by Nesa Miller
“Serious toys you have there, boys. I guess it’s safe to say this gift…” He indicated the arrow in his shoulder, “is not from you.”
“We ain’t lame ass Robin Hoods.” Shaggy’s response elicited snickers from his buddies. “What we got gets the job done a lot faster than sticks and stones.”
The rain tapered off and the wind shifted. Dar got the slightest hint of Bok taint. Fresh recruits. Were they seasoned Bok, the smell would have been much stronger and they would know the weapons they so proudly displayed were worthless in this realm.
“It’s an entirely different game here.”
A confused look passed over the boy’s face. He snorted, glanced at his crew, and looked down his nose at Dar. “Only difference is I’m in charge and got the muscle to back it up.”
You have no idea, little boy. “Do you know why you’re here? Why you fight? Who I am?”
“I know a big reward’s been offered to bring in the big man, and I ain’t seen no one bigger ‘n you.” Chuckles passed through the boys behind him. “That’s all we need to know.”
The stallion stomped a hoof in a show of impatience. Dar, as well, was aware of the passing time. “I guarantee it won’t be what you expect.”
“Not your problem, old man.” Shaggy took a step. “You coming? Or do we need to add a few more holes?”
Dar did his best not to smile. These boys posed no threat whatsoever, but he did feel it imperative they be taught a lesson. “What about my horse?”
One of the other boys came forward in a show of bravado. “Forget the horse.”
“Then you won’t mind if I do this.” Dar gave the stallion’s rear flank a hard slap, then jumped back when the enraged creature kicked out and tried to bite him. The horse dashed down the hill. Dar hissed when the arrow moved but kept his eye on the stallion to make sure the demon animal headed in the right direction – straight back to Laugharne. Several clicks behind made him turn.
“Let’s go, asshole,” the boy with the CZ commanded.
“Oh, one more thing,” Dar said.
“No, old man. Let’s go.”
Dar called to his demon blood. A terse look on his face was his only reaction to the explosion of pain in his shoulder as his height stretched to eight feet. An inner fire set the golden eyes alight, and gasps of surprise passed amongst the boys. Dar reached up and broke off the point of the protruding arrow. Shaggy boy squeezed his trigger.
Click.
He tried again.
Click.
“What the fuck?”
Another boy squeezed the trigger of his Ruger.
Click.
“I loaded it before we left.” He dropped the magazine. “Look. It’s full.”
“This is bullshit,” said one, a shotgun aimed at Dar. The boy squeezed the trigger. The barrel exploded, spraying blood over the others as the boy careened back to the ground. His screams joined those from the valley below.
“What the fuck did you do?” the shaggy boy yelled at Dar.
All barrels took aim and fired. This time, hammers succeeded in their intended goals. Bullets emerged in a direct line toward their target but came to a halt when they hit the dense atmosphere. The bullets fell to the ground, useless.
“It’s called magic. Your toys have no power here.” All eyes looked at Dar who now stood with his great white wings outstretched to their full span. Eight long, white talons extended from his knuckles, presenting an array of blades ready for battle. “Time for sticks and stones.”
The boys slipped on the wet earth and stumbled over each other to make their escape. Two stopped long enough to grab their injured cohort and dragged h im away, screaming the whole time.
Dar raised his taloned hands into the air and called upon his Krymerian ancestors. “Lords of the past, fill me with your strength, infuse me with your powers.” His core grew warm, pulsing with power. He envisioned the white light and saw it expand out, speeding through his veins, filling him with its intensity. A bright beam of light blasted from his eyes, following the retreat of the baby Bok. “You can run, but you can’t hide.” It ripped into the earth, upending rocks, boulders, and trees, turning them into deadly projectiles that brought the hasty retreat to a deadly halt. Lightning strikes lit the sky and swallowed their screams with its thunder. Drained, Dar extinguished the light. “That should be a lesson learned.”
“Can the same be said for you?” asked a voice from behind.
Dar turned. He recognized the red-skinned monster from his visions. His blood told him this was the one responsible for the attack and much more. “She is beyond your reach.” He grasped the hilts of his blades, gritting his teeth against the pain from the broken arrow in his shoulder.
Mocking lips spread over a row of pointed fangs. “But I have the perfect bait.”
“You have a death wish.” He planted his feet and spun the blades.
Dathmet laughed. “Only for your’s mighty warrior.” He tipped his head and his parasites moved in.
Dar slammed the hilts of Day Star and Burning Heart together with such force, the two swords became one. The fire in his shoulder further fueled his determination to end this demon fool’s existence. He set the blades to work, weaving from side to side. They spun in such a rapid and precise dance, they sliced several of the demon’s minions to shreds before their weapons could engage.
His target was the blood-skinned demon. The one who threatened Etain. He would be the next to fall. Dar knew the abomination was close. He felt the evil creeping up behind him. Dar ripped the two blades apart and rotated to the right with Day Star, followed by Burning Heart. He felt a momentary surge of gratification at the ease with which his blades sliced into the flesh and bone, separating the upper torso from the lower trunk. As the blades passed, Dar caught eyes of ice blue in a fixed stare. He stumbled.
His beloved Etain fell in pieces at his feet. She had not screamed. Her blood had not sent a warning. Nothing of her spoke to him. Yet there she lay, broken and bleeding by his own hand. Had his passionate need to slay the devil deafened him to her cries? “Etain.” The blades slipped from his hands. The mighty Krymerian collapsed to his knees, reaching for her mutilated body, stroking rain-drenched hair. “Etain!” he cried, his tears lost amidst the rain.
Dathmet loomed at the grief-stricken warrior. “The bigger the man, the harder the fall…” He looked over his shoulder at the bloodied sections of her body. “What a waste.” His gaze came back to Dar. “Had she stayed with Midir...” He clutched the shaft of the arrow protruding from the fallen hero’s shoulder and turned it with a savage twist. “She would still be alive.”
Dar groaned and his body jerked, blood oozing from the wound, traveling down his battered body, puddling on the ground, mixing with Etain’s. This would be the last mingling of their precious blood. His heart constricted, seeing the light in her eyes extinguished, now an empty stare, her cheeks hollowing before his eyes. Horrified by his actions, he reached for the dagger in his boot. If he could not be with her in life, he would be with her in death.
31
Odd Turns
The Bok army fell back, leaving the Black Blades and the Alamir alone on the battlefield. Inferno nudged his mount over to Linq. “What the bloody hell? I've never seen ‘em turn and run. Should we go after ‘em?”
Linq watched the shadow soldiers turn, row by row. “They aren’t running. They’re taking their sweet time to leave the field. It could be a trap, but I think it’s over. Best we regroup and wait.”
“Sounds good to me.” Inferno turned his horse to confer with Commander Crom. After some discussion, they decided it best to fall back themselves to the protection of the mountains behind them to safeguard not only against any lingering Bok but also against the remaining demons from Dar’s initial offensive.
The Alamir, along with the Black Blades, kept a watchful eye, the same way the demons watched them. Leviathan, the most powerful lord of the demon realm, gathered his fellow chiefs for a discussio
n. “What game do you think is played?”
Buer, the lion-headed demon, narrowed his amber eyes as he spoke in his gravelly voice. “I’ve not seen the Bok do such a thing in all me years. They fight to the death.”
“Spero neminem eorum. In pointy AURITUS pythones occidi sicut plures ex nostris, sicut Bok,” said Granach.
Leviathan nodded in agreement. “I noticed, Granach. The wizards did not discriminate between Bok and free-thinking demon.” He eyed each of his six chiefs. “Do we view the act as a betrayal by the Krymerian dog and answer it in kind?” Grumblings of war passed amongst the lords. “Or do we accept it as unavoidable, go home, and consider our debt paid?”
“He runs off and leaves us here to rot,” grumbled Raddick, Lord of the Necromancers.
“Proditione dico, sed quia non Krymerian bello omnes parati.”
“You’re right, Granach,” responded another chief, Zalil. “The Bok are up to something, but war with the Krymerian would be a waste of our power. I say we leave these Alamir to whatever the Bok have planned for them and return to our realms. We can deal with the Krymerian’s betrayal another time.”
“What say the rest of you?” Leviathan asked.
Buer grunted. “Wouldn’t take long to rip these puny Alamir apart. They’d get the message not to toy with the demon world.” He wheeled around the group. “But Zalil is right. We should wait until the elves and their wizards are gone.”
The demons argued for several more minutes. In the end, all agreed to return to their respective realms. They knew where the High Lord slept.
After the departure of the demon army, a relaxed sigh passed through the Alamir and their allies. The men took a quick inventory of those warriors in the vicinity, deciding it would be prudent to scout the area. Elfin, Wolfe, and BadMan split the clansmen between them and rode in different directions. Commander Crom sent a portion of the Black Blades after each group to assist in the reclamation of the injured and the dead. He ordered the other Black Blades to the castle.
Linq turned to follow those Blades returning to Laugharne, but Inferno didn’t move. Noticing his reluctance, the elf cocked a brow. “Inferno?”
“Have ya seen Dar lately?” He eyed the eastern horizon, hoping to see a sign of the Krymerian, but the darkness of the day and the smoke from the still burning fires made it impossible.
“He was at the head of his demons last I saw.” Linq brought his mount up next to Inferno’s, looking across the field.
“He had to have seen the same thing we did.”
Linq slapped him on the back. “Don’t worry, Inferno. Dar’s always the last off the battlefield. If I know him, he’s making a final sweep of the area.”
“Reckon ya know better than me.” The Alamir chieftain shrugged and nudged his horse toward the trees, away from Laugharne.
The horse on which the elf sat swished its tail and snorted, its breath billowing in a cloud of steam. Linq watched his friend guide his horse in a slow walk through the mud and muck. “Where you going?”
“Something don’t feel right,” he said over his shoulder.
The rain turned to mist again, the kind that saturated the skin and drenched to the bone. Linq reached into a small pack behind his saddle and pulled out his cloak. Pulling the hood over his head, he clicked his tongue and went after Inferno.
The farther east they went, the more bodies they found. There were demons and Bok, Alamir and Blades. Linq and Inferno made a wide pass around the bodies, knowing the Blades would collect them for proper burial.
The two moved into the forest. Fortunately, no Alamir appeared to have ventured this far. All they found were demon corpses already starting to decompose. Eventually, they came to a clearing in the trees. The horses shied away, twisting and turning, refusing to enter. Unable to make any headway, Inferno and Linq left their mounts to inspect the area on foot. Lighting a fireball in his hand for illumination, Inferno entered with no hesitation, but Linq stood at the edge of the clearing.
“Holy shite!” Inferno stopped, feeling the heaviness in the air, making it hard to breathe. Even the fireball reacted in spits and sputters. He turned. “Ya feel it, don't ya?”
Linq forced one foot in front of the other. “A great wrong has been inflicted here.” As he said the words, he spotted two black scimitars in a pool of blood.
“It can’t be...” Inferno rushed over for a closer look. The flame in his hand flared. “Are they his?”
Linq crouched down and ran a hand over one of the blades. “Aye, I'm afraid so.” He scanned the area. “I can only assume this is his blood.”
“Look at these ashes.” Inferno pointed to a gray mass around the great swords. “They’re everywhere. He must’ve fought long and hard.” They searched the area further, soon coming across a set of distinct tracks. “Here. Look. Something was dragged off.”
“Or someone.” They followed the trail of blood to the edge of the clearing. The men looked at each other, neither one willing to voice their inner thoughts.
Inferno's mind raced as fast as the hooves of his horse. He wanted to be back on the Bok's trail as soon as possible. It was easier to ambush on the road than wait until they were safe in their own hellhole. Names ticked through his head on who would be best to include in a search party. He thought about anything to avoid the contemplation of what had occurred in that clearing and why. Elfin and Wolfe can fetch Spirit and Swee. Spirit can scry with the blood. Swee can help with the healing. Then he remembered Etain. For fuck’s sake... He spurred his horse faster. Thoric and several UWS clan members ran out to meet the chieftain as he careened into the courtyard.
“Did you find Dar?” Thoric asked, catching the reins as Inferno jumped off his mount.
“How the hell did ya know?” Inferno barked.
“His horse came in alone.”
“Bloody hell.” He kicked at the ground and blew out a heated breath. “The Bok have Dar.” Thoric handed the horse to a stableboy, then rushed toward the house with Inferno. “We can’t afford to lose any more time. I want to be ready to leave within the hour.” The chieftain charged through the front doors and came face to face with Cappy, Arachnia, and a bloodied Freeblood on their way out. “Where's Aramis?” he asked, breezing past the surprised group and into the lounge.
“They haven't come back yet, Inferno,” Freeblood said. “The Dragon clan split off to the west to make sure we weren't blindsided.”
“I want him with us. They better show up soon.” He looked at Cappy. “I want you and Thoric to stay here. I'm sending Elfin and Wolfe to get the girls.”
“Uh, Inferno?” Freeblood interrupted. “I can move as fast as Elfin. Let me go with him instead of Wolfe. We'll have them back here in a flash.”
Arachnia quickly interceded. “Wait. What about that demon girl? Who's gonna watch her while you're gone?”
“She's not a threat,” Freeblood said, glancing back at Inferno. “What should I tell Etain?”
Inferno looked back and forth between the two before he answered. “I doubt ya have to say anything, lad. She’ll be gone the second she knows yer there.” Freeblood grimaced. “Get cleaned up. I don’t want ya scaring me wife. And be ready. Elfin’ll be coming in with Linq soon.”
Freeblood nodded and raced off.
With the members of the search party determined, Inferno contacted Spirit's faerie friends to come in and help with the preparation of rations for the group. Arachnia took charge of ensuring they had everything needed for the trip. In the midst of the activity, Linq, Wolfe, Elfin, BadMan, and the remaining Blades rode in, faces grim.
Linq stood in the doorway. Wolfe and Elfin had come in behind him and looked as serious as the elf. “Inferno.” The chieftain gazed past Freeblood as Linq entered the room. He had one hand over his heart, held in a fist. Standing before Inferno, he stretched out his arm and opened his hand. “We found this.”
Inferno snatched the purple-stoned ring from his hand. “Where the hell did that come from?”
&n
bsp; “A Blade found it in the ashes near Dar’s blades. Is it significant?”
“It belongs to Etain.”
Everyone in the room shifted, exchanging uneasy glances.
“Dar gave it to her.” Inferno whirled away and stormed to the fireplace, the ring clenched tightly in his fist, staring into the flames. “She’s as hard-headed as that demon she’s married to.” He could barely breathe, the pounding of his heart filling his ears.
Wolfe approached the fireplace but gave Inferno his space. “It doesn’t necessarily mean she was there.”
He swallowed and dared a glance at him. “How else would it get there? She didn’t take it off. Ever.”
Linq came up behind him. “It doesn’t make sense. The Bok aren’t strong enough to overtake the two of them. Look at the devastation on the battlefield just from Dar.”
“She knew he was in trouble and come a’running.” Inferno pushed past the elf. “The Bok will pay for messing with me family. They can’t be far.” He pulled up short at the sight of a dirty, blood-covered warrior in the doorway. “Aramis.”
The Dragon chieftain made a poor attempt at a smile and leaned against the jamb, holding his side. “There was a small patrol to the west.” He drew in a careful breath. “We took ‘em by surprise, giving us a slight advantage.” Thoric and Elfin helped him to the sofa. “We lost Unknown and Ciara.”
“You need a medic,” Linq said, headed to the door. “We'll put the bodies with the others and get the rest patched up.”
Aramis accepted a glass of whiskey, downing it in one gulp. “Funny thing, though. Right in the middle of it, they quit. They all came to attention, turned, and rode away.”
Inferno refilled the empty glass and sat on the opposite sofa. “Aye, we experienced the same thing. Bastards cleared out completely.”
Aramis nodded his thanks. “It was a good thing for us. Otherwise, me and mine would all be dead. How bad is it?”