“You need a bodyguard?” asked Hanna.
Sharla frowned. “What did Koyo tell you of me?”
“That you were the most beautiful woman in the world and that he loved you. He told me about how you first met, and how the war tore you two apart.”
Sharla sighed. “That is part of the story. But not all of it. Mykoznia is a complicated place. It is a kingdom with many factions. Our kings hold power through birthrights, but the king’s court is filled with many different rival groups that compete for power. My father is an important part of one of them. It was why my marriage to Koyo became particularly dangerous. Many of my father’s rivals claimed that Koyo was a spy so they could weaken my father’s position. Koyo’s leaving solved many problems for my family, but it wasn’t the only problem my father faced. My life is always in some degree of danger. Many of father’s rivals would love to kidnap me or worse. I’m afraid politics in Mykoznia is a deadly and ruthless sport.”
“It sounds complicated,” said Hanna.
“Very,” agreed Sharla. “But it is the Mykoznian way. To serve our people, my father and I must play the games; otherwise his rivals will take advantage.”
They arrived at a small house on the outskirts of the city.
Sharla turned to Hanna. “Don’t draw your weapon, unless I tell you. Understood?”
Hanna nervously agreed. “Okay.”
Sharla knocked on the door, giving a knock like the one the boy had used in the alley. She then entered.
Hanna followed her into the house. Three women were sitting in the living room weaving an intricately designed rug. The design was complicated and beautiful, the women were highly skilled in their trade, but that wasn’t what Hanna noticed first. The first thing she noticed was that one of the women weaving the rug was the assassin who’d killed her grandfather. Hanna clenched her jaw and closed her fists, remembering her vow to not draw her weapons. What was Sharla playing at? Hanna eyed the woman suspiciously as she waited for an explanation.
The oldest of the three women smiled up at Sharla. “Hello, cousin. How are you this fine afternoon?”
Cousin? Koyo’s wife was involved with the assassin. Possibly family? Hanna didn’t’ know what to think. Was this a trap?
“I am well, Arranna. It is good to see you home, Dressa. You’ve been missed.”
The youngest of the three women, a girl Hanna’s age or slightly younger, smiled. “It is good to be home. It was a scary ordeal, but it is over now thanks to Katla.”
“Katla, I presume you know my young friend here, Hanna.”
“We’ve met,” said Katla cautiously. “How is it that you know her?”
“My husband is one of her men,” said Sharla. “He brought her to me.”
Arranna beamed. “Koyo is here? The gods are truly blessing us, cousin, first Dressa is returned to me and now your Koyo.”
“The Gods work in mysterious ways, that is for sure,” replied Sharla. “I need to speak to Katla alone for a moment.”
Arranna stood up. “Let me make you some tea. Dressa, give me a hand.”
Dressa put her arm out and helped guide her mother into the next room.
“May we sit?” asked Sharla.
Katla nodded.
Hanna warily sat down on a chair on the far side of the room from Katla. She didn’t want to get too close to the dangerous assassin.
“Hanna, as you have figured out by now, Katla is my cousin’s daughter,” said Sharla. “Dressa, her little sister, was convinced by a boy to join a coven of witches. The witches were always on the lookout for young women with magical bloodlines and often used attractive young males to lure the girls in. Dressa made a blood pact when she joined the witches, one that couldn’t be broken unless the matrons of the coven agreed to it. When Dressa realized what she was involved in, it was already too late. Arranna was devastated when she found out her youngest was with a dark coven. She had already lost four daughters and she couldn’t lose another, so she begged Katla to help. Katla gave up her position with the King’s Guard, and made a bargain with the witches for her freedom. Dressa’s freedom did not come cheap.”
Hanna looked at Katla. “You killed my grandfather to save your sister?”
Katla nodded. “There was no other way.”
Hanna was torn. The woman who’d killed her grandfather was sitting across from her. She should want to kill her, but she didn’t. Katla had killed out of love. It was the witches who’d made the bargain. It was the witches who sent the demon warrior who killed Anso. Katla was not without guilt, but she had also honored Thorodd by delivering the bloodstone. Without Katla, Hanna wouldn’t have her connection to Thorodd and Anso.
“Hanna is here because a demon warrior attacked her in Creyta, killing her mentor.”
Katla frowned. “When the witches found out I didn’t kill Hanna they were angry. They had two warriors with them. They sent the warriors out to kill you.” Katla turned to Hanna. “The witches must have used the stolen stones and turned them into demon warriors before sending them after you. I did warn them that you would be dangerous. I’m glad they were unsuccessful.”
There was another demon warrior? Hanna didn’t like the sound of that. How many were there? “How many of the gemstones did you deliver to the witches?” Hanna asked. She knew from Biran Nordvik that Thorodd had been carrying gems when he left the Ayrith Valley.
“A dozen.”
“A dozen demon warriors? Is that possible?” asked Hanna.
Sharla nodded. “The witches have the numbers. If they choose to, they can make that many. In fact, I believe they already have. A coven of witches that were rivals with those witches lived in a village to the west of here. The entire village was destroyed and everyone in it killed. I believe it was demon warriors. The witches are building their power here. But to gain more warriors they will need more gemstones.”
Hanna understood what Sharla was saying. The witches were building an army. And to get more men meant going to Solotine. It meant the Nordviks were in danger. It could also mean her mother was in danger. “I need to stop them.”
“They are powerful,” warned Katla.
“She is a spirit warrior now,” said Sharla. “She has the magic.”
Katla looked at Hanna and nodded. “I knew there was something different about you when you walked through our door. Your grandfather’s gemstone, it connects you to him?”
“Yes, and Anso,” said Hanna.
“Anso was a warrior?” asked Katla.
“He was my weapons teacher. He was a powerful warrior in his day,” said Hanna.
“Two warrior spirits. That is power,” said Katla. “Perhaps you can stand up to the witches. I will take you to them.”
“Why would you do that?” asked Hanna.
“I took no pleasure in killing your grandfather. I would help you save your people. The witches are dangerous. Even you will need help to defeat them.”
Hanna sensed that Katla was being honest. That she did want to help. It was a strange alliance, but Hanna now knew Katla had acted to save her family. What would she have done in Katla’s place? Hanna wasn’t sure. “Thank you.”
“You may take Katla with you, but Koyo stays here,” said Sharla. “He is a man of honor and would follow you anywhere if you asked. However, he is old and no match for what you will face. I ask that you allow him to remain with me.”
Hanna knew Sharla was right. She’d lost Anso to the demon warrior, and she had no intentions of losing Koyo as well. She nodded. “Koyo stays here.”
“I will inform him,” said Sharla. “You two should go. I will explain to Arranna.”
“Thank you,” said Katla. “I don’t think she would understand otherwise.”
Sharla smiled. “She loves you, and she knows better than to ask what deal you made with the witches. When I tell her you are now paying the price for rescuing Dressa she will understand.”
Katla sighed, then turned and left the room. Within a few minutes, she had r
eturned. She now wore armor and was fully armed. “Ready?” she asked Hanna.
“Yes,” said Hanna.
“Good hunting,” said Sharla.
15
Witch Hunt
It took a day of traveling to reach the witches’ lair. Hanna and Katla travelled fast, neither wanting to discuss what had happened in the past. Hanna was still processing her thoughts. What were the odds that Koyo’s wife would be related to Katla, the assassin who’d killed her grandfather? Yet when Hanna listened to the joy in Arranna’s voice as she described her daughter being returned to her, Hanna had a hard time blaming Katla. How hard it must’ve been for Arranna, who’d already lost four daughters, to find out her youngest had been lured into a dark witches coven and made a blood pact. What choice did Katla have but to give up her honored position and make a deal with the witches?
“The cave entrance is just ahead. Once we are in there, there will be no turning back. Whatever we face inside, we must finish it now or both our families will be in danger. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” said Hanna. “How do you want to do this?”
“We sneak in as far as we can and then we fight. Let me deal with the witches. You take care of the demon warriors.”
“There will be many. I don’t know what will happen,” said Hanna. One demon warrior had been deadly, hard to defeat. Who knew how many were in the cave?
“Some will be on guard duty. We’ll take them out first; lower the odds a bit in our favor.”
It was risky, but Katla was right. They needed to be stealthy and strike first. Leaving her shield and axe on her back, Hanna grabbed her eagle’s claw daggers. For stealth, the smaller weapons were perfect.
Katla froze and ducked down.
Hanna followed her lead. Katla put a finger to her lips and then pointed ahead. There were two shadows on the ground on the other side of a small hill that marked the opening to the cave.
Katla signaled with her fingers that they would sneak behind the guards. She crawled to her right and up the small hill. Hanna followed as quickly and quietly as she could. Katla stopped a few feet before the edge of the hill. Hanna noted that both of their shadows were touching the edge of the hill. As soon as they moved forward their shadows would show below the hill. If the guards noticed they would lose the element of surprise.
Katla gave a countdown with her fingers. Three-two-one! Hanna and Katla jumped up and ran two steps to the edge of the hill. Katla jumped down onto the back of the first guard, while Hanna did the same with the other.
Hanna was midair when the guard noticed her shadow. He turned, but it was too late. She struck him with her dagger, landing a killing blow. She then gently landed, thankful that the ground at the bottom of the hill was soft. Hanna glanced over to Katla. The former Mykoznian guard was pulling the body of the guard she’d killed into the opening of the cave. Hanna did likewise. It was a struggle to drag the dead weight of the large men. She noted that neither man wore a spirit stone necklace. These men hadn’t been made into demon warriors.
Katla then started making her way into the cave. She slowly walked up to the first corner of the small opening and glanced around it. She turned back to Hanna putting one finger up. Katla flipped her dirk so that she was holding it by the tip of the blade and then walked around the corner and fired her blade at the guard walking towards them. Katla kept moving, only slowing to retrieve her blade before going to the next corner. Hanna admired the way Katla moved, stealthy and silent with no wasted movement.
At the next corner Katla paused. Hanna joined her.
Katla leaned close to Hanna’s ear. She whispered. “There is a small cavern ahead. Two witches and a demon warrior on the right. It’s time for you to do your spirit magic.”
Hanna nodded. Her heart pounded. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. She closed her eyes, focusing on her gemstone. She willed her body to submit to the spirits of Anso and her grandfather. She could feel the stone heating up as she drew on the spirits. She opened her eyes and nodded her readiness at Katla.
Hanna sprinted into the cavern. The demon warrior was in his human form, talking to the two witches. One of the witches noticed Hanna. She squealed, and then hissed, pointing a bony finger at her. Hanna ignored her and focused on the warrior.
As the man fixed his eyes on Hanna his eyes quickly turned black, but his hand was slower. His weapon was in his belt. Before he drew it fully from its sheath, Hanna was already on him. One of her daggers sliced down into his hand, preventing him from defending himself while her other blade sunk into his ribs finding his heart.
As the demon warrior struggled to bring his sword up, Hanna could feel Thorodd’s and Anso’s spirits flowing through her, amplifying her speed and strength. She held the warrior’s hand down, while her dagger drained the life of the demon’s human form. The warrior slumped to the ground. The gem hanging from his neck cracked apart and fell to the rock floor. It shattered. The demon was forced to flee the dying body and retreat to the spirit world from where it came.
It howled pitifully.
The sound made Hanna shudder and cover her ears. She looked questioningly at Katla. Katla seemed unaffected by the howling.
Hanna glanced behind Katla. Katla had disposed of the two witches. Two neatly severed heads decorated the stone floor. Katla now looked questioningly at Hanna. “What is the matter with your ears?” she asked just as Hanna took her hands away from her ears.
“You didn’t hear that demon’s agonized howling?”
“No, you are the one with the spirit connection,” answered Katla, as she kicked a witch’s head aside.
“Be glad you didn’t hear it. Enough to make milk curdle.” Hanna took a deep breath. She felt her connection to the spirit world. It gave her goose bumps.
“You move quickly,” said Katla. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“I’m afraid you’re going to see a bunch just like me if they made more demon warriors. It’s one thing to catch one unaware, but the others will be tougher, much tougher.”
“I will do what I can,” said Katla.
“Just focus on the witches. From what I understand they will be a handful just by themselves,” said Hanna.
Katla smiled. “True, but I’ve been waiting for this. These old hags need to be taught a lesson about luring little girls into their coven.”
“Especially little girls with a King’s Guard for a big sister,” retorted Hanna. She wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Katla’s smile turned into a wicked grin. “Exactly. The main chamber is ahead. There are two sections. The three main witches will be on the top section which overlooks the rest of the cave. There will be two guards, likely demon warriors, guarding the steps to the top section. The rest will be on the bottom floor.”
Hanna pulled out her axe and her shield, holding them both in her left hand. She held one of her eagle’s claw daggers in the other. She was decent at throwing daggers, but nowhere near as skilled as Anso had been. Hanna focused on Anso’s spirit; she would let his spirit guide the first shot. She knew Anso was ready to act through her body. She recognized the slight tensing of her muscles in readiness for action.
Peeking around the corner, Hanna spotted the stairs. As Katla had suggested there were two demon warriors there and a handful of people lurking around the bottom level of the cavern. Hanna couldn’t tell which were demon warriors and which were just witches and their underlings but she would soon find out.
Hanna stepped out into the cavern, letting Anso control her movements. He took one additional step and let the dagger fly. As soon as it left her hand, she could feel Anso reaching for the second dagger. Again, he let it fly, this time targeting the second guard on the stairs. Hanna watched as the first dagger struck the demon warrior in the throat. The second warrior saw what happened and managed to turn his body. Anso’s throw hit him, but the blade sunk into the demon warrior’s shoulder.
As Anso released the second blade she felt him relinquish
control, now the three were once again working together as one. Hanna felt a surge of power and energy as she charged forward. She spotted three of the demon warriors as they turned to see who was attacking. To Hanna’s left she could see Katla leaping past the first dead demon warrior and attacking the second warrior who now had Hanna’s blade deep in his shoulder. Katla, despite not having spirit magic of her own, was a terror and was easily able to dispatch the wounded demon warrior before continuing up the stairs to attack the witch leaders.
Hanna charged into the group of demon warriors. As she reached them she went to her knees and leaned back, sliding under the blade of the first demon warrior. As she slid under she transferred her axe back to her right hand, slicing the first warrior across the belly. She then popped up into the second one, smashing him with her shield, sending the demon warrior sprawling back. One of the spirits, Hanna wasn’t sure which, forced her to turn her hips, and Hanna relaxed and let it happen. The third warrior’s sword slammed down into the ground, narrowly missing her.
Hanna felt her arm being pulled forward, and she quickly joined the movement and her sword came up in a nasty uppercut motion, catching the demon warrior on the chin. Her left hand then went up, bringing her shield behind her head. Hanna realized what Anso had been talking about. They weren’t seeing the battle through her eyes; they could see what was going on behind her. All she had to do was trust them to watch her back. As the first warrior’s sword struck her shield, Hanna spun around and her axe sliced across and lopped off the demon warrior’s head. Hanna was sure she could feel Thorodd’s spirit surge in satisfaction at the deadly strike.
The remaining demon was joined by a pair of male witches wielding broad axes. The trio attacked at once. Hanna focused on the demon warrior as she used her shield to block the three attackers. She moved quickly so that one of the two witches was between her and the demon warrior. She dropped down slamming the edge of her shield into the male witch’s knee. A loud snapping sound filled Hanna’s ears as she resumed her blocking of the demon warrior. The other male witch tried to keep up, but he bumbled around clumsily waiting for an opportunity to strike at Hanna.
Hanna Halfblood: A YA fantasy tale Page 13