“S-sorry if I sound rude,” Tequidi apologised. “I don’t understand it fully myself.” She looked up at Sonja, attempting to make eye contact. “S-sorry…”
“Don’t be.” Sonja patted the little woman’s shoulder. “Thank you for your message. I think it’s best for you and Raithia to head home as soon as possible.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “It’s going to get real messy here soon.”
“Oh,” Tequidi mumbled with her eyes diverting to the ground. “It was a l-long flight… S-sorry to bother you Sonja.” Head down, she staggered back towards Raithia.
Sonja sensed the woman was quite drained. “How long was your flight?”
“L-long…” She almost tripped over. “Raithia and I w-were airborne for six suns.”
“Six suns?” Sonja felt dreadful. She had never travelled into Altkruga, bar Aestridge, which was technically outside the region. Even so, that was ten suns away by wagon! “Have you eaten in the last six suns?”
Tequidi made a high pitched grunting noise, then collapsed to the ground, confirming she had not. Sonja ran to her side, only for Raithia to do the same. The two looked at each in the eyes for a moment, then both broke their gaze to stare at the fallen woman.
“Let me take her,” Sonja said softly, looking back to the flame wyvern. “I’ll make sure she regains her health, and then I’ll bring her straight back to you.”
Raithia snaked her head closer to Sonja’s. The flame wyvern opened its jaws wide, releasing a low gurgling noise. Upon the wall, Sonja could hear the clanking of slayers preparing their projectiles.
“Don’t!” Sonja put her hands in front of her, centimetres away from the large wyvern’s jaw. “I owe you my life! You know that. Allow me the chance to save Tequidi, consider it repayment for saving me.”
The wyvern retracted its head, looked back to Tequidi, and gave a sorrowful groan.
“Thank you Raithia…” Sonja sighed, then looked the flame wyvern up and down. “You must be quite hungry too, am I right?”
A puff of smoke lazily escaped Raithia’s nostrils. Sonja was unsure how to interpret wyvern actions, but figured the creature would not refuse a meal.
“Red!” Sonja called out behind her. She’d figured Volk would be watching from the gates. “Get over here, now!”
She was right, Volk came sprinting up to her. “Yes, Captain?” His eyes and attention weren’t with Sonja. He was gazing dreamily into the wyverns eyes, a goofy smile across his face. Anyone would think that he’d just seen his first pair of tits!
“You’re to watch over Raithia, the flame wyvern, until Tequidi is back on her feet.”
“Raithia…” Volk sung the name, clinging to each syllable like it would be rude not to savour them. “A beautiful name, for a most majestic creature.”
“Sure…” Sonja lifted the small woman from the ground, then started towards the gates.
“We should offer her a kuhvi!” Volk was still gazing at the creature, completely star-struck.
Sonja paused mid-step. The frozen suns weren’t far off and the town’s head of cattle was dwindling. “I’m sure she would be fine to eat something else. Maybe offer some slater beast flesh first? Whatever you feed her, just make sure it’s well dead. Friend or foe, I don’t want Raithia succumbing to blood lust.”
“But she is domesticated, right?” Volk questioned. “Wouldn’t that mean she is free of such afflictions?”
“Neither of us know enough about them,” Sonja said sternly. “Until Tequidi tells us otherwise, Raithia is not to consume any fresh kills. Feed her some slater beast, I’m sure the town would be glad to be rid of that stinking meat!”
Raithia released a spray of flame from her mouth, the vents in her back also plumed with fire. Sonja ignored the display, continuing into town.
“Of course you like your meat well done!” She heard Volk affectionately say to the flame wyvern.
Several other slayers were standing inside the gate. They had been watching their captain deal with a most unusual situation. It was for the best, easier than repeating the information again.
“I’m assuming you all heard what’s happened.” Sonja’s gaze locked with each slayer for a moment, then she continued walking. “Red’s got a pet flame wyvern until Tequidi recovers. If any of you have some spare meat, bring it out for the creature. Its name is Raithia. No harm is to come to her.”
“Yes Captain!” the slayers all responded in unison.
Sonja’s eyes fixed on Bernard Marxheimer. “Bernard, go find Commander Maver.” Sonja sighed. “I don’t care how ill the man is right now, he needs to know about this. Then inform Captain Sudtor on the south gate. I don’t want anyone starting trouble with the wyvern.”
“Yes Captain!” Bernard began running into town.
“Meatloaf, go find some meat,” Sonja commanded. She knew the man’s diet was completely carnivorous, and he always knew where to find a meal. “The older, the better. Don’t worry about preparation, I’m sure Raithia can manage just fine charring it to her liking. Despite what Volk wants, take advantage of the situation and rid ourselves of as much slater beast flesh as we can.”
Arnis grinned. “Yes Captain!” He pushed through the group and went off to complete his task.
“As for the rest of you,” she said with a smirk, “stop bloody gawking, and get back to your posts!”
The men all scrambled back to their position, giving Sonja a clear path into town.
***
Sonja had been spending a lot more time at her father’s house lately. She had pretty much abandoned her own residence now. A year ago her brother’s condition had seemed to be clearing. Sadly, it was the calm before the storm. Kallum’s illness had almost fully cleared up during the hot season, only to get worse than ever with the turn of seasons. She hated the thought, but had a feeling he wouldn’t survive the next lot of frozen suns.
She pushed the door open. Her father rarely locked it when the sun was up. “Dad?” she called out to her father, stepping into the warm house.
“Sonja,” he said, emerging from the main room. He looked tired, the last year had drained him almost as much as it had Kallum. He gazed upon the woman in Sonja’s arms, then his eyes met his daughter’s. “What has happened with this child?”
“She’s a woman,” Sonja corrected. She walked towards her father. “She hasn’t eaten for several suns! Travelled all the way from Altkruga to warn us of a threat.”
“Altkruga?” Kaine coughed, leading them towards the guest room. “That’s quite a trip! She can stay in the guest room until she is ready to leave. Did anyone else come with her?”
Kaine pulled the thick blankets back. Sonja placed the weary traveller down, resting her head against a soft, white pillow. “Remember the time I went to Aestridge?”
He sighed, leading her back into the main room. “After the bargetier incident…”
“Where you piloted the flame wyvern!” Kallum called out. He was sitting in the main room, listening to their every word. He was looking alright this sun. The herbs and elixirs he was constantly pumping into himself created that facade.
“Where I piloted the flame wyvern!” She couldn’t help cracking a smile at her brother’s enthusiasm. “Well, that’s when I first met our visitor, Tequidi.”
“Then her travelling companion?” Kallum’s mouth dropped open and his eyes grew wide. “It is, isn’t it? It’s a flame wyvern?”
“It is indeed. Her name is Raithia.” Sonja hoped her brother wouldn’t become too excited from the information. Too much excitement often equated another episode, and they were growing much worse.
“Woah!” Kallum exclaimed. He had always been obsessed with creatures, flying ones even more so. With no regard to his health, he dashed for the door.
“Kallum!” Sonja grasped him by his collar, pulling him back. “It’s cold out, dress a little more appropriate. Make sure you have plenty of elixir, and for your health’s sake, don’t run!”
“Sure.” He raced
back into the main room and began layering up in fur coats. He didn’t care who’s they were, or if he was even putting them on properly, he just wanted to check out the creature. He grabbed a small vial of elixir and slipped it into his top pocket. Once he had done what he was told, he dashed for the outside once more.
“Kallum!” Kaine roared and Sonja grabbed him once more. “Don’t run, and make sure there’s always someone who can see you!”
“Yes,” Kallum said with a big grin. He flopped his arms to his side, then took in a deep breath. “Walk, no running. Can I go now?”
Kaine gave a discerning look, then nodded to Sonja. She released her grip, and the excited Kallum did his best not to run—while they could see him anyway.
“I’ll go chase him down in a moment,” Sonja said dryly. “Firstly, I wanted to talk to you about what Tequidi said.”
“Of course.” Kaine walked back to the main room.
“Apparently a bunch of Altkrugan men are headed our way.” Sonja sat down at the table opposite her father. “A rough lot, causing all sorts of trouble. Apparently looking for something.”
“All they’ll find here is a bloody death if they aren’t careful!” Kaine smirked.
“I’m not sure. I’m kind of worried…” Sonja sighed. “Tequidi thinks Holtur might be cursed.”
“Hmmm…” Kaine appeared deep in thought. “And what do you think?”
“I must confess, it feels as though random happenings are getting worse for our town.” She folded her arms. “It all started with the return of the bargetier and—”
“But it was killed!” Kaine interrupted with a growl. “If anything, we are fortunate we ended it so easily this time!”
“Still, all those women it took, they will never be the same.” Sonja sighed. “What about Kallum’s health deteriorating?”
“That was always coming…” Kaine stared blankly at the table. “It was a mistake to think he was actually recovering from his illness, it was always going to end this way.”
“Leeches are striking more frequently. People have been disappearing. Rigst…” A lump formed in Sonja’s throat, blocking all words after his name.
“The leech attacks have always been common, you’re just noticing them more.” Kaine looked at his daughter through narrowed eyes, she was clearly in emotional pain. “I’m sorry about Rigst.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” she said between heavy breaths. “He just… disappeared.”
“It’s not the first time someone has gone missing without a trace.” Kain grabbed his daughter’s wrist. “It happens from time to time.”
“Not to Rigst!” She returned her gaze back to her father.
“I thought the two of you must have been close. You were, weren’t you?”
“Yes. No. Sort of?” Sonja was lost for words.
“Sonja, it’s alright to grow attracted to a man.”
“We worked together, that’s all.” It wasn’t all, but it wasn’t quite clear what they were either. Sonja was the one to blame for that.
“Sonja, you’re nearly thirty, and you are still single,” Kaine said. “Look, when you were but a girl, I was content for no man to ever steal you away from me. But now, I can see you need something. Maybe, deep inside, you are craving something more than slaying our enemies.”
“I don’t think that’s it, something bigger feels out of place.” Sonja stood up. Her face appeared strong, as though she had not been upset whatsoever. She had been, but didn’t succumb to tears that easily. “But yes, Rigst’s disappearance has shaken me up. I still feel that something isn’t right, Tequidi’s words just brought those feelings to light.”
“Very well, I’ll keep my ears and eyes peeled for anything that may support these thoughts.” Kaine nodded. “And I’ll take good care of our guest. Hopefully she’ll be up and about by next sun.”
“Thanks,” Sonja said, turning towards the front door. “You do that, and I’ll go watch over Kallum.”
Chapter 4: Eltra
Two months earlier…
“Thanks for being here!” Kallum embraced his sister as she stepped into the house. “She’s absolutely amazing, stunning, you’ll like her!” This was weird. He was talking about a female. Not some wyvern or beast of the gender, but a human.
“I’m sure I will,” Sonja said. Kallum excited about a woman! He never showed much interest in women growing up, even as a teenager. She never assumed her brother was queer, just assumed he had no sexuality whatsoever.
Kallum’s smile grew. He was even dressed nicely! A deep-purple jacket, with orange lining and buttons sat over a navy shirt. His trousers were a similar colour to the jacket he wore. Where had he acquired such extravagant garbs?
“Should I be… getting changed?” Sonja was wearing simple animal furs over light, leather armour; practical attire while on duty.
“What? You want to get dressed up too?” Kallum took a moment to glance down at his attire. He blushed for a moment, then they both burst out with laughter.
“You’re really trying to impress this woman!” Sonja wrapped her arm around her brother, walking him in towards the dining room. “And where, may I ask, did you find such clothing in Holtur?”
“Professor Wilbart Formidor lent the clothes to me,” Kallum said. “He has quite an interest in foreign fashion.”
“That man is… an odd one.” Sonja began inspecting the creases and pockets of the jacket. “Do the pockets have teeth? Does it change colours? Will it sprout angry tentacles if you spill meat juice on it?
“Sonja!” Kallum burst out laughing. “It’s just clothing!”
Sonja slapped him on the back. “Yes, but we know that man’s interest: horrors!” Wilbart Formidor was the Bristrunstium’s top authority on horrors; he was obsessed with them.
“A man can have more than a single interest!”
“I’m aware of that!” Sonja raised a brow. “Even you can! I never thought I’d see you show interest in women!”
“Just Eltra. I’m not interested in every woman!”
Sonja gave a thoughtful nod. “Of course.” Eltra, a name she hadn’t heard before, but it wasn’t as though she knew everyone in Holtur.
By the hearth, Kaine, their father, was checking on the stew. He was dressed in a fancy, lime-green coat with faint diamond patterns running vertically from the shoulders. It looked familiar, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on where from. Despite the family dress-ups, the stew would have been a simple one. Sonja was the best cook in her family, but that didn’t actually mean she was any good!
After a stir and returning the heavy cast iron lid atop the pot, Kaine turned to Sonja. “Busy sun?” he asked, still crouching by the hearth.
Sonja shook her head slowly. “No. Too quiet in fact.”
Kaine hummed. A quiet sun—at this time of year—usually meant something was coming. Something big.
“Both Rigst and Knoch should return to Holtur shortly,” Sonja said. “They’ll know what’s out there.”
Kaine widened his eyes, giving a nod in response. “Are you going to get changed?” he asked. “Or are you planning on slaying Kallum’s woman?”
“Well, Father, you know how protective I am of my little brother!” She went to ruffle her brother’s unkempt hair—the way she often did to annoy him—but held back upon noticing it wasn’t a mess. His black hair was neatly parted and brushed back to sit behind his ears. The little shit actually brushed his hair! What was this woman? Some kind of crazy monster aficionado? Sonja let out a laugh.
“I’m glad you didn’t do that,” Kallum said. “It took ages to get just right.”
“Has this, Eltra, ever actually seen you before?” Sonja asked.
“She has.”
“And, did you, dress up as much last time?”
Kallum frowned “No. She has only ever seen me at my worst.”
Sonja stole his mannerism. “She saw you during an episode?”
A quiet nod was his response.
“Not this moon,” Kaine said, patting both his children on the back. “Now she will see him at his best!” Their negative attitudes flipped into positivity. Their father could do that. “Now, Sonja, go get dressed! I don’t want you scaring the poor girl off!”
“Uhh… I don’t think I have anything up to the standard of what you two are wearing. Here or at home.”
Kallum grinned, then looked up and down his sister’s body. “The professor lent me one of his wife’s dresses too. It’s laying across your bed. Should fit you perfectly.”
“Oh great!” Sonja rolled her eyes. “I hope you checked it for horrors already! It might be best for me to head home after dinner. I don’t want to spend these moons sleeping with bed bugs!”
Kallum laughed. “I’m pretty sure he can tell the difference between fashion and research! You’re about the same size as his wife, the dress will look good on you!”
Not many women were built like Sonja, and probably no other in Holtur. “Same size as his wife?” she repeated.
“Well, she has fat where you have muscle, but other than that, you are similar.” Classic Kallum, always so blunt.
“I’ll be sure to tell the professor that,” Sonja said. “That you think his wife is fat!”
“Sonja!” Kallum’s face went a little red. “You know what I meant.”
“Go get dressed,” Kaine said, interrupting the squabble. “It’d be nice to see you dressed up for a change.”
Sonja tilted her head. “Father, I don’t get dressed up!”
“I know!” Kaine laughed. “So go do it, for this Eltra girl.”
“Alright, alright, but don’t get used to it!” Sonja made for the stairs. She hadn’t been interested in appearances since she was a little girl, since she lost her mother. But if a lady, somehow, made Kallum smitten for her—and he wanted his sister dressed nicely when meeting her—she owed it to them to look her best.
***
The dress, as beautiful as it was, didn’t quite fit Sonja as well as Kallum had made out it would. It was tight around the arms, especially around her shoulders. The V-shaped neck fit loosely around her chest. Because of her muscle mass, her bust sat in place much firmer than most women. She’d have to be mindful of moving too suddenly or protecting her chest from any breeze, how unconventional. But it fit, that was the main thing.
The Holtur Curse (The Holtur Trilogy Book 2) Page 3