Chapter Fifty-Three
As the fight began North's young opponent stayed
on the ground, forcing North to do likewise. He had requested the power
packs be removed from their swords so they relied on the blades, alone.
It was naked sword against naked sword, shield against shield. As they
fought,
North sensed something was wrong. The youngster was good, but North
should have been able to handle him much better than he was doing.
2 After a couple of minutes the youngster even got by his guard and
nicked North's leg. The wound was not serious, but North had to direct
extra thought from his mind to control the bleeding. His mind, North
thought. A sudden realization struck him. There was someone in his
mind, trying to control his mind, slowing his responses, trying to
leave him open to his opponent's attacks!
3 North was good, but not even he could do three things at once. He
reached for the intruder in his mind, tried to follow the thoughts to
their source. He looked on to the Priest sitting motionless beside The
Lord God. North knew he needed help, and quickly!
4 Summoning all his skill he continued to fight while he sent a
desperate thought transmission to Morn and prayed he received it!
"Morn! Get that God damned Priest out of my mind, or this man is going
to kill me!"
5 Morn, who had, himself, been curious and worried at North's poor
showing suddenly sat bolt upright, and turned towards the Priest. North
saw this movement and knew his friend had received his urgent call.
6 Already Morn's mind was reaching out for the one attacking North. But
what could he do? If he tried to force the Priest out of North's mind,
the resulting confusion could be as deadly as the Priest's
interference! And, the young man had been subconsciously programmed to
prevent anyone interfering with HIS mind.