The woman is right, He Who Seeks. You cannot destroy all of my children. Nor shall you escape punishment for each one you kill. Surrender your silly stone knife. The lies Ten Horses spins are nothing but old stories. I'm waiting, but I will come for you, and if you do not give up, you will suffer that much longer.
“Not a chance in hell.”
Another snake appeared and Abel shot its head off. Romy uttered a little cry. He looked over his shoulder and saw she had her hands clamped over her ears.
“You all right, darlin'?”
She was visibly shaking, stark terror on her face. “That voice. It’s so evil. How can you stand to listen to it?”
Enough was enough. The knife felt glued to his hand and a burst of anger swept through him. “'Cause I ain't gonna have to listen to it much longer. Stay here. It wants me, it's gonna get me.”
“Abel!”
“Keep the Lighthouser ready. No matter what, one little head pokes under this rock, you shoot it.”
“Abe—”
He knelt next to her, pressed his lips to hers, smothering her protest and ducked out from under the ledge. She emitted a squeak of worry, but didn't follow him. Fresh determination coursed through him. He had to protect her and get the Diamond.
“All right you overgrown earthworm. Here I am. Straight from Texas, where we make hat bands and hair bows outta steers bigger than you.”
Hundreds of snakes, all species and sizes slithered up the canyon floor like a flood of flesh. Blacksnakes, rattlesnakes, water moccasins, garter snakes, milk snakes, copperheads and a dozen others he didn’t have time to identify spread over the canyon floor. It was impossible to take them all in. The musky odor alone was enough to make him gag. Their eyes glowed with unnatural light, seeming to stare right into him. Abel gritted his teeth and held his ground.
Behind them, head as broad as a barn door, body pulsing smoothly under shiny multicolored scales—the biggest scale was the size of Abel's head—Uktena glided along the ground, pushing up rocks and leaving a winding trail in the earth behind it. The Serpent was a thousand sparkling colors and jet-black all at once, depending on where the light hit it. Two ebony horns sprouted from either side of its head, framing its flat face like those of a bighorn sheep. Long, sharp gray spikes protruded from its back, stopping a few feet before the tip of its tail.
Bright gold eyes with cat-like pupils stood out against the scales. Its gaze was keener and far more intelligent than any snake had a right to be. A row of teeth hung over its lower jaw and it was apparent that he was missing two. It would have been funny if not for its sheer size and obvious strength.
In the middle of its forehead the Diamond flared like a newborn star. The gem occupied the space between the horns, catching and bending the sunlight so that sprays of color fell against the canyon walls. It was bigger and brighter than any jewel Abel had ever seen. The beast was beautiful in a terrifying way.
Deep laughter rang out across the land. The hiss of serpents followed it and dread settled in Abel's stomach. But the knife flew up on its own, taking Abel's hand with it so that he was staring up the blade at the Horned Serpent.
Come to meet me at last. No more a man than the weak creatures who tried to kill me years ago. You see, my children, he kills your brothers, but he is nothing.
Several of the snakes reared back, like they might strike, but Uktena looked calmly at Abel. The snake appeared to be grinning.
I smell your fear, like the scent of a frightened rabbit. It courses through your veins with, the Serpent paused and his pupils widened a fraction, my poison and that of the knife. Ten Horses' magic battles the poison in your body. The snaky grin grew and more sharp teeth came into view. I wonder which will kill you first? Perhaps we need not battle at all. I have eternity to watch you writhe in pain while two great enemies combat inside you.
Abel forgot to breathe. Uktena was right. The knife's magic was killing him. Instead of sickened by it or feeling the pressure of his inability to find a cure, he felt almost relieved.
He smiled. “You could sit by and watch, but that's not your way, is it? You like the thrill of a challenge and it's been so long since one was sent your way.”
Uktena's eyes glittered. You cannot win, He Who Seeks. Lay the knife at your feet, admit your loss.
“Not today.”
Uktena's mouth opened and its forked tongue slipped out. You stand before me spouting brave words, but your spirit is already mine. With one thought, my mark will cover the small distance from its current position to your heart. Then you will be dead. All for naught.
“You don't want that. You said you want to see me suffer. So are you going to give your pets,” Abel spat the word with venom of his own, “permission to play with me? Make me weak and begging for death? You've watched me kill a few. I can take several more before they all get me.”
The Serpent King laughed; a low and dangerous sound. You don't believe that I fear that old bit of stone and bone. What can it do to a god? While its magic fades, I grow stronger, year after year. Soon I will leave this prison Ten Horses believes he’s trapped me in and unleash my displeasure upon the world.
From the corner of his eye, Abel watched a bright green snake slide across the ledge shelf. It stretched out serenely, absorbing the warmth of the red rock. He remembered the vision of the fortuneteller in Bismarck. Maybe he should've asked her if he had a long, healthy future in store. Too late now.
“Let's leave your little babies out of this, then. Just you and me. We both know they're nothing more than fancy medicine to make you look meaner than you really are.” He took a step forward. The death knell of a diamondback rattler had him dripping sweat. The snake's mouth snapped inches from his boot, but met nothing more than air. Abel kicked gravel at it and refused to give ground. “Hell, Uktena, you couldn't even destroy the sun. What's that but a big ball of fire floating in the sky?”
Uktena bared black teeth in a snarl. Its tree-trunk-sized body pushed through and over the smaller serpents and it lowered its head mere feet from Abel's face. Do the memories of the knife touch you, human? Can it tell you how I defeated Ten Horses and his entire tribe? They're damned for eternity, kept apart from the Spirit Road forever! No one will banish me from this earth. They cannot destroy me as punishment for creating me. The Great Spirit delivered a weapon they cannot use. What good is that? They cling to fragile hope if they send you to as their last chance.
Uktena's words sank in and a flood of memories that didn't belong to Abel crushed him. He saw the ceremony that raised the Horned Serpent from the muddy Missouri River, shining and glorious. The chief and medicine men armed Uktena with the strongest colors of the earth to make the demon bold and fearless. Gave it thick, hard scales so that nothing could defeat it. They gave it words to trick Mother Sun and venom to make her weak.
Ten Horses, dressed in his sun-bleached buckskins and long black braids with red cloth twisted through them, made the Serpent a promise. If it defeated Mother Sun, who threatened the land with drought and famine, the King of Serpents would rule all the tribes. The power of the water already belonged to it. But Uktena was already convinced of its own greatness and made others like it, the ancestors of snakes everywhere. It fought the sun as it promised, but during the battle, it lost again and again. In its fury and shame, it cursed the humans and flooded the earth, leaving the tribes stranded on high ground. A thousand times more terrible than the sun, it devoured them like fish in the sea.
That was until the Great Spirit sent a giant eagle to deliver the bone knife to one of Ten Horses' descendants and told him to find the warrior who could undo his vile creation. One by one, the bravest warriors of the tribe went forth and tried to kill Uktena. Their fear fed the Serpent. It killed them in any manner of ways. Some he crushed to death, some he snapped up like rodents. Others it allowed its minions have. But they all died with screams on their lips and terror in their hearts. The Serpent grew stronger with every soul it consumed. Finally the warriors tra
pped it in the canyon, a dry lifeless place until they could find a man with the strength to kill Uktena.
One more soul to tip the scale in my favor.
Without warning, Uktena struck. On sheer instinct, Abel slashed the knife across the Serpent's nose. Uktena drew back with a hiss, shock registering in its all-too-human eyes. Tarry black blood welled from the gash. A horrible rumble came from the Serpent's throat. It shook its head, causing droplets to splatter Abel and the ground.
Curse you! You and that damned knife.
Abel staggered. Pain burned his chest, right at the tattoo's head. He gritted his teeth and crouched, eyes on his enemy. His mind whirled with the images of defeated warriors. The Horned Serpent licked blood from its nose and rose in the air, towering above everything. It swayed back and forth, flicking its tail like an annoyed cat.
The scarlet scales around its neck pulsed. Abel didn’t need to count to see it was the seventh ring. That was where the snake’s heart lay. Well out of his reach. His only chance was to make Uktena mad enough to attack again.
“What's the matter? Got a little scratch? Need to slither back to your cave and lick your wounds?”
A howl echoed through the canyon, sending rocks down around them. The ground shook as Uktena lunged faster than Abel could see. The knife led him, allowing him to roll away, just under the rock ledge. Uktena's big head struck it, pushing against the stone. The snakes rushed up beside him, forming a wriggling wall.
Get back. He is mine!
The snakes retreated, but not far enough to give the feeling of safety. Behind Abel, Romy's breath came in short pants. He glanced over his shoulder at her, gave her a tight smile. The Lighthouser in her hands shook violently. He doubted she even realized she still had it.
Uktena's snout was inches from the knife in Abel's hand. He flattened his stomach against the red ground and jabbed the Serpent again. Another scream of pain and Uktena drew back. Abel clenched his hand around the knife handle and buried his face in his elbow to keep from showing his own anguish.
A shadow passed in front of the rock. Uktena's gleaming golden eye came level with Abel's head, just out of knife's reach. Some ancient language, a curse or a taunt speared Abel's thoughts. The knife jerked in his hand, reaching out for another chance at tender snake flesh. The cuts on the black hide were already turning a sickly grayish, an indication that the knife's magic was working. With enough cuts and nicks, the magic might even immobilize the snake.
Scared like a rabbit.
“Smart like a porcupine,” Abel shot back. The creature's heart was still too far away for him to ever get a chance to pierce it. He'd have to face Uktena again. Maybe climb right up those spikes to the red scales and pry them up.
He eased back from the opening and bumped Romy with his leg. She reached out and grasped his calf, squeezing tight.
“Hey, darlin'. You doin' all right under here?”
She stared at him, obviously not enjoying his attempt at normal conversation. She licked her lips and peered out at the snakes surrounding them. “You have a plan?”
“Just so happens that I do. I could use a hand if you're of a mind to come out for a few minutes.” He didn't like putting her in danger, but he felt confident she'd do anything he asked.
She sucked in a breath and he thought she was going to refuse. Her hand tightened on the Lighthouser. “What do you need me to do?”
“Wait 'til I get it good and distracted. When I have its attention, run as fast as you can. Find Maggard and Christensen.” He grinned, but his face felt stiff. “The plan you had to knock him upside the head is a good one. Do that.”
“What about you?”
He feigned surprise. “You come back and get me, woman. What did you think? I'd have you sail off without another thought about me?”
Doubt surfaced on her face. “It might take a while to find them.”
“Take your time. I'll be here. I promise.”
Uktena's girth shifted, digging a huge rut in the canyon floor. Come out, little rabbit. Come and face your foe.
She grimaced. “I hate his voice. It makes me feel shivery and sick. While I'm off chasing hot air balloons, what will you do?”
“A little snake charming. Nothin' to it.” Unless he got caught between those massive jaws. Ten Horses' knife made him feel invincible, but he didn't harbor any illusions about immortality.
“Please tell me the truth. Can you beat it?” She scooted up next to him on her belly, her face right next to his.
Abel let the smile slide from his mouth. He looked into her eyes and nodded. “I can beat it.”
“Well, then. What are we waiting for?” She gestured with her gun for him to exit the hole.
He laughed as a reckless sense of duty stole over him. And hoped against hope that he wasn't giving Uktena an easy dinner.
“You wait until it’s not paying any attention in this direction. Those other snakes are on it like weevils to bole.”
“Only because you asked. I'd never dash through a hoard of snakes for anyone else. Utter madness.” She gave him a smile that was both fierce and full of love.
“I know, darlin'.” Before he could change his mind, he stepped out into the sunlight again and into Uktena's sight.
What gives you the idea you will fare any better this time, rabbit?
“The knowledge that I'm not a big, ugly snake, that's what.”
The Serpent dipped its head, jaws spread wide. Abel raised the knife—or it raised his arm—and slashed the Horned Serpent's long black tongue from its mouth. Blood exploded from the wound, pouring down on Abel's head.
Unearthly screaming sent the snakes into a frenzy. The thick liquid obscured Abel's vision. His knees buckled as pain flared in his head, shoulder and chest. His grip on the knife slackened. He heard Romy scrambling behind him, heard her gasp and the sound of her feet skidding against the gravel.
“Run, dammit!” he urged through his clenched jaw.
She brushed by him when she went. Abel attempted to wipe blood from his face.
Make him drop the knife! At Uktena's command snakes surged forward. Their master's thrashing kept some of them back, but plenty tried to surround Abel. He slashed at them, giving them reason to fear him and beheaded several—until his back was against the wall.
The noise all around him faded to a tolerable buzz. Uktena's moaning died into angry panting.
It was not a mortal blow, you fool.
“Didn’t need to be. It still weakened you. We both know it.”
Not as badly as it weakened you. With every passing second you're a step closer to death.
Uktena didn't wait for a reply. It snapped again, apparently not worried about the knife anymore. Abel jumped out of the way, throwing himself hard against Uktena's coiled body. The great snake turned its head as Abel scrambled up the slick scales, clinging to the spikes. Uktena coiled tighter, a moving path of death no mortal could run from. The Diamond flashed in the sun, blinding Abel. Coils surrounded him, pinning his free hand against his body, but he forced his knife hand high. Hard muscles bound him, squeezed his rib cage, his spine, his legs.
Now you pay.
The red scales in the seventh ring looked as velvety as rose petals. Less than a foot from Abel's knife, he could see Uktena's pulse vibrate the scales in a rhythmic pounding.
The air whooshed out of his lungs as the coils tightened. Several joints in his body popped as the Serpent wound around him. All of Abel’s appendages tingled as they protested the lack of blood and oxygen. The Horned Serpent's face loomed behind the spots clouding Abel's vision.
Your death will remind Ten Horses of his pride. One more lost soul to join his weeping for the Spirit Road and a god who will not answer to him.
Black spots blotted out the world. Abel’s wrist sagged and he barely maintained his hold on the knife. The pain from the wound on his palm and the invisible fangs of the tattoo on his chest faded to dull throb.
He wished he could find a way to tell R
omy not to come back. Uktena would destroy the knife. Maggard couldn't defeat the Serpent without it. They were in more danger than they'd ever suspected. And he’d failed all of them.
Chapter Twenty-five
It was a wonder the stubborn man hadn't been killed off years ago without a woman to help him along. Of course, she'd had her share of dangerous incidents, but not once had a snake strangled Romy. She’d been hissed at and run off by them, yes, but never injured. She'd hidden when Abel stepped out to face Uktena the first time, but she'd never let him down when he needed her.
She'd stopped less than a hundred feet from the scene of destruction, hiding behind a boulder, concerned that Abel would need her. Her instinct had been right. Even at the distance, she could see the skin around Abel's mouth turning blue. Only the whites of his eyes showed and his head lolled in corpse-like fashion. By some miracle or other act of fate, he hadn't dropped the knife yet. The Serpent’s voice echoed in her head, sharp and dangerous, but she forced it away, concentrating on the gun in her hands.
Every fiber in Romy's body readied her for the shot to distract and wound Uktena. She brought the Lighthouser to eye level, stared down the barrel and lined up the sights. A drop of sweat rolled off her brow. She tried to recall what Papa had taught her about shooting. Don't jerk the trigger. Keep an eye on the target and have confidence that her prey would fall.
She brought the seventh ring into her sights and squeezed the trigger.
The gun gave off a faint click, but nothing happened. The Serpent didn't react in the least. Its bright gold eyes were still trained on Abel.
“Blast and damn!” Her fear that the pistol would fail had come to pass.
What did that leave her for weapons? Abel had the only one destined to kill the Horned Serpent. There wasn't so much as a stick to jab the damned beast in the eye with. She could fling rocks at him, but what good would it do?
Like it had a mind of its own, her hand crept toward the pocket where she kept the sling Abel had given her. She hadn't had the time to learn to use it properly. The village children had laughed at her sad attempts to hit the target they set up. She couldn't hit the snake. Couldn't hit an airship if it was directly in front of her.
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