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. (Indeed, Excellency, nimble dwarves with their
diminutive stature had historically outmatched much larger
ogres in hand-to-hand combat. Too, there is no reason to
suspect that he would be less than candid in his private
journal.)
Then the dwarf astonished himself by feeling a
grudging awareness of respect. The ogre had emerged from
concealment - where he could have lurked in ambush - to
confront his enemy in a fair fight.
"Unless you want to surrender to the rightful authority
of Rankil, High Thane of the Khalkists," the dwarf told the
ogre, after a few moments of mutual assessment, "you don't
have any choice except fight me."
The ogre snorted scornfully. "Gobasch not quit -
Gobasch KILL!"
Despite his bluster, the ogre did not advance. Gobasch
raised his sword and Horgan saw that the weapon was
longer by several feet than the dwarf's entire body. The
blade was mere bronze, marked with many nicks and
grooves. The ogre held the weapon across his body, ready
to parry but not to attack.
Horgan hesitated. He recalled feeling pity for the
homeless creature before him, driven here by the same
humans who had harassed the dwarves. At the time,
Horgan felt ashamed of the impulse
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