by L. A. Grant
I didn’t bother answering, striking into him again before he could catch his breath. The energy of the bear flowed through me, lending brute power to my blows.
“Just die already,” I growled. I spread out my legs to better ground myself and struck down. Mordred shifted sideways, narrowly avoiding my blow. Before he could stand, I went after him again, and again he managed to slither away.
And then he vanished, leaving behind his fancy clothes and weapons, the grass not betraying where he’d actually slithered off to.
“Damn it,” I looked to Wane, who flew toward the spot to see if he could pick up the snake’s track. He circled low, then higher, hoping to spot the traitor.
I gathered Mordred’s weapons and clothes. He wanted to just snake out of a battle? Fine, he could figure out how to get dressed again after. Besides, his sword was pretty nice.
“It’s safe now,” I told the girl, but when I turned to the slide she was long gone, having taken advantage of the battle to slip away.
I grinned. Not a bad move at all. A bit annoying, but pretty smart.
I whistled, high and sharp, and Wane came swooping down.
“Looks like our girl, whoever she is, gave us the slip.” He landed on the swing set, looking as annoyed as a falcon could.
“What do you say, old friend,” I smiled at him. “Up for another round?”
His unfurled his wings and took off, starting to scan the ground for any sign of her passage. But I knew Wane was mostly relying on his instincts, honed by the bond we all shared with our king.
She might give us the slip for a bit, but there was no way she could escape us. I just hoped we found her before she ran into Mordred or another of his army.
5
Percy
On the horizon, the sky was marred by monstrous buildings, towers and construction cranes, marking once again how different this world was from our adopted one. I thought I’d have been glad to return here after years of being away. But this wasn’t home anymore. If it had ever really been.
To smell the fresh scent of the salt water drifting on the wind, to hear the horses galloping down stone roads, and to feel the rush of magic dancing in the air around me…I hoped the day would bring us our quarry so we could head back.
“This city is amazing,” Lance said beside me, whistling in appreciation. I scowled. I probably missed home because I could choose my company more easily there. When I wasn’t leading three knights, traitorous or otherwise, to find our king.
“Of course you’d love this place,” I said, disgusted. Lance always liked the new shiny thing. Unable to stick to old commitments, lured away by new promises, pursuing his passions no matter what it meant for others. A real selfish piece of work.
“It’s a feat of human engineering and imagination, and I sometimes miss the bright lights,” Lance said, his enthusiasm undeterred by my foul mood.
“Let’s just get this over with so we can go back and I can make sure you pay for your crimes.”
That shut him up. At least for a few minutes.
“I’ve been given the same duty as you, Percival,” he said softly.
“That’s happened before,” I snapped back. “And look how that ended up last time.”
A screech from above caught my attention. Three streets over, the falcon circled. Several others spotted him and eyed Wane in wonder, unused to such wildness in their human cities.
“Let’s go,” I ordered, starting to run. He’d either found our king, or something else worth investigating.
I hoped it meant it was finally time for us to go back to Avalon, so I could go back to ignoring Lance, or finally throw him in the dungeon where he belonged.
6
Arlena
The abandoned strip mall loomed ahead, tall fences trying to keep anyone from breaking in and loitering. Hands in my pockets, I headed south of the strip mall, trying to look just like a girl in a bad neighborhood desperate to avoid trouble. Which wasn’t far from the truth, really.
If I crossed behind the creepy old mall, there was a quaint suburban neighbourhood, where bus service was regular and friendly, unlike this place. I had just enough change on me to hop on a bus and go…somewhere. I hadn’t figured that part out, yet.
It didn’t matter. First, I had to get away. Far away. From swords and shields and falcons and people hunting me in general. Staying near buildings and using whatever tree cover I could find, I hoped to avoid the falcon’s sharp eyes.
I wished the mall were still open. I could have slipped into a store or two and spent a couple of hours window shopping. Maybe even landed a new job, so I could get a new place, and new stuff, since that guy had broken down my door and everything had probably walked by now.
Pushing the thought down, I turned to the south of the mall, skirting the perimeter of the fence. Two, maybe three more streets over, and I should find a decent bus stop, with one of those cabins that protected you from the weather. Those were too fancy for my neighborhood, but they’d have them there.
Sssccrrrcchhh.
I stopped, cold dread creeping up my spine. The noise repeated again, to my left, behind an old abandoned van, tires popped out and rusty holes gaping on its sides. The van shifted sideways, like something had pushed it. I took a step back, hitting the fence. It clanged loudly.
Shit.
A head poked around the van. Dark, with tusks, coarse hair, and deep-set eyes that looked both cunning and hungry. A boar. A giant, angry boar focused fully on me.
I took another step back, hands reaching back to grasp the fence so I wouldn’t hit it again. The boar followed me with its eyes, nostrils flaring, foot scraping the ground as though preparing to strike…I felt a snare in the fence. A ragged hole, probably cut by some vandals.
I have to hide.
As though sensing my shift from terror to hope, the boar grunted loudly and barrelled toward me full speed. I yelped and threw myself ungracefully through the hole in the fence, landing on my ass. I scrambled back just as the boar struck, its shadow hiding the sun as it reared back, the fence buckling but holding.
I didn’t wait to see if it would figure out how to navigate the fence. I leapt to my feet, running for the nearest door of the abandoned mall. I’d never been so thankful for vandals and broken locks. I flung the door open and threw myself in, just as the fence came crashing down, narrowly missing me.
I slammed the door shut behind me just as something struck it hard.
I didn’t wait around to find out if he could get in. I navigated the dark access tunnels at the back of the mall in search of a working phone or a safe way out. All the while, I held a dim hope that a falcon flew overhead and would find help for me.
7
Wane
The breeze shifted and my heart skipped a beat, desperate to follow a new current to my target. I screeched so that the others could hear me and folded my wings partly to let the breeze carry me, trusting the winds to drift to where I was most needed.
Just like I trusted that my brothers, would have my back should battle ensue.
Blood rushed to my ears, my entire body electrified as I approached the ground.
I had no doubt that my quarry was close. This girl, whoever she was, held a tight grip over my powers. From the way Hayden had fought Mordred, over all of us.
Maybe she would lead us to our king.
The winds released me and I unfurled my wings, taking hold of my senses and stock of my surroundings. I was near a squat but large building. A fence surrounded it, except in one corner where something had torn through it.
Rumbling, and a scream. The girl.
Damn it.
I hated going into buildings.
8
Arlena
The boar charged after me after smashing through its fourth doorway. Covered in cobwebs and drywall dust, it now looked more like a ghost than a devil. And it was even more terrifying, its tusks undeniably deadly as it reduced an old counter to splinters. I scrambled to move out
of the way, throwing myself against the storefront.
The door was locked. Of course it’s locked, my terrified mind screamed, and I fumbled with the deadbolt, hoping that was all that held it in place.
The floor rumbled.
Don’t turn around just open that door, I repeated over and over again, as though the mantra would somehow save me from being eviscerated.
I managed to turn the lock and started to pull the door open, when two tusks surrounded me, warm breath beating on my legs, the stench of wet fur almost unbearable. I flattened my hand on the door and looked out at the broken parking lot and fence. There was no one else there.
I was alone.
Well, not alone, I suppose.
I turned around slowly, careful not to make any sudden movement. The boar’s keen eyes studied me.
I swallowed hard and struggled not to show it any fear. That was usually a bad thing with wild animals.
Who the hell is this girl? The harsh voice sounded in my head. I blinked and gasped.
You can hear me? He asked, apparently as surprised as I was.
“I can,” I whispered, not sure how to project my thoughts in his mind, or if he’d understand me. “Please don’t hurt me.”
Who are you? He repeated the question, this time addressing me.
“I’m Arlena Hopesmyer. I’m…I’m no one.” The truth of that statement stung. No degree, no job, no family to call to help me out…Hell, no more apartment. I really was a nobody. A shadow that would vanish at first light. A bad memory about to be stamped out in an abandoned strip mall.
Then why do we track you?
“Good question, buddy,” I said, then bit my lip. Now was not the time to get sassy with the giant boar whose tusks could cut me in two with a simple shake of his head. “Please let me go.”
I’ll let Mordred decide, he said, and some kind of force began to take a hold of me, wrapping itself around my limbs, preventing me from moving. I screamed, but soon that stopped as I was also gagged.
Struggle all you like, the boar mocked me. I’ll enjoy eventually cutting you in two.
Images flashed in my mind, strung from the boar’s mind into mine, of people being destroyed by his tusks, blood matting the boar’s fur, its eyes sharp with pleasure…I tried to break free, but he rammed me with his tusk, folding me in two over it. I struggled to breathe as he ungracefully slung me over his tusk.
Time to go, little prey.
He turned around, but a shriek sounded from behind. The falcon! It went straight for the boar’s right eye, striking with its talons, cutting deep and making the boar bleed. It reeled back and knocked me to the ground. I rolled away to avoid being stomped as it shoved sideways, hitting the falcon hard.
It hit the wall brutally, feathers exploding, and slid down to the ground, wings bent oddly.
No! Something in me snapped, borne partly out of fear for myself, but mostly out of anger. The falcon had only fought to save me! It had been brave and noble…
A fire burned deep within me and began to swell up. I feared I would cry, but instead my invisible bonds seemed to vanish, I managed to stand, electrified from head to toe. My hair danced around me, lit with a life of its own, like fire incarnate. My hands shone with the same power, and in the boar’s one remaining good eye, I saw my eyes glowing a deep blue.
“Enough,” I said, placing my hand on the boar’s snout, the fire in me burning away all fear.
What…the boar began, and then it screamed as I undid all magic within it, cutting away the bonds that held its shape.
And suddenly a very naked burly man knelt before me, clutching his head and chest as pain wracked through him.
He’s human.
The fire burned out of me as quickly as it had come, and I felt exhausted, ready to curl up and fall asleep. Which would result in my death, as soon as the man recovered.
Time to go. I used the store’s window to keep myself upright and reached the falcon. He still lived, but was badly hurt. I wondered if I could turn him human, too, if I could summon the fires? Maybe heal him? I searched deep into my wells of strength but found them empty.
“I don’t care who you are,” the man spat, one eye bleeding profusely where the eagle had shredded it, the other filled with shining hatred as it focused on me, “I’m gonna kill you and bring your broken body to Mordred.”
Those words snapped me back to life, adrenaline pounding as I jumped back up, cradling the falcon as best I could. The man was right in front of the door, so I dove back into the mall.
And ran straight into the man with golden eyes, wearing a dusty tourist t-shirt and shorts he must have found in an old abandoned store. I recognized those eyes from my apartment and the park.
He smiled in recognition. I held the falcon protectively to me.
“You’re not what I expected,” the man named Mordred said, reaching out and touching my long red hair. I took a step back, straight into the snout of the snorting boar.
Shit.
This just wasn’t my day.
9
Hayden
I turned the corner, shield secured on my arm with leather straps, Mordred’s nicely weighted broadsword held before me. The girl clutched Wane as though intent on protecting him, though he didn’t look like he was going to make it. I fought against my worry and focused on my duty.
“Mordred,” I shouted, ignoring the giant boar. He’d follow his master’s orders, even if he’d hate being seen as having a master. His allegiance had been poorly chosen.
“You stole my clothes,” Mordred turned, ignoring the girl.
“Casual look suits you,” I shrugged amicably, “you should consider just retiring.”
The girl shifted sideways, looking at me with wide eyes. She was looking for an out and not finding any. Mordred had his back turned, but the boar was intent on her.
I tried to catch her eye, but I could tell she’d made up her mind. She’d hatched a plan and whatever it turned out to be, I’d have to support as best I could, and hopefully save her and Wane.
This should be interesting.
10
Arlena
Mordred was a few feet ahead of me, his back turned. The falcon, Wane, barely breathed in my arms. He needed help. Sweat ran down my back, created by sheer terror and the boar’s warm breath.
The boar. He’d eviscerate me first chance he’d get. He was temperamental, where Mordred was more strategic.
“If you want your clothing back,” Hayden continued, “I’ll trade them for the girl and Wane.”
Mordred gave a short laugh.
“How about I kill you and take them from your body?”
“Sure,” Percy shrugged, “your fashion sense is already kinda killing me.”
Mordred took a step forward. Before he got any further or I lost my nerve, I turned around and kicked the boar in the snout as hard as I could. He reeled back, not expecting the blow, and then charged.
I’d been counting on his temper and ducked out of the way, crouching to the left. He stormed past, right into Mordred, who tumbled and shouted indignantly. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been impaled.
“Get out, girl!” Hayden screamed, and I didn’t need to be told twice. Mordred screamed in murderous rage and I ran away from the chaos. The boar was desperately trying to turn around as I ducked back into the store and threw open the door to the outside, running straight into two men. The first had a lean physique and a crop of blond curls. The other was slightly taller with short silver hair, and equally silver eyes that were filled with cunning and worry as he looked at the falcon in my arms.
“Hayden’s in trouble,” I said, hoping their worry for Wane would also extend to Hayden.
They exchanged a look and headed in, the silver-eyed man turning to me first. “Wait for us some place safe,” he said, looking to Wane, “and keep him safe.”
I nodded and stepped outside as they ran in, fighting the urge to stay and see if they could take out the boar.
“Shit
,” I whispered, deciding to err on the side of safety. If nothing else, I owed it to Wane to keep him safe.
I just hoped the others would survive and have some way to heal him. And would tell me what the hell was going on.
11
Percy
When the girl had said Hayden was in trouble, I hadn’t quite expected walking into this scenario. Mordred, apparently now a surfer dude, screamed and shifted into a large constrictor. The boar tried to sideswipe Hayden. He managed to dodge the blow, only for Mordred to wind around his feet as Hayden desperately held up his shield to ward off the boar’s blows. His shield dented under the impact. His arm would break at this rate.
And all I had was Lance to count on.
“Get Mordred off Hayden,” I ordered, but Lance took off toward the boar. Going off on his own, as usual.
I swore and headed toward Hayden. If Lance wanted to get eviscerated, then so be it. Seeing Lance dodge the blows with practiced ease, his blond hair flowing around him, made me even angrier. He was the best, and that just made me want to throttle him.
But best didn’t mean the most likely to survive, especially since we were stronger as a unit. I called forth my spear, its strong shaft appearing in my hand, and I tossed it at Mordred, burying it in the snake’s tail.
He hissed and released Hayden, slithering away like the coward he was.
“We’ve got work to do,” I told Hayden, offering him a hand up. He took it, favoring his right leg. He’d been bit deeply on his left thigh, but he would recover. If we survived this battle.
Meanwhile, Lance grew cocky and faked left, but the boar anticipated his move and struck him full on.