The second creature, about half the size the first, suddenly darted out, barrelling into the back of the spearmen who had surrounded the first, knocking them over with its mass. Gerald pushed forward, through the fallen men to strike at the smaller one, hoping to draw its attention away from the exposed spearman. It drew back its head to dodge the blow and then paused for only a moment before lunging back at Gerald, who dove to the side just in time to avoid the jaws of death that descended toward him.
Again, it snapped at Gerald, and he ducked, barely having time to hold his shield above him. It tried to bite him, but its mouth was not wide enough; its teeth merely scraping across the shield's surface. Gerald struck with his sword, its tip sinking in deep enough to draw blood, but the cr
