With a silent sigh, Jig started to put the sword away.

The sound of the blade returning to its sheath caught Barius’s attention. He whirled, and his eyes homed in on the half-bared sword. His lips tightened into a terrible grin.

“I knew one such as you could never be trusted,” Barius said. He sounded merry. He finally had an excuse to kill Jig, something he had wanted to do from the beginning. He tucked the Rod of Creation through his belt and slashed the air a few times with his own sword. Not knowing what else to do, Jig pulled his sword back out.

Barius promptly knocked it across the room.

“Jig!” Riana took a step after him, but Darnak caught her arm.

“This is how it has to be, lass.”

She struggled, but the dwarf’s grip was iron. “Why? Because your noble prince can’t stand the fact that Jig humiliated him time after time? Maybe Jig knows Barius means to kill him as soon as we reach the surface. Maybe he was afraid.”

Yes, he had been afraid. Now he was terrified. His sword was gone, and as his back touched the wall, he realized he had nowhere else to run. Fangs and claws were no match for steel, and Jig had never been much of a fighter anyway.

He glanced over and saw Smudge’s web right beside him, now waist high. Fire-spiders built quickly when they were frightened.

“I’m sorry,” Jig said. He hadn’t intended to lead Barius back to Smudge. He hoped Barius would ignore the spider. Was he so spiteful he would kill Jig’s pet once Jig was already dead?

“A bit late for apologies,” Barius said, misunderstanding. He raised his sword. “If it’s any consolation, I will be merciful. A single stroke to sever your head from your shoulders. A painless execution, which is better than you deserve.”

“If you want to be merciful, shut up and get it over with.”

Barius’s eyes widened. “Brave words from a goblin. Very well.”

Jig watched Barius flex his strong arms. Posing for the others, Jig figured. Typical. Jig straightened, determined to be brave just this once. He might not make it into songs or stories, but at least when he saw Shadowstar, he could say that he hadn’t flinched at the end. What would Shadowstar say when they met?

He remembered what the god had told him before. Next time you should try to duck.

Jig screamed and rolled out of the way as the sword whistled over his head. His legs kicked madly, knocking Barius back. He tried to get up, but Barius kicked him in the side. Jig rolled over, clutching his gut. Barius stepped away, and his boot brushed Smudge’s web.

“Little runt,” Barius gasped. He glanced down at his leg. “Disgusting.” With his free hand, he reached down to brush the web free.