He scrubbed grit from his eyes and kept going.
###
His throat burned.
Arran threw aside his empty waterskin and trudged on. Jagged bluffs rose all around him, broken stones crunching under his boots. The cliffs and the stones baked with the intense heat. He would have sweated, but he had not had anything to drink for the last six hours. His skin felt like a sheath of flame, and pain flared up and down his legs. A trio of buzzards circled overhead, sometimes landing to watch him with their beady eyes.
Soon he would die. The thought brought dull relief to his fevered mind.
His legs gave out, and he fell against a boulder with a thump. Its shadow covered him, and he sighed in relief. At least he was out of the sun.
He sat in the boulder’s shadow and looked over the landscape. A low gully stretched away into the distance, and more boulders and wind-sculpted cliffs loomed overhead. A buzzard landed and waddled towards Arran. He growled, drew a gun, and shot it.
“Wait until I’m dead,” said Arran, shoving the gun back into its holster.
His vision blurred and his pulse pounded in his ears, like the sound of the war drums as Marugon’s soldiers slaughtered the men of Antarese.
He heard a woman screaming in fury.
For an instant Arran thought the heat had driven him mad, that he was again hearing the screams in Carlisan, in Antarese. But the woman’s cries of rage grew louder, and he heard a deep, rumbling voice.
He recognized that voice. It belonged to Prince Baal-Mar-Dan.
Arran lurched to his feet, his vision swimming, his head reeling. He drew his Sacred Blade and crept towards the nearby gully, trying to keep his footfalls silent.
He spotted Baal-Mar-Dan standing at the bottom of the shallow gully.
“You should be honored, woman.” The winged demon stood with his back to Arran. His clawed hand clasped a slender woman around the neck. She wore strange dust-colored clothing, and a black spear with a grease-stained head lay at her feet. “Royal blood flows in my veins. You shall bear my son.”
The woman smirked, dark hair with silver streaks falling over her face. “I know better. You will not.”
Baal-Mar-Dan snarled. “Do not mock me.” Arran’s parched lips thinned. Perhaps he could take one of Goth-Mar-Dan’s vile spawn with him in death. He drew his Glock and took aim. The woman looked up, and her green eyes widened as she saw Arran.
“You will…what are you looking at?” Baal-Mar-Dan turned.
Arran fired, and his bullets reduced the left half of Baal-Mar-Dan’s face to ruin. The winged demon screamed, black blood splashing across his armored chest. The woman squirmed and darted free.
“You!” roared Baal-Mar-Dan. The winged demon drew his scimitar and took to the air. Arran dropped his gun and took his Sacred Blade in both hands. He parried the first blow, dodged the second, and took the third on his chest. The scimitar ripped a gash down Arran’s side, and he gasped in pain and stumbled back. Baal-Mar-Dan’s free hand slammed into Arran’s stomach, and sent him tumbling down the side of the gulley. Something shattered in his knee and sent a blast of pain up his leg.
Arran managed to kneel on his good knee, his Sacred Blade trembling in his hand.
Baal-Mar-Dan laughed. “You are weak, fallen Knight. Perhaps I shall take you to Marugon alive.”
Arran coughed. “Never.” Blood soaked into his torn clothes.
Baal-Mar-Dan jumped from the edge of the gully. Arran tried to parry, but his exhausted muscles moved with agonizing slowness. Baal-Mar-Dan snatched him by the throat and flew into the air, Arran’s feet dangling.
The winged demon’s scimitar plunged into Arran’s gut.
He screamed as pain exploded through him, blood welling up in his throat.
Baal-Mar-Dan flung him away, and Arran landed at the edge of the gully. He could not stand, could not even kneel, and felt his life’s blood seeping through the wound in his belly.
Baal-Mar-Dan’s laughter rang out. “Perhaps I shall not take you to Marugon. I will feast on you instead.”
“Damn you,” whispered Arran.
Then Baal-Mar-Dan’s mocking laughter dissolved into a scream. The dark-haired woman appeared behind him, the black spear in hand. She stabbed again, and Baal-Mar-Dan howled and flailed at her. The woman danced away, her hair flying about her head.
The demon would tear her to shreds. Arran could not let that happen. He had failed to save Luthar and so many others.
But perhaps he could still save her.
Arran surged to his feet, feeling something tear inside of his stomach, and threw himself at the winged demon. His Sacred Blade slid into Baal-Mar-Dan’s chest, blazing azure fire. The demon screamed, and Arran lost his balance and fell against Baal-Mar-Dan. His weight drove the demon backward, over the edge of the gully, and they fell. Arran landed atop Baal-Mar-Dan, driving the Sacred Blade deep into the winged demon. The pommel struck Arran’s chest with enough for to shatter one of Arran’s ribs.
He groaned and rolled away.
Baal-Mar-Dan howled in mortal agony. Arran watched as white fire burst from his eyes and mouth, the Sacred Blade shining like a shard of the sun.
Baal-Mar-Dan burned away to obsidian bones and smoking ash.
Arran crawled forward and grasped the hilt of his Sacred Blade. He wanted to die with his weapons in hand.
The world grew dim and hazy around him.
He saw the woman walking towards him, spear in hand, and all faded to darkness.
Chapter 4 - Premonitions
Anno Domini 2012
Paulsen stormed into the principal’s office and pointed at Ally. His face had only gotten redder in the last thirty minutes. “I want this bitch expelled.”
Dr. Burton, a gaunt black man with a wispy white goatee, folded his hands on his desk. “Oh? Might I inquire why?”
Mr. Paulsen sputtered. “You don’t know why? You’ve had her here for thirty minutes, and you don’t know why?”
Dr. Burton didn’t blink. “I wanted to hear both sides before I made a decision.”
“What is this?” said Mr. Paulsen, pacing back and forth. “Are we going to just sit back and let the students disrespect the teachers? We’ll have anarchy…”
“Kevin,” said Dr. Burton. “Please sit down. You’ll give yourself a heart attack if you keep carrying on like that.”
“I’m in great shape,” muttered Mr. Paulsen. Nevertheless, he sat down, pausing long enough to shoot a venomous glare at Ally.
“So,” said Dr. Burton. “Tell me. What precisely did to Miss Wester do to warrant expulsion? Oh, and what did she do to warrant you calling her an obscene name, which, I might point out, is conduct specifically prohibited by the teachers’ handbook and possible grounds for a lawsuit in these litigation-happy days?”
Mr. Paulsen blinked. “She can’t sue me!”
Dr. Burton’s lips thinned in annoyance. “She can, Kevin. Or, rather, her parents could. But we’ll talk about that later. Why should she be expelled?”
“She was showing me open disrespect,” said Mr. Paulsen.
“How so?”
Mr. Paulsen stammered. “She called me deadwood.”
“Ah. Deadwood. I cannot imagine why she would say such a thing.” Dr. Burton’s voice was neutral. “Miss Wester? Why did you call Mr. Paulsen deadwood?”
Ally sighed. “Look. I lost my temper.”
“Why?”
Ally folded her arms. “Mr. Paulsen said American government was a boring topic. I thought that was a pretty stupid thing for a government teacher to say.” Mr. Paulsen bristled, but kept going. “So I asked him if he knew about that bill that passed the state legislature, the one that would cut the school system’s budget by twenty…”
Dr. Burton removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yes, yes, I know all about that. Go on, Miss Wester.”
“Anyway, Mr. Paulsen didn’t know about the bill. I asked him if he knew that some people think a lot of deadwood will g
et fired if that bill gets signed…”
“Also true,” said Dr. Burton.
“Yeah.” Ally shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess an American government teacher who doesn’t know anything about government might count as deadwood, but what do I know? I’m just a girl who should be on the cheerleading team supporting school spirit, like Mr. Paulsen told me.”
Paulsen jumped out of his seat. “See! I told you!”
“Kevin,” said Dr. Burton, glaring over the rims of his glasses. “For the last time, please sit down.”
Mr. Paulsen dropped back into his chair. “But she also said I got drunk and got my wife pregnant before I married her. That’s a dirty slander…”
“Kevin,” said Dr. Burton. “It’s entirely true. Everyone knows it.”
Mr. Paulsen’s lips flapped. “It…but…she doesn’t have to say it.”
Dr. Burton leaned back in his chair. “Also true. You can go, Kevin. Miss Wester will be disciplined.”
“But…”
“Go, Kevin. We’ll discuss this later.” Mr. Paulsen glared at Ally again and slammed the door behind him.
“So. What I am to do with you, Miss Wester?” Dr. Burton stared at Ally.
Ally took a deep breath. “Okay. I know I crossed the line. I shouldn’t have said what I said about his wife. But he’s an idiot and he made me lose my temper. And I’m not going to take back what I said about deadwood.”
“Surprising as you may find this, I happen to agree with you,” said Dr. Burton.
Ally blinked. “You do?”
“But certain standards of behavior must be maintained. You will apologize to Mr. Paulsen for your remarks concerning his wife and the legitimacy of his firstborn.”
Ally scowled. “I’m not going to apologize about the deadwood…”
“You aren’t listening, Miss Wester,” said Dr. Burton. “I said you will apologize for your remarks concerning his wife.”
Ally blinked. “Oh.” She laughed. “Okay. I get it.”
Dr. Burton smiled. “That’s a bright girl.” He glanced at the flatscreen computer monitor on his desk. “Your third period is open, correct?”
Ally nodded.
“Mr. Lloyd’s American History class is at that time. As I recall, that will satisfy the same requirement for graduation as the American government class. I believe a transfer would be in your best interest.”
“I think you’re right,” said Ally.
Dr. Burton nodded. “Very well. Apologize to Mr. Paulsen, and you will start in Mr. Lloyd’s class tomorrow.” Ally got up. “Oh. Miss Wester?”
Ally paused at the door. “Yes?”
“You have a remarkable mind. Try to refrain from using it to point out the faculty’s ignorance. That causes all manner of problems.”
Ally grinned. “I’ll keep that in mind, sir.”
###
The dismissal bell rang, and classroom doors opened and students poured into the hall. Ally joined the throng and headed towards her locker. Her backpack straps were taut with weight. The first day back and she already had three hours worth of homework tonight.
“Ally! You are my hero.”
Ally turned. Bill stood at his locker, grinning at her. “What?”
“I heard about it,” said Bill, still grinning.
Ally rummaged through her locker. “About what? Stop being so obtuse.”
“How you made Paulsen freak out,” said Bill. “That was so cool.”
“I lost my temper. I shouldn’t have done that,” said Ally.
Bill laughed. “Oh, man. I’ve wanted to see someone get him for years. I heard he’s out back behind the gym, crying and smoking cigarettes.”
“Maybe you’re right. I don’t want to talk about it,” said Ally. She slammed the door shut and pulled her backpack over her shoulders.
Bill flushed and looked at the floor. “All right. Sorry.”
Ally raised an eyebrow. “It’s not your fault.”
“Okay. Sorry,” said Bill.
“Bill!” said Ally. She laughed. “Stop apologizing at me.”
Bill nodded. “Okay.” He fidgeted. “Do you want to study? Together, I mean. I can’t believe he gave us so much pre-Trig homework on the first stay.”
“Sure,” said Ally. She started towards the door and snapped her fingers. “Wait. I have to pick up my brother from school.”
“Okay,” said Bill. “Maybe later. See you tomorrow.” He raised his hand and hurried off towards the door. Ally waved good-bye and watched him go. She knew he would take it personally. She hated to be so light with his feelings, even though she didn’t want to be his or anyone else’s girlfriend.
“Boys,” she mumbled. She joined the last few stragglers heading out the doors. It had snowed some more during the day, and the front steps were slick. Ally took small steps to keep from falling on her face.
“Hey! What’s your problem?”
Ally turned and saw Nathan Jameson standing near the doors, glaring at her. He had one arm over Mary’s shoulders, and a lit cigarette smoldered in his other hand.
“Nathan,” said Mary, her voice a pleading whine. “Don’t make trouble.”
Nathan ignored her. “So what’s your problem, ice queen? Don’t like football, do you?”
“Nathan,” said Mary. “Please…”
Nathan glared down at her. “I’m talking here, babe. Keep quiet.” He smirked back at Ally. “So what’s your problem with football?”
Ally shrugged. “I don’t have any problem with football. It just happens to be populated with thick-headed morons like you and Paulsen.”
Nathan snorted. “And what’s some stuck-up ice-queen bitch know about anything?” He took a long draw on his cigarette. “I’ll bet you don’t like watching men, that’s it. You’d rather stare at girls like Mary here.”
Ally raised her eyebrows. “I’m pretty sure I’m not a lesbian. Put that out.”
Nathan rolled the cigarette between his fingers. “What, you mean this?” He blew a cloud of smoke in his face.
“Yes, that,” said Ally. “Put that out, please.”
Nathan laughed. “You are such a prig, ice queen. Are you going to give me a speech about lung cancer?”
“No,” said Ally. “Your lungs can shrivel and blacken and you can die hooked up to a dozen machines, for all I care.” She remembered Grandma Coldridge’s death, lying in the white hospital bed surrounded by the beeping monitors. “But I don’t want Mary to die that way. Put it out.”
“Ally, it’s not that big a deal,” said Mary, her eyes frightened. “I mean, my dad smokes all the time around me…”
Once again Ally’s patience vanished
Ally snatched the cigarette from Nathan’s lips, crushed it in her fist, and dropped it on Nathan’s shoe.
Nathan bristled. “You bitch!” His shout drew attention, and some other students stopped to stare. “You bitch!”
Ally didn’t blink. “You ought to thank me.”
Another one of the premonitions came to her. He was going to try and hit her.
Of course, any idiot could see that.
But the premonition let her know exactly how he would move.
Nathan took a swing at her, and Ally sidestepped. Nathan slipped, lost his balance on the icy steps, and landed on his rump. His breath escaped his lips in an astonished gasp.
“You,” gasped Nathan, trying to rise. “You…bitch…”
“Just go away,” said Ally. “Before you make a bigger ass of yourself.”
Nathan got to his feet and glared at May. “You’re going to have to get some better friends if you want to keep going out with me.” He stalked away, glaring at everyone in his path.
“What a jerk,” said Ally.
“Ally Wester!” Mary looked close to tears. “Why did you do that?”
“Do what?” said Ally.
“Make a fool out of poor Nathan!” said Mary.
Ally scowled. “He made a fool out of himself. Do you expect me to just
let him walk all over me?”
“I expect you not to embarrass me like that!” said Mary. She sniffled and scrubbed at her eyes.
“Why do you even go out with him?” said Ally. “He’s a jerk. He treats you like his personal maid and toy rolled up all into one.”
“He is not,” said Mary, hugging herself. “He can be sensitive. And he’s going to go places, be rich someday. Football scouts from the University of Illinois have been talking to him. He’ll get a football scholarship, and then he’ll go into the NFL, and he’ll…he’ll…”
“Mary,” said Ally. “That’s a dream and you know it.”
Mary stiffened. “It is not!”
“It is too,” said Ally. “Nathan talked to one football scout six months ago. That was it. He’s a third-rate quarterback on a fifth-rate team.” More of the strange premonitions flickered through her mind. “And he smokes. And he drinks. And he probably does other drugs as well, though he’s managed to keep from getting caught. The booze, the tobacco, and the other drugs will ruin his health and wreck his life, I think. I just don’t want to you pulled down with him.”
Mary trembled. “That’s…that’s a terrible thing to say!”
Ally shrugged. “I’m sorry, but it’s true.”
Mary’s face twisted into an ugly expression. “You’re just jealous!”
Ally blinked in astonishment. “What?”
“You’re jealous! You’re jealous that I have a boyfriend and you don’t, so you’re trying to ruin it for me. You want Nathan for yourself, don’t you? That’s why you’re always so mean to him, you’re trying to get him to break up with me so you can have him for yourself!”
Ally scowled. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“So you do think I’m stupid!” said Mary. She sobbed hurried away.
Ally was so stunned that she didn’t know what to do. But when she had recovered her wits, Mary had already run off into the crowd.
And Ally had to pick up Lithon. She started for Simon’s car, digging in her pocket for the keys. “Some first day back.”
A Knight of the Sacred Blade Page 4