We went. Disbelieving perhaps, but still forward. Floyd started to talk but I raised my hand.
“Save the discussion. Explanations will be useful after we make sure Steengo is all right. But Floyd-stop me if I am wrong-did I see you take five guys out while I was just about managing two?”
“You didn’t see it. It was over before you turned to look.” He was the same old laid-back Floyd-but was that a new touch of firmness to his words? It was a day of surprises. And he was right-I had not seen him at work, just the results.
The brick palace jogged into view ahead. Apparently not all of the troops had been told that we were no longer heroes, for the guards at the entrance did a snappy jump to attention and salute as we trotted past.
“Halt!” our newfound friend (girl . . . ?) called out and we stopped before the guards at the door. “Orders to bring these two to Iron John. Permission to enter?”
“Enter!” the officer in charge called out. The doors opened and closed behind us as we trotted by. There was the large room ahead and inside it was Iron John. And just one other person.
Steengo. Collapsed against the wall, covered in bruises and blood. One eye swollen shut. He started to speak but could only rasp out something incomprehensible.
“You are all here now,” Iron John said. “Soldier-guard the entrance. No one to enter or leave. I have a score to settle with these interlopers. Because I have changed my mind about keeping this thing quiet. I listened to my advisers and I am sorry that I did. Secrecy is at an end and justice will be done to the blasphemers. Here is what will happen. First I will kill this aged devil who spoke such filth. You two will watch.
“Then I will kill you as well.”
He started towards Steengo, a red giant of unleashed power. Hands extended to kill.
CHAPTER 19
Let me have your spear.” I called out to the soldier at the door. She shook her head in a silent no, then said, “I have my orders.” No help from this source.
Iron John had turned and was walking towards Steengo. I ran two silent steps in his direction and launched myself into a flying kick to his back. Heel punching out, a killing blow.
Then I was batted from the air. As big as he was-Iron John was just as fast. He had turned while I was in the air and had swung one .hand. Knocking me aside, sprawling me onto the floor. His voice was as deep and ominous as a distant volcano.
“Do you want to be first, little man? You wish the others to watch your destruction? Perhaps that is only fair since you are their leader.”
He came slowly towards me and I found myself trembling with fear. Fear? Yes, because he was not human, more than human. He was Iron John a part of the legend of life, I could not hurt him.
He wasn’t. I scrabbled to my feet, my leg ached, moved away. He was much bigger, wider, stronger than I was. But no, he wasn’t a legend. He was a man.
“A big fat red slob!” I shouted. “A hairy conman!”
His eyes were wide, red, angry. His arched fingers reached for me. I feinted a fist at his jaw, saw him move to block it. Kept turning in an unstoppable kick to his knee.
It connected-but he made no attempt to avoid it. My foot hurt. His knee, his kneecap, looked unhurt.
“I am Iron John!” he shouted. “Iron-iron!”
I fell back, there was no escape. I swung a twisting punch that he took on his biceps. It felt like striking stone. Then his fist to my ribs sent me skidding down the room.
When I gasped in breath it hurt. Felt like something was broken there. Stand up, Jim! I got as far as my knees and he came on.
I blinked as I saw two arms encircle his legs, send him staggering. Kicking out. It was Steengo who had crawled behind him, tried to trip him. Who was now sent crashing back into the wall. To fall and not move again.