Kingdom of the Damned: Provocation (KIngdom Journals)

by Tricia Copeland

I rotate my finger in the air, motioning for our army to take posts around us. Will, Jacob, and I take seats on tree stumps opposite them.

  Flying Brook throws a pile of fir needles into the fire, and it springs to life.

  “You do practice magic,” I assert.

  “Our magic is different,” Swimming Lark says. “We gather strength from Earth, and the closer we come to being one with her again, the stronger her power flows through us.”

  “We may speak with truth here. Mother Earth protects us.” Flying Brook diverts the conversation. “I know you seek unity and peace between tribes and with the witches, but there is a bigger evil on our lands. There will be no peace as long as Chief Black Crow is alive.”

  “Aren’t you Absároke also?”

  “Yes.” Running Snake speaks for the first time. “He would kill us for speaking out against him. But he must be stopped.”

  Running Snake begins a tale of a young maid who became pregnant after catching the eye of a European explorer. The baby inside her grew quickly, and she birthed him just half a year later. It became evident early on the male child was not like them. He displayed extra-human strength and agility. Every reaction and instinct seemed amplified, his aggression being the dominant trait. When he became a man at age thirteen, according to the tribe’s tradition, he challenged and killed the ruling Chief. Taking over as leader, he has ruled the Absároke for the past four years.

  “He isn’t mature yet.” Will looks between me and Jacob.

  “A halfling?” I wonder aloud.

  “With spirit gifts.” Flying Brook nods. “I’m not sure how both abide within his being. But he can bring a bird down from the sky with a flick of his finger. He takes what he wants—women, horses. He rules with a rock fist. To go against him is to die. He leads our warriors into battles we can’t win. Our people will be extinct within a few years under his rule.”

  “What of the mother?” I inquire. “Is she gifted in magic?”

  “Her mother before her was. Black Crow killed the grandmother for suggesting he show mercy. We didn’t believe our spirit souls could survive in a damned being before now.”

  “What are you saying?” Jacob jumps to his feet. “That we are soulless damned beings? We come from Mother Earth just as you do.”

  “Forgive us.” Flying Brook holds up his palms. “Until you, the only experience we have with your type of beings—”

  “Vampires,” Jacob hisses. “We’re vampires, not savages.”

  “The vampires we have known,” Flying Brook dips his head, “decimate our herds, horses, buffalos, and sometimes villages. Now Chief Black Crow wishes to partner with these beings and march on the white settlers. He believes our daughters should be wed to their men, to form a race that the white men will not be able to stand against.”

  “Halflings, abominations,” Will mutters under his breath.

  I look between Will and Jacob. “Have you heard of these beings in the Old World?”

  Will’s shoulders shudder. “I haven’t. I only have two instincts when it comes to witches, eating them or killing them and then eating them.”

  “Jacob?” I question him.

  “We avoided witches at all costs. For reasons you witnessed in Asia.”

  Flying Brook clears his throat. “So, will you help us get rid of him? He can’t stand against your army.”

  “We’re not here to interfere in your politics. Killing is against our edict. We aren’t like the vampires you describe.”

  “But he has taken countless lives. Can’t you at least help us imprison him?”

  I don’t want to be involved in others’ affairs, but it sounds like this Chief is a monster. “We are supposed to meet with him. Once we have, we will decide.”

  “You’re welcome to camp in our canyon for the night.” Flying Brook stands.

  Standing, I bow in appreciation of his hospitality. We gather our people for an evening meal, and the three spirit men join us. They tell the stories of their people, and I’m lulled by the warmth of the fire and tone of Flying Brook’s voice. When we break for the night, I confer with Mambi, Gregor, Will, and Jacob. They share similar hesitancies about meddling in others’ affairs, and we decide to wait until we’ve met Chief Black Crow before passing judgment.

  With my thoughts swirling between Flying Brook and Chief Black Crow, rest is difficult. The darkness doesn’t help, and I rise and run the perimeter.

  Jacob finds me halfway around. “Trying to figure out what type of being would come from pairing a witch and vampire?”

  “Only bad things, I’m thinking.”

  “I wasn’t honest before. In the old country, when we lived in Germany, there were rumors of powerful witches who took vampires and used them for matings.”

  “Why would they do that?”

  “Witches are organized. They have a hierarchical government, a council that rules.” Jacob begins to describe how the witches structure themselves into covens that can be a family group or formed by a blood ritual. “Every witch belongs to one of four family lines, depending on which of the four arch angels they’re descended from.”

  “Wait, witches believe they were created by angels?”

  “It’s the story of their people, half-angel, half-human creatures, created on Earth to balance out the vampire species. Don’t tell me you don’t know this.”

  “Of course, but I thought it was just Biblical, like metaphorical.”

  “You don’t believe in God? Heaven? Hell?”

  Frustrated with spiritual ramblings, I stop him. “Just tell me what you know.”

  “One member from each line sits on the council, but one from Michael’s line always serves as the leader. His line has two representatives, one that serves on the council and one that directs the council and has the power to override any decision. The largest covens have the most power, so they cheat sometimes. Plus, when threatened by large vampire tribes, these half-witch, half-vampire beings give them security.”

  “Just like Erik and Amoud.” My mind spinning, I pace away from him.

  “Who?” Jacob leaps in front of me.

  “Will’s tribe leader Erik captured this witch named Amoud and holds him hostage. What else do you know about the witches? Why haven’t you ever shared this information?” I hold his gaze.

  He looks to the ground and back to me. “It never seemed important. Plus, you were so distraught over the massacre, I didn’t want to bring up a painful subject.”

  “What would witch government have to do with the massacre in Asia?”

  “I don’t know if Sonia acted alone or for the council.”

  “Why else would she come herself unless she were acting alone?”

  “For effect, I’m guessing. To scare us. You specifically.”

  “Thank you for sharing this information.” I want to reach out to touch him. To show how sorry I am for hurting his feelings before.

  “You’re welcome.” He takes a step back. His eyes cut to the trees above. “If that is all?”

  “Jacob.” I move towards him.

  His hands go up. “Please, don’t. I feel embarrassed enough as it is.”

  I hold his gaze, my eyes pleading that we can be friends again. “We’ll settle soon, have time to enjoy such luxuries as love. I’m sorry I don’t share your feelings. I have always thought of you as a comrade and friend.”

  “I know. You told me that in the beginning. I got caught up in thinking we could be more. You have been a good friend to me, and I intend to be that to you.”

  “Thank you.” I extend my arm to him.

  He clutches it. “Let us never speak of this again.”

  “Even in a drunken moment around the campfire when we are old and gray?” I chuckle.

  “If you ever get drunk, you may speak of anything, Queen.” Hand over chest, he bows.

  “Don’t do that.” I swat at him.

  Returning to camp, we find Will and the others milling about. It seems none can rest with the threat of Chie
f Black Crow looming. The three spirit men have described that he calls on wind and water from the streams to thwart his enemies. Fanning the flames of the fire to warm the space, we strategize as to how to approach him.

  At daylight, we set out. Mambi, Gregor, Will, Jacob, and I approach the village, while the rest of our group waits behind a ridge. The three spirit men, along with ten witnesses who agree to stand against Black Crow, stand at the back. They’re all elders of the tribe and claim to be able to protect themselves. Even so, I direct my army to stand between them and any attack from Black Crow.

  At midday, the sun burns bright in the sky. Five warriors approach and escort us to Black Crow. In the distance, I see two-hundred-plus teepees, painted with red drawings of warriors and weapons, arranged in concentric circles. It’s quiet. There are no fires, no children running about, no women tending their chores. The bitter scent of venom causes the hairs on my arm to stand on end as we approach.

  Our escorts run ahead and join a line of twenty warriors positioned between us and the village. Behind them, twelve women, some pregnant, some holding small children, stare wide-eyed at us. A broad-shouldered man wearing a fur cloak stands at the middle of the front line. Long black feathers ring his head, and a necklace of bones rests on his bare chest. Spear in hand, he reaches a full head above the men beside him. He tilts his head back and opens his mouth, and I note his white fangs. My mind darts through different scenarios.

  At seventeen, he’s a youngling. Emotions are heightened the year before we reach maturity, anger turns to rage, sadness to despair. I ponder for half a second if I hadn’t been so young and hormonal when Alec died if I would even be here. Did I over react to losing him? Would I have reacted that way now? Is this halfling a slave to his emotion?

  Refocusing on the warriors, I wonder if their weapons have been laced with his venom. As we walk closer, my stomach turns with the acrid scent of the poison. I fan out my palm twenty feet from their line, indicating we’re close enough.

  I lift my chin. “Chief, thank you for welcoming us yourself.”

  “I believe the elders have been whispering in your ear. But, my father’s absence hasn’t been a hindrance to me.” His lips stretch up on one side forming a half-smile. He rams the end of his spear into the dirt. The ground rumbles beneath us, and hundreds of male villagers, some not taller than the spears they hold, exit the teepees. “I didn’t think you would expect such a large force to greet you.”

  “It seems you have quite a following.”

  “And they’ll grow as our native peoples learn of a warrior who can stand against the white invaders. Let us speak in friendship.” He strolls towards me.

  As I take a step, Will and Jacob copy. I whisper to them. “Wait here.”

  Crow extends his hand to me as I reach their group. Not daring to let him touch me, I lay a hand over my heart. “Sorry, I don’t know your customs. I am Anne of Scotts.”

  “Chief Black Crow.” He puts his palm on his chest. “I wish to partner with you. Together, we can defeat the white men. Make them go back to their homeland.”

  “Perhaps you don’t understand our mission. We seek to unite the vampire people.”

  “Look at me,” he huffs, opening his mouth so wide I can see the back of his throat. He leans in, and his hot sour breath hits my nose. “I’m a vampire, and these are my people. Don’t you believe it’s wrong for the settlers to take our lands?”

  “I do, but this is not our fight.”

  Crow turns and whistles three sharp tones. A boy runs from behind the line of his warriors and stops beside Crow. “This is my son. He has over four years. He’s bigger and stronger than other children but has no fangs. I fear he will not be a powerful as I am. At least lend me your males to mate with my women.” He gestures behind him. “In twelve years, I will have an army.”

  My breath catches in my throat as I process his request. Stomach churning, I grasp for phrasing that will not offend or anger him. “I lead this group, but I do not command them. If any of them believe in your cause, they may join you as they please.”

  “Let me speak to them.” He drives his spear end into the hard earth, and it shakes under my feet.

  Crow seems to be able to wield a fair amount of magical power, and I worry about how much venom he has. Will and Jacob appear beside me. They’ve overheard the chief, as have Mambi and Gregor. I guess that the elders use the wind to carry our voices to their ears. My army is over the next ridge, out of earshot, although I know they smell the venom. Our signals are simple, five short calls for retreat and a long whistle means advance. But, I don’t want the chief or his army anywhere near my people.

  “I can carry your message to our group. These here are witnesses to your words. Is there anything else you wish to add?” I stand tall, shoulders back, in front of him.

  “I wish to speak to them.” He looks to Will and Jacob and back to me, his stare holding mine for a second.

  “I will call the others.” Will cups his hands around his mouth, ready to sound the whistle.

  I slap my hand against his arm, knocking it from position. “What are you doing?”

  Eyes wide, Will shakes his head as if fighting off a trance. On the other side of me, Jacob starts to make the call. I hit his hands away from his face. “Stop. He’s not going to address my people. What’s wrong with you?”

  Jacob blinks and looks between me and the chief.

  Crow’s smile spreads across his face as he looks to Jacob and then Will. “You see my power. I will prevail. You’re either with me or against me.” His gaze lands on me. “You’re a curious one. I have not met another being able to resist my compulsion. I wonder what amazing offspring would come from our mating.”

  Eyes panning from my head to my feet, he saunters towards me. My skin produces bumps as a chill rushes down my body. Even so, I stand frozen in place. “I see we have nothing further to discuss. We’ll continue on our journey.”

  For a second, an eerie silence falls over the field, as if time stands still. Overhead, a falcon lets out a shrill call. I watch in horror as Chief Black Crow cocks his spear and releases it. My eyes follow the shaft as it lands in Mambi’s bicep. She grabs her arm. Beside her, Gregor rips off his pant leg and ties it tight above the wound. Still, her body tenses, and she drops to the ground.

  “I made hollow spears with a pouch that shatters on impact.” Chief Black Crow looks down his nose at me. “It took some time to figure out the right amount to use. It looks to be effective, even on your kind.”

  I know Mambi’s body should expel the poison, and she’ll be okay, but I’m not sure how long it will take. The chief raises his hand over his head and waves his arm. The warriors from the village jog towards us. As their numbers and speed increases, their feet rumble over the land.

  Chief Black Crow has laid his path, and I know there’s only one way through. I fit my fingers between my lips and let out a long shrill call.

  “Gregor stay with Mambi,” I yell to him.

  Seeing a large dust cloud forming behind them, I hope this is the work of the elders and not Crow. Scanning the area, I realize he and the boy are gone.

  “Will. Jacob. We need to focus on finding Black Crow.” I focus on Gregor. “Warn the others about the spears. Spare as many lives as possible. The target is Black Crow. The rest are considered innocents.” I rip my spear from my back and pull a dagger from my boot.

  “Anne.” Will forces my attention back to our group. I look up to see Crow’s line of warriors running for us. “Stay behind me.” Will takes off, and I sense Jacob on my heels. Will looks back at me for a second. “Venom-laced weapons, we should have been more prepared.”

  “Focus,” I yell at him. “Remember you just got mind-controlled by a halfling.”

  My mind jumps between so many thoughts, and I can’t even keep up. What of my people behind me? Not fully trusting Will’s lead, I follow the scent of Crow’s trail. We’re faster than our enemies and make a wide arc around them and the
n circle back to the village.

  “He’s a mixture of both species, not a halfling. Witch plus vampire equals bad things,” Will comments as his eyes dart to each of the teepee structures.

  Crow’s stench permeates the entire area, and I wonder if we’ll be able to find him. Running the perimeter, we detect no evidence he’s left their encampment. We begin a search of the dwellings. Inside the first teepee, a woman huddles under a blanket with her small boy. In the next, the same. In another, two women sit next to a fire nursing their boys. In three more structures, we see the same.

  “All the children are male,” I comment as we exit.

  “Please,” one of the women approaches us, her voice just a whisper. “He has killed almost all the female children. He allows only his own line of girls to live. Most of the little ones are his sons. Please, stop him.”

  “We will.” I squeeze her shoulder.

  Will rushes to the next structure. “This is not our war. It’s not our responsibility.”

  I shake my head. “Who knows how large his army will grow unchecked. We are the only ones who can stop him.”

  Will turns to face Jacob and me. “We shouldn’t be meddling in human affairs.”

  “This isn’t a human situation,” I insist.

  Jacob leans in. “I’m with Anne. He started this attack, and we should finish it and him.”

  Will’s hands go to his hips. “Okay, but this isn’t working. We must think. Searching each of the homes is a mouse chase. It’s giving him more time to escape. Who knows what he’s capable of, if he has tunnels underground, whether he can shape-shift.”

  “Shape-shift?” My hair blows across my eyes, and I secure the strand on my head.

  “Like a werewolf, only to any animal he desires,” Jacob supplies.

  Will shakes his head. “He’s arrogant, proud, maybe over confident. He won’t run.”

  “The center. He’ll be there.” I insist. The dust cloud swirls around us and over our heads, blocking out the sun. The teepees stand interspersed, so there’s no direct line of view to the central gathering spot.

  Will’s hand wraps around my arm. “There will be a trap.”