Black Cross

by J. P. Ashman

  Correia gave the soldier a dangerous look – one Fal didn’t miss – and the soldier carried on with a guilty look on his face. ‘Shortly after the last tests, there was an eerie sound in the water. A couple of marines posted here were swimming in the bay. They said it sounded like whales, but it’s no whale ma’m—’

  The terrible screech echoed through the tunnel again and the soldier raised his hands to his ears. Once it passed, he lowered his hands.

  ‘Go on Tom,’ Correia said, nodding to the archer.

  ‘The marines shouted to us about the noise and we ordered them in—’

  Another screech.

  ‘They never made it ma’m,’ Tom said, shaking his head. His companions nodded solemnly. Correia urged him on and he took a deep breath. ‘As they reached the shallows and began wading in… they were torn to shreds.’ He looked back over his shoulder to the cave’s entrance again before continuing. ‘Great claws erupted from the sea, snapped one marine clean in half they did. We ran down to the beach, loosed a few arrows at it as it emerged, but it’s armoured—’

  ‘Like a giant lobster or something similar,’ another soldier added.

  ‘Where’s the others?’ Correia was clearly worried.

  Both the pathfinders in front of her and the one slouched and clutching his bleeding arm – now being attended to by Sav – shook their heads.

  ‘It’s fast, ma’m, very fast,’ Tom continued. ‘Its legs are like tree trunks but it moves with such surprising speed. It can’t fit too far into the cave, but it was snapping its claws in at us. We tried more arrows to its face, tried to aim under its armoured shell, but we’ve had no luck. We had to retreat in here.’

  ‘I’m going to take a look,’ Correia said, and Fal stood to follow. Fal had wrapped Errolas’ cloak around the elf’s head to try and block out as much of the noise as possible, but the elf was still down, rocking slightly as the beast in the cave screeched again.

  ‘Stay there sergeant,’ Correia ordered.

  ‘My weapons?’ Fal asked, directing the question to the pathfinders. They looked to Correia and she nodded reluctantly.

  ‘In the cave,’ the burliest pathfinder said, ‘towards the back. We may be able to get to them but it’s risky and they’ll do no good anyway.’ His black, boiled leather armour and dark green gambeson were smeared with blood and grime, and he carried a fresh wound running through one ear, almost dividing it in two.

  ‘With all due respect, ma’m,’ Sav said, from the wounded pathfinder’s side, ‘if I can get my bow, I may have a better chance. No disrespect to you, lads,’ he added swiftly.

  ‘None taken. Try away’ Tom offered. ‘If you can get to it that is.’

  ‘Sav, you stay here, we’ll fetch your bow,’ Fal said, and Sav nodded. It was the time to take orders from appropriate ranks and Sav knew it. Friendship didn’t come into it.

  Correia moved forward into the orange light of the setting sun, her shining swords held defensively. Fal followed close behind, refusing the offered axe from the pathfinder with the torn ear. He wanted to get to his falchion and Sav’s bow fast and unhindered.

  They turned the corner and saw the beast. Its armoured body was the size of a large coach, with eight long, jointed legs supporting its bulk. It shifted forward and back surprisingly quickly for its size. Two blood-red claws were held high above its head – a head which looked like a mess of rigging and spears as its arm-thick antennas probed the inside of the cave’s opening.

  As the two companions stepped into the orange light of the cave, they noticed jet black eyes the size of bucklers, and both instantly knew the orbs would have to be Sav’s targets.

  The beast screeched again and Fal felt the two pathfinders close behind him.

  ‘Tom, Gleave, back in the tunnel,’ Correia said, and both men reluctantly obeyed.

  Rocks fell to the ground as the beast smashed its huge armoured claws into the side of the cave. It lunged forward, its large armoured shell colliding with a low rock formation on the cave’s ceiling. It screeched again, its antennas whipping around in a frenzied attempt to feel for threats.

  It lurched one of its large claws at Correia as she and Fal made a dash for the weapons. As the claw came in, Correia dropped into a roll and at the same time, thrust her trailing left sword into the joint of the creature’s open claw. It shrieked terribly, far louder than before. Errolas cried out from within the tunnel.

  Grabbing Sav’s bow and quiver, Fal ran for it. He leapt the last few feet into the arms of the two pathfinders, as the creature’s other claw smashed into the floor behind him.

  ‘Sav, your bow, quick,’ Fal shouted, as he and the two pathfinders stumbled backwards.

  Sav hurried to the opening and snatched his bow. He strung it immediately with a spare hemp string from his pouch and nocked one of his long, ash-shafted arrows.

  Correia jumped back into the tunnel then, closely followed by another earth shuddering blow from one of the beast’s claws. She was pulled out of the way by Fal, as Sav stepped forward with his bow. He immediately drew the inside of his right hand to his cheek. The broad headed arrow he'd chosen glinted in the fading light as he loosed, hardly a second to aim as his natural skill and years of training took over.

  The creature screeched again, more of a scream this time and Sav jumped back as a rock the size of his head fell just in front of him; the creature smashed the roof of the cave as it reared up on four of its eight main legs.

  The broad head had churned its way into one of the baubles that were the creature’s eyes, cascading liquid down to the cave floor as the shaft sank in as far as the white fletching.

  Sav nocked another broad headed arrow to his string and as he loosed, the creature came crashing back down onto all eight legs. The arrow glanced off the hardened shell above its face.

  Starks rushed forward then, dropping to one knee with the butt of his crossbow firmly resting on his shoulder. He swiftly aimed before squeezing the cold metal trigger with his thumb, which launched the weapon’s bolt into the cave.

  Fal missed stopping the young crossbowman and was glad he had, for the bolt that had launched from the steady weapon disappeared into the creature’s other eye.

  The sudden blindness sent the giant crustacean into a frenzied whipping of antennas, claws and legs. One antenna lashed out, its very tip no larger than a reed of grass. The weapon like appendage caught Sav on the mouth, splitting his bottom lip. He fell back, spitting blood, and was caught by Correia who immediately dropped him when he looked up at her and grinned, his teeth covered in blood.

  Fal patted Starks on the back and dragged him from the tunnel opening as the creature thrashed around the outside of the cave. It rocked from side to side and turned to reveal a fanned, armoured tail which slapped the ground, lifting stones and dirt into the air.

  As the sun dipped behind the sea and the light finally faded, those of the group who risked stepping into the cave – Fal, Correia, Tom and Gleave – saw multiple flashes of light out to sea followed by a loud rumble. It could almost have been mistaken for thunder, but this thunderous sound was immediately followed by large balls of iron that smashed into the creature and cave alike.

  The large beast exploded in a shower of blood, innards and pieces of armoured shell, one of which almost decapitated Tom, his head lolling as his body slumped to the ground.

  Fal grabbed Correia as she screamed, swiftly dragging her back into the tunnel. Gleave followed close behind them as stone shrapnel tore up the cave and sent more stones and rocks falling to the ground.

  ***

  Mother had wasted no time in explaining to Elleth she was now a woman. She told her she would have to learn to play with the men who came to visit, and after sending Elleth off to the room next to Coppin’s, with strict orders not to disturb her sister, Mother took payment from the first man to walk through the door.

  At least he’s a handsome one, Mother thought, as she explained to the man how he could tell the girl was untouched
– for he'd paid extra for that, once presented with the option.

  Climbing the stairs to the first floor and counting along to the third room, the young man took a deep breath and turned the handle, before walking confidently in.

  His breath caught at the sight of the girl sat on the bed in front of him. He took in her silky black hair as it fell across her delicate shoulders, her small yet pert breasts that lifted her linen nightdress slightly, and those oh-so-innocent eyes. It wasn’t until she smiled the sweetest smile however – albeit a nervous one – that he smiled back at her. Taking a deep breath, he closed the door behind him.

  She’s nervous, that’s a good sign. It seems Mother was telling the truth.

  Neither of them said a word as the man walked slowly towards the bed.

  ‘Stand up, let me see you,’ he said softly, and after hesitating, the girl climbed off the bed and stood just out of arm’s reach. He looked her up and down, taking in her slim figure as she wringed her hands together in front of her flat stomach.

  He pointed to the low ceiling and slowly moved his finger around in a circle.

  After a moment, the girl seemed to realise what he meant and blushed slightly, before slowly turning around. He licked his dry lips as he took in the cute bumps of her behind. Swiftly taking two steps forward, he came up behind her and put his right hand over her eyes as his left wrapped around her waist.

  The girl gasped and then giggled ever so slightly. ‘Is this part of the game?’ she whispered.

  Smiling to himself, he whispered back. ‘Yes. Have you played before?’

  She shook her head and he smiled all the more.

  ‘Keep your eyes closed,’ he said into her ear. He felt her tremble as he slowly moved his hand down to her breasts. He moved his other hand up so he could cup them both and she giggled again as he caressed her.

  As he grew stiff, he pressed himself against her cheeks.

  ‘Turn around slowly, but keep your eyes closed,’ he said, his voice naught but a whisper.

  She obeyed. Her hands remained clasped in front of her, whilst his moved down to the outside of her thighs. Once facing him, he lifted her night dress by sliding his hands up from her thighs to her waist and further still, hindered only by her hands, which hadn’t moved at all.

  He noticed her swallow hard, and her breathing quickened as he leaned in close to her lips.

  ‘Move your hands and let me take this off,’ he said, pulling the dress up.

  ‘Do we take our clothes off in this game?’ she said shakily, frowning as she hesitated to move her hands.

  ‘Yes. First you, then me.’ He pulled at the dress again, this time successfully as the girl’s hands and arms moved to allow him to pull it up and over her head.

  ‘Do you want to see me without my clothes?’ he said, throwing her night dress to one side. His eyes followed his hands, which moved round to her backside as he turned her sideways.

  ‘I guess,’ she whispered, her hands back to her front.

  ‘You guess?’

  ‘I mean, yes,’ she said, smiling, although not convincingly.

  ‘Sit on the bed then and watch.’

  She yelped as he slapped her on the bottom and gently pushed her towards the bed.

  Slowly, she sat down and turned, her eyes widening as he pulled off his shirt. Her eyes widened more and she giggled again as he pulled his braes and hose down in one, revealing himself.

  Her face screwed up for an instant as her eyes settled below his stomach.

  ‘Never seen one before?’

  She shook her head. ‘Not… pointing up, like yours.’

  ‘Let me show you what it’s for then,’ he said, moving confidently towards her whilst she slid back further along the bed.

  ‘I know what they’re for,’ the girl said, screwing her face up without taking her eyes from it, as he climbed up the bed towards her.

  ‘Not that, silly. What it’s used for in our game.’

  Head tilting slightly, the girl cried out playfully as he grabbed her by the ankles and pulled her towards him, opening her legs at the same time.

  ‘You going to play nice and let me do what I want so we can play the best games?’ He held her legs apart, and despite being extremely nervous, she nodded, her eyes not leaving his.

  He wet his middle finger in his mouth, smiled at her and then moved his hand between her legs, pressing his finger into her slowly as he did. She squirmed slightly and bit her bottom lip, her brow furrowing as he probed deeper. Suddenly, she winced and tried to close her legs. He stopped and removed his finger slowly, smiling all the more as he muttered something about someone telling the truth. Before the girl could question any of it, he pulled her down the bed until her legs were along the outside of his.

  He pressed himself down and into her then. She gasped with a mix of shock and pain as he slowly pushed deeper.

  ‘Trust me,’ he whispered, brushing the hair from her face with one hand and holding her firmly by the waist with the other.

  He took in a deep breath and started to roll his hips more, pulling out and pushing in slowly but constantly. The girl took a deep breath of her own and clenched, trying to stop him going any deeper.

  As he started to make a little noise, his hand tightened on her waist and his other moved down to her right breast, squeezing it a little too hard. The girl went to say something, but he thrust deep as she did, causing her to cry out, a sound he mistook for pleasure; he thrust all the harder for it.

  As they both cried out in a final few spasms of pleasure – on his part – she felt him throb inside her. He collapsed on top of her then, his damp chest heaving to match her own.

  Groaning and rolling away, he lay next to her, his eyes closed as his right hand traced the side of her body.

  As he lay there, his breathing eventually levelling out, she moved her hand between her legs and prodded gently at the wetness. She winced at how tender it all felt. She brought her hand up then and looked at the sticky, bloody mess on her fingertips.

  After a while, the man rolled off the bed and onto his feet. He pulled on his clothes and looked her up and down. As he smiled and left the room, Elleth curled up, thought of Coppin, and cried.

  Chapter 25: Coincidences

  Orix had been pouring over corpses for more than a day with little sleep. His face bore more lines than ever and his eyes were shadowed, making him look ghostly in the dimly lit clerics’ chamber. The old gnome had called for Morri soon after being placed under house arrest. He and the young cleric, along with two others, had been examining plague victims new and old, relentlessly searching for the link between the gnome’s potion and the current epidemic.

  ‘I see no connection, Master Orix,’ Elloise said, her blonde hair tied back to keep it away from the samples in front of her. Elloise was an expert on diseases and had said the very same thing several times. ‘It seems the earlier subjects died from your potion, which although unethical, is very impressive I might add.’

  Orix’s brow creased and an uncomfortable silence followed.

  Elloise swiftly continued. ‘What I mean is the first victims died from the potion, and were, as far as we have been informed by the City Guard, criminals. The later victims died again of the same potion; however, they had also contracted early stages of the bubonic plague, whereas more recent victims like this one here,’ she indicated a corpse, ‘died of the plague itself, but had no traces of the potion whatsoever.’

  The clerics looked at each other, whilst Orix stared at the body on the table. He seemed to mutter to himself and no one dared ask what he’d said.

  Morri walked over and looked at the samples Elloise had been testing. ‘Could this mean the plague is a terrible coincidence?’ He glanced towards Orix to see the old gnome’s reaction. When Morri had heard what had happened, what his old tutor and the guild’s Grand Master had done, he'd been shocked, but had swiftly defended Orix from those who'd spoken out against him.

  Master Orix, I fear you will
forever hate yourself for what happened in this city, and yet, as far as I am concerned, the blame lay with Severun and no other; although he met an end I would not wish on anyone, no matter their crimes.

  Orix looked up. He dared not let himself hope Morri could be right, but he wanted to hear what the other clerics had to say. It was a terrible plague and on that day alone hundreds of bodies had been burnt and more and more houses had been condemned; black crosses painted on doors and families locked inside. There was no more room in the infirmaries and the King had made, with the help of his advisers, the terrible decision to lock residents who showed signs of the plague in their own homes.

  ‘It's possible it’s a coincidence, Morri,’ Elloise said, who again looked at the samples in front of her, ‘although I can’t say for sure. It is extremely improbable, but not impossible. It could have arrived on a ship perhaps, but… surely it would have been that ship’s crew who showed signs of the plague before anyone else? The first to contract the plague, alas, seemed to have been those who were infected with the potion.'

  Morri looked down, his eyes unfocussed; he was clearly deep in thought. Orix felt proud of the young man before him. Oh lad, you shine now, in our hour of need…what example have I been to you of late? A poor one I fear, to say the very least.

  ‘Who’s checked the carrier of the potion?’ Morri said eventually. ‘The arcane magic itself… the scroll?’ He looked at Orix and then to the other two clerics.

  Elloise shrugged and Orix looked none the wiser. ‘I’ve hardly left this room as you well know Morri. I’ve been concentrating on the plague and the disease. Other clerics are working on a vaccine and cure for the plague, but I don’t know if anyone has looked into the carrier, despite that being Sergeant Falchion’s original, uneducated guess?’ Orix suddenly sat a little straighter on the bench he was perched on, as his conversation with Fal came back to him. Falchion questioned Severun’s spell, not my potion…

  The fourth cleric pulled at his grey beard – not too dissimilar to Orix’s – as he said, ‘Lord Strickland told me he was going to look into it and have wizards, sorcerers and magicians do the same.’