It wasn't like the movies. There was no slow motion, no out-of-body experience-hardly enough time for Justin to think, let alone for his life to flash before his eyes. He raised his hands to surrender, but the man just smirked a little in amusement, then bared his teeth and lifted his broadsword like a butcher's cleaver. Justin tried to run, but he couldn't move.
It's... not a dream, he thought.
Suddenly, Justin saw Ahlund leap from his steed. He was too far away to make it to Justin in time, but he stabbed his sword forward in midair. The weapon flashed, and yellow and orange flames exploded from the blade.
Raging fire rolled over itself and flowed from Ahlund's sword in a blazing cloud. The man in front of Justin disappeared in the billowing flames without so much as a scream, and the
