The effort cost Kibonreju some ground, and drops of blood began to appear on the ground, showing that, finally, Pilus had drawn blood. But then Pilus began, once again, to be forced back. Goliath was a heavy sword, and Pilus was showing the first signs of tiring.
“Ohhhh, Come on, Pilus, come on, you can do it!” Barbaria decided to try cheerleading.
“Pilus! Pilus! Pilus! Pilus!” cheered Jollyrei and Thessela.
Repertor, meanwhile, stood at the mouth of the cave, peering doubtfully in. He knew he had to go in and help Roland. Roland would never be able to get Messaline down on his own. But… a cave? Underground? What if there was an earthquake? His claustrophobia washed over him in waves.
Messaline, screaming, as Roland tried in vain, to get her down. Roland called, “Wragg! Where are you? Help me here!”
“Wragg’s down!” shouted Repertor.
“Repertor! Help me, I can’t do this on my own! I’m just hurting her!”
Repertor looked up at the sky, said a prayer, then disappeared into the cave.
Pilus was by now ankle deep in water. Drops of his own blood fell into the water. Now he was down to fending off Kibonreju’s attack. It could only be a matter of moments, now.
“Malins! No! Lay still!” implored Eulalia.
“No, Eulalia! Help me stand!”
“Malins, you are badly injured! Please!”
Malins ignored her, and struggled to her badly wounded feet. She raised her hands above her head, and blood poured from the nail wounds in her wrists.
“Primus Pilus! Man of Steel! You have the strength! May the Gods give you the victory over this evil demon! PRIMUS PILUS! STRIKE HIM DOWN!!!!”
The Sword of Goliath flashed as Pilus swung it furiously at Kibonreju. There was a thud, and Barbaria looked down in stunned amazement at Kibonreju’s head laying at her feet.
He was still conscious, his mouth working in silent curses, as Barb, squatting in a very ladylike pose, began to piss on him.
Malins collapsed back into Eulalia’s arms. Repertor emerged with great relief, carrying Messaline, Roland close behind. Primus Pilus was kneeling, panting with exertion, in the lake.
There was silence, apart from the sound of a steady stream of urine splashing on a head.
Suddenly there was a groaning noise. Wragg sat up, holding his head. “Owwwww! Where am I?”
“Welcome back, Sir Rupert!” Roland smiled.
“What’s happening? Did we win?”
“You bet we did. Pilus has just cut off Kibonreju’s head, and Barbaria is very, ah, relieved about it!”
“Is….is everyone all right?”
Roland looked at Eulalia, cradling Malins. Eulalia smiled at him, and nodded.
“Yes, Sir Rupert. Everyone is just fine.”
“And, as usual, I slept through all the excitement,” moaned Wragg. “Typical!”
THE END