4 - Scorpion! - Spodilicious

As Hastrog limped away the scuffling sound grew louder. Big Dode looked back and saw a huge scorpion scuttling towards them at an alarming speed. He ran on, overtook Hastrog, and saw how Hastrog was struggling. The leg which had been trapped was stiff and swollen and Dode realised that he would never outrun the scorpion. After a moment's hesitation Dode stopped and drew his crossbow. Hastrog passed him, giving a nod as he did, leaving Dode between him and the rapidly-approaching scorpion. As Dode fumbled to load a bolt the scorpion was on him, colliding with him and knocking him to the ground. Dode rolled over and fended off the snapping claws with the unloaded bow. The scorpion raised its tail, waiting for an opportunity to strike, and as Dode tensed, awaiting the sting, the scorpion danced back, distracted. Hastrog was swinging at it with his axe, the scorpion dodging and crouching, and Big Dode was able to scramble to his feet and draw his sword. He landed a cut, which glanced off its carapace, and the scorpion turned its attention back to him. As it turned away Hastrog landed a heavy blow on its back, driving it flat to the ground. It pushed itself up and leapt at Hastrog; with surprising speed Hastrog swung his axe, again battering the scorpion flat to the ground and Dode planted a foot on its back and drove his sword between two plates of its carapace. The scorpion squirmed and spasmed and Hastrog and Dode, dodging the randomly-flailing claws and tail, hacked away at it until it stopped moving.