by Alex Avrio
The injured tiger seemed to seek for a corner to retreat into. At a wave of the Arena Master’s hand, fire sprang up around the arena. Encircled by blazing flames, the tiger had nowhere to hide. It surveyed the flames, and turned to the women, letting out a terrifying roar.
“A boar musket would be handy now,” Schaefer said.
“Or three magical wishes?” Regina said.
“It’s a devil of a job with a saber, but both going for the underbelly might finish it,” Schaefer said.
Regina felt the heat of the flames. “Let’s try.”
As they closed on the tiger, it reared. Regina dodged claws and snapping jaws and slashed and thrust for her life. Schaefer's blade embedded itself in the beast's belly, and she twisted it for all she was worth. With one final roar the great tiger fell on its side. It looked fiercely at Regina one last time. Maybe remembering the jungle, its distant home. Its head fell, the light in its amber eyes faded. Then there was nothing.
The arena erupted. Regina felt sick. This was one kill she wasn’t proud of. These people set men against beasts, for their entertainment. It was they who were the savage beasts. Regina looked up to the Royal box. Emilia, Rosamynd and Charlie were pale, immobile as statues. Bianca looked disappointed. She leaned and whispered something to the Duke, who in turn beckoned the Arena Master to him. Schaefer was trying to catch her breath and stem the bleeding.
“My Ladies and Lords,” the arena master announced. “Tonight we have another rare treat in honor of the carnival, granted to us by our most exalted and glorious Duke.”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Schaefer said.
“Tonight, we unleash the Ice Giant!”
The cheers were deafening. Regina shuddered.
“There are no such things,” Schaefer said. “That’s a tale for children.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Regina whispered.
Jaeger and Morgenstern were released back into the arena. Regina and Schaefer ran to help them into its center. Regina watched with trepidation as the east gate opened, but it was Briggs and Eleven who were thrown in, sprawling to the floor. Then the southern gate creaked and they felt the earth shake.
42 A GIANT PROBLEM
SCHAEFER let out a squeak. The thing that lumbered into view was twenty feet tall: every limb, the chest, the head, made of metal. It held a great hammer, the size of a small tree. The face was vaguely human. Its eyes surveyed every person in the arena.
“What in the name of the Mother is that?” Jaeger cried.
“If it breathes, we can kill it,” Schaefer said.
“I’m not sure it breathes,” Regina said. Briggs and Eleven moved close to them, and they fell into a defensive formation.
“Is this some sort of clockwork?” Jaeger asked, trying to size up the giant.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Morgenstern commented.
“I’ve seen some weird stuff that you can’t even imagine. But whose twisted mind did this come out of?” Jaeger replied.
“Quit babbling and think of a way to kill it,” Regina shouted.
Suddenly there was a cacophony of noise, the sound of metal grinding on metal as cogs turned inside and the giant swung the hammer. The crowd cheered as the team scattered to avoid the blow, then resumed their formation.
“That was a wild swing,” Morgenstern said. “If it keeps up like this, all we have to do is just move around.”
“Easy for you to say,” spat Jaeger, every step clearly causing him great pain.
“If you hear that sound again, split up. Max, with me,” Regina said.
“Don't worry, it’s not half as bad as it looks. I heal quickly these days,” he said, seeing her stare at the blood seeping through his jacket from the shoulder wound.
Another noise emanated from the giant. Low-pitched plucking sounds accompanied each step, rising to a near-deafening crescendo.
“By the Mother, it’s playing a tune. After all I’ve been through, it’s playing a tune! I’m damned if I’ll meet my end by a giant music box,” Briggs said. Eleven retreated a few steps, keeping her eyes on the giant.
The giant rotated the hammer in his hand, the sound of cogs now almost drowned by the reverberating melody. This time the swing was faster, and Regina pulled Jaeger backwards just in time, feeling a whoosh of air on her face from the blow.
The team was now spread out into a wide circle around the giant.
“It’s calibrating,” Regina shouted. “Soon it’ll beat us to pulp.”
A third fall of the hammer came dangerously closer to catching Briggs, who managed to dive out of the way at the last moment.
“Not if I can help it,” Jaeger said. Almost fully mobile again now, he dashed in and slashed at the creature’s leg. The metal reverberated as the blade struck, but the blow made barely a scratch.
“Worth a try,” Jaeger said, falling back into formation. “Time for plan B.”
“Which is?” Regina asked.
“I did plan A. Plan B’s all yours.”
Regina dodged aside as the giant attacked again. When the hammer had passed, she leapt forward and thrust her sword into the back of the giant’s knee. Sparks flew as the blade slid on the metal but failed to do any damage.
“That was plan B,” Regina said.
“Do you think this thing’s intelligent?” Morgenstern asked.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s still going to kill us,” Schaefer said.
Jaeger quickly scanned the arena. The crowd was roaring, all to eager to see the giant beat them into bloodstains. In the Royal box, Emilia sat mute with horror. Rosamynd had covered her face with her hands. Charlie was watching intently. Bianca had a cruel smile on her lips. Francesco leaned forward and whispered something in the Duke’s ear and both laughed. Ten’Daertha stood behind the older Duchess with a grim look on her face. Jaeger could make out one more man standing in the shadows, wearing a raven’s mask.
“This could go on for hours,” Briggs remarked, rolling out of the way of a well-placed sweep. The giant stood tall and a metal screech came as he stretched his arms to deliver another blow. Without warning, the flames erupted once more, forming a wide circle trapping the team within easy reach of the giant.
“You just had to go and jinx it, didn’t you?” Eleven said.
“They’re not going to let this go on much longer,” Regina said. The giant opened his mouth and a stream of fire spewed out. Regina grabbed Jaeger and pulled him out of its path. She gritted her teeth as they got up.
“Keep your eyes on him, Max.”
“There must be something we can do.”
The giant roared once more and they jumped out of the way of another stream of fire. Morgenstern's coattails caught on the outer fire ring surrounding them. Eleven quickly patted it out.
“We can’t cut or stab it. What if we trip it up and it lands on the stands? If that works, maybe we can escape in the panic,” Jaeger said.
“Lots of ifs there,” Regina commented.
“Better plan?”
“I’m working on plan D, tinkering with plan C’s all yours. How are you going to trip him up?”
“How are we going to, you mean.”
“Tools? Rope?”
“Nothing.”
They leapt aside again to avoid a blast of fire.
“OK, run round behind him, draw his fire. When he turns to pulverize you, everyone else grab the leg in the air and pull,” Jaeger called out above the din.
“That’s your plan?”
“Yep. Off you go,” Jaeger replied.
Regina grumbled a few choice words as she ran towards the front of the giant automaton. She stood still for a second and her eyes met its glass ones. Regina felt the urge to call on the help of the Mother and Child. She offered a little prayer as the giant brought down his hammer with such speed and strength that Regina barely had time to dodge. Muttering curses under her breath, most of them regarding Jaeger and his bright ideas, she positioned herself as clos
e to the edge of the circle as she could without catching fire. She jumped up and down, waving her hands. The giant opened his mouth and streamed fire out at her. Regina jumped out of the way of the blast and the giant gave chase, the ground shaking with each step as it moved towards her.
As soon as the giant raised his foot, Jaeger and Morgenstern jumped up and grabbed his ankle. Briggs, Schaefer and Eleven joined them, pulling backwards with all their might. The giant stopped for a moment, confused, then shook. Jaeger and Schaefer flew off his foot, landing ten feet away. The rest held fast. The giant put his foot down. Everyone still holding on was sent scrambling away. The giant’s balance, however, was gone. Toes tried to grip dusty earth. A human might have been able to readjust balance, but a giant made of metal could not, and he went down with a deafening clang, crashing onto the stalls.
Before there was any time to think, Jaeger clambered up the fallen body. At the top, he could jump out of the arena. The rest followed close behind. The spectators parted, screaming, as the guards ran towards them, swords drawn. The giant shook his head like a drunken man, and flailed his arms. His palms felt for something to steady himself until he could drag himself up into the stalls. The crowd continued to scramble. Unfortunately the giant, now straightened to his full height, felt inclined to bring his hammer down on anything that moved. All hell was suddenly breaking loose.
43 CREATURES OF THE MIST
SCREAMS echoed through the arena as everybody stampeded for the exits. The giant's hammer crashed down again and again, hitting empty stone seats, spectators or guards indiscriminately. Fire poured from its open mouth, catching clothes and hair, spread by the people running in all directions.
The Duchess's personal guard were already ushering everyone out of the Royal box. Regina and Jaeger exchanged a glance and made for the box, vaulting the barriers and slashing at the guards. Ten’ Daertha had already escorted the Duke from the arena. Morgenstern grabbed Emilia and she clung to him as he guided her to the exit. Schaefer went for Rosamynd.
“I’m so glad to see you, Arza,” Rosamynd managed to say.
“Me too. Now come with me, and don’t let go of my hand for anything, understand?” The giant’s fist landed on the box, narrowly missing them and making one side collapse.
Charlie picked up a discarded saber and the group followed the route of the Duchess’s guard into a corridor. Jaeger noticed two or three people trapped under a collapsed part of the upper wall. As he got closer, he realized one was Bianca. He crouched beside her and started to lift the beam that trapped her. She moaned as she opened her eyes and then realized who was helping her. She snarled at him. Jaeger looked back with a steely gaze.
“I trust you are alright, Your Grace?” he said softly.
“Take your filthy hands off me,” she spat.
Jaeger leaned forward until his face was close to hers. “Listen. If you even think about coming after me and mine, I will come back for you. I will hurt you. You will beg for death, and death will not come.”
“How dare you threaten me, dog,” Bianca said, with slightly less confidence this time.
“You don’t have your claws and teeth anymore, Duchess,” Jaeger said, almost sweetly. “I have things that cut, things that hurt, things to make you afraid in the night. Don’t make me come back for you.”
His eyes had turned amber. He got up and walked away leaving Bianca still trapped.
After a few minutes, a man wearing a raven mask knelt next to Bianca. She recoiled from his amber eyes until he removed his mask.
“Demetrius.” Bianca breathed more easily. He put his arms around her to help her up but she wasn’t ready.
“I want them dead. I want Maximillian Jaeger and Regina Fitzwaters dead. I want them to die a slow, agonizing death.”
Demetrius stroked her hair softly. “I think you should calm down, Your Grace. You are tired and upset.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down,” Bianca growled. “Just do it.”
“Calm down,” Demetrius said, his voice soporific. “Listen to me. Forget these people. Forget their names. They mean nothing to you. Now sleep.” Bianca’s eyes closed and she was breathing softly in his arms.
Demetrius lifted her effortlessly and carried her out. Outside, Ten‘Daertha was waiting with the Old Duchess, whose eyes were cold as ice.
“Is she hurt?” the Duchess asked.
“She will be fine when she wakes up.” He gently handed Bianca over to a guard to take back to the safety of the palace.
“I want the princesses back. And those who took them dead.”
“I am afraid that is not possible anymore, Your Grace. Things have been set in motion that are better left undisturbed.”
“They have dearly upset our plans, Demetrius, and have insulted Korthi.”
“Let it go, Your Grace,” Demetrius said, his voice soporific again. “They are not ours to tamper with.”
“I know better than to ignore your advice, Demetrius, but do not try your tricks on me. I ask because it must be asked. Something must be done.”
There were traces of her former beauty in her face. All the strength, determination and cruelty that had made her great were there too.
“When you saved me and my son, do you remember what you promised?” The Duchess asked softly. Demetrius closed his eyes and exhaled.
“Very well. For tonight, and as long as they are still in Korthi, I can do them grievous harm. If that is what you wish.”
“Yes.” The Duchess turned away and Ten’Daertha followed her. Inside the arena there was still screaming and crashing. Demetrius lifted his right hand, and moved it as if conducting an orchestra. The screams continued but the crashing and thudding stopped. Demetrius brought his hands together and closed his eyes for a few moments, as if deep in thought. His eyes glowed when he opened them. In the palms of his hands now rested a glass sphere, mist swirling within. He stared at it for a few moments as if unsure, then smashed it on the floor while reciting an ancient incantation. Mist rushed out and towards the city; and with it, the creatures that hid within.
44 MIST OVER KORTHI
JAEGER caught up with the rest of the group.
“Took your time,” Regina commented.
“You think we got away?” Morgenstern asked.
“We’ll be away when we're clear of Korthi,” Regina said. “Let’s get to the harbor, fast as we can.”
A few blocks away they found Summers, Jackson, Amanates and Thomas waiting for them, with Lieutenant Adler, Kyfer, Peeter and Johannes. Thomas gave Charlie a big hug as soon as he realized who was under all the finery. Lieutenant Adler then embraced and kissed her.
“Let’s get going. The sooner we’re out of here the better,” Regina said.
“It’s a good job you came out this way. We reckoned it was the best route for the harbor but still–” Jackson said.
Regina felt suddenly dipped in an ice-cold stream. She shot a look at Jaeger and knew he’d felt it too. “There’s something coming! Move, quick!” Regina said.
“The guards?” Briggs unsheathed his saber.
“No, this is worse.”
The group moved fast but the descending fog moved faster. Wisps of mist crawled and crept around them.
“Whatever happens, make your way to the harbor. Keep your eyes on Emilia, I’ll look after Rosamynd,” Regina said to Jaeger.
Tendrils of mist crept upwards, bringing with them the stench of a shallow grave forced open. Regina was filled with dread. Not like the eve of a battle, the uncertainty that death might be hanging over one’s head – more like the dread after a battle was done; when there are stacks of dead, dead friends to be counted, wailing to be heard while the dying are plundered, and men wonder why people kill each other this way.
They ran as fast as the wounded would allow, through the narrow cobbled streets. The city bells came to life, and cut through the crisp night air like cannon fire. Regina guessed the guards wouldn't be far behind, along with every armed citizen of the
city, but, as they passed house after house, she heard feet hurriedly scuffle inside, doors slam, shutters snap shut. The atmosphere was heavy, as if a great storm was about to break.
The mist rolled swifter than an avalanche, swallowing all in its path, erasing the world and leaving only pale outlines of ghosts. Regina could make out walls at the edge of the street, people walking a few paces ahead, little else. She couldn’t see Jaeger, though she could feel his presence nearby.
“Schaefer?” she called. “Rosamynd?”
“Here.” Both stepped out of the gloom.
“I don’t want you out of my sight,” Regina told them. She could hear leaves rustling far away, nails scraping on walls, crooked legs making haste. She was no stranger to the fog of battle: when the cannons spoke, nobody could see farther than a few paces. If cavalry charged through smoke, shrapnel took off limbs. Eyes on your nearest comrades a few feet away, you did what you were ordered, no idea whether the battle was won or lost. Death himself rode on the battlefield, somber and natural. But this was different. This felt unnatural, like a rose-cheeked child dying in front of you in its cradle, like a smiling bride dropping dead walking down the aisle.
Or maybe, an evil voice whispered, like a groom.
“Go– Run!” Regina shouted and grabbed Rosamynd by the arm. They followed the cobbles and turned left at the end of the road. Regina put her right arm out, the tip of her sword scraping on a wall. Rosamynd was dragged along and Schaefer managed to stay in sight, Briggs right behind with Jackson and Peeter. Regina felt a tug in her chest and knew that Jaeger had turned another way. She swore under her breath. There was no turning back. She offered a prayer that they wouldn’t be separated for long. Crippling pain was the last thing she needed right now.