by AJ Adams
“Saga!” My cry ripped from me. “No!”
I was heading to her when someone bashed me on the shoulder. It struck me so hard that I was sent smashing into the ground.
“Got you, you treacherous bitch!” He had rotting teeth, and the sword he flourished was rusted. Just like vision, he stood towering over me. It was the end.
He swung, and I knew I was dead when another blade came rushing down. It was curved, super sharp, and shining. It clashed briskly with the sword, an inch away from my face.
A foot on my shoulders forced me to the ground, “Down, kisa!” Then the polished blade flashed up, flipping the rusty sword away and slicing under the rotting teeth across the grubby neck. A fountain of blood and gore filled the night. It showered over my face and hair, warm, sticky, and pulsing with death.
My reaction was instinctive. I was on my knees, throwing up.
“Beast! It’s the Beast!”
This time the cries were panicked, and it only took a second to see why. There were a dozen of them, and one of him, but it was no contest.
They bunched together, attacking all at once. They probably thought it gave them strength in numbers, but it did them no good at all.
As they raised swords and cudgels, he wielded the scythe in one hand and the knife in the other. Flashing the curved blade in a blur in front of him, he drove back frontal attacks while casually stabbing sideways with the other, felling those who came near him.
By the time I got to my feet, all of them were down. I spotted a head rolling away, and an arm lying in a puddle. Not one of the Vale men had survived. Only the Patriarch and Courtney were still breathing, safe on horseback as they gazed aghast at the blood-soaked battlefield. Courtney was sitting with his mouth wide open, and the Patriarch was white as a sheet. They didn’t move. They were in total shock.
I shot straight past them, into the lodge. There was smoke everywhere, flames were licking the walls, but the wicker basket was in the hall, still intact. I grabbed hold of it and was reassured by shrieks and growls coming from the inside. “I’ve got you,” I cried. “I’m getting you out!”
Stumbling back outside into blessedly clear air, eyes smarting with smoke, I saw the Patriarch galloping off. Courtney was on the ground, on his back, Siv standing over him, the scythe sweeping down.
“Siv, no!” The words ripped out of me. “Don’t kill him!”
The blade flashed and Courtney shrieked. I thought he was gone. Holding onto the basket, my eyes went to Saga. Looking at the still form, I stood paralysed. As if from miles away, I heard myself wail.
“Bliss!” Siv was curling an arm around me. “Did they hurt you?”
“Saga! The bastards killed Saga!”
He went straight over, and then he was smiling. “She’s not dead, kisa!”
I was over in a flash. To my relief, he was right. Saga was unconscious. She had a big lump on the back of her head, but her heart was beating loud and clear. As I ran my hands over her, checking for other damage, she stirred and opened her eyes.
“Saga! Oh, sweetheart! Are you all right?”
She whined but licked my hand. Closing my eyes, I felt pain come from her in waves but no mortal wound.
“She’ll be okay,” Siv ran a hand over her fur. “You can heal her, Bliss.” He looked over at the basket that was rocking. “The cats aren’t happy, but they’re okay, too.”
That’s when I sat back on my heels and really howled.
Chapter Ten: Siv
I left in a filthy temper, and so it took me a mile or two to realise I’d made a fatal mistake. With the ground sodden wet, I splashed through puddles, freezing my feet and kicking every rock and thistle in Prydain. Discomfort isn’t a problem, but numb feet can kill you. It takes one deep cut to slow you down, and an infection will sicken you to the point where you can’t hunt. Without companions to watch over you, you’re dead.
So I sat on a rock, thinking things over, and I decided I’d been a damn fool. Bliss was out of my reach through my own fault. She was impossible, having a tongue like a knife and far too many Prydain morals, but for all her faults I’d thought we’d become friends in the time we’d spent together. Ultimately, though, she’d rejected me. That hurt. I knew I should’ve made her change her mind, but I’d tried my damnedest and it hadn’t worked.
Considering everything, I concluded I just wasn’t likeable enough. That really stung. What was also kicking my balls was that I’d been so taken with trying to get Bliss that I’d lost my common sense. I should have gotten boots and most of all, I should have stolen a boat. It’s madness to try and cross a continent filled with wolves, bandits and worse when you can simply sail home.
So I was on my way back, heading for the lodge and intending to chart my way to the village harbour from there when I smelled smoke. When I saw flames, I broke into a run.
There were a dozen of them, all armed to the teeth, and Bliss was taking them on single-handedly. She kneed one in the balls, and it took a swipe of a cudgel to keep her from wringing his neck. They were all over her, but I got there just in time to stop a scrawny whoreson from slaughtering her.
She threw up when she saw me deal with the bastards, but she didn’t swoon or hang about wringing her hands. The second I took out the last man, a fine slice that gutted him like a fish, Bliss was up and darting straight into the burning lodge.
I almost died of terror on the spot.
“You! You filthy Beast!” The red-faced, fat gut squire was kicking his horse, sweeping towards me. “Die!” he yelled.
It would’ve been laughable if Bliss hadn’t been in trouble. The silly bastard cut at me with his sword, missing me by a clumsy mile, so I just grabbed an ankle and pulled him off his pretty horse. I was about to gut him when Bliss was yelling, “No! Don’t!”
I pulled back, but the rassragr fainted. The Patriarch took one look and was racing away, his black stallion eating up a mile with every stride. Some of the other horses took off with him, the rest milling around, confused by smoke and flame.
“Saga!” Poor Bliss. For a moment, I thought the wolf had perished, but then I saw her belly move. I was at her side and saw instantly that she was just knocked out. I must say, I was so relieved that I was blinking a bit myself. Or maybe it was the smoke.
Bliss fell to pieces. She sat on her heels and cried her eyes out. I had my arms around her instantly, “Kisa, what the hell happened?”
“Courtney saw you.”
Hearing his name, he was groaning.
“He’s alive!” Bliss cried.
“You said not to kill him.”
All I got was eyes, huge, blue, and amazed. “You swung!”
“And pulled short. Really, Bliss, do you think I’m a complete idiot?”
I must admit her surprise irritated me, but then she put a hand on my arm. “You’re amazing, Siv Skull Crusher.”
“Yeah, right.” She meant it, but there was a touch of malice there. Bliss was recovering. “Go on then, go say whatever it is you want to say, witch.”
“Hey!” But she didn’t mind. Bliss can take it as well as give it.
She went right over and stood in front of the faint-heart who was struggling to his feet, “You really want me dead? We grew up together!”
“You betrayed us!”
“They were going to burn him alive, Courtney.”
“So? He’s the enemy!”
“He’s one man, and he didn’t come to fight.”
“He’s a Beast! And so are you!”
I hit him so hard that I heard his jaw snap. He went down like a fallen tree, splashing into a muddy puddle.
“Ohmigod, you killed him!” Bliss yelled.
“Not yet.”
She was hanging onto my arm. “Don’t, Siv. Please.”
I discovered I couldn’t resist pleading blue eyes. I also realised we had to get out, and fast. The Patriarch would be halfway to the village by now. He would round up every man there and come straight back. I wouldn’t b
e able to take them all. Although I’d die before admitting it to Bliss, my ribs were aching. Another fight would end me.
The pretty white horse was standing patiently. I grabbed her reins and handed them to Bliss. “We have to go.”
“But—”
I tossed her into the saddle and handed her the wicker basket. “You carry the cats.”
I picked up the wolf and put her in the cart. It was designed to be pushed, so I thought I’d have to wheel it to the shore. My ribs were aching, and my fingers were burning, but at least I wouldn’t be barefoot.
I ripped the boots from the unconscious squire and found they fit nicely. Good leather, too, and he had a pretty thick wool cloak that went well over Bliss’ shoulders.
Of course, she protested. “But Siv! Wait a second!”
“We have to leave, Bliss. Unless you want them to finish the job when they return.”
Her eyes were huge and dark with fright, but she nodded. “Yes, you’re right.”
A quick whip round the fallen men netted me two good swords, a couple of extra knives, as well as water bottles and ration packs. I picked up four more cloaks—the rest were too blood-soaked—and tucked them around the wolf.
While I was working, Bliss had slipped off the mare and caught one of the other horses milling around. Behind us, the lodge was now burning merrily. The heat was blasting out in waves, but Bliss was shivering. It was pure reaction, but thankfully she kept it together. We couldn’t afford for her to break down.
She knew, and her Skraeling heritage was up front and centre. “Siv, they’ll come after us with dogs, and the ground may not be wet enough to drown our scent.”
“I know. What’s the quickest way to the harbour?”
“Straight through the woods.” Bliss was unclipping reins and doing something complicated with the cart. In a few seconds, she’d hitched the horse to it. It was a miracle. “You ride the mare, and I’ll lead this one.”
“No way!”
She was holding my wrists, “You saved my life.” Her eyes were as sapphires, luminous in the light of the flaming cottage. “You were amazing, better than all the duke’s personal guard put together.”
“Yeah, isn’t that what Beasts do?” Okay, I shouldn’t have, but I was still mad at her for rejecting me.
“You were a hero!” Her skin was warm and firm against mine. “You held back, twice. Thank you.” She was trying to make me understand. “I don’t like Courtney, but I’ve known him all my life.”
“And yet, he tried to kill you.” I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand the Prydain who could turn on a friend, or Bliss who forgave him.
“He didn’t stand a chance, not with you there,” she said softly. “And I know your ribs must be aching. You’re the bravest man I’ve ever met.”
She must have put a spell on me because the next thing I knew I was clutching the wicker basket and riding the mare while Bliss was on foot, leading the horse and cart. We moved through the trees at a fast walk, with Bliss piloting us around fallen trees and mud holes.
Me, I was wondering how she’d managed to turn this around. It should’ve been me leading, not a slip of a girl. But I knew she’d understood the situation perfectly. Riding comfortably while she did all the work meant my ribs were burning, but I was getting my breath back. With a little rest, I’d be ready for another fight when we got to the coast.
Looking at the fair hair ahead of me, I knew she’d be asking me to hold back again. I wasn’t looking forward to that. When the enemy is doing his damnedest to kill you, it’s dangerous not to give it your all in battle. Still, I’d do it for her.
We moved through the dark woods, hearing owls hooting, foxes barking, and rustles of animals going about their business, but no sound of pursuit. I was hoping the Patriarch was stuck in the village, rallying the men. If we could find a boat, I’d get us out and leave the bastards standing. There’s glory in battle, but only a damn fool goes in with the intent of not hurting the enemy.
“We’re almost there.” Bliss’ voice came floating through the dark.
I pulled up the mare. “Wait here while I check it out.”
We had a clear view of the shore. Three boats were beached, turned upside down and tied down. Two had been in the water when the storm hit and were now wrecked, lying semi-submerged. Only one boat was berthed at the pier. By the presence of the sail, someone was preparing to go to sea. It was perfect.
That hand was on my wrist again and she was eyeing the two swords. “Siv, that is Algar’s boat. He has a cottage here. Please don’t hurt him.”
“Yes, yes, yes, okay!” She really was soft at heart.
“He’s very old, almost sixty.”
“Bliss, I already gave my word.”
“Right, just reminding you.”
As if I were a damn fool or a liar. But Bliss was shaking, so I didn’t say anything. “Stay here. I’ll only be a moment.”
I remembered the beach. This is where I’d washed ashore. The cottage was dark but there was someone inside. I could hear snoring. If we were lucky, he’d stay asleep until it was too late.
Sneaking to the pier, I saw the boat was built in imitation of a knarr, the cargo ship we Skraeling use for transport. It’s wide, flat-bottomed, and made for stability rather than speed, fighting, or ice-breaking. This one was considerably smaller than any of ours, but there was plenty of space for all of us.
Even better, the sail was a beauty, brand new by the look of it. From the way it was set up, the fishing gear and the full water barrel, I guessed Algar had planned to take off at first light. It was an excellent bit of luck, and I welcomed it.
“Who are you, and what are you doing with my boat?”
He was ancient, so old that I didn’t need Bliss to tell me not to kill him. It would be shameful to take him on. Just a punch might have ended him. For a moment I stood there, not sure what to do, when a young girl came out. She had a baby at in her arms.
“Granddad? Wha—” Then she caught sight of me, and the rest was easy. I just roared and clashed my swords together. As I thought she might, the girl took one look and screamed her head off. It was a sound that cut through the night, startling Bliss, frightening the horses, and even making the wolf raise her head.
“Beast!” she wailed. “Beeeeeeeast!”
Her panicked cry galvanised the old man. He had her by the elbow, and then they were both running for their lives.
I turned to Bliss. “They’re gone and no blood spilled. Happy now?”
“That was inspired!” Bliss was unhitching the horse. “Siv, the village is ten minutes away.”
“I remember.” At a run, it would take less than that, maybe.
Bliss was trying to unload the cart. That would take too long. “Get the cats and leave the rest to me.”
She jumped in, I handed Saga to her and then I rolled the cart off the pier, right into the boat. The weight of it made it rock, but the flat bottom kept it from capsizing. We build knarr to be robust, and clearly this little copy had its stability.
Bliss had spilled to her knees. “Stay down,” I told her. “Keep out of sight.”
“But—”
I didn’t have time to argue so I cast off the lines, kicked the pier as hard as I could and hoisted the sail. I had the bow pointed to the sea, and the wind was filling the canvas a second later. There was a moment’s lull, and then the boat surged ahead.
“There they are! Get them!”
The Patriarch was on his black horse, while behind him people were spilling onto the beach.
“Bliss, stay down!”
The first arrow sailed past me, hitting the ocean. A second landed in the mast. I ducked, and mercifully a blast of wind and a wave had us out of the harbour and in open water. A real archer would have had three in my back in as many breaths, but the villagers were amateurs. The distance, madly bobbing boat, and crosswinds defeated them.
“Siv!” Bliss was covering Saga with her own body, but her eyes were on
me. I thought she’d panic, but I was wrong. She was scrambling about, and then she was holding up a hand. “Give me that rope and get behind the mast!”
Brave but oh-so-foolish Bliss was trying to share the risk. “We’re too far away now, kisa.”
“Thank the Lady!”
Bliss was up and aiming straight for the cart. Digging around, she produced a familiar small bottle. “A small sip,” she told me.
I wasn’t going to argue. After the fight, the ride, and all the running around, it was welcome.
As I trimmed the sail and checked our heading, Bliss examined the cats and then Saga. The wolf was tended to, whining a little but then curling up and going straight to sleep. From Bliss’ face, I knew she would recover, and I was glad of it. I liked her.
“Bygul and Trigul will stay in their basket for now,” Bliss told me. “They’re scared but unharmed. Poor Saga has a big lump on her head, but she’ll be okay.”
Then she inventoried the ration packs, rearranged the things in the cart and finally came to sit by me. “I don’t know much about pers, and it’s a bit too dark to be sure, but I think we’ve got enough for two or three days. And we can fish.”
You know, I was seriously wishing she’d be seasick. Any other woman would’ve fallen to pieces by now, but Bliss was capable, organised, and sensible. She was taking charge again, too, even though we were on my ocean instead of her forest.
Then I saw she was shaking. She was afraid, but like a true Skraeling, she wasn’t showing it. I had my arm around her in an instant.
“Don’t, Siv.” She just as quickly pushed me away.
“What? I’m a hero when I save you and a Beast otherwise?”
“No.” She sounded exhausted. “It’s just... if you hug me I might cry.”
She was brave, and my heart was overflowing with admiration. I put my arm back around her. This time she leaned into me and told me what had happened in the village hall.
“Siv, they’ve known me all my life! And before they even knew what I’d done, they were saying I was evil! They were going on about me, as if just seeing you would turn me into a monster.”
I didn’t say a word. Not one. But Bliss knew.