstep.

“Have you lost my sword fool?” the Ghoul asked during an uppercut to the youth’s thigh.

“I cast it aside.” He replied as he deflected the Ghoul’s weapon.

“Simpleton! The weapon of power thrown away?” he thrust for the throat.

The warrior let the thrust come and then easily deflected it upward so it passed over his head. “It was a thing of evil and I no longer have use for such things.”

The Ghoul swung the weapon ‘round and brought the edge down to the warrior’s breast. “You will wish you still had it now!”

“Nay.” He replied and hooked the axe on his enemies sword pommel and, with a twist jerked the weapon away and snapped his sword down to point at the Ghouls neck.

The Ghoul yowled in his fury and leapt back, the warrior thrust forward to pierce his opponent’s throat but missed by a hairs breadth. There was a moment’s hesitation and a slight tug on the warrior’s sword before the Ghoul slid down the hillside.

As the youth hastily reposted his sword he saw what had ensnared it for that moment. It arced upwards and glittered in the waning sunlight, a Talisman. He snatched it from the air and looked at it with reverence.

The Ghoul looked up and screamed in rage, he unleashed a torrent of curses and insults followed by threats and promises of dire revenge. The warrior did not stay to hear the tirade; he made all haste to see if he could catch up with the young lady.