Hath No Fury

by Melanie R. Meadors

  We piled out the back door, across the porch, and down the hedgerow, hunched almost double. That left twenty feet of dusty street between us and the stable entrance. Little Barrow started out at a run, then slid to a halt as a bullet raised a shower of dirt only a pace in front of him. He fell on his ass, and Rob and I grabbed his arms and dragged him back to cover just ahead of another couple of shots.

  “Shit,” he said. “We’ll never make it.”

  “We haven’t got a choice,” Rob said. “They’ll be coming around any minute.”

  “All at once,” I said. “Count of three. Run and keep running, no matter what happens.”

  “Okay.” Little Barrow took a deep breath. “One.”

  “Two,” Rob said, lowering himself into a crouch.

  “Three!” I shouted, pushing off.

  I don’t know that I’d ever run like that in my life. It sure felt like I hadn’t, my lungs sawing at the air and my heart going like it was trying to tear itself to pieces. Every step I took I could feel the shot that would get me, slamming into my leg or my belly, doubling me over or spraying my brains across the road. Bullets hit the ground with a sound like pok pok pok, raising little fountains of dust. I swear I felt the wind of one of them tug at my coat.

  When I got to the stable, I couldn’t stop, just kept running until I wrapped one arm around a wooden pillar and brought myself to a halt. My legs felt like jelly, like I’d run twenty miles instead of twenty feet. Little Barrow pulled up beside me, gasping, then turned back and shouted.

  “Rob!”

  He was down, clutching his hip, blood leaking into a pool that looked black in the dim light. Little Barrow took a step in his direction, and I grabbed his arm before he could go back out. Shots were still raising sprays of dirt all around Rob as he fumbled for his revolver.

  “She’s right!” he shouted over the racket. “Get inside.”

  Little Barrow took a step back, hesitated, then turned away. I was about to follow, but Rob locked eyes with me, and I froze in place.

  “My last shot,” he said, raising the revolver. “Please, Nellie. Don’t let them leave Bill behind. One way or the other.”

  A bullet tore through his coat where it lay on the ground behind him. Rob put the revolver to his temple and pulled the trigger.

  INSIDE THE STATION, JOHN PLAINSMAN held his knife at Finny’s throat. Ben and Gid were still by the windows, leaning out to deliver the occasional shot at the Neffies, but Dogs and Big Barrow had come over to the stable door.

  “I don’t remember nothing in the plan about taking prisoners,” Dogs said.

  “Especially not such nice-looking prisoners,” Big Barrow said, his eyes roving over Finny. “Not that I’ll complain.”

  She kept her head up and gave a creditable impression of being unafraid.

  “If you’re going to rape me,” she said, “I’d appreciate it if you’d go ahead and get it over with. I’d say I was surprised, but it’s what I’d expected from traitors.”

  “I’m no fucking traitor,” Big Barrow said. “And maybe we ought to, after what Tzolk was going to do to Liz. What are you, his whore?”

  “She’s his daughter,” I said, pushing Little Barrow out of the way. “And I told her we wouldn’t hurt her.”

  “This was your idea?” Dogs said, raising a bushy eyebrow.

  I nodded. “I figured we could offer her back to Tzolk if he lets us ride out of here.”

  “Not bad,” Dogs said, scratching his chin. “Ben, Gid, get away from the window. If they want to waste ammunition shooting in the dark, let ‘em.”

  “Where’s Rob?” Big Barrow said, looking behind us into the stable.

  His brother shook his head. Big Barrow stared at him, and Dogs winced.

  “Dead?” the sergeant said. “You’re sure?”

  “Yeah,” I said. “He took his last shot.”

  “Good man.” Dogs cocked his head. The fire from outside had dwindled away, leaving the night nearly silent once again. “I gotta think about this. Nellie, the girl’s yours to take care of. Make sure she doesn’t cause trouble.” He turned away, gesturing for the others to follow. Ben lingered behind.

  “You’re all right?” he said.

  I frowned at him. There was a damp patch on his sleeve, the gray fabric soaked through. “I’m fine. Are you bleeding?”

  “Only a little. It was just a splinter.” He shrugged. “Still lucky.”

  “Put a bandage on it anyway,” I said. He smiled, and I grinned back at him.

  “He’s your husband?” Finny said, as he walked away.

  “Husband?” I snorted. “He’s just a man I take to bed sometimes.”

  She colored and looked away, muttering something. It sounded like, “Savages.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Come over here, out of the way.”

  She followed me to the corner, where I sat down against our water barrel. After a moment, she took the seat across from me, back to the wall. I watched her look around the room, taking in the two injured men and the small knot deep in conversation.

  “This is it?” she said. “These are the Red Riders?”

  I bristled. “This is what’s been running you and your damned Neffies in circles.”

  “You’re not even wearing the red capes.”

  “We only wear those when we want to scare people,” I said. “It was Hays’s idea. What kind of an idiot would wear a red cape into a fight?”

  “Where is the famous Captain Hays, anyway?”

  I hesitated, but it wasn’t like there was anyone she could tell. “He’s hurt. He got hit when he showed himself to shoot Liz.”

  “That was the woman from the water tower?” When I nodded, she closed her eyes. “She killed my brother.”

  “She…” My mouth went dry, and I couldn’t think of what to say. “I’m sorry. I guess.”

  “Why?” Finny said. “He was your enemy, you should be happy he’s dead. I’m not sorry your friend Rob got killed.” She shrugged, and said, a little too quickly, “Besides, Gil was an ass. He used to hit me with his belt when he thought I’d stolen something from him.”

  There was an awkward silence. I saw Finny look at the others, and followed her gaze to see Dogs staring back at her, his gaze frank and appraising.

  “You want some water?” I said.

  She looked back to me and nodded. I filled two tin cups from the barrel, passed one to her, and drank deep from mine. Finny took a sip, then a longer swallow.

  “What were you doing digging through that closet, anyway?” I said. “Did you think they’d hid the silver in there or something?”

  “Of course not.” Finny flushed. “The woman who lived there seemed like she was about my age. I was curious.”

  “You were stealing her dresses?” I couldn’t keep a note of disbelief out of my voice. I’d done my share of looting with the Red Riders—food, money, ammunition, even shoes—but I couldn’t imagine grabbing a fancy dress except to tear it up for bandages.

  “I wasn’t stealing them,” Finny said. “Just looking. I was bored.”

  “That why you joined the army? To kill people and steal clothes?”

  “I joined the army to save the Counties from traitors,” Finny snapped. “And you ought to talk. Your Red Riders are nothing but a pack of murderous thieves.”

  “I’ve never murdered nobody,” I said. There had been that Central quartermaster, admittedly, but he’d been trying to shoot me, so that wasn’t murder.

  Finny snorted. “If you’re going to lie to me, be a little smarter about it. What about those two guards outside my door? Or did your Plainsman friend do both of them?”

  “One of those was mine,” I said. “But those were Neffies, not people.”

  Finny narrowed her eyes. “It’s the same thing, surely?”

  “Neffies and humans aren’t even close to the same. Shooting a Neffie is more like shooting a mad dog.”

  “But if you kill a Nephilim’s host,” Finny said, in a slow voic
e like she was talking to a kid, “the host’s soul will have nowhere to return to when the binding is released. It’s no different from killing the host outright. Though I suppose the host won’t feel any pain, at least.”

  I didn’t want to admit I’d only understood about half of that. “A Neffie is still a Neffie.”

  “But if you kill the Nephilim,” Finny said again, “then it can’t go back to being the person it was.”

  Now it was my turn to snort. “You Centrals don’t turn Neffies back into humans.”

  “Thousands of people host Nephilim and return every day,” Finny said, eyeing me curiously. “Almost all our factories use Nephilim labor. It’s efficient and humane.”

  “But you make your soldiers out of prisoners,” I said. “Defiant soldiers and anybody else who steps out of line. You’re never going to let them come back.”

  “There are some of those,” Finny said. “But there’s hardly enough prisoners to make an army. Most of the Nephilim come from the draft lottery, and they’ll be released when their service is over.”

  “And how long is that?”

  A frown crossed her features. “It was supposed to be two years, but Parliament changed the law to make it until the conclusion of the war.”

  “Of course,” I said, feeling like I’d won a point but not certain exactly how.

  “Even the prisoners will be released, once the war’s over.” Finny shook her head. “And what are we supposed to do, fight the war with humans like you do?” She glared at me. “Is that why you joined up? To kill Nephilim because some priest told you it would get you into Heaven?”

  “I joined up because one of your raiding parties burned my home and killed my family,” I said.

  There was another one of those awkward silences.

  “I’m sorry,” Finny said after a while, staring into her cup.

  “Why should you be?” I said bitterly. “They were your enemies.”

  “I…” She broke off and shook her head. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just—”

  “Nellie!” Ben hurried over, and I got to my feet. He caught my expression and frowned. “Something wrong?”

  I shot Finny a glance and shook my head. “Centrals are strange, that’s all. What’s going on?”

  “Hays is awake,” he said, the relief obvious in his voice. “I’ll watch the girl. He wants to talk to you.”

  HAYS WAS SITTING UP, PROPPED against a crate, his arm and shoulder immobilized under a tight web of bandages. His face was drawn and pale, with the sapphire blue of his eye bright and feverish amid the bloodless skin. Dogs, Big Barrow, and John Plainsman sat beside him; Gid and Little Barrow were watching the windows to make sure the Neffies didn’t try sneaking up on us.

  “Nellie,” Hays said, taking a long drink from a canteen. “I hear you’ve got a plan to get us out of this.”

  “More an idea than a plan,” I said. “But I thought Tzolk’s daughter might be more use alive than dead.”

  “I’m glad to see that the Red Riders were in good hands while I was inconvenienced.” Hays grinned, though the expression was strained. “Has Tzolk said anything?”

  “Not yet,” Dogs said. “He’s probably still trying to figure out what the hell happened.”

  “I still don’t like this idea,” Big Barrow said. “I don’t trust Tzolk, daughter or no daughter.”

  “We’re rapidly running out of options,” Hays said. He looked up at me. “You’ve spoken to the girl?”

  “A bit,” I said.

  “What’s she like?”

  “A bit scared, but not panicked.”

  “Will she cooperate?”

  “I think so,” I said slowly. “Unless she finds out we’re planning a double-cross. She’s brave enough to shout out if she gets wind of something like that.”

  “A good thing we intend to be honest, then,” Hays said. “Well done, Nellie. You may have saved all our lives.”

  “Going over there was Rob’s idea,” I said. “And John Plainsman—”

  “I understand,” Hays said, holding up a hand. “Tell the girl to get ready. I just need to figure out exactly what to say to Tzolk.”

  “You sure you’re up to this?” Dogs said, as I walked away.

  “I’ll manage,” Hays said dryly. “I have little choice.”

  “Hays likes the idea,” I said to Ben and Finny. “He’s going to set up the exchange.”

  “Thank God,” Ben said.

  “I don’t—” Finny began, then bit her lip.

  “Something wrong?” I said, kneeling beside her. “If you know something that’ll screw things up, now’s the time to say so.”

  “I just don’t know if Pa will go for it,” Finny said. “He’s never thought much of me. And he hates Captain Hays.”

  “You’re his flesh and blood, aren’t you?” Ben said incredulously.

  Finny nodded miserably. “But Pa’s not…not sentimental. You don’t know him like I do.”

  “Let’s hope you’re wrong,” Ben said.

  He went back to the front windows, while I settled down beside Finny. She was hunched up, trying to make herself small. I patted her awkwardly on the shoulder.

  “It’ll be fine,” I said. “We’ll all walk out of here yet.”

  “Thanks.” She turned her head, resting it on her knees. “You’re a strange sort of traitor, you know that?”

  For a moment I saw myself through her eyes, a mannish, hayseed of girl, slutty, dirty and stained, a hopeless hick who’d picked up a carbine in a doomed cause. My lips tightened.

  “Sorry if I’m not up to snuff,” I muttered.

  “Just not what I expected. I thought your lot were all fanatics shouting about God. Your General Wick certainly does.”

  “I’ve never met General Wick,” I said. “All I know is the Red Riders.”

  “TZOLK!” HAYS SHOUTED. I WAS impressed that he could summon the voice for it, in spite of his injury. “You there, Tzolk?”

  “That you, Hays?” Tzolk’s voice drifted back. “I was hoping you hadn’t gone and died on me. I got plans for you.”

  “I thought you might want to talk,” Hays said. “The thing is, we picked something up that belongs to you. Blonde, about five and a half feet high, ring any bells?”

  “Say something,” I whispered to Finny, prodding her in the back.

  “I’m here, Pa!” she shouted. “I’m okay! They haven’t hurt me.”

  I patted her shoulder. “Good enough.”

  There was a long silence from the town. Finally, Tzolk said, “I suppose you think this gives you the whip hand.”

  “That was my theory, yes,” Hays said. “I’ll trade your girl’s life for me and my men. That seem equitable?”

  Another silence. “You’ll get yours,” Tzolk said. “One of these days. You God-damned snake.”

  “I’ll take that for a yes,” Hays said.

  “’Course it’s a yes,” Tzolk said. “I’m ain’t a monster.”

  I felt Finny stiffen and patted her shoulder again.

  “How do you want to do this?” Tzolk went on. “I assume you have it worked out.”

  “I’ve given it a little thought,” Hays said. “I’ll bring the girl out so you can see she’s all right. Then you’ll order your Nephilim to start marching west. Once they’re out of earshot, we’ll give you the girl, and take ourselves in the opposite direction.”

  “Clever,” Tzolk said. “All right. Give me a few minutes to get everyone rounded up.”

  The Red Riders were grinning at each other. Big Barrow hugged Little Barrow around the shoulders, and even John Plainsman’s impassable face showed signs of animation. Ben put one arm around me and kissed me in front of everyone, which was enough to make me blush a little, but nobody was paying much attention.

  “They are not going to believe this one when we get back,” Gid was saying. “Not in a thousand years.”

  “It’s not going to work,” Finny said, but nobody was minding her but me. I pulled
away from Ben and bent to listen. “Pa’s lying.”

  “About what?”

  “I don’t know. But he’s lying. I can tell.” She shook her head. “You should call this off.”

  “She’s trying to spook us,” Big Barrow said.

  “That better be it,” Dogs said. “No offense, young lady, but if you’re right, I’m going to make sure you don’t get back to your Pa. Always been a man of my word that way.”

  “No need to scare her,” I said.

  “It’s all right,” Finny said, letting out a deep breath. “I’d do the same, in his place.”

  “Glad we understand each other,” Dogs said.

  “The Neffies are coming out!” Gid said.

  We all looked to the windows. Scarecrow figures in cheap, ragged uniforms were emerging from the doors and alleys of the empty town, lining up in the street opposite the station. I counted, quickly, and came up with thirty-nine.

  “May not be all of them,” Ben said. “We don’t have a good count.”

  “Even if he keeps a few back,” Hays said, “it wouldn’t be enough to stop us from getting away.” He looked over the group, pursed his lips, and nodded. “Dogs, you’re with me. Nellie, you stay on the girl. The rest of you, at the windows, weapons ready in case this goes wrong.”

  It took Dogs and Big Barrow a few moments to move the junk we’d piled in front of the door so it could be opened. The light from the lanterns outside shone in through several splintery bullet holes. Dogs went through first, revolver in one hand, the other ready to help Hays if he stumbled. I drew my own revolver with an apologetic look at Finny, who shrugged and stepped in front of me. I put the barrel against the back of her head, and we started forward.

  There was no sign of Tzolk. Hays looked over the impassive ranks of Neffies, then gave a one-shouldered shrug.

  “You’ll forgive me if I don’t come out in the open,” Tzolk’s voice came, from one of the nearby buildings. “Wouldn’t want one of your men to be tempted.”

  “I understand,” Hays said. “Here’s your girl, safe and sound.”

  “That true, Finny? You all right?”

  “I’m fine, Pa,” she said, her voice shaky. “They’ll keep to the deal.”

  I shifted the revolver against the back of her head, my breath coming fast. Even Dogs seemed tense, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Only Hays was unflappable as ever.