Forged in the Dawn

by Gavin Zanker

  Aiden heard heavy footsteps inside, followed by the clunking of metal locks being turned. The door opened a crack, and a shadowed face peered out over a thick chain, preventing the door from opening fully.

  ‘What do you want?’ a gruff voice demanded.

  ‘Phil, is that you?’ Faye said.

  ‘Who’s that? How do you know my name?’

  ‘It’s me, Faye.’

  ‘Faye? Not Dennis’ girl?’

  The door slammed shut, then flew wide open and a large red-faced man with an unkempt beard stepped out. He scooped up Faye in a bear hug, lifting her feet from the ground.

  ‘It’s good to see you, kid. Look at how tall you got!’

  Faye tapped him on the arm, and he released her. ‘Thanks,’ she said, rubbing her shoulder and smiling. ‘It’s nice to see you again too. I forgot about your hugs.’

  ‘People always say I give the best hugs,’ he said with a wink. ‘So what are you doing here? I thought you lived down in the Rim these days.’

  ‘Yeah I do. Well, I did. It’s complicated. Anyway, this is my friend Aiden.’

  ‘Of course it is,’ Phil said, grabbing Aiden’s hand and shaking it roughly. ‘Nice to meet you. Any friend of Little Faye’s is welcome here. The mongrel yours too I take it?’

  ‘Is that a problem?’ Aiden said.

  ‘Not at all, as long as he doesn’t use my place as a toilet, he’s as welcome as you are. Well, no point standing around in the cold. Come inside and I’ll put some tea on.’

  Phil disappeared back inside, leaving Aiden staring at Faye with a bewildered smile. ‘So, this is Uncle Phil then.’

  She reddened and shrugged. ‘He hasn’t seen me for a few years.’

  ‘You sure this is going to be okay? Getting involved with family never ends well.’

  ‘You have a reservation somewhere else?’ she asked, hand on hip.

  Aiden glanced up and down the street again and saw two figures come into view around the corner. ‘Good point, well made,’ he said pushing her into the house. ‘Just don’t let him try to hug me.’

  Aiden whistled, and Hitch ducked inside as he locked the door securely behind them.

  ‘SO HOW DO you know our Faye then?’ Phil asked as he served potatoes and corn on to plates from the pot in the centre of the table. Aiden accepted a bowl, restraining himself from greedily attacking the food.

  ‘We served together in the Seekers.’ A whine came from under the table, and Aiden felt Hitch move against his leg. ‘Can I get a plate for Hitch? He’s as hungry as we are.’

  ‘Of course,’ Phil said, sliding another plate across the table. ‘I was bloody proud of Faye when I heard she signed up for Kane’s outfit. You two known each other long?’

  ‘A few months now,’ Aiden said, disappearing under the table to give Hitch the food before returning to his seat.

  ‘Phil,’ Faye said. ‘Quit with all the questions.’

  ‘All right, all right. I’m just curious is all. I hope you don’t mind my cooking. It’s not much, but it fills the stomach.’ Phil cast his eyes down. ‘Not much need to cook after Pat left.’

  ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t be here for the funeral,’ Faye said, taking Phil’s hand and squeezing it.

  Aiden fidgeted, uncomfortable at the emotional display. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said. ‘We’re so hungry, even rocks would taste good at this point.’

  Faye glared at him in silence, mouthing something that he missed before turning back to her uncle. ‘It looks great, Phil. You were always a good cook.’

  ‘Well no point dwelling,’ Phil said, sitting up straight and sniffing loudly. ‘Let’s start shall we? There’s plenty to go around, so if you’re hungry help yourself to more. I stocked up a few days ago. These New Year celebrations are going to wipe out the markets for a good while.’

  Aiden raised a forkful of potatoes to his mouth but stopped when he saw Faye and her uncle with their eyes closed and hands clasped together. He replaced his fork and rubbed his forehead as the two of them recited the Dawnist prayer together.

  ‘We thank you, lord, for bestowing a new Dawn upon us when we were lost in the darkness. We look to you for guidance always, and pray for the wisdom to understand that only you can illuminate our path. May we fulfil your will, and carry out your word so that we may be reborn in your kingdom of light. Amen.’

  Finally finished, Aiden waited for them to pick up their cutlery before attacking the food. He devoured the meal quickly, surprised at how good it tasted. Faye and her uncle chatted as they ate, and he tuned out most of the small talk as the two caught up on recent news together.

  ‘So the Seekers, eh? Kane still leading that tough rabble?’ Phil asked. ‘I always liked that old boy. Salt of the earth. Had a directness about him that set people straight.’

  Aiden shared a glance with Faye, who quickly glossed over the question. ‘Dad would’ve liked me joining up you think?’

  ‘By the gods,’ Phil said, his fork clattering against his plate as he dropped it. ‘Not a chance he would’ve stood for that. His little girl putting herself in harm’s way? He would’ve marched in there and given Kane a piece of his mind.’

  ‘Yeah, I suppose he would have,’ Faye said with a half smile.

  ‘There’s not much safety to be found these days,’ Aiden said, chewing thoughtfully.

  ‘True enough,’ Phil said. ‘The Seekers might actually be one of the safest places for you these days. Though I hear there’s some troubles down in the Rim.’ Phil picked up his fork and carried on eating. ‘How’s my nephew doing? Albert and Beverly taking good care of him?’

  ‘Yeah they do a fine job,’ Faye said. ‘I stop by when I can to check up on him. He loves building things, always sticking pieces of junk together. Beverly thinks he’s going to end up being an architect. You met her, right?’

  ‘I met them both a few years back,’ Phil said, nodding. ‘Nice honest Dawnist folk. I think he’s in good hands down there.’ Phil pushed his empty bowl away and patted his stomach. ‘Well that’s me done. Time to turn in I think. So, are you two…?’

  Faye smacked his arm. ‘Phil!’

  ‘I’m not prying, just asking for the sleeping arrangements. There’s a bed in the spare room, but if you’re sleeping separately then one of you can take the sofa in the living room.’

  ‘I’ll take the sofa,’ Aiden said, deciding to keep things simple. ‘Thanks again for putting us up, Phil.’

  ‘Anything for family.’ Phil stood and moved across the kitchen to a cupboard, pulling out a folded woollen blanket. ‘Good night then,’ he said, placing it on the table. ‘Don’t mind the dishes, I’ll do them in the morning.’

  He squeezed Faye’s shoulder before he disappeared up the creaking stairs. Aiden heard a door shut as Faye started collecting the dishes from the table.

  ‘Sofa?’ she asked with a raised eyebrow. ‘We’re sleeping separately now, all of a sudden?’

  ‘I figured it would be less complicated while we’re here,’ Aiden said, stretching his arms over his head and yawning. ‘What with family and all.’

  Faye tilted her head and shrugged. ‘If you say so. I’m going to wash these dishes then head on up to the spare room. You’ll be all right down here on your own?’

  ‘I’ll be fine. We can figure out our next move tomorrow.’

  He collected the blanket from the table and headed into the living room to the clinking sound of dishes being washed. He climbed on to the sofa and lay back, spreading the blanket over him. The fabric was rough against his skin, but thick enough to keep him warm. Hitch roamed over and stretched out in front of the sofa, settling down with his head on his paws.

  Just as Aiden was drifting off to sleep, he heard Faye approach. She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek, moving the blanket to make sure he was covered properly. Then she moved away through the kitchen and up the creaking stairs. With his stomach full, and his muscles weary, Aiden fell into a deep sleep within moments.

  CHAPTER
35

  ‘MORNING, SLEEPYHEAD.’

  Aiden opened his eyes to see Faye dressing on the other side of the room. He propped himself up on an elbow and yawned.

  ‘What time is it?’ he asked.

  ‘Almost midday. You slept like the dead. Even Phil didn’t wake you when he went out earlier.’

  Aiden rubbed his tacky eyes and coughed. ‘Anything to drink?’

  ‘There’s water in the kettle, and some tea on the side. There’s even some sugar. It’s Phil’s though, so go easy.’ Faye pulled on an oversized coat and buttoned it. ‘I’m heading out to the market. We need a few things.’

  ‘Is that a good idea? What if you’re seen?’ Aiden rose from the sofa letting the blanket fall to the floor, and stretched his back with a series of loud cracks.

  Faye winced at the noise. ‘I wish you wouldn’t do that. Anyway, I won’t be gone long.’

  ‘I still think it’s too dangerous.’

  Faye pulled a hood over her head and smiled at him from underneath the fur-lined cloth. ‘Don’t worry, no one is going to notice just another soul shuffling around town. Everyone thinks we’re dead anyway.’ She picked up an empty bag and swung it around her shoulder. ‘Besides, it doesn’t sit well with me that we’re chewing through Phil’s food. I have some wages left over, it’s only fair we pay our way.’

  ‘True enough,’ he said with a nod. ‘But let me go instead. Who knows what’ll happen if anyone recognise you as a Seeker.’

  ‘I lived in this town for most of my childhood. I know this place better than anyone. Including you.’ Faye walked over to him, putting her hand on his arm she pecked him lightly on the cheek. ‘I’ll be back soon, so try not to worry. Oh and there’s a hose out back.’

  Aiden frowned. ‘A hose?’

  ‘You’re starting to smell a bit ripe in those clothes,’ Faye said with a wink. ‘I think you’re overdue a wash.

  ‘Huh, it didn’t occur to me. I’ll take care of it.’

  ‘The water is nice and frigid, you’ll be glad to hear. Be back soon.’

  She turned and left through the front door, and Aiden moved to the window, biting his lip as he watched her walk away down the street. He whistled Hitch over from his spot by the sofa.

  ‘Hey boy, go keep an eye on her for me,’ he said reaching down and tussled the dog’s head. ‘I don’t trust anyone in this town.’

  Aiden walked over and opened the front door, and Hitch slipped out to the frosty street, bounding after Faye. Feeling slightly better, he headed for the kitchen to see about making that drink.

  BLANC WATCHED THE fabric merchant argue with Josh over the tax. The sour-faced seller was claiming he had already paid, but the Kiln Boy was refusing to listen to his protests.

  ‘Look you’ve been around here a long time,’ Josh said, his patience running out fast. ‘You know what happens if you don’t pay.’

  ‘I already paid you thieves yesterday,’ the man said, jabbing his finger. ‘I give you any more and my family will starve!’

  ‘So make more money then, it’s not my problem. The game isn’t built on sympathy, old man. You pay or you don’t, it’s your choice.’ Josh’s hand strayed to rest on the hilt of the dagger strapped to his waist. ‘What’s it going to be?’

  Blanc stepped forward, interrupting before the situation escalated. ‘What’s your name, sir?’

  The merchant looked at her in surprise, as if not realising she had been there the whole time. ‘They call me Norris. What’s that matter?’

  ‘Well, Norris. My friend here is looking for a fight. Doesn’t much matter to him where he finds it. Now if you say you’ve already paid, then I believe you. But if you don’t pay this man right now, then he’s going to jump over this stall of yours and plant his dagger somewhere quite uncomfortable.’

  Blanc glanced over to see Josh grinning as the merchant’s gaze flicked to the Kiln Boy’s hand resting on the dagger. She sighed and flicked a piece of imaginary dust from her sleeve, then returned her attention to the merchant who was now blinking rapidly.

  ‘So here’s what I’m suggesting. You pay the tax now. And our friend here keeps his dagger in its sheath. We can sort out whether you already paid later. If you did? Well, then we can call this an advance on next week’s payment. How does that sound to you?’

  Norris deflated, his shoulders sagging. He mumbled something inaudible under his breath as he reached under his apron and pulled out a pouch of coins. Blanc held out her hand and flashed him a smile as he counted out the correct amount.

  ‘You made the right decision, Norris,’ she said, pocketing the coins and walking away from the stall.

  ‘I’m impressed,’ Josh said, coming alongside her as they headed through the noisy market. ‘Why did you do that?’

  ‘There was no need to hurt him.’

  ‘He’s just a nobody. Ain’t no one going to miss him if he buys it. Hell, we could’ve pressed him for more and made a tidy profit for ourselves.’

  For all the violence Blanc had become accustomed to, she still had no desire to see innocent people hurt. There was no way she could admit that though, it would be like showing weakness in this place. She remembered something her father had told her when she was a child.

  ‘You can sheer a sheep plenty of times,’ she said. ‘But you can only kill it once.’

  ‘Eh, you what?’ Josh asked as he shouldered his way past an old man, knocking him aside.

  She rolled her eyes and turned to him. ‘Think about it. You kill the guy and you’ll never see another coin from him again. You keep him alive and you can keep going back, and take a little each time.’

  ‘Well ain’t you a clever one,’ he said, eyebrows raised. ‘I see why Trent keeps you around.’

  ‘And I see why he doesn’t put you in charge,’ Blanc muttered. ‘So what’s next then?’

  ‘We’re all done, darling. Didn’t take long, did it? Now I figure we head over to Classy Lassies and get a private room. Just the two of us.’

  ‘Not going to happen, Josh.’

  ‘Well, I can be very persuasive, you know.’ He circled an arm around her waist and stepped in front of her. ‘No one can resist once they get to know the real me.’

  Josh pulled her closer, but his smile faded as the point of her knife pushed against his groin. ‘If you try to touch me, Josh, I’ll make sure you’re never able to touch a woman again. Understand?’

  He stepped back and raised his hands. ‘Some women,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘Honestly, you try to do them a favour and they go psycho.’

  He wandered away through the crowds, leaving her stood alone in the bustling market. She sheathed her knife and rubbed her face. The constant advances stopped scaring her now, at this point they were just making her weary. She would have to speak to Trent about it, though just being near that man terrified her. There was something about his demeanour that inspired fear.

  A dog moved past her amid the crowds. She frowned as it passed, feeling sure that she recognised the animal. It looked like Hitch, the dog Aiden had found when they hunted Cameron. But there was no way Aiden or his dog would have survived the massacre of the Seekers.

  She followed the black and white border collie through the market, keeping her distance. The animal was walking at the side of a hooded figure, but they were too skinny to be Aiden. They stopped at a baker’s stall, where she watched them purchase a few loaves of black rye bread.

  Blanc stepped to the stall, pretending to browse the sparse selection. She glanced sideways at the hooded figure and caught a glimpse of their face, recognising them immediately.

  It was Faye Maddison.

  A Seeker was still alive and walking around the centre of Kiln Commons of all places. Trent had a bounty out on information regarding any Seekers in town, and he would no doubt reward her well for letting him know about Faye.

  She crossed the street, watching from a distance as the Seeker stored the loaves in her pack and headed off. Blanc followed her and the dog ou
t of the market and through the narrow, cobbled side roads, eventually coming to a narrow side street where Faye disappeared inside one of the poorer houses there.

  Blanc took note of the number, then turned and headed for Trent’s bar, smiling to herself as she walked. The day might turn out decently after all.

  CHAPTER 36

  ‘WELL IF IT isn’t my favourite traitor,’ Trent said, turning in his chair to face Blanc as she entered his office.

  ‘Would you rather I hadn’t switched sides?’ she asked.

  ‘Well then you’d be rotting in a field with the rest of those cultists.’

  Blanc suppressed a shiver as Trent stared at her across the desk, his cold blue eyes unblinking. She had not known the Kiln Boy leader for long, but already she had seen him explode with violence and almost beat someone to death after they walked in to his horse. She swallowed hard before continuing.

  ‘You must put some trust in me since you accepted me into your organisation.’

  ‘Organisation.’ Trent smirked. ‘Not from a poor background are you? Throwing fancy words around. That’s something I quite like about you though.’ His gaze travelled slowly up and down her body as he rose out of his chair. ‘There’s a hidden depth to you.’

  Her heart beat faster at his attention, and she squeezed her fists behind her back in anxiety. ‘If you intend on raping me then I’ll happily give you another scar to match the one you already have. Except this one won’t be on your face.’

  ‘You’ve got some balls for a woman,’ Trent said. He waved his hand dismissively. ‘Anyway I’m not talking about your parts, woman. I have plenty of whores for that when I get bored.’ Blanc rubbed her face to hide her relief as he continued. ‘I’m talking about your drive. There’s a killer inside you just aching to claw its way out. A ruthlessness behind those pretty blue eyes. I can sense it, radiating out of you, and you’re not even aware of it.’

  ‘I do what I need to survive. I think I’ve shown that,’ she said. ‘I wouldn’t describe myself as a killer though.’