by Mike Morris
She jumped over a small hedgerow, and then cut down by the back of the mess hall. Lin could've done with getting something to eat but there was no way there was time for that. She'd just have to go hungry till later. It wouldn't kill her. She'd been hungry for most of her life and survived.
Lin reached the courtyard just as the main clock started to chime the hour. She picked up speed across the gravel, swerving to avoid a priest who stepped in her path without realizing it. She heard him complain that she shouldn't be there, but again that was nothing new. For men of God, they weren't very charitable. The moment she thought it, she knew she wasn't being fair. They'd looked after her, given her a home after Jack had rescued her from Grosnar. They just didn't like a woman being amongst them.
A small group had gathered around the memorial flame in the center of the courtyard, paying respect to the dead whose names were immortalized in the stone. Lin felt a flash of guilt for not slowing down as she passed them, but she had somewhere to be.
She reached the path to the practice hall and he waited at the end of it, leaning heavily on his cane. Master Snow.
"You're late," he said by way of greeting as she skidded to a halt beside him.
Lin bowed, trying to catch her breath. "I'm sorry. I was watching the snow ..."
He tapped her with his cane. "You're not going to waste any more time with excuses. Get inside."
"Yes, Master." She turned and headed into the practice hall, hiding her smile. Master Snow had taught nearly everyone in Whitehaven how to fight and he had a ferocious reputation, but Lin saw past that. Despite his grumpy exterior, he had a heart of gold. Not only that, he was about the only person who treated Lin as a person and not some aberration. He was the best thing to happen to her — apart from meeting Jack, that was.
"I suppose it's too much to ask if you've been practicing since our last session?" Master Snow coughed and then wiped his mouth with a small handkerchief. He was old — the oldest person Lin had ever met — and the years were starting to show more and more every day. Life had left his face heavily lined but his eyes burned with the intensity of a man half his age.
"I've tried, Master, when I've had time."
Master Snow arched an eyebrow. They both knew she had nothing but time. But he didn't say anything, because he also knew she hadn't stopped practicing. He just pointed to the mat with his cane.
Lin removed her boots and hung her coat up before taking her place before him. She was nervous, but only because she wanted to impress the man before her. She bowed and waited for his instruction.
"First position," he ordered and struck his cane against the floor.
Lin took a deep breath and began, slipping her left foot forward with slow precision, adjusting her weight. She'd been training with Master Snow for four months; the movements were completely alien to her at the beginning, but she'd been a quick learner. Some of the other priests had protested. Master Snow quickly put them in their place. He didn't teach anyone anymore, but for some reason had agreed to Lin's request. She spent two hours every day with him when she could. Sometimes, though, he would send word to say he was too tired and needed to rest. Unfortunately, it was happening more and more often over the last month.
Master Snow pounded out a slow rhythm with his cane as he barked out the various positions he wanted her to perform. Lin let the world drift away as she lost herself in the movement, building in complexity with every thump of the cane. She could feel the control in her limbs, the power in her muscles. A lifetime of working the stone had given her strength and endurance; Master Snow was giving her skill and purpose. It felt wonderful.
"Stop smiling," barked Master Snow. "You're learning how to fight, how to kill. It's not a game. There's nothing more serious."
Lin swallowed her grin — the old man missed nothing. He increased the tempo with his cane, making her work harder and faster than ever before, but he made no complaints of her form, or corrections to her movement.
The sweat dripped off her as she continued. Her breathing grew that much quicker but still Master Snow pushed her. Time lost all meaning. It was just Lin, her body and Master Snow's commands, propelled by the beat of his cane.
She heard the door to the practice hall open, felt the winter wind rush in. Three students entered and stood next to Master Snow.
"Stop!" bellowed her teacher.
She did as commanded, suddenly aware of how exhausted she was, the ache in her body. She wiped some sweat from her brow as she waited for further instruction. The students were tall, well-built and perhaps only a year or two away from taking their vows. They wore the grey uniform that set them apart from the priests and their hair was shaved down to the skull. And, of course, they all had that uncomfortable expression she was so used to seeing. The Dogs and their students might be capable of facing a Nostros without flinching but they fell apart in the presence of a woman.
Then she noticed the look on Master Snow's face. He was smiling. He'd never done that before. It scared her.
"You've done exceptionally well in a short time, Lin," said the old man. "You're better than some students I spent years trying to teach."
"Thank you, Master," replied Lin, bowing her head.
"But learning movements and fighting the air are nothing compared to battle with a real opponent," continued her teacher. "So now you must move on to the next stage of your training." He waved a hand toward the students.
"You want me to fight them?" asked Lin.
"No, I want you to cook them dinner."
"But Master Snow," said one of the students, red-faced. "We can't. She's a ... a ..."
"A girl?" finished Master Snow. "And do you have a problem with that?"
"It's not right. What ... what if we hurt her?" stuttered the boy.
Master Snow laughed. "I think you're the one who needs to worry. And for your stupidity, you will go first."
"Now?" Lin nearly choked. She was exhausted and out of breath. "But I ..."
"Not you too," said Master Snow. "Are you going to complain about being tired? What will you do in real life, after you've beaten an opponent and you feel too exhausted to pick up your sword again and then another enemy appears? Will you ask him to go home? Come back after you've had a rest? No — you fight or you die."
Lin couldn't argue with that. "Okay. Let's fight."
Red-face was still in shock, his head swiveling between Master Snow, Lin and his friends, looking for a way out. No one offered him any help. Eventually, he took his boots off and stepped onto the mat.
"You fight until the other person surrenders or can't defend themselves," said Master Snow to both of them. Lin nodded. The boy looked horrified. "Begin."
Lin slipped into the first position again, fists raised.
The boy barely moved. "Master Snow, I don't want to fight her. This isn't right ..."
"Hey," said Lin. The boy looked back to her and she punched him in the face, felt his nose crumple beneath her fist, saw his eyes bulge and the blood flow. His legs went from under him and he hit the mat hard.
"Next," said Master Snow to the second student. The boy fixed his eyes on Lin as he removed his boots, didn't take them off her as he stepped onto the mat. Ice cold they were, as grey as his uniform. He'd no compunction about fighting a girl. He stepped over his fallen friend and adopted the first position. Lin mirrored the move, her heart racing in anticipation.
"Begin!"
Grey-eyes came straight at her. No hesitation. She blocked a front kick and swerved out the way of a left hook. The boy grinned and attacked again, first a forearm smash and then tried hooking Lin's leg away from her as she blocked the arm. She stepped back, wanting some space, but he pressed on with a roundhouse kick. Again she blocked, but the force of it knocked her off balance and a second kick sent her sprawling.
She hit the ground and rolled back to her feet, blocked a knee to her gut, parried a punch. Grey-eyes was loving every second of it, no doubt thinking it was going to be the easiest fight
of his life. She glanced over at Master Snow, who nodded back.
She moved to the side, slow as she could, and wiped some sweat from her brow. She let Grey-eyes see she was breathing hard, even let her right arm dangle as if she was hurt. The boy stormed in to take advantage of it, attacked from the left, and swung a punch. It was a lazy blow, full of arrogance, and Lin dipped below it and thundered a series of punches straight into his gut, smacking all the air out of his lungs, holding back just enough so she didn't break a rib. He gawped like a fish out of water so she took his legs from under him and let him fall next to his friend.
Master Snow looked at the third boy, who was staring bug-eyed at Lin, petrified. The old man chuckled. "I think we've had enough for one day." He clicked his fingers to get the boy's attention. "Get your friends to the infirmary."
The boy looked as though he couldn't believe his luck. At least he had the sense to bow to Master Snow before he rushed over to the others.
Lin waited for a sign she was dismissed. Just because the last boy didn't have to fight didn't mean Master Snow had finished with her. They waited in silence as the third student half-dragged, half-supported his friends from the practice hall. No doubt their discomfort toward Lin would only grow.
"Put your boots on and get your coat," said Master Snow once they were alone. "You can walk me back to my rooms."
The snow still fell when they stepped outside, and Lin held on to her teacher's arm as they walked down the path back to the main building. They didn't speak. There was no need. They took their time, Lin making sure her teacher didn't slip and fall. The cold pinched her cheeks and she was grateful for her warm coat.
"Have you got used to it yet?" asked her teacher as they crossed the courtyard.
"Got used to what?"
He waved his cane at the sky. "Daylight."
Lin glanced up at the grey clouds and the falling snow. "No. Not yet. It's barely a year since I first saw the sun. Every day there's something new to see — a color, a falling leaf, a ray of light, snow. It's more than I could've hoped for."
"And how do you feel about living here in Whitehaven?"
"It's okay. Better than Grosnar ..."
"But?"
Lin hesitated. "You'll think I'm stupid."
"There's nothing you can say to me that will make me think that."
"I'm bored," said Lin with a sigh. "I'm lonely. If not for you, I'd have nothing to do and no one to talk to."
"The other priests haven't gotten used to you, have they?" He coughed into his hand.
"You saw the faces of the boys back there. You'd think I was a Nostros."
"And Jack?"
"Jack?" She tried to keep her voice casual.
"Come now. I'm old but not blind." He squeezed her hand. "How are things between you?"
"We're friends. Good friends."
"And?"
Lin groaned. "Can I just go back and fight the third boy?"
Master Snow chuckled. They reached the main building and Lin helped him climb the steps to the main door. Another priest saw them and came to help but the old man waved him away. "I have all the help I need, thank you."
Lin held the heavy oak door open as Master Snow shuffled through. It was warm inside and she was glad to be out of the wind. Master Snow's rooms were nearby on the ground floor to make it as easy for him as possible, and she helped him to his door. They had to stop twice as his cough got worse before they were inside.
"Should I get the doctor?" asked Lin as they reached Master Snow's door.
Master Snow smiled. "There is no cure for what ails me except the final one. Come, let me make you a cup of tea."
"I... er..." Lin had never been invited in before.
"Come now. It's not like you have anywhere else to be, is it?" Master Snow opened the door, revealing a large room. One wall was lined with books.
Lin stepped inside. He'd left a fire burning and there was a comfortable chair set up beside it, a half-opened book resting on one of the arms. His swords, in beautiful lacquered sheaths, hung on the wall above his bed. Master Snow waved at a wooden chair by the window, next to a small desk covered in scrolls.
Lin did as he asked and watched while he set a small kettle to boil over the fire. "It shouldn't take too long."
A knock at the door interrupted them.
"Enter," called out Master Snow.
The door opened to reveal a priest in full uniform of the Knights of Saint Stephen. He ran his hand over his bald head while his eyes glanced at Lin. His face was pinched red from the cold but there was steel in the man's eyes. "Master Snow?"
"I am he," replied the old man. "And whatever you have to say, you can say in front of the girl."
The man smiled. "It's actually the girl we've come to see."
"What? Me?" replied Lin, half-rising from her chair.
"Interesting," said Master Snow.
"My name is brother Simon," said the man. "I've come from the capital with a message for you." He withdrew a sealed letter from a pouch on his belt and offered it to Lin.
She shook her head and sat back down. "I can't read."
"May I?" asked Simon, indicating he read the note on her behalf.
"Please."
He broke the seal and unfolded the document. "The letter is from Lord Willingham."
"He's the chief advisor to the queen," interjected Master Snow. "Probably the most important person in the country. And the most powerful."
"He says: 'Dear Miss Lin. It was of great interest that I heard not only of your arrival on our fair shores, but of your subsequent role in the raid on Grosnar. While I am sure you have become quite settled with the Knights of Saint Stephen in Whitehaven, I would ask for your presence here in Arbour for a short period. I would very much like to make your acquaintance in person as I believe there is much we can learn from each other. If you would be most willing, kindly return with Brother Simon as soon as possible and meet with me in the royal palace of Her Majesty, Eliza. With kind regards, Lord Willingham.'"
Lin was shocked. "He wants me to go to the capital? With you?"
"We were told to return as soon as possible." Simon glanced out the window. "Originally I thought we'd head back in the morning, but the snow's got me worried. Probably best if we don't wait. I'd like to leave in an hour or so. Will that give you enough time to get your things together?"
Lin jumped to her feet. "I'm not going with you. I don't know you or this Lord whatever-his-name-is."
Simon got that uncomfortable look she was used to seeing on all the Black Dogs. "I'm sorry. I thought Lord Willingham's note was clear? You're to come to Arbour with me. I can assure you that you'll be perfectly safe."
Lin could feel her temper rising. "Safe? You think I'm worried about you? And I did understand the note. I may not be able to read but I'm not bloody stupid. Your lord said if I was willing — well, I'm not."
Simon glanced at Master Snow, unsure of what to say, looking for support.
"Lin," said Master Snow, struggling out of his seat. "Please, listen to me."
"Who do these people think they are?" she demanded. "I thought I wasn't a slave any more, at some Master's beck and call?"
He walked over to her, the effort clear as day on his face. When he reached her, he grasped her hands in his. "All of us must answer to someone. I to the Lord Abbot, the Lord Abbot to the Knight Commander, the Knight Commander to the queen and the queen to God. Now, Willingham speaks on behalf of the queen, so we must all listen and, alas, do as he asks."
"But I don't want to go. My training..."
"You will find others in the capital to train with."
"But..."
"Whitehaven isn't your home, Lin. You know that. God brought you out of the Middle Kingdoms for a greater purpose than keeping an old man happy. You've only begun your journey, and not I and not you know where that journey will end."
Lin looked at him, lost for words. How could she tell him she was scared? The capital was a great city. Jack had
said thousands upon thousands of people lived there. How would she cope with that? If she felt lost in Whitehaven, Arbour would swallow her up. She begged him with her eyes to let her stay but the old man simply smiled in return.
"You said you were bored and had nothing to do. Well, your prayers have been answered."
Lin bowed her head. The man was right. She was bored. She was longing to see the rest of the world, to have some sort of adventure, but it didn't make it any less galling to be ordered somewhere. But that was her pride talking. Arguing now was pointless. She looked up and glared at Simon. "Fine. I'll go."
"Good," said the priest. "I'll organize a carriage to drive you..."
"I'll ride a horse," snapped Lin. "And don't either of you even think of telling me to wear a dress."
Simon held up both hands in surrender. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Lin turned to Master Snow. "Thank you for everything you taught me. I'll be forever in your debt."
"It was my pleasure. Now go and change the world." Master Snow squeezed her hand. "Besides, you won't be on your own in Arbour. Jack's there."
5
Jack
Jack stared at the body and the ripped-open neck. The girl had been murdered by a Nostros — he had no doubt about that — but it was impossible. There was no way a Nostros could be in Arbour. But there was no denying what he saw. He knew the country's worst nightmare had happened. A Nostros had made it to Abios. All this time they were building defenses to warn of an approaching armada with an invading army on board, but no one had thought about one boat.
He remembered one of Master Snow's lessons. Jack's class had been assembled in Master Snow's courtyard and one of the boys — Thomas, if he remembered right — had to pretend he was a Nostros. The boys had to run from one side of the courtyard to the other. If they were caught, they too became Nostros. Thirty boys against one, and yet the thirty had no chance. The 'Nostros' had claimed one then another then another, converting them to his side. The 'Nostros' team had grown in numbers quickly and the thirty fell before they'd run half a dozen times. It was a game to show how easily the Nostros could take Abios if ever they were to set foot on their soil. All it took was one Nostros to start turning people into its creatures and it could destroy everything they held dear.