Casting away the useless shaft, the warrior drew a long knife from his girdle, and before Aziel could strike again faced him for the third time.

But he no longer rushed onward like a bull, for he had learnt caution; he stood still, holding the skin cloak before him shield fashion, and peering at his adversary from over its edge.
Now it was Aziel's turn to take the offensive, and slowly he circled round the huge barbarian, watching his opportunity.

At length it came.
In answer to a feint of his the protecting cloak was dropped a little, enabling him to prick its bearer in the neck, but only with the point of his sword.

The thrust delivered, he leapt back, and not too soon, for forgetting his caution in his fury, the savage charged straight at him with a roar like that of a lion.

So swift and terrible was his onset that Aziel, having no time to spring aside, did the only thing possible.
Gripping the ground with his feet, he bent his body forward, and with outstretched arm and sword, braced up his muscles to receive the charge.
Another instant, and the leopard skin cloak fluttered before him.