by Aron Lewes
Vixen's Challenge
The Fox and the Assassin, Volume 3
Aron Lewes
Published by Aron Lewes, 2021.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
VIXEN'S CHALLENGE
First edition. May 6, 2021.
Copyright © 2021 Aron Lewes.
ISBN: 978-1393259565
Written by Aron Lewes.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Author's Notes
School for Spirits – Chapter One
School for Spirits – Chapter Two
Also By Aron Lewes
Chapter One
“YOU'RE NOT EVEN A LITTLE bit excited to see Prince Larien again? It's been six months!” Kylin exclaimed.
Vala's answer started with an icy chuckle. “Sorry to disappoint you, but... no. Not really. Also, it's King Larien now.”
“But... the two of you were so close once, or so it seemed to me,” Kylin said. “He liked you so much, he's letting us get married in the castle. How many people can say that?”
When Vala glanced back at Wilhelm, Kylin's fiance and former Chosen, she saw him drop a coin into the palm of a pleading urchin. For as long as she could remember, her brother was always more liberal with his money. Vala would have sent the child away with a sneer and a “piss off.”
“You gettin' married in the castle has nothin' to do with me,” Vala claimed. “Larien's grateful to you for Unsilencing him. He couldn't care less about me.”
Kylin cried, “I'm sure that isn't true! He seemed so sad when you parted ways.”
“No. He didn't,” Vala objected. “He really didn't.”
As Kylin quizzed Vala on her relationship with the king, they made their way through Thebes' crowded city square, where hagglers and buskers cried out for their attention. They had no time to stop, because they were expected at Kenwick Castle. According to King Larien, its gates would always be open to them.
“I still can't believe we're getting married in an actual castle!” Kylin spun around and flashed a smile at Wilhelm, who was trailing a few paces behind them. “Can you believe it, Wilhelm? I never dreamed of such a thing.”
“It is pretty amazing,” Wilhelm agreed. “Amazing... and totally unnecessary. I would have been just as happy if we were married on the ship.”
“Me too. I would have been happy marrying you anywhere,” Kylin said. “But I still think it's impressive that Larien is providing such a grand venue.”
Vala grumbled, “If he really wanted to impress us, he should have sent us a damn carriage. Instead, he's making us walk through this pustule of a city. I'd take a trip to Satan's bowels over Thebes on a summer day. There are too many people, my neck is sticky, and I can barely breathe!” When she saw her brother toss a coin to a lute player, she smacked his arm and cried, “Stop giving away your money!”
“Why? I could give away everything in my pockets, and I still wouldn't be half as charitable as Kylin's real Chosen,” Wilhelm said. “I still can't believe he gives toys to orphans... saintly bastard.”
Kylin pouted at her fiance's words. Every time he referred to Esha as her “real” Chosen, she felt a dull ache in her heart. As their wedding day drew near, Wilhelm mentioned Esha more and more. He even called himself an impostor and a poser. Kylin had to constantly convince him she was marrying the right man.
They eventually reached the gates of Kenwick Castle, where they were greeted by rows of bowing guards. Then they were ushered into a lavish sitting room, and Kylin cooed about the paintings on the wall.
“Look, it's a portrait of Larien!” she exclaimed, flicking her thumb at one of the paintings. “I think they made his nose too long, but... Vala! Doesn't this make you miss him?”
“No.” Vala sank into a sofa and crossed her arms. “And the nose is an accurate depiction.”
They were greeted by Esha first, who was arm-in-arm with a lovely young woman with braided black hair.
“Hello again, everyone. It's been far too long,” Esha said, directing their attention to the woman at his side. “You remember Chika, don't you?”
“Your sister. Of course.” Kylin dipped into a bow. “Without her, tomorrow's wedding wouldn't be happening.”
“I'm happy to make it possible,” Chika said, though her tight-lipped smile suggested it wasn't entirely true. “How is Wilhelm? My brother told me he was an assassin, of all things. I hope he doesn't have more gaping wounds for me to mend? With such a dangerous job, I wouldn't be surprised.”
“I'm fine, my lady,” Wilhelm assured her. “And I haven't forgotten my gratitude to you.”
“And you shouldn't!” Chika agreed. “I brought you back to life, after all. You should be indebted to me until the day you die!”
When Esha grumbled at his sister's reply, she assured him it was only a joke.
A moment later, King Larien entered the sitting room. Vala immediately faced the wall and feigned interest in the portraits that decorated it.
“Kylin! Wilhelm! Vala.” Larien muttered the final name with significantly less enthusiasm. “How wonderful to see you all again! Preparations for the wedding are well underway, but I will, of course, have to get the bride and groom's opinion. If something doesn't meet your standards, like the cake or the flowers, it can be fixed before tomorrow.”
“I'm sure we'll approve of anything,” Kylin said. “You were kind enough to do this for us. Why would we ever complain?”
“You're the reason I'm no longer Silenced. Perfection is the least I can offer.” Larien sat on the sofa, as far from Vala as he could get, and sent one of the servants for refreshments. “Speaking of the Unsilencing, I have a large favor to ask of you. Or... it might be more accurate to call it a job, I suppose.”
Kylin nibbled her lip, because Esha was staring at her, and nothing made her more nervous. “You have a job... for me?” she asked.
“Indeed. Because no one can do what you do,” Larien said. “When I was Silenced, I realized what a terrible, inhumane, heartless punishment it is, and something must be done about it. As of last week, I outlawed all Silencings.”
“That's fantastic!” Kylin cried. “To be honest, I always thought it was a barbarous way to treat someone. The Silenced are mindless slaves. I feel terrible for them.”
Larien's servants shuffled into the room with plates of biscuits and sweets. Some were stacked so high, Wilhelm had to stifle a chuckle.
“As do I,” Larien said. “I would like to reverse the process on every Silenced citizen, and as far as I know, you are the only one who can do that.”
Kylin was so shocked, she nearly dropped her lemon tart. “You want me to... Unsilence the Silenced?”
Larien nodded firmly. “Yes. All of them. If you agree to help me, I want every man, woman and child to be freed from this curse. You will be paid five gold for each Unsilencing you perform, and I will also send a company of knights with you. Should you run into any trouble on this quest, it will be their duty to protect you.”
Kylin had yet to grasp the concept of human money, so she looked to Wilhelm for guidance. He gave her an approving nod.
“If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them,” Larien said.
“How many Silenced exist in your country?” Kylin asked.
“Over three thousand.”
<
br /> Vala almost choked when she heard Larien's answer. She had to intervene before the girl made her decision. Leaning closer to Kylin, she whispered, “That is a lot of money, love. With that kind of money, Wilhelm could quit his job... and I know you hate his job.”
Kylin was about to give her answer, when Larien spoke up, “Transportation will be provided, as you will need to visit several cities. You're welcome to travel on Wilhelm's ship, but several guards will be joining you on this mission, so additional vessels will be needed.”
“Wilhelm and Vala's ship,” Vala muttered to herself. “Arsehole.”
“Also,” Larien continued, “I would like you to take Esha with you, so he can report on your progress. Also... and this goes without saying... all of this would take place after your wedding. I wouldn't want anything to distract you from your happy day.”
As Kylin deliberated, Vala finally forced herself to look at Larien. She wanted him to see the scowl on her face, but his eyes never moved from Kylin.
“I think... if Vala and Wilhelm would be willing to go with me... I would like to try,” Kylin decided. “However, I'm not sure I can do it. I've only Unsilenced two people. I can't guarantee I can do it again.”
“You can do it. Have some faith in yourself!” Larien said. “Trust me, a Silencing is worse than death. You'll be saving a lot of lives.”
As soon as he had an answer from Kylin, Larien finished his tea and biscuit and excused himself. Kylin wondered if he wanted to get away from Vala. The tension between them was clear.
Shortly after Larien left, the others filtered out of the room. On the way out, Esha caught Kylin's arm and brought his mouth to her ear.
“Do you ever wonder,” he whispered, “if you might be making a mistake? Do you ever wonder if you should be with your Chosen?”
Kylin shook her head with such firm certainty, she made him sigh.
“Very well,” Esha said. “A part of me will always wonder, but... nevertheless, I wish you the best.”
Chapter Two
“I HAVE TO ADMIT, IT'S strange to see my brother's Chosen marry another man,” Chika said, wiggling a pin into Kylin's ebony tresses. “It's even stranger to be the one who does her hair.”
“I'm sorry!” Kylin apologized, wincing as the pin poked her scalp. She didn't think Chika was inflicting pain on purpose—after all, she had crafted a truly intricate hairstyle, with braids weaving into braids. It was a style worthy of any bride. “King Larien offered to hire a hairdresser. I guess... I should have accepted his offer?”
“No, I'm happy to do it. And, I daresay, I'm quite good at it.” Chika glanced at Vala, the only other lady in the room. Thus far, she had played no part in dolling up the bride, which was a good thing. The assassin barely knew the difference between a corset and a bustle.
“Has it ever happened before?” Kylin asked. She could see Chika's perplexed reflection in the looking glass, so she elaborated, “In the entire history of our people, has anyone ever rejected their Chosen for someone else?”
“Not that I'm aware of,” Chika said, “but it isn't as if my brother is heartbroken. Wilhelm, on the other hand... I believe he would be heartbroken if he didn't have you.”
“Aye,” Vala confirmed. “I never thought I'd see the day when Wilhelm would tie the knot. It's pretty amazin'.”
“What about you, Vala?” Chika asked. “When I met you all those months ago, you seemed quite taken with Larien.”
Kylin's jaw dropped when Vala started spilling details on her relationship with Larien. She badgered her friend for months, but never got a word out of her.
“For a few days, I was taken with him,” Vala confessed. “I hesitate to use the word perfect, but... our time together was as perfect as perfect gets. Once, he almost said he loved me... but then that bastard opened his mouth and said he could never marry a commoner. We rowed. I kneed him in the man bag... which, in hindsight, I wish I wouldn't have done. He had me thrown out of the castle for that. A few minutes later, he chased me down and begged me to come back. I said I'd had enough of him... and that was the end of it.”
“Oh dear. Well, I hope you reconcile,” Chika said. “I always thought you were an odd pairing, but that's what made it charming.”
Vala demonstrated Chika's point when she drew her sword and sharpened its blade while the others fussed with hair. “There was nothing charming about it,” Vala objected. “And I really doubt there'll be any reconciling.”
A few minutes later, Chika put the finishing touches on Kylin's hair. The bride twirled in front of the looking glass, checking herself at every angle. She was so pleased with Chika's handiwork, she hugged her.
“You really do look lovely,” Chika said. “Wilhelm is a lucky man.”
“I'm lucky to have him,” Kylin added. “This wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for you, Chika, so... thank you, thank you. Forever and ever, I thank you.”
Chika accepted Kylin's gratitude with a wavering half-smile, then she stole another hug before they parted. Vala muttered a few words about hating hugs, then she waddled from the room with a yawn and a stretch. The ladies joined the small audience that had gathered in Kenwick Castle's Assembly Hall, leaving the bride behind.
Chika sat next to Esha, who whispered, “Well? How does she look?”
His sister replied, “Even more beautiful than usual.”
“Do you think I'm making a mistake, letting her marry another man?”
Chika started her answer with a snide chuckle. “I think you made your first mistake when you dragged her lover's corpse across the country to save his life.”
“No! Don't say that!” Esha exclaimed. “I like Wilhelm, and I'm glad Kylin's happy, but... where does it leave me?”
Their conversation was suspended by the hum of a dozen violins, singing to life. Wilhelm had appeared at the aisle's end, where he awaited the arrival of his bride.
Chika whispered to her brother, “Do you really like him, though... or does part of you resent him?”
“I like him!” Esha insisted, but his answer was challenged by Chika's raising eyebrow. “And... I guess there's a part of me that resents him as well. A very small part. Really!”
As Kylin walked down the aisle, Esha held his breath and watched his supposed soulmate stroll into the arms of another man.
“There is also a small part of me that objects to this,” Esha admitted. “Again... a very small part.”
The violins stopped when Kylin reached her groom, and a priest in a towering hat began a long speech. It was so long, Vala fell asleep and earned a few chuckles for her snores. Esha jabbed her with an elbow and whispered a gentle lecture.
“He looks happy,” Vala quietly observed. “I never thought my brother would look happy during his own wedding.”
“That's an... interesting thing to say,” replied a wide-eyed Chika.
“It's the truth.” Vala slipped a flask from the pocket of her fancy black jacket, bought specifically for her brother's special day. As she uncapped the flask, she glanced in Larien's direction, and was surprised to find him staring at her. “Wilhelm was always against the institution of marriage, and now... here we are. I guess death must've changed his mind.”
Chika followed her gaze to the king, and asked, “Do you think Larien might change his mind one day... about marrying a commoner?”
“Nah.” Vala flashed her tongue at Larien and took a long swig from her flask. Half its contents were drained, and her throat burned, but her smile returned. “And frankly, I don't care if he does.”
Vala fell asleep two more times before the priest finished his speech—then she woke up just in time to see Wilhelm claim his bride with a gentle kiss.
Chapter Three
ESHA HAD THE UNIQUE displeasure of being one room away from the woman he was supposed to marry and the man she just wed. In his head, he cursed the person who assigned them to a bedchamber that was uncomfortably close to his. For hours, he was subjected to the sounds of their wedding ni
ght—the ooh's, aah's and moans. He tried to crush a pillow against his head, to drown out their amorous acts, but the fluff and feathers provided little defense against the noise. He spent most of the night staring at the wall, whimpering and pitying himself.
Esha had so little experience with women, he couldn't imagine what was happening in Wilhelm and Kylin's room. He didn't even know what a lady looked like under her clothes. Chastity was expected from the males and females of his clan, so it was hardly unusual. Even so, he hated to own up to his inexperience. Only Larien knew how innocent he was, and he tried to corrupt him regularly. Every so often, he tried to tempt Esha with a courtesan's touch, but the young kitsune insisted on remaining faithful to his eventual wife. Now, with his Chosen married to someone else, Esha didn't know if he would ever find love. He had waited twenty years, for naught.
He wandered around the room in his nightshirt, sighing each time he heard a squeal from Kylin's room. He tried to read a book, to lull his mind to sleep, but the thumping of the newlyweds' bed against the wall was an unending distraction. As he muffled a groan in the palm of his hand, he wished for something—anything—to send his thoughts elsewhere.
And his wish was granted.
“Hello?”
Esha's hand flew to his chest when he heard the voice in his head, because it was a voice he didn't recognize. There were only two souls in the world with whom he could initiate a telepathic link. One was Larien, and the other was Chika.
In his mind, he answered back, “Hello?”
For several seconds, he didn't get a reply. He started to think he was asleep after all, and possibly dreaming.
“Hello,” repeated the feminine voice. “Am I losing my mind, or am I hearing someone's... thoughts?”
He could hear a lilt of youth in the girl's voice, but she didn't sound like a child. He sat down, crossed his arms, and asked the voice in his head, “Who are you?”