CRY FEAR

by Mike Morris

  "You did it," said Lin, incredulous.

  "I did," said Willingham and toppled to one side.

  "Willingham!" Lin crawled over to him and lifted his head off the ground, cradling it in her arms. His fluttered open. "Don't die on me now, old man."

  He smiled, the bloody grin of someone who'd survived the impossible. "I'm not going to die. Not yet. We've a war to win, you and I."

  "You need to rest first," said Lin.

  Willingham sat up. "I just need to catch my breath."

  An explosion ripped through the night only a few streets away.

  "That's the monastery," said Willingham.

  Lin climbed to her feet. "Jack!"

  "You can't go there," said Willingham. "The Nostros will be there."

  "I have to," said Lin. "I have to go and help."

  "You'll die if you do," said Willingham, standing. Lin had to hold him steady while he found his balance.

  "I'm not going to die," said Lin. "I promise you. Once the Master is dead, I'll come back, and I want you to teach me how to do what you do."

  The chancellor shook his head. "You don't know what you ask."

  "I do," she said. "I never want to be helpless again. If you can teach me, I'll have the power to destroy the Masters."

  "The Knights of Saint Stephen — your friend, Jack — can never know. They'd hang us both if you tell them."

  "But your magic could turn the war. It could save everything."

  He gripped her arm and squeezed. "Promise me you'll say nothing — or we will lose this war."

  "Will you teach me?"

  "Yes."

  "Then you have my silence."

  "Then go — save your friend." He released her arm, but their eyes remained locked on each other for a moment longer as unspoken promises and commitments were made to each other.

  Lin ran off through the snow, clutching her borrowed sword, a wild grin on her face. More so than Master Snow, she'd found a teacher who could make her into what she wanted to be — a living weapon that could wipe the Nostros from the face of the world. The Black Dogs were fools if their stupid god wouldn't allow them to use such power, but Lin had no such compunction. Victory was all that mattered. The Nostros had no mercy in them, after all. She would treat them the same — use blood against them. She'd avenge all those who died at their hands — Pet'r, Jaar, Doonan, and the thousands of other children raised to be nothing but meat for monsters.

  She reached the gate to the gardens. Two guards lay slaughtered, half-covered in snow. She stopped long enough to pick up one of the dead men's rifles and ran on.

  35

  Jack

  Jack lay on top of Robert, coughing and spluttering. Smoke and dust filled the air and the floor was littered with rubble. He pushed himself up, feeling stones and rocks fall off as he did so. The doors were gone and half of the Great Hall with them. He couldn't see any of the Turned and he thanked God for that. The blast must've got them all. "Robert? Are you hurt? Can you move?"

  The big man groaned as he stirred. "Did the building fall on us?"

  "Nearly," said Jack, helping him up.

  "My God." Robert looked around at the damage. Snow drifted down through the hole where the ceiling had once been. "Did we get them all?"

  Jack picked up his sword and a pistol. "I don't know. I hope so." But he had that feeling in his gut again. "There's still the Nostros."

  "Shit." Robert used his hammer to push himself upright. "Where is the bastard?"

  "Here." The Nostros emerged out of the smoke. "Time to die, humans." He shrugged off his coat and drew Lin's sword. It looked more like a dagger in his hands, such was his size, but Jack had seen what the weapon could do and had no intention of being cut by it.

  "Kullen ang Rung," said Robert. "You've caused us a lot of problems."

  "I but prepare the way for my king. Once he arrives, your whole country will be nothing but ash." The monster's voice rumbled through the ruined hall.

  "All you're going to do is die for your king." Robert moved away from Jack, giving them both some space.

  "Big words from little men," said the Nostros, baring his fangs. "I'll enjoy drinking your blood."

  Jack and Robert had both fought Nostros and lived to tell the tale, but Kullen ang Rung was bigger than any they'd faced before. A sickly horror washed over Jack. This was the monster that had caused Brendan's death, had caused half a city to be put to the torch, had all but brought the Black Dogs to their knees. He looked invincible.

  Truth was, Jack wanted to run as far away from Kullen ang Rung as he could manage, such was the panic that gripped him, but he forced himself to stand his ground. If the monster had his way today, countless others would die. He'd sworn an oath to protect Abios from these monsters. He'd promised to give his life in that cause if need be. He'd made a vow that cared not for who he fought — only that he stand when the time came. He swallowed, tightened his grip on his sword and prayed to God that it wasn't his time to die.

  The Nostros leaped up into the air, Lin's sword flashing down as he closed the gap between the Black Dogs. Jack dived to one side as Kullen ang Rung crashed into the ground where he'd been standing. Robert swung his hammer at him but the Nostros stopped the blow with the edge of Lin's sword. An ordinary blade would've shattered on such an impact but the sword showed no ill effect. Kullen ang Rung used it to hook Robert's hammer, pulling him closer and smashing his fist into the big man's jaw.

  Robert went down, sprawling in the dirt, dust and snow. Kullen ang Rung straddled him, ready to drive his sword into Robert's back.

  Jack bellowed with rage and charged. He couldn't let his friend die. The monster straightened and turned just as Jack hacked down. Steel crashed against steel as Lin's sword blocked his own. The Nostros drove his boot into Jack's gut, lifting him off the ground. He crashed into a broken pillar and then fell face-first into the dirt and snow. He spat blood and sucked some air into his lungs, but then the Nostros was on him. He grabbed Jack by his collar and lifted him off the ground so his feet kicked nothing but air. Kullen ang Rung roared in Jack's face, baring his fangs. A fist thundered into his gut, knocking the air from his lungs. The Nostros headbutted Jack, flattening his nose. He went limp in the monster's grip and Kullen ang Rung flung him across the Great Hall with a flick of his hand.

  Jack hit a pew as he went down, smacking his head and knocking all the fight from him. He tried to stand, but the world spun around him and he fell back onto his ass once more. Darkness clawed at the edges of his vision but he couldn't allow himself to give in. He sucked air into his burning lungs and reached out for the edge of the pew. He pulled himself up and saw Robert fighting for his life.

  Robert looked a child next to the Nostros, his great hammer no more than a toy for the demon to bat aside. Kullen ang Rung advanced on the priest. Lin's sword slashed down and Robert just managed to block it with the haft of his hammer. The blade slid down the grip. Sparks flew as it scraped along metal, and then Robert yelled out in pain as the sword found his fingers. He jerked his hand away, blood trailing lost fingers.

  Jack spat blood and staggered forward. His friend needed him. He couldn't watch someone else die. He grabbed a pew to steady himself, fell across to another and dragged himself on. He had no sword, but his pistol was loaded and he had knives to hand. It would have to be enough. His vision swirled in and out of focus as he watched the Nostros punch Robert to the ground. The fist flew in again and again, followed by the demon's boot. Jack could hear the sickening crunch as each kick slammed into Robert's prone body.

  The monster was five feet away. Close enough to shoot. Jack drew his last pistol. It felt so heavy in his hand. He raised it as the Nostros raised Lin's sword, aimed. His vision blurred, but he prayed to God for His guidance and pulled the trigger.

  The Nostros cried out as the bullet struck his hand. Lin's sword flew off into the darkness. The demon spun around, eyes burning with rage, clutching his hand, blood dripping. "Human! How dare you? I will
make you my slave for this insult, make you a wretched creature who will spend eternity groveling at my feet, licking my boots clean, living off rats and cockroaches."

  Kullen ang Rung was on Jack in an instant and pounded his face with punch after punch. Jack went down hard and the Nostros continued to hit him, slamming his head against the stone floor. But just as the darkness promised to take Jack away from it all, the monster stopped. He stood over Jack's body and gently slapped him across the face, forcing Jack's eyes open. "Not yet, little one."

  With a bloody hand, he ripped Jack's dog collar from his neck. He laughed when he saw the scars already there. "I see one of my kind has already blessed you with a kiss."

  "Fuck you." Jack stared the vile creature in the eye. Kullen ang Rung was everything he'd been taught to hate. A monster that would destroy everything he knew and loved.

  Jack knew he was about to die, but he wasn't afraid. He didn't even care about the threats the Nostros had made. Whatever would be would be. All he knew was that he wouldn't go down without a fight. Even if it was with his last breath, Jack would do everything he could to stop the Nostros. There was still a chance. He fumbled in the dirt, hoping to find anything he could use as a weapon. He knew he had a knife somewhere still, but it was so hard to think, to remember where.

  The Nostros grabbed Jack by the hair, jerking his head to one side so his neck was exposed. Jack tried to drive his knee into the Nostros' side but the Nostros barely noticed.

  The monster leaned over, his breath hot on Jack's neck.

  A knife. Jack had a knife in his boot. He reached for it ...

  A gun went off, somewhere close, and Kullen ang Rung reared up, crying out once more in pain. It was the sweetest sound Jack had ever heard. As the monster stood up, Jack saw Lin standing a few yards away, a smoking rifle in her hands.

  "Get off him, you bastard," she said. She dropped the rifle and drew her sword from behind her back. Jack smiled at the sight of it in her hand once more.

  "You will die!" screamed Kullen ang Rung.

  Jack seized the knife from his boot and plunged it into the Nostros' side. Kullen ang Rung staggered back, looking down at the blade with utter disbelief.

  Lin charged over. She slashed down with her sword. Kullen ang Rung put up his hand as if to stop her, but the sword slashed through it as if nothing was there. The Nostros' flesh sizzled and sparked along the edge of the cut. Lin drove the blade into his heart and the demon exploded into ash.

  "Jack," she cried, hugging him.

  "I'm all right," he replied, not sure if it was true or not. "Robert. You need to check on Robert."

  Lin looked around. "Where is he? I don't ..." She saw him. Her face told Jack things didn't look good. He propped himself up on an elbow while Lin went to check on his friend, praying she wouldn't confirm his worst fears.

  Lin bent down and checked for a pulse. Jack watched, tears in his eyes, as time slowed. Snow drifted down past patches of fire as the wind swirled smoke out into the courtyard. Gunfire popped and cracked off in the distance. Eventually, Lin drew back her hand, looked over at Jack and shook her head.

  No. Jack didn't believe it. Couldn't believe it. He dragged himself up onto his feet and staggered over to see for himself. Tears ran down Lin's face as she watched him approach. Every part of Jack screamed in agony, but he didn't care.

  He fell to his knees when he reached Robert. The big man was battered and broken, destroyed totally and utterly. The man had always been so full of life, seemed so invincible no matter the situation, and now he was gone.

  Lin put her arm around Jack and pulled him in close, letting him cry for all they'd lost.

  36

  Lin

  The sky was blue and beautiful and free of clouds. The last snow had fallen a day previously and Lin hoped it would be the last they'd see for a while. The chill was still with them, though, and she hugged herself tighter under her cloak.

  She stood next to Jack in what was left of the monastery's courtyard. They were with the surviving Black Dogs, who'd gathered to pay their respects to all those who'd died in the battle to save Arbour. Snow covered what was left of the grand old buildings like a blanket laid over a corpse.

  Willingham was on the opposite side of the memorial cauldron, alongside the queen. She was wrapped up in a black fur cloak, her skin as white as marble. She was doing her best to appear unmoved by the ceremony but every so often, a tear would run down her cheek.

  The abbot from Whitehaven had come to the capital to hold the prayers. He looked frailer than ever in the cold winter light. Lin was only half-listening to what he had to say. She'd never had any time for his god before and she had even less now.

  "We are in our darkest days," said the abbot. "Never before have we been made so aware of the dangers we face. It would be easy to lose hope. To have our belief in ourselves shaken. To fear the end is upon us. But I ask you to keep your faith in God and each other. If we place our trust in Him and our brothers, we will emerge victorious."

  Easy for the abbot to say, but somehow Lin didn't think his words would have much effect. She glanced over at Jack. All the youth and innocence had disappeared from his face. It was marked, not just by the claw marks of a Turned and bruised by the Master's assault, but also by the reality of their situation and the losses he'd borne. He'd always been so full of optimism, but that too was lost. He now looked like everyone she'd ever grown up with, only too aware of how close death was at the hands of a Master. Perhaps his faith would be enough to keep him going and come out of it all stronger than before, but she wasn't sure. It was hard to believe in a god that would allow a monster to destroy all you loved.

  It was better to believe in more practical things. Like her sword. She slipped her hand around the grip and squeezed it tight. There was power in its steel, power she didn't understand, but she now knew what it could do. Once she learned Willingham's magic, it would be her turn to put the fear into the Masters. Let them know how close death waited. She smiled. That would be a glorious moment. Let the Black Dogs have their eternal flames to remember the fallen — she'd honor her lost friends with the ash of the Masters.

  "Amen." The word chorused around the courtyard, dragging Lin back from her thoughts. The service was over.

  People mingled, saying their goodbyes. Willingham caught her eye and wandered over. "How are you, Miss Lin?"

  "Alive. That seems to be the only answer to give these days."

  "And not to be taken for granted." Willingham looked around the others at the ceremony, watched the queen chat to the abbot for a moment. "Are you still keen to start studying with me? I appreciate what you said was done in the heat of quite dire circumstances."

  Lin laughed. There was no joy in it. "Believe me, I meant every word I said. When can we start?"

  "I'll have my man come for you tomorrow." He gave a slight bow. "Until then."

  She watched him glide back over to the queen's side and whisper something in her ear. The queen glanced over at Lin and gave a slight nod. Had he told her what they planned? Or was it just a mark of recognition of the role she'd played in saving Arbour? She hoped it was the latter. Once too many people knew a secret, it had a funny way of becoming public knowledge, and that wouldn't do.

  Jack joined her. "What did Willingham want?"

  Lin shrugged. "The usual small talk. 'How are you?' and all that nonsense."

  "I don't think anyone really wants to know," replied Jack. "I can see in their eyes that they're all petrified I'll tell them the truth."

  "Which is?"

  The ghost of a smile flickered across Jack's face. "You don't want to know."

  "It'll get better."

  Jack cocked an eyebrow. "Will it? Or will it all just get worse?"

  Lin reached out, squeezed his arm. "It will. I promise."

  Jack placed his hand over hers. She could feel the rough callouses on his palm. "There's something I want to talk to you about."

  "Yeah?" She looked into his eye
s and saw the man she loved for a moment.

  "Yeah. I—"

  "Lin, Jack. Just the people I wanted to speak to." The abbot's smile was warm and genuine. He placed both hands on their shoulders and brought them all closer together. "Do you mind coming with me?" He didn't wait for an answer. It wasn't that sort of request. He guided them toward the ruin of the Great Hall, no more than a partial skeleton of what it once was. "I loved this building. It'll take years to repair, but still, we mustn't complain. There are others far worse off than we are."

  He didn't need to say what he was referring to. Little remained of Brixteth once the fires had finally died down. It was mainly ash and rubble now. Thousands had died and even more were now homeless, living in tents set up in the parks over the river. There was going to be another ceremony the following day in the city's main cathedral to honor the civilians who'd died.

  Lin and Jack had ridden through the smoldering remains of Brixteth earlier. Only charred ruins and rubble remained. They'd stopped at what was left of Brendan's street and Jack had said a prayer for his brother's soul. The body was long lost to the fires Lin and Jack had started, and she couldn't help but think that was a good thing. It was better that Jack remembered his brother for what he had been rather than what he'd become.

  "This way," said the abbot. Where once there had been a staircase set into a wall, there was now but a hole in the ground and steps descending into darkness. They walked down the steps, their footsteps the only sound. At the bottom was a corridor, lit by a row of torches. The abbot said nothing as they followed him all the way to the far end to a set of large oak doors, flanked on either side by sentries armed with swords and pistols. She glanced at Jack but his eyes were locked straight ahead, a mask set over whatever was on his mind.

  The door opened without anyone knocking and the abbot ushered them into the chamber within. Another guard stepped aside as they entered. The interior was well lit and full of trophy cases, containing weapons and armor and a myriad of other objects.