The demons...stopped.
They stopped moving completely in unison. Jak and the rest of the survivors didn’t even attack, they were so shocked. Then as one, the demons turned to the east. It was spooky how they all moved exactly as before.
Then they darted forward together, running to the east wall, leaving the rest of the Watchers completely abandoned in the courtyard. A few of the soldiers lowered their spears, staring in bewilderment at their comrades. Jak didn’t blame them.
What was going on?
Then a cry pierced the air. It sounded much like the cry of an eagle, but lower and more guttural. The few demons that remained nearby recoiled at the sound, then joined the other monsters in rushing towards the east side.
Jak did what no normal human would do, and ran to follow the demons. She had to know what was going on.
She reached the wall in no time, and scampered up the side staircase to reach the top. Demons were clamoring over the wall, completely ignoring the fact that she was there.
When she reached the top, she put one hand to her forehead. A smile slowly spread on her face, and within moments she was cheering.
Coming down the east slope of the mountain was a horde of dark shapes, very dark shapes. They advanced towards the oncoming demons who were charging in their direction.
And then they began to die.
It was the Shadow Fae. They had come. Karlona had somehow convinced them to come!
Jak could only watch in awe as the demons fell in waves, first from poison darts, and then from the Fae’s knives. The Watchers had already driven down the ranks of the demons, now the Shadow Fae were wiping out the rest.
Cheering again, Jak ran to the pulleys that kept the bridge from lowering. A hand rested on hers as she began to open a path inside. It was Naem. He had a huge grin on his face, and they began lowering the bridge together. Demons poured in, but not on the offensive this time. This time, they were running. Watcher spears awaited them inside, Fae daggers outside.
It didn’t take long before every last demon lay dead at their feet.
25
Jak stood at the edge of the bridge, looking for her mother as Shadow Fae joined the survivors inside the stronghold. She jumped ahead of the crowds, searching. Then, she found her.
The unmistakable form of her mother came running across the bridge, sidestepping and jumping across the dead bodies of demons. A moment later and they were embracing and crying and laughing all at once. Her mother had come for her. She had saved her. She had saved everyone. Soldiers and Shadow Fae were cheering and shaking hands in fellowship around them. It was the most beautiful sight Jak had ever seen.
“You came!” she said as she embraced her mother.
Karlona broke the embrace to look at her daughter. “I knew that we wouldn’t be of much help alone, but if we could somehow convince the others to come.”
“I can’t believe you managed to bring them, after what happened to you and Vander.”
“Actually, it was Vander who convinced most of them. He spoke for a long time about you and how there were good people that needed our help. I never would have thought he’d say something like that. But that was what convinced the others. I think word of the Bright Fae also helped persuade them though. We had heard that there may someday be other variety of Fae, but we never actually encountered one until now.”
“I’m sure they are as glad to see you as we are.” Jak’s face fell, remembering. “Those that are left, that is. There were only twelve, and now there are even fewer.”
Karlona put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure they will make it out of this eventually. We started out few in number, but as you can see, our numbers grew.”
Jak smiled and together, she and her mother walked inside the fortress. They would need to start a massive bonfire for the bodies of the demons, then count their losses. Jak didn’t want to think too hard on that front. Any loss was too much. Any loss…
Marek swam into her vision and it seemed in a moment she remembered every experience she had ever had with him. Every prank, every laugh, every moment of comfort. He had been there for her several times since her father died. From walking with her while she practiced her footwork, to when he helped her and Naem escape Kuldain. Why hadn’t she done more to thank him?
Naem joined them as they walked, thanking Karlona for their help. At least Naem was still alive.
But they hardly made it to the courtyard, when shouts echoed behind them. They turned to see two Shadow Fae carrying a limp form between them. They were calling for Karlona.
As they approached, Jak recognized the man in the middle, and her heart turned to stone.
It was Kuldain. The Colonel was bruised and battered, but he was still alive. As they approached, his head lifted to gaze at Jak’s face. He didn’t look at Karlona or Naem, or anyone else for that matter. His eyes never left hers.
“Don’t let him touch your skin,” she said instinctively. “He’s a Blood-burner.” And perhaps something worse, she thought.
The two Fae nodded, though they probably already knew this. They only touched armored portions of Kuldain’s body and held his arms so that his exposed hands could not move to touch anyone.
“Where did you find him?” Karlona asked.
“He came to us,” one of the Fae responded. “We didn’t see from where.”
“Where are the others?” Naem asked. “He had a dozen or so Watchers with him when we last saw him.”
Kuldain grinned. Jak did not like what she saw there. “What did you do to them?” she asked him directly.
“They were of no use to me,” he said through a parched throat. “Once we left you, I killed them all.”
Jak felt her spine stiffen. All of them? They had all chosen to follow Kuldain instead of Skellig and herself, but she would never have wished this fate on them.
“Why?” said Naem, his face full of shock. “What did they ever do to you?”
Kuldain glanced at Naem as though just noticing he was there. “It is not something you would understand, boy.”
“So why are you here now?” Naem asked. “You must know that we have you completely outnumbered. You can’t do anything to hurt us now.”
“He’s here for me.” Jak could see it in his eyes, which barely left hers for the entire conversation.
Kuldain smiled slowly. “You really are a clever girl.” His voice had lost its raspy tone. He was speaking now as he always had, with a deep commanding voice. The change caused the Shadow Fae holding him to tense. And they weren’t the only ones. Karlona had her knives out, and Naem was poised for an attack.
“All of this,” Kuldain gestured with his eyes to all the dead demons and soldiers around them. “That was all to get to you. The demons that dragged you into the mountains. I made them do that. They were to take you to someone very interested in meeting you. It was a happy coincidence that you led me to the Fae. All of this, is about you.” Kuldain was beginning to stand straight now, despite the efforts of his captors to keep him down.
“Who?” Jak asked. It was all she could say. He fears you.
“He spoke with you once, on the day your father died.”
A chill went down her spine. The mysterious force that had held her in place, that had asked her if she was the one. Who was this mysterious person who clearly held so much power?
“What does he want?”
“That is not for you to know. But he’s changed his mind about how to handle you, and I am here to make sure you never interfere with him again.”
And with that, he hurled the two Shadow Fae off his arms with incredible strength. They each went flying into the bodies of other Fae and soldiers who gathered to watch.
Kuldain laughed, a slow, deep laugh, and it turned ever deeper as his eyes flashed red.
Then he began to change.
His Blood-burner brand glowed a brilliant white, but Jak soon noticed that there were other lines glowing too, brands that she had never seen before, that
had remained hidden somehow. Kuldain had multiple brands! The lines continued up Kuldain’s arm, spreading to other parts of his body, made visible for the first time. And all the while he laughed. His body grew taller, his arms elongated, and his teeth morphed into long, pointed fangs. It was the demon Jak had seen in the wine cellar. Kuldain was a demon. But something much worse than the others.
He lunged at Jak. She barely managed to dodge, bringing her spear up to try and redirect Kuldain’s motion. It worked, Kuldain went right past her, but Jak was nearly knocked off her feet. Watchers and Fae drew their weapons, but stepped back as Kuldain grabbed a few of them and burnt them to cinders before they had a chance to scream. Apparently even as a demon, he could still use Blood-burning.
He turned back to Jak and smiled, before lunging at her again. This time, she was better prepared. She spun in a way that left her spear in the direction of Kuldain’s forward momentum. He managed to throw himself to the side enough to avoid the brunt of the spear, but it still tore a small gash in Kuldain’s side.
Naem joined the battle, temporarily distracting Kuldain from his pursuit of her. Jak also noticed multiple poison darts sticking out of Kuldain. None of them seemed to have any effect. Jak realized that the same thing had happened in the mountain, but she had thought that had something to do with being a Blood-burner. Perhaps it was Kuldain’s other brands that spared him. Regardless, the poison would not work. They were going to have to do this the old-fashioned way.
She leapt at the monster who was Kuldain, brandishing her spear as she went. The demon, temporarily distracted by Naem, didn’t notice Jak approach. Her spear found its mark, and Kuldain howled as the spear broke flesh.
Their temporary advantage was short lived however. Kuldain spun to one side, and the spear went with him. Jak lost control and her spear went flying. She was defenseless.
Karlona was helping now, and between her and Naem, they were keeping Kuldain busy. None of the others dared step in. All were watching transfixed at the battle before them.
The demon’s massive jaws finally found flesh and they dug into Naem’s arm. He screamed and fell backward. Before Kuldain could finish him off however, Karlona was leaping at him with two obsidian daggers in hand. They never found their mark. A swift backhand from Kuldain’s massive arm and Karlona went flying. She never stood a chance when she fought Kuldain on the mountain top. She didn’t stand a chance now.
Jak looked around her desperately, trying to find a weapon. All of the Watchers had retreated a safe distance, she could never run to grab one of their spears in time.
She had to find something! Kuldain was laughing at Karlona and Naem, moving in to kill them both.
Then she saw one of her mother’s daggers, thrown to the ground as she had been knocked backward. Jak ran forward to pick it up. She had it!
Just before Kuldain could descend upon the two people in the world that she cared about, Jak leapt on his back, slashing downward with the dagger over and over again. Kuldain growled an unnatural sound and reached behind him. A sharp spin of his body sent her flying and she tumbled on the ground, not far from where Naem and her mother still lay. Naem was trying to get to his feet, but was staggering from the loss of blood in his arm.
A hand closed around Jak’s throat, and she gasped as the unnatural strength of the demon raised her by the neck into the air.
“I never saw what danger you posed.” Kuldain’s voice was a low growl. “Now I understand, how much of a nuisance you are. I’m going to enjoy this!”
And Jak felt it, the blinding pain as her blood began to heat. He was using his Blood-burning on her! It wasn’t nearly as instantaneous as before. Perhaps he was savoring the moment, or perhaps he was weakened by his multiple wounds. But Jak could feel her blood pressure rising. Her head began to pound and she was starting to have trouble thinking clearly. The pain was too much!
Without thinking, she grasped the arm that held her neck with both hands, and used all her willpower to summon one truth. I am not going to die here! The Gifter brand on her left hand shone with white light. Jak instantly felt the heat of her blood diminish as Kuldain realized what she was doing.
“No!” he yelled and dropped her. But it was too late. Inscribed on his body was a new brand, a Flamedancer brand.
A faulty Flamedancer brand.
Kuldain screamed, a sound far more horrible than anything Jak had heard. It seemed to fill the whole stronghold, echoing off the walls and causing soldiers to cover their ears. The former Colonel turned demon doubled over in pain, the light from his brands flickering and dying as they conflicted with this new, unstable brand. Each brand fought for dominance, none of them won.
Then he burst into flame. The scream continued for seconds, perhaps minutes as he was consumed by the fire. Jak watched with the others as Kuldain’s screams died, and then the fire began to die as well, leaving a charred corpse in its wake.
Kuldain was, at last, dead.
26
After the battle, Jak collapsed and only vaguely remembered hands carrying her to a soft bed. The Blood-burning, albeit mild compared to what that dark magic was capable of, still left her brain clouded and her body weak for days. She was only vaguely aware of the time that passed, though she woke from time to time, sweating and shaking. Nightmares plagued her dreams, and she never seemed to fully awake from them.
But eventually she did rest, the nightmares subsided and nothingness took her.
It was some time later when she fully awoke. The first thing she realized was that she was extremely hungry. The second thing was that she wasn’t alone in the room.
Her mother sat at the foot of a large, cushioned bed. That bed was larger than any she had ever seen. It had two mattresses. Two! And it extended well beyond her feet. Her mother stood as soon as Jak opened her eyes to look around her.
“She’s awake, she’s awake!” her mother’s voice wasn’t too loud, exactly, but the noise still made Jak wince. Moments later, more noises entered the room as two of the Watchers brought in the most delightful sight Jak had ever seen.
Food!
Barely even aware of what she was doing, she started tearing into the delicious morsels in front of her. There was roast chicken, still warm and drenched in gravy. There were apples and yams and cheeses. There was bread and butter and even some sweet rolls. Jak washed it all down with some large vats of water provided for her.
She could see her mother there, watching and smiling. She needed to talk to her, but she didn’t have time to think about that while she stuffed her face.
By now, she was fully awake and feeling much better.
“That looks like it helped,” Karlona said. She was sitting at the foot of the bed again.
“Oh, it did. I don’t think I’ve ever been so hungry. How long was I asleep?”
“Three days. We were starting to worry.”
Three days. Jak didn’t even know someone could sleep for three days. The battle with the demons and Kuldain must have taken more out of her than she thought.
“What happened after I blacked out?” she asked.
Karlona proceeded to catch her up on everything that happened. The battle had been a hard one. The demons, all four thousand of them, had fallen, but the cost was high. All but some thirty of the Watchers were dead, including Bennet, the Captain of the local garrison. He had died early on the west side, falling when some of the first demons climbed over the wall. Major Skellig had survived, but with worse injuries than Jak, and she was still being cared for elsewhere. Many of the villagers were dead too, though the civilian casualties were far fewer than those of the Watchers. Apparently, most of the town saw that as a victory.
In better news, the Fae were getting along well with the locals. The assistance of the Bright Fae during the battle, and the Shadow Fae coming to rescue them had caused everyone to put aside their first impressions and welcome the Fae as their saviors. The remaining Watchers even awarded medals to Karlona, Yewin, and some of the other Fae le
aders. It was a large step forward to bring the Fae into full fellowship with society.
Most of the Fae and the villagers had spent the last few days cleaning up after the battle. The demons were placed in a fire outside of Foothold and burned. The dead Watchers, villagers, and Fae were given a proper burial. That news caused Jak to remember what happened to her friends.
“Marek, did you find Marek?”
Karlona shook her head, “I don’t know who that person is.”
“Naem knows, is he here?”
As if on cue, Naem entered from outside the room. Had he been waiting out there?
“Hey!” he said. “You’re looking better.”
He had a bandage around his arm where Kuldain had bit him, but otherwise looked fine.
“Marek, do you know what happened to him?”
Naem hesitated but shook his head. “There are...actually a lot of people that are unaccounted for: the blacksmith, the cook, and several of the Watchers. Once they were attacked by the demons...well, it’s not pretty.”
“Marek fell into the moat. Have you looked there?”
“We did.” Naem rubbed his neck. “I’m sorry. All we found were...pieces. The demons took care of the rest.”
Jak nearly collapsed back in her bed. She had expected something like this, but part of her had held onto the hope that Marek got away in the chaos. Now it was official. Marek was not coming back.
Tears came to her eyes and she tried to wipe them away. But when her mother put one arm around her, she couldn’t hold back any longer. She cried and cried in her mother’s arms.
The next few days passed in a blur. She spent most of her time in bed, eating when the time came. But after a day or two she was feeling much stronger, and would take small walks around the stronghold. Soldiers and civilians would point and look at her, identifying her by the strange red streak of hair among black locks. Jak heard whispers of “Adam-blessed” or “Child of the Fae.” Apparently rumors of her relationship to the Fae was out, and spreading.
Out of Shadow: An Epic YA Fantasy Adventure (Roots of Creation Book 1) Page 22