The voice of Set? Of Ra? Nakhtmin needed no further bidding, if the land required saving, his brawn would carry the day! He had dueled oryx and felt the like sting of kinly sabers. He had slain lions with claws like kopesh. He had felt the lash of a sandstorm before! It was no deterrent!

One of the unholy beasts lunged and he dodged to the side, lashing his head. Horns struck true, piercing throat. Bearlike claws ravaged at his side, but in the flurry, Nakhtmin felt hardly a breeze upon his coat. He drove deeper, muscled neck heaving, and when foe turned to sand, knew triumph in this battle was assured.

They had misjudged him as prey, at first — now they were more cautious, and tried to circle his flank. He spun to face them, snorting. The painted warrior became vaguely aware of others joining the fray, wolves of flesh and blood. Let us show these abominations real terror, friends! He bugled, hooves striking cruelly at one of the great fiends.

Ah, it had been long since a proper fight!

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