by Billy Wong
"Yes." That it wasn't a lie made it all the more awkward. When the woman saw what they meant to do, she would be quite surprised.
She seemed eager enough at the moment though, and climbed back into the basket. "You have a torch?"
"We have plenty."
"Give me one. You guys pull those ropes and get the balloon up, and we'll be ready to fly."
Finn exchanged looks with Brandon, who grinned proudly at their trickery, and they did as told. They dumped their sacks in and climbed into the basket while it began to lift into the air, and he asked, "So how do you steer this?"
"You just leave that up to me. I'm Nia, by the way. What are your names?"
He didn't think there would be much harm in telling at this point, but Brandon said in a smooth voice, "You'll probably find out soon enough, my lady."
"Mystery men, are you?" She smiled. "And what's with those big sacks?" All of them barely had room to stand.
"They're for storage," Finn said, and sighed.
"Mystery men."
They traveled over the countryside in the direction of the battlefield, Nia throwing pieces of paper out once in a while to gauge the direction of the wind and adjusting the basket's altitude accordingly. "Should we set down?" she asked eventually. "We're over the camp."
The Kayland camp, she meant. Finn shook his head. "No, keep going."
She stared at him. "Are you... the enemy?"
"No. We mean to hurt them, in fact."
"But what about your story about your wife?"
"It was true. They hurt her, and now they're going to pay." He opened the sacks, revealing the many little kegs inside.
"What's in there?"
"Death. Steer us over the area with the really huge tents, and get us low."
"You're going to blow up the giants," Nia realized.
Brandon nodded. "Spent every coin I had on me to buy this stuff. Hopefully our allies will pay me back for easing their work."
"I'm scared. What if they spot us?"
Finn did wonder if the light from their lamp would be seen from below, especially as they got closer. He stood in front of it to obscure the glow. "They'll spot us soon enough, but we should be on our way by then."
They dipped towards their target, and Finn started throwing bombs overboard while Brandon lit their fuses. Loud booms and screams rose from the giants' camp. He didn't feel proud of taking the enemy unaware, but that would hardly dissuade him from avenging Rose's hurts. The giants tried to fight back, firing streams of fire and lightning haphazardly into the air. They missed the dark balloon at first, and the men kept throwing as Nia whimpered in fear. Then Finn smelled burning cloth, and looked up to see flames. A lucky hit had struck the balloon's side, making them a now well-lit target.
He extinguished the fire with a spell that drew water out of the air to splash upon it, but they had already been seen. Arrows and magical blasts flew up all around them, and Finn hurled the remaining kegs off into scattered parts of the camp before exploding them at once with a weak but wide fireball. The spells loosed at them decreased as more screams sounded. Finn's powerful incantation weakened him with fatigue, and he worried about the risk to his humanity in using his magic.
"Steer away!" he gasped.
Nia tried to raise the balloon again, but it had been punctured multiple times and they were quickly losing height. "I can't! We're going to fall into the camp!"
"No we're not," Finn growled, and cast another spell. The gust of wind he summoned hit the bag with a giant's strength and pushed it away. Enemy projectiles followed them, several arrows bouncing off Finn and Brandon's armor. A lightning bolt ripped a hole in the bottom of the basket, and a fireball rolled over the occupants' backs as they ducked inside it. Nonetheless, the balloon put distance between them and the enemy though it continued to sink.
"If this thing keeps shrinking, won't it crash?" Brandon asked.
"It's falling slowly, so hopefully the landing won't be too hard."
The count nodded while their destroyed transport drifted down. "You think we did some damage?"
Finn remembered the cries of agony, and wondered if any had come from the children among the giants. He hoped none had, but that was probably unrealistic. "Some at least, definitely."
"Just hope it's enough to help us tomorrow. Nia here's got to be angry we messed up her ride."
She didn't reply, and Finn turned to look. The woman was draped over the side of the basket, looking as though about to fall out. He grabbed her and pulled her back in. Two arrows protruded from her chest. "Nia!"
Her eyes were unfocused, and her breaths liquid gurgles. Finn saw red bubbles at the corners of her mouth, and knew the shafts had pierced at least one lung. Brandon stared. "Can't you do something?"
"I don't have the power to heal mortal wounds. Why do you think I never did it for my wife?" He squeezed Nia's hand. "Hang on, girl. You don't want to die." But it seemed very likely she would.
She didn't respond, but only panted torturously for breath she could not get enough of. Then her pitiful noises stopped altogether, and Finn closed her eyes. She was dead.
Chapter 8
Finn didn't brag like he had expected to when he walked into the Kayland camp later that night, but quietly made his way through it. He felt a bit guilty at Nia's death, having dragged her into his mess. But he was really more worried about Rose's reaction once she found out what he'd done. She probably wouldn't have minded him stealing if his mission had gone without a hitch, but now that someone was dead...
He walked into their tent, glad at least she was still alive though that was expected, and sat by her side. "Hey Rose, you awake?"
"You woke me up when you came in," she said with a lazy smile. Obviously, she hadn't noticed anything wrong in his demeanor yet.
"How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine, of course. You know Alicia's here?"
Finn didn't much like the red-haired duchess called the Crimson Boar, as she had once thrown Rose in front of a volley of arrows meant for herself. "That self-centered sow? Who cares."
"She's a great fighter. Whatever else you can say about her, I think she'll be a big help."
Though he'd never fought with her, Finn had heard some pretty impressive stories about Alicia from Rose's own mouth. Plus she could virtually match his strength, which was absurd. "We do need every strong ally we can get. But I think things might be easier for us from now on."
"What do you mean?"
Though he dreaded her reaction to the full story, she would find out. Better to tell now than for it to be revealed later. "Me and Brandon attacked the giants today."
Rose leveled a disapproving gaze at him. "So that's where you were. Didn't I tell you not to go after them like idiots?" She smiled. "I'm glad you're alright. Is Brandon okay?"
"Both of us are fine." Then he told her the rest.
She was silent for a while, transfixing him with an intense glare. "You got a girl killed with your little plan?" she demanded acidly.
"I didn't mean for her to die, or even to bring her along. We just wanted to do some damage to the giants and make things easier for us back on land."
"I know what you intended. But it's damn irresponsible of you what you did. She wasn't even a warrior, for heaven's sake, and you kidnapped her and got her killed!"
She sounded so angry, her voice shaking with rage, that Finn grew afraid she would never forgive him. "We didn't kidnap her. She chose to come with us."
"Yeah, when you deceived her as to your purpose. And don't you dare try to tell me you didn't lie, you just hid the truth! It's no better that way. You tricked her and cost her her life."
"I'm so sorry, Rose."
"Don't apologize to me. I'm not one of those who knew that girl, and cared for her." She turned away onto her side.
His desperation getting the best of his reason, Finn said perhaps the worse thing he could have. "Don't be so mad, Rose. It's not like you've never gotten innocent people killed
before."
She didn't argue, but began to sob. "D-dammit, Finn, why'd you have to say that? It's hard enough for me not to hate my life."
He touched her arm, tears in his own eyes at the sound of her heartfelt pain. "I didn't mean it like that. I just meant everyone makes mistakes, not that you're evil or anything. I know I did wrong today. But it was an honest mistake, and so were yours."
She replied in an anguished tone. "Shit, Finn, I know. It's just so hard to stand this path. Look back at our years together. I've killed my childhood idol, thought I lost you more than once, watched friends die, lost a baby, seen innocents die for my mistakes, murdered unknowing victims in their sleep—not to mention all the mortal wounds I've had to take. And when I thought you would never return to your human state? How much can a person stand in one life?
"And the endless fights! We barely get to spend any time with our kids. I like to think I'm strong, but this is hard even for my heart to bear. Does it ever end?"
Finn hugged her from behind, willing his love into her through his embrace. "You're the strongest person I know. We'll get through this. Once we beat Victor, we'll settle down, raise our children, and forget all the pain. There can't be that many more terrible enemies out there for fate to make us face."
"Am I so strong? You always handle it better than me—how do you endure with such ease?"
Finn thought he might be considered wicked next to her. He'd shared in committing the same sins Rose had, and hardly felt the same mighty guilt. A little, to be sure, but he wasn't tormented at night by what he did. But he didn't think himself stronger than her—rather, he was weaker in the moral sense. Of course he could withstand emotional trauma more stoically, when he was less sensitive. "I'm not that strong. I'm just not enough of a good person compared to you. You're the one who really feels, and you're incredible for being able to take it."
She turned towards him, and when their eyes met he could see only love. "You feel, Finn, and strongly at that. You really love me."
"Well, of course I love you."
Rose looked away again. "I can forgive you for what you did. You didn't murder that girl. You did an irresponsible thing, but we all do, sometimes." She paused. "But by the same token, you ought to cut Alicia some slack. She isn't that bad."
"How can you call her a friend? She tried to get you killed."
"She didn't try to get me killed, she tried to stay alive. She already knew I was tough, and maybe she trusted that I wouldn't die. Besides, she got shot full of holes anyway."
"That girl's a tough bitch," Finn acknowledged grudgingly.
"Like me. So we should be friends."
He laughed. "You really forgive me?"
Her voice came out sounding broken again. "We... we've both got long lists of crimes. At least they're somewhat balanced by good deeds. One more won't make you a villain to me. I'll try not to think of it too much, alright?"
"I love you so, so much." He kissed her, both of them crying on each other's faces.
They made love. When they were done, Rose asked, "So how much damage did you do, anyway?"
"I don't know for sure. We couldn't see much—but they really screamed."
Rose's eyes grew distant, and Finn knew the warring emotions that filled her heart. She would be sad for the suffering caused especially to the children among the enemy, but also happy for whatever casualties to their own side his actions would prevent. "I'm just glad you survived."
"Let's sleep, Rose. I do need to be ready to fight another day."
"Yes, let's sleep then, and dream of peace."
#
Walking around the devastated camp, Thraga shuddered at the sight of tortured bodies and faces. The attack from the sky last night had killed six Ulir, two of them younglings, but wounded and maimed many more. Though most of those not instantly killed had been saved, they were still weak and covered with disfiguring scars, and some had lost limbs so damaged even their magic was no use. How had the enemy done this? Did they have more powerful magic than she'd thought, and could they do it again?
Thraga still did not quite believe Victor was the reincarnation of Kayla, but it hardly mattered anymore. Having seen the suffering brought to her people, no doubt to the delight of the murderers Rose and Finn, she cared only to destroy the enemy in revenge. No one should have free reign to harm her race.
She left the army camp in a rage, only for a familiar voice to call to her as she stomped away. His voice. She turned. "What do you want?"
"Where are you going?" Victor asked.
"To bring you more allies. This butchery can't go unanswered."
For some reason Victor clenched his jaw, and his grip on his trident tightened. It looked perhaps like he was fighting a war inside himself, though how her words might have inspired that she didn't know. Finally, he said, "Go, then."
Seeing the strange look in his eyes she could not understand, she hurried on her way.
#
Why didn't you kill her? Clearsky demanded. I told you to kill her!
Victor sighed. "If I killed her, I'd be depriving myself of more powerful allies. Now why would I want to do that?"
She'll bring her father, you know. He won't allow you to keep your command of his people. He'll demand you accept his sovereignty, and maybe over more than just his own kind, I'm afraid.
"What are you worried about? Didn't you control him just as you did the rest?"
Clearsky's voice sounded disturbingly nervous. No, not Thonng. He was different from the rest—yes he believed I was Kayla, but didn't care for my presence. He wanted power for himself, not under me.
"But he never turned on you, did he? I thought he killed the ones who defeated you when you controlled her body and buried the corpse with honors?"
Yes, but I think that was to appeal to his people's love of Kayla more than anything. As for not turning on me, I cannot be certain he did not encourage his fellows' rebellion, only to stay out of it himself.
"So you're saying he was an evil giant, then?"
Evil? That would be some accusation for us to make.
Victor stared at the trident. "I am not evil. I only want the throne that should rightfully be mine, and if they will not give it to me, is it not my right to make war to take it?"
It is, I'd say. But lots of people wouldn't agree with me. Can the two of us agree, though, that it was stupid for us to let that female go?
"We'll deal with Thonng when he gets here."
It might be easier said than done. He has a strong will, and if the Ulir we have side with him over us, he could make quite a mess of things.
He scowled. "You mean you can't handle him?"
I believe I can, if you keep up your end. But it's an unnecessary problem we could have avoided had you listened to me.
"And? It's a bit late now for regrets, unless you're asking me to chase her down."
No... but you can help make up for it by wielding me in combat.
Victor supposed that as a weapon, Clearsky must have an intrinsic need to shed blood. For that, it could hardly be blamed. But slaughtering his countrymen would still put a bad taste in his mouth. Why should he have to do it himself, when he could just let others do the dirty work? Having seconds thoughts, he felt the pressure of Clearsky's will inside his head, and tried to hold his ground. But then he gasped, not having even realized he'd been holding his breath, and said, "Fine."
He walked back into camp, knowing he would do as he'd said. He'd lost one battle in the war for control of his mind, and his blood ran cold with fear. Clearsky must be rejoicing silently in his hand, and he hoped dearly he wouldn't end up nothing more than a pawn in a mere piece of metal's game.
#
After another day of battle, Finn returned to Rose's side with a dejected look on his face. Things had already gone so poorly for them in recent times, Rose almost couldn't ask to hear any more bad news. She didn't need to, because he said without her prompting, "Prince Victor's joined the fight."
&nbs
p; "How bad is it?"
"He's a force with Clearsky, that's for sure. He's every bit the match of Prince Wilner, maybe not in pure speed, but in deadliness—and we already had the latter running around on the battlefield to contend with. What's worse, they're tagging along with each other watching one another's backs."
Rose frowned. No one had really been able to give much opposition to Wilner back when she'd faced him before, except for her. He was so fast, even great warriors like Finn would be quickly overwhelmed. Only her ability to withstand punishment had carried the day for her; Wilner had always given her her share of axe blows before she managed to catch him. Even though she'd beaten him, she still feared him to this very day. If Victor equaled him now, this bode ill for Kayland's forces.
Of course, even Wilner could be overwhelmed by multiple strong foes—or even one strong foe and enough distractions, as Finn had proven one time—but then, on the battlefield he and Victor too would have allies, in addition to being together. With Rose hurt, who could stand up to two such men backed by an army?
"Don't look so scared," Finn said, "I'll take care of them."
She gazed pleadingly up at him from her bedroll. "Don't go after those monsters. You really will get yourself killed this time."
He smiled. "I almost tied Wilner in Gustrone, remember?"
It would hurt his pride, but she had to say it. "You could use magic freely then, and you still would have died if I hadn't saved you."
Finn frowned, but quickly regained his swagger. "What, and you think I couldn't have gotten any better since then? Besides, Wilner and Victor are getting to be old men, more so than me."
Rose knew then that her husband was going to seek battle with impossible foes, maybe kill one if he was lucky, and die. She couldn't bear the thought. "Don't you understand how dangerous this is? If you go after these men, you might never come back."
"I know. But there's a chance I might not make it through any fight. I'll be careful, like I always am."
It was true they put their lives on the line every time they went into battle, but this was different. "You know, Alicia and I were talking the other day about how we could all join up—me, you, her, and Brandon—and maybe we could get those two that way. Yeah, they have allies, but if maybe we could double on one of them while somebody holds the rest off..."