Into the Hells

by Christopher Johns

  I flinched. I’d forgotten to shift back. I took my fox-man form, and the man smiled wide before coming over and shaking my hand. “I thought so, Mr. Zeke!”

  I politely shook his hand back and let go. “My, that’s a smart little girl you have there.”

  “She sure is,” Shawn agreed readily, “and we owe her safety to you and your friends. Summer and I can’t thank you enough for what you all did. That was brave—stupid—but mighty brave.”

  Lena, who had gasped and then squealed to be let down as soon as I’d shifted, was groping in futility from her father's arms for my tails. I laughed and turned so that she could feel the fur of it against her hand.

  “They’s real, pa!” she gasped in wonder.

  Shawn patted her head. “That they are, you remember him now? He was one of the ones who brought you and your friends home to us safe and sound. What do you wanna say to him now?” He set her on the ground and prodded her toward me.

  I sat down in front of her next to where Maebe stood and waited.

  “Thank you, sir,” she said bashfully.

  “I’m happy to help you in any way that I can—and your friends.” She smiled happily at me. I pointed to Maebe. “She’s also here for you, and she’s really strong too, so you’ll be extra safe.”

  I leaned in next to her so that only she could hear me, hopefully, and whispered, “But I’ll tell you what, she’s only got one friend, and that’s me.”

  Lena looked at her in shock. “She only gots one friend?” I nodded once. “Well, that’s no good. Can I be your friend?”

  Maebe looked at me, then at her smiling mother and father. Summer had come out from the house to join her husband, her strong features, tall build—only a little shorter than Shawn’s—lent her a more intimidating demeanor. Her flowing, red hair and freckled visage were pretty, and if I looked hard enough, I could see that Lena had her eyes.

  The two adults nodded their assent, and Maebe knelt down once more. “I would be honored to count you as my friend, if you will have me. I will honor you and treat you well.”

  “Well, that’s what friends are for, silly!” Lena giggled. She skipped over to Maebe and pulled her into a fierce hug that the Fae Queen returned gently.

  Summer, her voice gentle but firm, “Come on inside now, Lena. Supper should be finishing up soon.”

  “I gotta go clean up now, but I’ll see you again soon, okay? We can play together!”

  “How would you like to join us for supper, Zeke, ma’am?” Shawn stepped over and looked from his wife to us. “Isn’t much, but Summer is a fine cook, and we’d be proud to have you.”

  I looked to Maebe who seemed at a loss for words. “I think we may have to come back another time, but thank you. All of you. We still have a lot to see and do here before we head on.”

  “Well, thank you again for all you’ve done.” Shawn shook my hand and then patted his daughters head. “Thank you as well, ma’am.”

  “Of course,” Maebe regained her composure a bit, “and I am honored, but first—a gift.” Maebe reached into the shadows and pulled out a ring of dark metal that I recognized as Ebon Steel.

  “Zeke, if you would enchant this for me?” She handed the item to me, and I looked at her with eyebrows raised. “I want it to be an alarm ring that lets me know if she is in danger. Can you do that?”

  I blinked in surprise. After a moment, I replied, “I have no idea, but I can try. I might need a piece of your hair, though.”

  “Done.” She pulled a red strand from its place on her head and held it out to me.

  Okay, so how would I do this? How could I tie a warning to Maebe from the ring? How could I ensure they were linked? I started to reach for it when a bit of inspiration hit me.

  “Lena, I need you to help Maebe for a moment. Can you do that?”

  The little girl looked mystified but nodded. Her parents wandered closer to us so they could see what I was doing.

  “Maebe, you hold one end of the hair, and Lena, you hold the other. When I tell you, I want you to drop it on to the ring for me, okay?” The two of them nodded.

  I engraved the ring with a small bell with the intent that if Lena was ever in danger, hurt, or needed Maebe, the Fae Queen would hear the alarm and come to her.

  I funneled my mana into the item with that intent in mind, and as soon as I felt the draw on my reserves slowing down, I grunted, “Now,” and felt a line of something small hit my hand just before disappearing.

  I stopped pushing mana into the enchantment and looked over my work. In total, it had taken 300 MP, but I wasn’t sure how it would work if she was in the Fae Realm.

  Ring of Fae Alarm

  Calls to Maebe, the Unseelie Queen, Darkness over the Snow and Ruler of the Shadows in the bearer’s time of need. If in her absence the bearer calls, the nearest creature of Fae blood who owes the Unseelie court fealty will come to the bearer’s aid in the Queen’s stead.

  Ring crafted by Thogan Swiftaxe and enchanted by Craftsman Enchanter Zekiel Erebos.

  “Oh, man,” I grunted.

  I passed the item to Maebe, who smiled. “It’s perfect. Thank you, my love.” She froze, and I felt my cheeks burning.

  The parents smiled, and Maebe handed it to Lena. She looked at it. “It won’t fit! My fingers are little-tiny.”

  “Try it,” I urged her gently. “It’s a magic ring, and magic rings can shrink to fit little-tiny hands. It will grow with you too.”

  She looked at me skeptically and slid it over the middle finger of her right hand. Sure enough, the ring shrank until it fit comfortably around her little finger. She made a sound of awe, and her father reached out and touched the item.

  He looked to Maebe. “The Darkness over the Snow?”

  “I am.” She lifted her head. “I have sworn an oath that the children of this village are under my protection. I am Zekiel’s friend and the queen who conscripted the party he is with as champions. I am no threat to any of you unless you are a threat to the children.”

  “I believe you. No monster would look at a child with such purity and innocence as you did. And do. And Lena isn’t friends with monsters, right?” her mother called to the child, who shook her head vehemently.

  “Just bears!” She giggled as her father roared and chased her teasingly around us into the house.

  “She’s a good girl, and you seem like a good person,” Summer said as she walked by. “Thank you for being kind to her and for wanting to look out for her wellbeing. You both, as well as the others, are welcome to come for dinner at any time.”

  We both nodded and watched as all three of them entered the home. I noticed that it was nicer than some of the other homes in the village.

  I looked at Maebe. She was still, and it looked like she was in deep thought.

  “We can talk later,” I offered softly. “I have my word to keep, and we have one stop to make. It’s just down the way here.”

  “Lead on,” she answered as she continued to eye the home but offered her arm to me.

  I took it and led her to Rowland’s, about a ten-minute stroll down the way. The door was locked, so I left it alone. I explained that I would take a moment to speak to him by spell.

  “Do it now so that he doesn’t ruin the ore.” I nodded to her after she spoke.

  I cast Mental Message, “Rowland, it’s Zeke. I hope that Mini is well. Maebe told me that the ore is Fairy Iron, and it needs magic flame and non-iron tools to work it in order to make it. There’s a lot of the ore, so I can make you an enchanted forge. Just let me know, and I can get it done tomorrow or so.”

  “Loud and clear, lad,” he responded after a second. “The lit’le fox be fine, an’ tomorrow works fer me. I took a day fer meself—let me know if ye be needin’ me.”

  I smiled at the thought of him and the fox kit kicked back in a recliner with a fire going and a mug of ale. I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped my mouth.

  “He’s aware of it now, and you’ll get to meet him t
omorrow if you would like,” I explained to Maebe.

  “I would like that. Where is it that you stay?” she asked as she looked around. It was late enough that the children had left the streets and alleyways to go in for dinner.

  “Let’s go to the tavern, and we can get some dinner too.” We walked to the tavern, and on the way, I pointed out a few places to her that were familiar to me.

  The crowd was light tonight, and I saw that my friends weren’t there, but Willem was.

  “Zeke!” he called out and pointed to a table in the back. “Your spot is there, and the chef has decided that you and your lovely lady friend have been hungry long enough. He’s going to bring your food out here in just a few minutes. Would you care for anything to drink? I have tea, wine, mulled wine, ale, beer, mead, and any number of liquors.”

  “Uh,” I sputtered a moment and walked to the table. “Tea would be fine for me. Thanks. Maebe?”

  “Queen Maebe?” Willem asked with eyebrows raised. “We are honored to have royalty here among us simple folk. If there is ought to be had here that I may offer you, do not hesitate to ask.”

  He bowed until Maebe bid him rise. “Thank you, Paladin. I have heard much of you from Jaken. You are a tactful man and keen. It is an honor to dine here with you as my host. I am at a disadvantage, for I have nothing to gift you with for your hospitality.”

  “You’re a friend of Zeke’s, and he cares for you—that much is plain as day to me.” He looked me in the eyes as he said the next part, “Treat him well, and my hospitality will be unending.”

  “I thank you, then.” She bowed her head once. “Let us dispense with the formalities and treat me as if I were any of Zeke’s friends. It would hearten me greatly to know that I am being treated as an acquaintance.”

  “It may seem early, but someday—I hope it will be friend.” Willem smiled and nodded to us both. “Well then, Zeke, Maebe. Your dinners will arrive shortly.”

  He left us and came back to deposit two cups of tea and a pitcher filled with the deep brown liquid before moving away again.

  I leaned closer to Maebe. “They’re never this way, and I have no idea what’s going on, but I think the rest of the group is behind this somehow. I am so, so sorry, Mae.”

  She giggled at me for a second, then reached beneath the table and took my hand in hers. “It’s fine. This is what people do when they like each other, yes?”

  I grinned. “Usually. But my friends are assholes. Like me. And we can be evil to each other sometimes.”

  She smiled at me, and it made my skin crawl for a second. “I can be evil too. If they are attempting to play—we will have our fun.”

  “Oh, I don’t deserve you.” I groaned and kissed her shoulder affectionately.

  “That will also be a matter of discussion,” she stated playfully.

  Dinner was served by the chef himself, his name eluding me with his rosy complexion a little defeated by the large tray of food, but he seemed proud of his work.

  “Here we have a selection of venison and poultry marinated in butter, onion, garlic, and a tangy sauce of Master Yoh’s creation. There is a pairing of smashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. The process was a little odd, but who knew that steaming vegetables unlocked a whole new pallet of flavors!”

  With a flourish and a bow, he stepped back so that we could take the first bite under his watchful gaze. The steamed veggies were great, and honestly, I had missed them. The “smashed” potatoes had been treated with milk, butter, and a little bit of garlic for flavor. The venison was cooked damned near like a steak—chewy but not too chewy. It was really good.

  Oh my gods, the chicken. It had been marinated in sauce alright. Barbecue sauce. And grilled over an open flame and turned until it was almost melting in your mouth. Now, I’m not typically one for BBQ, not really. The scent of it gives me a headache at times. But this? Oh, I savored this. The chef walked away damn-near floating from the praises I sang to him.

  I taught Maebe how to properly enjoy the subtle flavors of the potatoes and the chicken. Cut a bite of chicken off, don’t pick it up—that’s important! We’re coming back for him, that’s okay. I had her take a fork full of potatoes, then spear the chicken. She took a bite, and I could hear chewing; for once—I was unbothered by the sound.

  The meal was exquisite, and the pairing with the tea couldn’t have been more a sign of someone watching out for us. It was like being back home. It made me a little sad over my full stomach and lethargic thoughts.

  “That was absolutely sumptuous.” Maebe sighed in delight. “I don’t think I could eat any more. And if they poisoned that, I would die happy.”

  I saw motion from the kitchens and knew instantly what was going on. It hadn’t been my friends who were doing this.

  It was Vrawn carrying a tray of desserts on a platter in decidedly French maid-like outfit. Who the fu…

  She sat the tray on the table and handed two of the items to us. It was a rather flaky-looking pie that smelled of honey, hazelnut, and berries.

  “Bear pie, a new concoction of the house.” There was one last piece plated on the platter, and Maebe seemed to get the idea before I did. “Named after all the things that bears like to eat that are sweet.”

  “Please, do not stand on ceremony—join us.” She motioned to a chair opposite the two of us. Vrawn curtsied and sat down.

  “Thank you, Queen Maebe, is it?” Vrawn didn’t meet her gaze but still looked her in the face.

  “Indeed, and I take it that you are Vrawn?”

  “I am,” Vrawn answered. She motioned to the pie. “Please, enjoy the pie. It really is better warm.”

  The silence was deafening. My pulse throbbed in my throat, and I couldn’t tell you why. I hadn’t done anything—at least, not that I knew of—wrong. I wished I could just teleport out of the room, but they knew where I lived—sort of. So escape was a slight inconvenience for this at best.

  But still, I tried, “It seems you both have some things to discuss. I’ll give you both some time to discuss it.”

  I went to stand, but both ordered, “Sit.”

  I sat. I wasn’t going to make it out of this alive, and fuck, it was going to be so awkward or incredibly fun.

  “So, you are who he chose to deny?” Maebe asked curiously. “I cannot see why. You are a handsome woman. Strong. Capable. Experienced?”

  “I was, but it was clear that he felt for someone else, someone hopelessly above his station despite how powerful he is,” Vrawn countered. “I felt it my duty to show him that someone more his speed would be better suited. While a tryst with you would be fun, it would inevitably end, no?”

  It was like watching a tennis match with this kind of back and forth.

  “And you know so well the duties and costs of reign?” Maebe’s eyebrows rose.

  “I spent enough time in her Majesty’s guard that I saw the lovers she took cast aside—those who truly loved her—for a marriage of political convenience. I did not wish that for Zeke.” She thought for a moment but continued, “Nor did I ever try to tell him he shouldn’t be involved with you. Just that he should be aware that there may come a point where your duties would force you to choose.”

  Maebe looked as if she had been struck.

  “It seems that point has come, then,” Vrawn looked hurt as well, “and in the end, the choice to be made will always favor the kingdom.”

  “That’s not fair, Vrawn,” I growled. This banter was pointless. I knew all of this. “I knew she was responsible for her people, and if I got in the way of that—I was prepared for the eventuality of her having to just be my friend again.”

  Both women stared at me, my breathing taking on a more ragged pace as I fought my outrage before they could halt the momentum of my reasoning. “And yeah, it would hurt like hell, but I’m not just going to abandon her or my feelings for her to save myself some heartache. Who does that help? Would you want to share yourself with me, knowing I pined for someone else?”

&nbs
p; Vrawn looked away, and I couldn’t help adding, “Because I don’t think that would be fair to you. Or me. Or Maebe. So, whatever conversation needs to happen, whether it’s pride on your part, hope on hers, lust, love—what the fuck ever—leave my choice out of it. I made my decision. What the two of you choose to do is on you.”

  I looked up, and the rest of the place was doing that thing where they pretended not to look but they were really intent on what was being said.

  “Yo, Willem, my room empty or what?” I shouted, and the Paladin flinched.

  “The boys were taken in by the guard earlier today. The sheets have been changed, and the room swept.”

  “Awesome.” I looked at the two women at the table.

  Vrawn and Maebe both looked either too stung by my words or deep in thought to care that I was angry. “I’m going to my room. It was lovely to have dinner with you, Mae, and it was nice having dessert with you both. Sort yourselves out.”

  On my way past the kitchens, the chef poked his head out of the doorway. “And the food was acceptable?”

  “To die for, man,” I grunted. “I’ll wax poetic about it tomorrow. I’m pissed off at the moment and don’t want to take it out on you.”

  I turned down the hallway and marched to my room. I opened my door, looked inside, then closed it behind me. I let Coal out; the poor little guy not being able to stretch much with so many people around and the potential for people to get hurt touching him.

  I laid back on the bed after petting the flame wolf affectionately for a few minutes. This whole day had been weird, and I wasn’t used to this whole people fighting over me either. Never happened at home. Oh well. There’d be heartache for sure. But honestly, it was about our mission here.

  The sooner this wall business was over, the sooner I’d be out of here and back out there fighting for my brothers.

  I sat in my room for a bit, my thoughts swirling painfully. I didn’t want to be alone right now. Not really. Instead of turning my thoughts inward, I called Coal over to me. The flame wolf whined happily and wagged his tail. I pulled some pocket jerky out for him, and he wagged his tail harder.