The (Solo) Adventures of Solomon Kane

Kane gathered himself like a giant wolf about to launch himself in a death leap, but Gaston’s hand was like a rock and his pistol never trembles.

“We will have no death plunges after the shot, M’sieur” the Frenchman muttered.

Kane raged inwardly as Gaston removed his sword and pistols and cast them on the floor.

“So much better, m’sieur”, said Gaston stepping back. “Mayhap we will talk a while until you pass from this mortal world to the hereafter?” he gloated.

Kand bent a grim eye on the dapper fellow who now stood bear-headed, hat in one hand as the other levelled his long pistol.

A heavy silence descended between the adversaries and in the quiet a scratching noise broke the gloom. “What was that?” exclaimed Gaston.

“Rats, I expect, exploring yon skeleton”, said Kane watching the Frenchman like a hawk, looking for an opening or slip to which he could act with purpose.  He watched for any sing of wavering in the black hole of the pistol’s muzzle. “The sound of the rattle of bones.”

“Like enough”, said the other man, “And now M’sieur Kane, I know you carry a considerable amount of money on your person. I had thought to wait until the mid of the night while you slept and then slay you, but this opportunity has presented itself, and who am I to deny fate its helping hand.  You trick too easily”

“I had little thought that I should fear a man with whom I had broken bread”, said Kane a deep timbre of slow fury sounding in his voice.

Kane looked around the room.  There was nothing obvious to distract L’Armon, but mayhaps as he continued to talk and gloat, some chance would arise.

“You are a simple mark”, laughed Gaston.  “It is so easy for you to trust people, is it not?  You meet someone that shares your same path with you and you immediately place him by your side. So foolish … so foolish”.  As he mocks Kane, Gaston slowly walks backwards towards their original sleeping chamber, beckoning Kane to follow. His pistol emphasising the point!

Kane feels the ebb and flow of the mysterious other world settle in the room. He has an uneasy feeling in his soul.

“What was that?” exclaimed Gaston.

“Just more rats”, answered the Puritan, keeping his eyes closely on the Frenchman as he moved further back towards their chamber.

Kane feels a dark shadow cross his path, then dissipate as though swept aside by an unseen hand. He recovers his strength of mind and follow L’Armon into the outer chamber of the secret room.

But at this point Gaston steadies his hand and points the pistol directly at Kane’s head.  “Any last wishes, m’sieur? I do not say this lightly, it will all be over for you soon.  Then mine host will have another skeleton for his secret niche.  That is, if I do not kill him myself.”

“You had best not miss, Frenchman”, Kane taunts. “I’ve dealt with men more vicious than you and half as worthy. If you lower your pistol, I might let you leave with your life and your … honour intact”.

Gaston took a step back, his eyes darting nervously and Kane steps with him.  While Gaston is diverted by the rattling sounds, Kane makes his move. Drawing a knife from his boot, he leaps forward, knocking Gaston off-balance.  The pistol falls from his grasp and discharges with a deafening crash.

L’Armon violently swings the candle he is holding in Kane’s face and draws his knife. With knives drawn the pair grapple. There will only be two outcomes, death or life.

Kane presses his advantage and parrying a wild swing by the Frenchman, strikes a blow to his arm which draws blood. L’Armon shrieks in pain, but remains upright, grappling with Kane and pulling him around as though to somehow shake the dagger from his hand.

Pushing Kane back, Gaston rolls away from the Englishman trying to gather his strength. Kane slowly approaches the Frenchman with a determined stride.  Grasping the man by his lace shirt, Kane dispatches him to the nether kingdom. Stumbling to the floor, Kane slows his breathing to regain his composure.