by J C Gilbert
Lilly and I exchanged glances. "The Rams?" I asked.
"Yeah. Elthred was born a Ram but was converted. They are never too fond of people who convert," said Trist.
"My dad hated all of them!" cried Lilly.
"I'm not surprised," said Trist. "This is why Darion was in a state back in the inn. Deaths are always followed by battle in Kanboor, as far as I can gather. I've only been here a few weeks, but you start to notice patterns.
"I will have my revenge," said Mary, darkly.
"That's eerie A-F," said Lilly.
I shot her a look and went to comfort Mary again.
Mary pulled away, her hood falling from her head. "Stay away from me!" she yelled, drawing looks from nearby people. She ran off towards her home. Instinctively I moved to follow, but Trist stopped me with a hand on my shoulder.
"Leave her," he said, "she will grieve in her own way."
"That's what worries me," said Lilly.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
We were not at all sure how much of our plans we should tell Trist. After Mary had left, he had kind of just fallen in with us as we walked. Our original plan was to see if we could find a public meeting of the Rams and see if we could find out who Martin was. Thanks to Trist we now knew that Martin had inherited the leadership of the Rams from his father.
Trist was not keen on us going near the Rams on the potential eve of a battle. "Why not just see if this Martin fellow is still alive tomorrow? Everyone will be well worn out by then."
"We might not have that much time," I said.
"You still haven't told me why you need to see him."
"And we don't intend on telling you either," I mumbled.
"It's complicated," said Lilly, "but we would be glad to have you along."
Trist shrugged. "It seems like a stupid plan, but to be honest, I'm more comfortable with stupid plans. I'll go with you. But just be prepared to run, OK?"
"Always," said Lilly.
As the sun set the people of the city slowly disappeared and were replaced with armed figures with covered faces. Judging by the looks of things we were on the Ram side of the city because we did not see a single figure in black or any wings for that matter. Everyone wore at least a token of the blood orange color we had first seen the Rams wear when we landed in Kanboor.
We followed this massing army through the streets until we came to a place which Trist informed us was called Munrath's Muster. It was another open square, not as large as the market square, but was large enough fit the couple of hundred people. They all gathered around the giant ram statue in the center. Given the amount of muscle depicted on the ram, I wondered if the artist had ever actually seen one in real life. In front of the statue was a tall bearded man sporting an air of self-satisfaction. He was flanked with the stooped and horned caster we saw in the street battle. The caster looked almost manic with excitement.
We stood near the back under cover of an archway and watched as the light of the setting sun was replaced with dozens of torches.
"Doesn't look promising," said Trist.
Once the sun had fully set, the caster reached one clawed hand into the air. It erupted with flame and the crowd hushed.
"I wish I could do that," said Trist.
"Same," I said.
The bearded figure addressed the crowd. "It always warms my heart to see so many good-hearted men and women gathered to do homage to their god," he said.
"That's Martin," said Trist.
"Doesn't seem much like his dad," said Lilly.
"Not one bit," agreed Trist.
"Last night, this city endured the tragic loss of Elthred, father, brother, friend. It is true that we did not see eye to eye, but I feel his loss keenly."
"He was a good man!" shouted someone in the crowd.
"Yes, he was," said Martin. He seemed to be tearing up.
"This is not what I expected," I said.
"Today we will fight the good fight as we often have before," said Martin.
"It's pretty much what I expected," said Trist.
"Let us follow in the true ways of Munrath, the God of War," continued Martin.
There was a murmur in the crowd, and the gathered Rams each lay down their arms and started embracing each other.
"Um... Wat?" said Lilly, audibly omitting an H.
Trist laughed, "oh, boy."
"What?" asked Lilly.
"Nothing, it's just. It's kind of ridiculous."
"I think it's very noble," said Lilly.
"I mean, well, there's that," said Trist, " but there is no way the Ravens aren't going to retaliate."
Martin started speaking again. "I invite each of those who wish to speak about our departed friend to do so,"
"You really think that it was one of these guys that killed Mary's father?" asked Lilly.
"How should I know," he said with a shrug. He jumped and pulled down an orange banner from the pillar above them.
"You are all about thieving things from walls, aren't you?" asked Lilly. "What did walls ever do to you?
Trist wrapped the scarf around his neck. "I'll see you guys around," he said and started walking towards the crowd.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"I've got a thing to do," said Trist with a wave.
"Why is he like that?" asked Lilly.
"I honestly have no idea. What now?"
Lilly didn't answer.
"Lilly, are you staring at his, erm, pants?"
She shook her head. "It's too dark. Besides, they are just not quite tight enough for the epithet."
"For what?"
"He will never truly earn the title of Captain Tightpants. I'm sorry."
***
After some consideration, we returned to the inn. We took a seat near the back so that we could talk. If something were to happen tonight, then we figured we should be close, but not too close.
"I'm just saying that they don't seem like the murdering types, that's all," I said, sipping at a deep black coffee.
"That's exactly why they would make good murdering types. Gnorts, Alex. Don't you watch TV?"
"No, because it is not the sixteenth century."
"Depends on the show, I guess."
"What do you think will happen if the Ravens really do attack? I mean, they lay down their arms, Lilly. They were hugging each other."
There was a sound, and I turned to see Darion wipe the ale from his glorious beard. He had just spat his drunk all across the bar. The barman mopped a significant amount from off of his own face.
"Hugging?" he growled, "hugging?!" he was standing now, fury cast into every vein on his forehead. There were many. He loosed the ax from his side and stormed toward the door.
"Mr. Darion, sir!" said the barman as he left, but it was too late, the inn's door was in splinters, kissed as it was with Darion's battle ax.
"Um, whoops," said Lilly.
"Well I guess they are not quite that defenseless," I said.
"I honestly think he could give that Kuyr dude a run for his money," said Lilly.
"Maybe they are all better off with a guy like Martin. I mean, the fighting has to stop eventually, doesn't it?" I asked.
"What about Mary's dad? They say that the Rams killed him."
"Who says that? This whole place is a mess. Trist doesn't even know where he heard it. They will fight and fight until literally the end of time," I said.
"I mean, yeah, but that's like next week or something, right?" asked Lilly.
"Apparently."
"So we go to a Raven meet up tomorrow. That way, we can see their redeeming qualities and be completely stumped," said Lilly.
"They are just as much victims of Kuyr as anyone, and if he has taken command, then maybe they are the biggest victims of all."
"OK," said Lilly, her tones sarcastic.
There was a scream outside and the sounds of commotion. We rushed to the window along with most of the bar's occupants. Outside we could see people running with torc
hes. They were all in black. Winged figures flew overhead, the purple glow of their pistols clear in the night.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"Best you stay indoors tonight," said the barman when we moved toward the door, "sometimes nights like this get real ugly. Foreigners like yourselves tend to disappear on nights like this."
"Thank you," I said, fumbled for something else to say, and then stepped out into the night.
"When did you get all about stepping towards the danger, Alex?" asked Lilly, joining me.
"I'm really unsure," I said. "It's getting to be kind of a habit."
"I noticed that."
I wanted to get close to the action, but not too close. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to see if there were any particular void objects about. People tended to put them on the ends of staffs, or on necklaces around their necks. There was just something about them that made people want to show off that they had them.
The night was clouding over, the clouds being lit up with the occasional explosion of purple light or orange flame. All was chaos when we got to the square. People were fighting everywhere. Some of the Rams were still unarmed and were doing their best to get away from the attackers or protect their friends.
Darion was huge in the center of the fray, his ax swinging. It was horrible. People were screaming and dying. One of the winged Ravens had perched himself atop the ram statue and was firing almost manically into the crowd with his pistol. The pistol looked like something out of a steampunk convention but was crackling with the now familiar force of the chaos of the void: magic.
"Maybe that's it?" asked Lilly, pointing at the pistol-wielding man. We were hidden behind a part of a building which had collapsed into the street.
"It can't be, there are too many of them. I mean, a void item could be powering them, but the gun isn't it," I said.
I scanned the battlefield for anything out of the ordinary, well, more out of the ordinary than wings, but there was nothing. "Could be that it's him that has it?" I pointed to the stooped horned caster. He lifted his hands and cast another bolt of red lightning at his foe. It collapsed in a heap of armor and wings.
"I don't think so. He doesn't seem to be very keen on these Raven guys. That saying, he does seem to be enjoying himself a little too much."
Just then another figure descended from the sky. Huge tattered wings extended on either side. Darion turned to face him. The creature grinned with a row of sharp teeth, ancient and terrible.
For an instant, Darion looked afraid, then his face contorted with anger. He lunged at the creature, screaming. It was Kuyr, it had to be. Kuyr extended one long taloned arm and in one sweep cast the massive warrior aside. "Boring," he said.
The Rams who were fighting turned to face this new foe. Some of them tossed aside their axes, and their hands lit into balls of fire.
"Looks familiar," said Lilly.
"So does that," I said, my gaze upward. The sky cracked with lightning. For an instant, it looked like it was going to open up like it did in the world Darcy and I saw in its final moments. The scar on my wrist began to throb.
"Why, what?"
"The end of time," I said.
"Bugger that," said Lilly.
Kuyr was gleefully picking up the Rams, inspecting them, and then throwing them aside. He caught one of the Ravens mid-flight and then hurtled him into the sky.
"Doesn't seem very keen on the Ravens either," said Lilly.
"I know you are here somewhere, flame shepherd. I have seen you in my dreams," said Kuyr. "It's no fun if you hide. I have such plans."
My heart sank. I couldn't know for sure, but I got the distinct impression that Kuyr was talking about me. "Lilly," I said weakly, "he is talking about me, Lilly."
"Do remember that you have a magic book, would you?"
"I pulled out The Book of Martin and began to read. There was another crack of lightning, and for an instant, I thought I saw a gigantic silvery white snake swirling in the sky.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
As much as I wanted to stay away from that hideous thing, I knew that there was only me between Kuyr and the total annihilation of a world teeming with life. Still, I cried. Alone in my room, I cried.
I hardly slept after the battle, and when I did sleep, all I could see was Kuyr's terrible grin and his searching eyes. When at last I did have a restful sleep I dreamed of Elaine. I knew it was Elaine, though I couldn't see her. It was not her as she was when she jumped into the void, bitter and angry. It was the other Elaine I knew. The one who genuinely wanted to do the right thing. The one that cared for me and tried to warn me not to be her friend.
In the dream, I was laying on the ground and staring up at a dark and crackling sky. She leaned down and whispered something in my ear, though I later couldn't remember what it was. After that, I fell into a dreamless sleep.
The following afternoon, Lilly and I were back in Kanboor, a city which was becoming for me a place of dread. Hank was active in my stomach. I did not have a good feeling about today. On Lilly's insistence, we waited for Trist at the inn before starting our search for Raven's Keep, the place where we were told by a somewhat uncertain barman we could find the Ravens.
But today there was no sign of Trist wandering through the newly patched up door. Darion was back in his seat again, but looking a lot worse for wear. Is left arm was in a sling, and he held it very carefully. When we went to leave, I briefly made eye contact with him. He quickly pulled away his glance, afraid or ashamed, I couldn't tell.
The Raven's Keep was the tallest building in Kanboor. The buildings grew steadily taller as we approached and gave the general impression of a rising mountain. People this way seemed to be going about their business as usual and didn't pay any more attention to us than in any other part of the city.
"They certainly don't look evil," said Lilly.
"What did you expect?"
"I don't know. Scowls maybe. Maybe wings."
When we found the keep, we backed up a bit, circling it from a few blocks back. It was more like a vertical village than a fortress, and we soon found a safe way inside. There was definitely tension in the air, but it was more fear than fury.
We climbed a few levels, trying to look as little out of place as we possibly could. It helped that we looked like foreigners to them. At least they couldn't mistake us for their enemy.
"Can I help you?" asked one well-dressed man when we went to climb to the top story.
"We are just having a look around," said Lilly, and made to keep walking.
"You can't go up there," said the man.
"But we -" started Lilly.
"Not without a guide," he said with a grin.
"No, thank you," I said reflexively.
"Just pay the man," said Lilly.
Remembering my pouch of denar, I withdrew a few coins and handed them to the man. He frowned, looked them over, and then slipped them into his pocket.
"My name is Jerek," he said. "This way, please."
Once we were on the upper floor, the building narrowed, and the walls fell away, giving us a commanding view of the city, the harbor, and distantly the ocean.
"A charming view, is it not?" said Jerek, "for centuries the Ravens have kept watch over the strait out to sea. Not that we have so much trouble with foreign invaders these days," he hesitated, "yourself excluded," he said.
He watched us as we gazed about. It was still relatively early in the afternoon. I wondered what it would be like to see the sunset over the harbor. I imagined what it would be like to watch every day.
"We saw fighting in the streets yesterday," I said to Jerek as we walked.
"There is always fighting in the streets. I have not seen peace here since I was little. No one really knows how it started. I mean, a lot of people have explanations, but no one really knows. Ah, here we are."
He led us inside a tremendous domed structure. Overhead was a mural beautifully painted. It seemed to depict a battle. All the men in the painting w
ere horned or winged or had long white hair, or had some artifact attached to the arms. They all seemed to be fighting together.
"This is a depiction of the battle of the Turin Planes. They used to call it the last battle."
"Who were you fighting?" I asked.
"It is only a myth, really. The story says that we were fighting the God of Death. An allegory only, I can assure you. It refers to the end of the tribal fighting and the construction of Kanboor in the neutral space of the harbor. It brought peace to this province for many many years."
"Not now, though," I said.
"No, not now."
"What's up with that guy's hands?" asked Lilly, pointing to one of the figures.
"He looks like, yes, he is a Tinker. They came from across the sea. They were said to have limbs made from stone. Probably just another metaphor. There are some fine specimens of what is supposed to be their limbs in the city's museum. I would suggest you go and see them, but the museum has not been open for some time."
Lilly and I exchanged glances.
"There is just one more thing you will want to see," said Jerek.
"I think maybe we better go," I said.
"Nonsense, this is the pride of the Ravens. You have seen our view, you have seen our past, now come see the future."
He led us down a flight of stairs. The path branched out, revealing an open space. In the center of the area was a raised dais, on top of which was a purple flower like stone. It was glowing softly.
"Bingo," said Lilly.
"No, it's called the Rose of the Raven," said Jerek.
Movement out of the corner of my eye drew my attention. A small grey creature landed a few feet from us and folded up its grey wings.
"What is that?" I asked.
Jerek smiled. "This is a gargoyle," he said, "they are the future of peace in the city."
"Of peace?" I asked.
"Yes, they will line every street and every building."
I watched as it walked. Its feet clunked on the flagstones.
"Is it made of stone?" I asked.