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.But the Mwellrets had alreadyguessed her intention and were spreading out to cut off any attempt she might make to get past them.Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlAn instant later, a wildeyed Furl Hawken emerged from the forward hatch, covered in blood andshouting like a madman.With a Mwellret s short sword in one hand and his dagger in the other, hecharged bowlegged and crouched at Little Red s attackers.They turned instinctively to defendthemselves, but they were too slow and too unsteady.The burly Rover slammed into the closest and sentit sprawling, then catapulted into the second, plunging his dagger into the cloaked body over and overwhile the Mwellret roared.Rue Meridian broke at once for the hatchway.Hawk had bought her the precious seconds she needed.Leaping heedlessly across debris and through slicks, she gained the aft hatch-only to have yet another ofthe Mwellrets heave through the opening to greet her.This time, she had no chance to escape.It was on top of her almost instantly, its broad sword swingingat her head.She slipped trying to avoid the blow and went down, flailing helplessly.But a sudden lurch ofthe airship saved her, and the Mwellret s blow went wide, the blade burying itself in the wood of thedeck.She rolled to her feet as the Mwellret struggled to free its weapon, and slammed her long knife intoits side.The Mwellret jerked away with a hiss, released its grip on the sword, and fastened its clawedhands about her neck.Down they went in a heap, and Rue Meridian could feel her head begin to swim.She tried to yank free the knife for another blow, but it was caught in the Mwellret s leather clothing.Shekicked and struggled against the tightening hands, hammered at the muscular body with her fists, andfought like a trapped moor cat.Nothing worked to free her.Spots danced before her eyes, and herstrength began to ebb.She could feel the Mwellret s breath on her face and smell its stench.Groping desperately for a weapon, she found the pick she had stuck in her pocket after she d left thestoreroom.Yanking it out, she jammed it into her attacker s hooded eye.The Mwellret reared back in pain and surprise, releasing its grip on her throat.She twisted clearinstantly, scrambling away as her adversary thrashed about on the decking, its hands clawing at itsbloodied eye.Using both hands and what remained of her fading strength, she worked free theMwellret s embedded sword and jammed it all the way through the writhing body.Drenched in blood and rain, tangled knots of her long red hair plastered against her face, she dropped toher knees, gasping for air.Rain beat down ferociously, the wind howled and gusted, and the airshiptwisted and lurched as if alive.Little Red felt the decking shudder and creak beneath her, as if everythingwas coming apart.A booming crash brought her head up with a jerk.The lower aft spar had broken loose and fallen on topof the pilot box.The Federation soldier who had been struggling with the steering lay crushed and dyingin a mass of splintered wood and bent metal.The Jerle Shannara was flying out of control.Then she saw Furl Hawken.Almost buried by broken parts and debris, he lay atop one Mwellret andclose beside another, bleeding from a dozen wounds, his face a mask of blood.A long knife was buriedin his back and a dagger in his side.His short sword was still clutched in one hand.He was staring rightat her, blue eyes open and fixed.He seemed to be looking past her to something she could not see.She choked back a sob as tears filled her eyes and her throat tightened in a knot.Hawk! No! Shepushed herself to her feet and started toward him, already knowing she was too late, but refusing tobelieve it.Staggering against the force of the wind and the lurching of the airship, she shook her head andbegan to cry, unable to help herself, unable to stop.Then the Mwellret that lay next to the dead man turned slowly to face her.Blood streaked its reptilianface and cloaked body, and its eyes were dazed and furious.Lurching to its feet, it yanked the long knifeGenerated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlfrom Hawk s back and started toward her.She retreated slowly, realizing she had no weapon with which to defend herself.When she stumbledover the Mwellret she had killed, her hand brushed against the sword that jutted from its body.Turning,she pulled the blade free and faced her opponent. Come get me, ret! she taunted through anger and tears and a terrible sadness.The Mwellret said nothing, approaching cautiously, warily through the haze.Rue Meridian dropped intoa crouch, working to keep her balance, to steady herself against the rolling of the airship.She foundherself wishing she had her throwing knives.Perhaps she could have killed the Mwellret before it reachedher if she did.But the sword would have to do.Both hands gripped the pommel as she held the bladestretched out before her.There was no time to find the others and no one else to turn to for help.Therewas only her.If she died, they were all lost.Given the condition of the ship, they might all be lost anyway.Like Hawk.The Mwellret was on top of her before she realized it, a huge dark shadow.It had masked its approachwith a hissing sound that was so hypnotic and distracting that for a few precious seconds she had lost allsense of her danger.It was only her tears that saved her.Hands still clasped about the sword s handle,she wiped at them with her sleeve, saw the Mwellret right in front of her, and swung the weapon withoutthinking.The blade slipped under the Mwellret s raised arm and bit deeply into its side.Blood spurted,and the creature staggered into her, striking at her chest with the long knife.She deflected the blow, butthe blade ripped down her arm and into her thigh.She cried out, seizing the Mwellret s arm and pinning itagainst her body, fighting the shock that threatened to paralyze her.Locked together, they surged across the decking, each fighting to upend the other, to gain a killing hold.The contest was equal, the Mwellret was stronger, but it was badly injured and weakened from loss ofblood.Unable to find anything better, it used its claws as a weapon, shredding Rue Meridian s cloak andtunic and finally her skin.She shrieked in pain and fury as the claws tore at her, then threw herselfbackwards in an effort to break free.Rover and Mwellret careened into the masthead and went down.As they did, the latter s grip loosened, and Little Red kicked free.But the Mwellret did not lose contactwith her entirely, its clawed fingers grasping one leg as she tried to crawl clear.She kicked at the creaturewith her other leg, her boot heel slamming into its head.Twisting and rolling, they slid toward the railing,picking up speed as the airship gave a violent lurch
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