Throng of Heretics

by Hideyuki Kikuchi

  Pikk saw the muzzle of the double-barreled shotgun rise to his chest.

  “Okay. I’ll leave. That’s all I’ve gotta do, right?”

  “That’s about the size of it. Happy trails to you.” At that point the sheriff turned to Annette and said, “Miss, if it’s not too much of an inconvenience, would you be so good as to bring this young fella somewhere he won’t cause a ruckus?”

  No doubt this proposition came because the lawman could see she was set to make a journey.

  Annette’s reaction was perfectly natural. Raising the corners of her eyes sharply, she said, “Surely you jest. You’re talking about taking a filthy man-eating rat of a child on the road with me? He’ll make off with all my food and money. I absolutely refuse!”

  She had unloaded so forcefully that pedestrians halted and looked in her direction. Annette held her tongue. Her cheeks flushed with shame.

  “That’s a pity. We’d prepare a cyborg horse for the boy as well as rations. He won’t be a nuisance—”

  Having said that much, the sheriff looked at Pikk.

  A smile covering all of his small face, the boy nodded.

  “—I think,” the lawman added, but it was plain he had no confidence in that remark.

  Annette said nothing, but shook her head in firm refusal.

  At that point, a hoarse voice suggested, “Sheriff, how about a letter of commendation?”

  “Letter of commendation?”

  Annette’s expression softened, and the sheriff’s face beamed.

  Taking care not to look at him, he said to D, “For one so young, that’s a mighty grim voice you’ve got there.” That said, the sheriff continued, “That’s right. If you were to honor our request, naturally you’d be awarded a letter of commendation. As you know, ten letters of commendation from the sheriff’s office will earn you a special letter of commendation from the governor of that Frontier sector. Collect five of those, and you get written up in the Frontier News. It’s fair to say you might even appear in the Capital on that there Capital Channel they’ve got.”

  “Frontier News . . . The Capital . . . Capital Channel . . .”

  Annette’s murmuring carried an undisguised lust for fame.

  “What’s it going to be?” D inquired flatly.

  “I see,” Annette said with a sober nod. “You simply cannot send that child off alone, can you?”

  “Well, of course not. Set one foot out of town, and the place is crawling with monsters, wild animals, and pseudo-Nobility. A kid alone can’t deal with that. He’s got to have traveling companions who can be trusted.”

  The sheriff put special emphasis on the “trusted” part.

  Pikk grinned.

  “Well, when you put it that way,” Annette said, making a put-upon face, “I accept—however, should he prove the slightest impediment to our journey, I will cut him loose on the spot.”

  “That’s fine.”

  The sheriff nodded deeply and gave Annette a quick V sign. Though the sign of victory in this case meant that things had gone well for him, it didn’t register with Annette. She was quietly envisioning herself not only gaining notice across the entire Frontier, but also gracing monitors in the Capital.

  “Where’s that horse at?” Pikk asked ebulliently.

  “It’s hitched out in front of my office. It’s the sorrel. There’s a blanket and three days’ rations, too.”

  “What about weapons? I’m thinking a revolver or a laser rifle sure would be nice.”

  The sheriff scowled at him, and Pikk slowly backed away. The way he did it without even seeming to move his feet made passers-by bug their eyes.

  Not even bothering to watch the diminutive figure dash off, D said to Annette, “Let’s go,” and started walking toward the cyborg horses.

  Though Annette eventually followed after him, her narcissism hadn’t waned in the least, and she stood unusually straight and tall as she did so.

  “A surprisingly predictable girl,” the hoarse voice remarked in a tone that carried laughter.

  Before they passed through the back gate, Pikk’s horse caught up to them.

  “Well, this is where I set out for a new life. Let’s drink to that!” the boy said, riding up between the two of them as if it were the most natural thing in the world and thrusting a bottle of liquor from his saddlebags at Annette.

  “What? That’s disgusting! Don’t offer me a bottle of your backwash.”

  “Don’t be that way. This booze might be cheap, but it’s a real find. It’s plenty good.”

  “Be that as it may, I don’t want any. And I’m warning you here and now, if I even once catch you drunk, we’ll part company on the spot. Is that understood?”

  “Okay, I guess,” Pikk said, pursing his lips purposefully. “But without me around, you won’t be hitting viewscreens in the Capital.”

  “Just what’s that supposed to mean?!”Annette shouted, her entire face tinged with vermilion. “Do you think I brought you along because I want to be famous?”

  “Why did you, then?”

  That just went to show that children are unfamiliar with the adult concept of tact.

  Annette went wild. Her finger aimed between the boy’s eyes, she bellowed, “All right, the next time you insult me . . .”

  “Next time, next time! You don’t have to put up with it if you don’t wanna. Hell, boot me out right now. Heh heh, I’ll just follow along behind you anyway.”

  “Why, you . . .”

  “That’s enough of that.”

  One remark from D, riding to Pikk’s right, was enough to silence the pair. It felt like being dunked in icy waters.

  For a while they continued down the road in silence, but Pikk finally regained his nerve and thrust the hand with the liquor bottle in it at D.

  “Will you drink to me?”

  D accepted it without a word, and the boy’s face, still retaining some innocence, beamed with joy.

  “Just knock it right back and take a big ol’ swig.”

  D did indeed “knock it right back.” The boy watched in amazement as the bottle’s contents swiftly dwindled. The Hunter returned the empty bottle without saying anything.

  Taking it, Pikk wore a dazed expression as he said, “That stuff was ‘Serpent Slayer’ . . . And you . . . in one gulp . . . You’re gonna die!”

  “Got a light?” a hoarse voice inquired.

  Now beyond astonished and in an almost mesmerized state, Pikk pulled a small lighter from the pocket of his trousers.

  D’s left hand came up, palm forward.

  “Huh?”

  Not only did Pikk furrow his brow, but Annette did as well. There was no telling what this gorgeous Hunter would do. He was a being incomprehensible to a girl of good breeding.

  “Spark it up. Yeah, right there—in front of my hand,” said the hoarse voice.

  Iron scraped stone, and a small flame ignited. An instant later, that became a massive fiery bloom.

  “Whoa!” Pikk exclaimed, leaning back, and Annette backed away too far, to the point where she almost fell out of the saddle.

  “What the hell, mister . . . You can blow fire from your hand?” Pikk groaned, the smell of alcohol still lingering in the air.

  “Just a bit of entertainment,” the hoarse voice cackled, but it wasn’t enough to anger the little scamp.

  Eyes invested with a glow of wonder and surprise, he said, “That’s excellent—just the best! Who in the hell are you, anyway?”

  “Good question. Were you surprised?” the hoarse voice asked, a ring of pride to its words.

  The second the boy heard that, his expression grew brazen. “Sheesh. Think that’s all it takes to impress me? You’re selling me short, pal. And I’ve got a thing or two to say about how it’s gonna be from here on out. Don’t try getting bossy, you hear?”

  As the boy hastily pulled away from the other riders, D didn’t so much as look at him, though the hoarse voice remarked, “Interesting brat. Someone like him could come in han
dy, if used right. Of course, him and the princess here are, as the saying goes, like chalk and—”

  “Cheese.”

  Making another puzzled face, Annette looked at the Hunter. Quickly turning forward again, she muttered something to herself so that D wouldn’t hear it.

  “A fine journey this is! My only companions are a guard who doesn’t recognize his employer as such and an ill-mannered brat. I expect a bit more consideration in the future. And who’s he to call me cheese? He’s got a face as cold as a robot’s.”

  And in that manner, the group left town.

  III

  “Hey! Heeeeeeeeey!”

  The voice that echoed from the darkness grew nearer as D and his companions advanced.

  “What the hell’s that?” said Pikk, turning a sharp eye in that direction. Having been through worse trouble than most adults, the boy had a pistol in his right hand.

  D halted his steed. The other two followed his example.

  “Who’s there?” inquired D.

  After a sufficient gap, from about thirty yards away came the reply, “A traveler—only I’ve hurt my leg and can’t walk.”

  “Really? Sounds mighty suspicious,” Pikk jeered. “How’d you get injured? And where were you headed?”

  “My horse got attacked by a desert snake and bolted. That’s when I got thrown. My right knee’s all smashed up.”

  “What about your horse?”

  “Run off.”

  “Just when was all this?”

  “Been here since noon—you’re just a kid, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah, that’s the word around town.”

  “When did it happen?”

  This time D asked. His voice was shot through with steel rebar.

  “Just a little while ago, I said. I’m begging you. Take me as far as the town of Pekoe.”

  “You’ll slow us down,” D said matter-of-factly.

  Pikk nodded. He appeared to share the Hunter’s indifference toward other people.

  “Oh, that’s right . . . You’ll be rewarded for your trouble.”

  “Wow, that’s a different matter, then,” Pikk said, wholly unlike D in the way he now grinned from ear to ear.

  “We don’t have a horse for you. Give it two or three days, and someone should pass this way.”

  “Hey, that’s mighty cold of you. I thought the rule of the road was that in times of trouble, we’re supposed to help one another?” The man’s voice was tinged with anger.

  “Well, we’re in a hurry.”

  D started forward again.

  “Please, wait. There’s a hydra’s lair around here. Hell, it’ll swallow me whole. Please, you’ve got to help me.”

  “Wait, D,” said Annette. Maybe she didn’t like traveling through the night, or perhaps she’d just held her tongue this long, but as if she’d finally had enough she told him, “I’m ordering you as your employer. You’re to allow this person to accompany us.”

  “He might be the enemy.”

  “That’s preposterous. You mean to say they’ve already caught up to us? That couldn’t possibly be the case. If they have, it’s through an error in judgment on your part. I’ll discharge you on the spot.”

  D’s next words made Annette go pale.

  “Wise call. Well, I’ll be on my way, then.”

  “Wait.” The voice sounded flustered. “There’s only the three of you. If you pull out now, a woman and child won’t be able to do much. And I’m in tough shape, too. Please, just patch things up and take me with you! I’ve got a wife and kids waiting back home for me.” The voice had become a whimper.

  “Got any weapons?” D inquired.

  “O-oh. Just a knife. The rest were on my horse when it—”

  “In that case, toss it over here. Then you can ride on the kid’s horse.”

  “Thanks a million! I’m much obliged.”

  The knife promptly sailed over, sheath and all. Catching it, D drew the blade. After quickly running his eyes down it, he slid it back into its sheath.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Oh, they call me Hiryuu. Pleased to meet you.”

  The three riders advanced.

  The voice belonged to a short man who was terribly skinny. He was also rather young.

  “What’s with this joker. Looks like a strong wind would blow him away!” Pikk remarked without reservation.

  With a wry grin, the man conceded he was right. He got on behind Pikk, and soon after they galloped forward he said with interest, “So you’re in a hurry, and with a motley crew like this—you folks sure must be mixed up in something.”

  “Shut your trap. Don’t be so quick to shoot your mouth off after we went and saved you,” Pikk snarled. He didn’t like having to ride double. It was even worse that he had a guy wrapping his arms around his waist. The boy was just beginning to wonder if they’d be able to ditch him somewhere when D’s left hand went up.

  Something came down from overhead with flapping wings to land on the back of his hand. Pikk recognized it as a hawk. He could see pretty well in the dark, and the moon was also bright.

  Racing along beside the boy, Annette asked, “What’s that?”

  “It’s a messenger hawk.”

  “Huh? He told me it died!”

  “He must’ve bought another one. That bastard keeps a lot of secrets, don’t he?”

  “He sure does.”

  As the two of them glared at D, who rode on ahead, the man calling himself Hiryuu watched them with a look of special interest.

  “No fair side-tracking.”

  It was the hoarse voice.

  Hiryuu’s eyes bugged. D didn’t even turn around. Pikk and Annette looked at each other. D deviating from the set route was beyond surprising; it was downright mysterious. He wasn’t supposed to be like that.

  “Where are we going?” the voice inquired with trepidation.

  “Dakilysil Valley. I have to meet someone.”

  “Pretty dangerous place, that. Home to monsters.”

  “All the more reason to go there.”

  “Whaaaaat?!”

  “I don’t want to go to any such place. Explain yourself,” cried Annette.

  “What, are you stupid?” the hoarse voice sneered. “He said he has to meet someone. Someone who’s indispensable for keeping the lot of you safe!”

  The world of early morning was clear but lacking in verisimilitude, as if it were being viewed through a glass. And the narrow road the three horses took, as well as the boulder and cliffs to either side, looked somehow cold and distant. For the world’s life had only just begun.

  “I wonder why we’re going this way,” Annette said loudly enough so she’d be overheard as she eyed the boulders to either side. “From up top any wild animal could—”

  With a gasp, her voice retreated down her throat.

  At the very top of the enormous boulder to their left, a dull yellow creature covered with needle-like spines had appeared. A base growl reached the ears of all present.

  “Son of a bitch!” Pikk exclaimed, reaching for the pistol on his hip.

  “Don’t.”

  D’s quiet command stopped him.

  “Why not? That thing’s—”

  As the beast braced itself to pounce, Pikk cocked the hammer of his gun. Even after the beast fell from the rock in the same pose, he kept the weapon’s muzzle trained on it.

  Intently watching what were clearly the beast’s death throes, he said, “It’s been shot.”

  “That’s an armored needleback. Look, it’s missing the needles on part of its back. Must’ve got off an attack of its own. In concentration, their needles can shatter rock, so even professional huntsmen go after them from long range with rifles. That’s probably what killed this one.”

  “It was no ordinary gun,” said Hiryuu.

  “What makes you say that?”

  “From the look of the blood, it looks to have just been shot. But did any of you hear any gunfire?”

  “
Come to mention it, no,” Pikk snorted. “But that wound ain’t from no arrow, or crossbow, or even a sword. I can’t see it being anything but a gunshot. Say, is there any such thing as a firearm that don’t make any noise?”

  “There are if you count the Nobility’s weapons.”

  The hoarse voice’s reply sounded terribly distant.

  D and Annette’s horses had already started forward.

  The Arms Dealer

  chapter 4

  I

  “Wait a sec, you bastard,” Pikk said, he and Hiryuu trying frantically to keep pace, and when the narrow path took a turn to the right they finally caught up. The other two horses had halted, and D and Annette stared ahead without saying a word. It was strange the way they didn’t move a muscle.

  “What is it?” the boy asked, but even before he’d finished the question a heavy odor prickled his nose.

  The wind had changed direction. The stench carried on the breeze blowing their way now made Pikk cough, and even a grown man like Hiryuu held his nose. That Annette sat there without doing anything seemed most unusual.

  “Wh-what the hell?! This smell—it’s blood!” Pikk said, advancing on his horse to Annette’s side, and that was when he finally looked ahead. “Wh-wh-wh—” was all he could say as he, like the other two, froze.

  Behind him, Hiryuu said in his stead, “What the hell is this?” And then he too stopped moving.

  Up ahead there spread a vast square. The square was stained with red. So great was the quantity of blood that Pikk got the feeling it’d even tinged the very air with vermilion. The cause was obvious. Monsters and supernatural beasts beyond numbering covered the cobblestoned expanse of ground. All of them were dead or dying. Though the chests or flanks of some of them still rose and fell, the breathing was so weak it would clearly soon be at an end, and such individuals were extremely few and far between.

  Blood still ran from bodies of every conceivable hue, and it wasn’t always red. Apparently they were also of varying natures, with white, black, or even purplish smoke rising here and there, and on closer examination those bodies or exoskeletons were so dissolved by their powerfully acidic blood that almost no semblance of their former shape remained.