Of Limited Loyalty cc-2

by Michael A. Stackpole

  No one said a thing and for a handful of heartbeats, nothing happened. Then the red glow returned to Fire’s hands. It intensified, hiding his flesh, yet leaving Rathfield’s forehead still visible. And there bones shifted. Though the swelling did not subside, bone rose and snapped crisply back into place. A bit of the glow outlined an odd sigil in Rathfield’s flesh, as if a tattoo somehow fading into invisibility.

  Fire slumped back on his heels. Makepeace caught him and dragged him away, laying him out on the ground. “He’s breathing regular, just exhausted.”

  Nathaniel moved down to Rathfield’s ankle. “Makepeace, grab his knee. Girl, can you go into the workshop and get me two pieces of wood about as long as you are tall?”

  Becca stared at him, still shivering.

  Owen squeezed her hand. “I’ll go with you. It will help.”

  Once the girl had vanished into the workshop, Nathaniel pulled on the ankle and Kamiskwa set the broken leg. Rathfield remained unconscious throughout. His breathing became more regular and quiet.

  Prince Vlad slowly shook his head. “Where do I begin?”

  “Telling your story, or hearing ours?” Nathaniel smiled. “Not sure there’s enough time for either.”

  “I’m not sure I follow.”

  As Owen returned with the splints for the leg, Nathaniel steered the Prince toward the village green. “Bad doings here, very bad. Owen can give you his journal. That will tell you most of it. Plain facts is this: two villages done been destroyed, maybe a third. Yonder fire’s all’s left of the folks of Happy Valley. It’s a blessing we’re up wind of it. Ezekiel Fire and his people found some magick which makes that healing he done look like lighting a candle. I ain’t sure Fire’s in his right mind. And the things we done found up to the mountains, well, if they are just a sliver of what they might be, I ain’t sure there’s power on this here earth what can even slow them down.”

  Vlad’s mouth soured. “I’ve been doing some researching myself. What Fire knows would be enough to scare most of Norisle by itself. If…”

  “Begging your pardon, Highness, but this ain’t time for strategizing.” Nathaniel pointed at Rathfield. “Ain’t no way he’s walking out of here. I reckon we make a stretcher, strap it to Mugwump, and you fly him on back home. We’ll fit you with a journal, like I said, and some other things.”

  The Prince nodded. “Of course. I’ll get him back to Prince Haven and the care he needs, then I can come back for you.”

  “That ain’t gonna work, neither. We’ll be walking on out of here, bringing the girl and Fire with us. This being the sixteenth, we should be back early June. That’ll give you time to be doing some cogitating on all you’ll be reading.”

  Vlad rested a hand on Nathaniel’s shoulder. “You want me out of here quickly, very quickly.”

  “I reckon I do.” The man’s eyes tightened. “I ain’t wholly sure what I done seen tonight, and I don’t want you here if Rufus comes back. Iffen I thought the girl could survive the trip back on Mugwump, I’d be giving her to you, too. After what she’s seen in the last week, I ain’t sure she’ll ever be right.”

  “But what if Mugwump’s presence is what is keeping the things at bay? What if Rufus is hiding until Mugwump leaves?”

  “Well, since Ian can’t make it through the mountains, and Mugwump ain’t gonna be no good for hauling him that way, don’t see as it makes much difference.” Nathaniel shook his head. “You want me to say it, I will. I am pure-D scared at what I seen. Make me feel better a-knowing you’re back in Temperance figuring out how to stop it, than it would to have you coming along.”

  “I agree, but not about the girl. The trip you’re suggesting will not be good for her.” Vlad walked back over toward where the others had gathered, and spun the left wheel on his glove. Mugwump’s head came up, then the beast reoriented himself. The Prince rolled both wheels forward smoothly, and the dragon padded forward.

  Vlad smiled. “Owen, how would your friend, Becca, like to meet someone who came a long way to save her?”

  The girl shrank back behind Owen.

  Vlad crouched down, and offered her his right hand. “Becca, I am Vlad. These are my friends. Mugwump is, too. Do you know where Temperance is?”

  The little girl shook her head.

  “It’s to the east, over the mountains, very far away. That’s where I live. That is where we all live. And do you know what I was doing this afternoon?”

  “No.”

  Vlad looked back at Mugwump. “I was riding my dragon. He is the only dragon in Mystria. And he saved all of our lives several years go. And there I was, flying on his back, in the saddle right there, when Mugwump heard you were in trouble. He can hear very well.”

  “He doesn’t have no ears.”

  “Well, dragons, they can hear well without them. And he heard you needed help. Do you know what he did?”

  Becca peeked past Owen at Mugwump, then ducked back when the dragon’s head came around. “No.”

  “He flew here like a bird. Right here. Right here to save you.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you, because you’re a very special little girl.” The Prince smiled. “Becca, have you ever watched a bird fly through the sky?”

  She nodded.

  “Have you ever wanted to fly like a bird?”

  The hint of a smile crept onto her face.

  “Well, I’ll tell you a secret. Do you know what makes you so special a little girl?”

  “What?”

  “You will be the first ever girl to fly on a dragon. Never been done before. Not even once. But Mugwump, he came here to get you because you’ll be the first. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  Fear and curiosity fought for control of the girl’s expression. She peeked several more times at the dragon, but finally hung back in Owen’s shadow.

  Then the Steward sat up. “Do not be afraid, Becca Green. God sent this dragon. You will return with him.”

  Becca nodded solemnly and walked toward Mugwump.

  Vlad caught up with her in two steps. “Becca, this is Mugwump. Mugwump, this is Becca Green.”

  While the Prince performed introductions and showed the girl where to pet the dragon on his muzzle, the others cobbled together a stretcher and bound Ian into it. Linking together every cinch-strap they could find, they fashioned another harness and bound the bed tightly to Mugwump’s lower back. Then they found a small saddle, which they padded well and affixed to the rear of Vlad’s saddle. They fitted the girl with a safety harness and swathed her in blankets. They provided more of the same for the Prince, and added a satchel full of Owen’s journals and as many of the sheets containing the odd sigils as they could find.

  Vlad mounted up. “You’re back to Prince Haven by June seven, or I’m backtracking you on the route you took getting here.”

  Nathaniel nodded. “Godspeed and good luck. We’ll come back as fast as we can and make sure ain’t nothings following us.”

  On the return flight, Mugwump followed every command perfectly, and seemed to be contrite for his earlier rebellion. He flew lower, keeping above the treetops but not much higher, which meant they remained warmer. The sun was rising by the time they returned, and Mugwump landed gently in the yard, between Peregrine’s pen and the house.

  Becca had fallen asleep and even the landing failed to rouse her. Vlad freed himself from the saddle, then undid her buckles. By the time he could pull her from the saddle, Baker, Madeline, and the rest of the household had been roused and poured out to help.

  Vlad passed the girl down into Madeline’s arms. “Baker, don’t worry about Mugwump. Send someone over to the Strake house. Get Owen’s men over here. We have to get Colonel Rathfield inside.”

  Baker ran off toward the stables to dispatch one of the stable boys.

  Vlad slid to the ground and again his legs buckled. He would have fallen but his wife caught him. “Gisella, I am so…”

  She shoved him back against the dragon’s flank and kissed him mi
ghtily, then hugged him and sobbed within the circle of his arms. “If you ever do that again…”

  “Darling, I had no intention…”

  She pulled back and thrust a finger at Mugwump’s golden eye. “I was speaking to him!”

  Vlad slumped against the dragon, and had he not caught hold of a stirrup, he’d have slid down to the ground. “I don’t think it will happen again. It’s a good thing it did.”

  “What did you find?”

  “Postsylvania and Ezekiel Fire.” Vlad stood and tugged the satchel free of the saddle. “And much more. If what we knew before was enough to change the world, what this might reveal could possibly end it.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  16 May 1767 Happy Valley Postsylvania, Mystria

  Nathaniel watched after the Prince for as long as he could. The black fog had lifted, so he could see stars and the dragon silhouetted against them as he flew. He took great delight in being able to see the stars, but wished the dragon would be around to protect them. He didn’t know what the things were that they fought, but Mugwump didn’t seem to like them, and took great delight in dispatching them.

  Kamiskwa ran in from the shadows. “It’s too dark to track Rufus. He crawled a ways, but I lost him.”

  “I reckon he’s gonna lay up, rest up. He used a powerful lot of magick.”

  Owen handed Nathaniel his rifle. “How about us? Do we wait until light to move out?”

  “My druthers is to be shed of this place, but the Steward’s in serious need of rest, too.” Nathaniel pointed off toward one of the many bubbling grey puddles that used to be a demon. “I am thinking we needs to find us some pots or something and scoop up some of that stuff. Smells bad, but might keep them at bay. Take some bones, too, if you can find any.”

  “Will do.” Owen nodded toward the nearest house. “We can barricade it up until daybreak, take one last look, then head out.”

  “’Bout what I was thinking.”

  Rummaging around in houses they found a number of pots, pans, and bowls into which they collected the partially digested demon soup. They set them around the small cabin’s perimeter. Makepeace dabbed some on the doorpost, citing Scripture, then they closed the door and moved a small chest to block it. Two men stayed on watch and two slept-they let the Steward sleep throughout.

  Nathaniel had the first watch along with Makepeace, but didn’t strike up a conversation. He and Makepeace silently agreed it was so the others would have quiet, but both knew the truth. They didn’t want to be discussing what they’d seen. The less it got talked about, the faster the memories would fade and that was fine as far as the both of them were concerned.

  Goosebumps rose on Nathaniel’s arms as he ripped a dress into strips and tended to his wounds. He’d been torn up worse running through thorny bushes a time or two-or so he told himself-and none of the wounds ran very deep. The demons had attacked in swarms and seemed bent on just smothering their prey. He’d been hit from all sides and when they got dragging on his legs, he couldn’t move fast, then he tripped and banged down against the workshop.

  Iffen Mugwump hadn’t come along, that woulda been the end of me.

  The thought of dying wasn’t what sent a shiver through him. It was the memory of being unable to move, of being smothered by the demons. They clawed and bit and tore at him. They just overwhelmed him and yet left him in a position where he could watch Owen and Kamiskwa and Makepeace going down as well. That might not have been deliberate, but if they were acting at Rufus’ command, it would have been. He would have known how much that would pain Nathaniel.

  The scout snorted.

  Makepeace looked over. “You found something by way of amusement?”

  “Just hope that we got at least a piece of Rufus in one of them buckets outside. Tain’t a bad thing that being true.”

  “Bit of a silver lining, that is.” Makepeace nodded. “Iffen I was a writing man like Owen, I’d be using up a whole page just for that.”

  They both chuckled, then fell silent again. Their watch remained uneventful. When Owen and Kamiskwa took over, Nathaniel fell asleep quickly. He woke with the dawn, not particularly feeling rested, but he couldn’t remember any nightmares. Owen had boiled up some root tea in the hearth and Fire served it out. It warmed Nathaniel’s insides and slowly sharpened his focus.

  Kamiskwa came in and accepted a cup from the Steward. “Fire’s died down. No tracks. No one survived. I cut Rufus’ trail again. You’ll want to see this.”

  The expedition followed Kamiskwa back outside. In daylight they picked up Rufus’ trail easily enough. He’d gone down and crawled away. The chain had slipped off him a dozen yards to the workshop’s north side. A bit further along they found one of the golden tablets glinting in the sun. Makepeace gathered it up. Their course took them to another of the small houses and Kamiskwa pushed the door open with his musket.

  The floorboards had been torn up with enough force that the wood around the nails had splintered. Beneath lay bare earth, but it had been freshly turned. One of the iron nails had snagged a piece of the robe they’d last seen Rufus wearing.

  Nathaniel crouched at the hole’s edge, but didn’t reach down into it. “Ain’t no shovels hereabouts. He tunneled using magick?”

  Both Kamiskwa and the Steward nodded.

  He stood up, then sighted back toward the workshop. “The Colonel done hurt him. He weren’t thinking straight. Probably didn’t notice he’d dropped a tablet. Like a wild animal, he gets in here, burrows away.”

  “Yes, but a wild animal capable of using magick.” Owen frowned. “I made notes while on watch, trying to get every detail down. Rufus, there toward the end, was saying things that didn’t really sound like him saying them.”

  “It was the demons in him.”

  Nathaniel looked the Steward up and down. “How is you meaning that remark?”

  “Mr. Woods, I know you did not like Rufus Branch, and had good reasons not to. When he came here, he was a man consumed by fear. Having spent time with you, I understand why. But you must understand that here, he accepted our Lord as his savior. He worked hard within the community. I spent many hours with him, teaching him to read. Do you have any idea how humiliating it is for a grown man to have children who read better than he can?”

  “I just might have an inkling in that regard, yes, sir.”

  “Rufus did learn to read. He studied Scripture. He became an upstanding and valuable member of our community here. As you saw, he was a deacon. And in tracking us from the ruins, you know that he and I spent a great deal of time together out in the wilderness. This was by my choice.” The Steward opened his hands. “You may think me foolish, but I liked the man, and trusted him. What I forgot, however, is that he was but an infant in things spiritual, and that made him vulnerable.”

  Owen shook his head. “I’m not certain I follow you.”

  “It should be obvious. The devil laid those tablets on that altar in the Temple. He did so to tempt men. Most would have taken the tablets for their material wealth. But for men who are favored of God, their spiritual value cannot be calculated. Though I could not translate them, I knew they held the secret of magicks older than man. I can see now that these were temptations to lead men to ruin. So it did here.”

  Nathaniel frowned. “That don’t explain what happened in Piety. We know it was these demons what acted there, but there weren’t no Rufus. No one from Piety was here, saw the tablets, and got back home, was there?”

  “No.” The Steward shook his head. “I cannot explain that, nor do I know the moment Rufus surrendered himself to the demons. It is my vain hope it was after we started for Piety, elsewise I shall have to live with knowing that I missed the signs and consequently consigned Happy Valley to death.”

  The man’s shoulder’s slumped. “I accept this is God’s plan but I…” The Steward covered his face with his hands and his shoulder shook with silent sobs.

  Nathaniel looked over at Makepeace. “You’ll tell me
there’s Scriptures what agree that demons could make magick like that?”

  The large man nodded. “Revelations 16:14, clear as day. ‘For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, who go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world.’”

  “I could have started the day with better news.” Nathaniel sighed. “And I ain’t much pleased with Rufus’ being able to pluck a bullet out the air.”

  “Yes, but he didn’t stop the chain. It’s being iron might have been the cause of that.” Owen’s eyes narrowed. “Or it could be that Rathfield surprised him. He knew you would shoot, so he was ready for you.”

  “So, iffen he was possessed, leastways part of him is still in there.” Nathaniel shifted his shoulders uneasily. “I reckon we want to be quitting this place as fast as we can. Sooner we get back to Temperance, sooner someone might be able to make sense of all this.”

  They returned to their cabin and discovered that some of the vessels had rotted during the night, specifically a wooden bowl and an iron pot. A copper-bottomed pot appeared in the best shape, and a crock gave it strong competition. Because the pot would not travel well when full, they found a number of small pottery urns and divided the soup among them. They sealed them and packed them in a layer of wet clay. They bound that up in leather and each man added one to his baggage.

  They took as much food as they could from Happy Valley and left notes in several houses for anyone traveling there from the Green River settlement. While Ezekiel Fire wanted to visit Green River, he agreed that they couldn’t afford the time and that even a warning might not save the settlement. They all hoped the people of Green River would escape destruction, but there wasn’t a one of them that didn’t believe that it had already suffered the fate of Piety.