“Oh, if it isn’t Blue Butt,” Valkyrie said, punching her fists together in the way she always did before a fight.

Gaugle grinned at her, revealing a row of needle-like fangs. “I told you I’d get even,” he said. “I hope you hadn’t forgotten.”

His five colorful cronies hissed gleefully behind him, baring their similar razor-thin fangs.

“Great. The more the merrier,” she responded.

Gaugle began to approach but then suddenly stopped, his slitted yellow eyes suddenly recognizing that she wasn’t alone. He snarled.

“Who’s this?” he growled indignantly.

She shrugged. “A friend.”

Tarthon stepped forward. “Yeah I’m her friend,” Valkyrie glanced over at him with a smile, “and I’d like to give you some advice. Forget your petty squabbles because you don’t know who you’re messing with.”

Gaugle laughed mockingly. “Don’t try to protect your girlfriend. It’s time for her to learn a lesson. And if you try to stop us you’ll get it too.”

As the goons continued their approach Valkyrie and Tarthon locked eyes.

“You first,” Tarthon said.

“No, you go ahead,” Valkyrie replied. “I want to see what you can do.”

Tarthon grinned savagely. “It’ll be my pleasure.”

Before he could “show her” she placed a hand on his arm.

“But leave Gaugle to me,” she said.

He nodded. “As you wish my lady.”

He launched himself forward to the encroaching opponents. Gaugle easily sidestepped him but Tarthon wasn’t going after him. He tackled two of Gaugle’s minions, lifted them high into the air, and slammed them together knocking them unconscious.

The other three goons saw this, turned to each other, and went running. Tarthon laughed in response. Gaugle roared angrily.

“You cowards!” he yelled at his panicked goons. “I’ll get you for this!”

Valkyrie crossed her arms. “Still want to fight?”

He hissed at her, unveiling a knife. “You’re going to pay for scamming me.”

He charged her, his knife raised high to inflict lethal pain. He thrust downward at her and she easily dodged the attack and grabbed his arm. With a punch to his wrist, he dropped the knife with a pained cry. Still holding his arm she smiled at Gaugle.

“Here’s a lesson for you to learn-” she leaned toward Gaugle, “stop messing with people.”

With that, she flung him screaming through the air where he disappeared behind the ridge.

Tarthon whistled. “Wow.” His widened gaze turned to her. “I think I’m in love.”

Valkyrie chuckled. “That beatdown calls for a celebration. Want to head back to my place? I got plenty of tasty beverages that aren’t designed to kill waiting for me and I’m kind of in the mood for sharing.”

He grinned. “Sounds like a plan.”