by Casey Lea
The litter lurched on, but Amber heard its bearers coughing as they passed through ribbons of smoke. Thin tendrils stole past the billowing drapes of their transport. She held her breath and hoped there was no more froth in the bonfires, although the nearby sounds of mirth were now raucous, so it seemed likely the drug was still wafting past. She tucked her knees up under her chin and hugged her legs, but the staggering shadows of the congregation outside ignored the passing litter. Amber began to believe that their disguise would hold and started to relax. They were going to make it.
The shriek of tearing cloth set her heart thudding, just before the world tipped up-side down. Amber was thrown from her tilting cushions and onto her face, while fabric tangled around her. Her arms were trapped at her side and she head-butted frozen dirt. Stars danced past, along with huge feet. The wild laughter turned to roars and through the angry yells she felt, rather than heard, the thump of blows. They’d been discovered certain-sure and she was helpless.
A body tumbled to the ground beside Amber, bouncing her on the permafrost with its fall. One of the litter bearers stared at the sky with empty eyes. The firelight had faded away under a spotlight glare that painted the bedlam in silver and black. She rolled onto her back in time to see Nikareon disappear, his eyes gleaming as he was drowned by a wave of mutt. They howled and screeched, while their blood arced black across the night, but they kept piling on top of the Beserk.
Amber tumbled to her feet, pulling at her robe and the litter curtains that were still wrapped around her - struggling to free herself. A huge form was flung from the group, attacking Nikareon. The mutt flew through the air and she hurled herself sideways. It still collided with her and they went down together. Amber wheezed and hacked, trying to drag in air. The mutt sprawled across her and its blood dripped into her eyes.
It was almost impossible to breathe and the dead weight on top of Amber seemed to be getting heavier. She pushed at the mutt, but its solid flesh barely quivered. She was stuck.
“No quarter.” The Beserk battle cry drew her gaze in time to see Nikareon emerge from the top of the pyramid attacking him. He swung a metal staff to crack against a mutt’s skull and the creature went down, rolling from the pile of swarming attackers. More of the mob arrived, to pant and foam as they briefly circled the Beserk, before charging together as if directed by a single urge. Nikareon disappeared and more blood sprayed, but this time he didn’t re-emerge.
Amber stifled a sob and tried to push out from under the body pinning her to the frigid soil, but there was no give to work with. Another gasp from Amber caused a woman clawing her way up the pile to turn.
The mermaridian’s head tilted and she stepped away from the surging heap trying to savage Nikareon. She darted toward Amber instead, her hair whipping round her and spittle flying from her lips. She giggled and dived over the prone mutt with her nails lashing for Amber’s face.
9
Haze on the Horizon
The frothing woman fell forward in slow motion. Dark nails dug for Amber’s eyes and Amber closed them. It wasn’t much protection, but it was all she had. Something bit at her face and she snarled in response, but her defiance was useless. She jerked desperately at one arm instead and managed to drag it out from under the body trapping her.
Amber opened her eyes and punched the creature scratching her right in the mouth. Blood exploded from the mermaridian’s frothing lips and Amber gasped, as their struggle drove the last of the air from her lungs. She gaped for more, but there was nothing. She felt teeth tearing at her throat and the warmth of blood flowing down her neck. She punched the crazed female again and again, but stars were dancing across her vision while her blows got weaker.
Her attacker suddenly arched up and there was a slurping sound, like a strawbill sucking blood. The mermaridian fell to one side and Amber blinked at a dark form pulling a blade from her attacker’s back. The sword was black, but glinted in the firelight as blood ran from it. The armored figure crouched and flicked up its camouflaged helm to show her rescuer’s face.
Raptor.
Amber hissed and if her hands hadn’t already been busy staunching her neck wound they would have flown protectively to her throat anyway.
“It’s all well,” Raptor said. “I’m here to help, Lady Grace. To keep you safe. I even called the Beserk and told him you were wandering.”
That was a surprise. “You sent Nikareon?”
“Yes.” Raptor stuck his face close to hers and the intensity of his emotion struck her like a blow. He was terrified. For her?
“I need to keep you safe,” Raptor whispered. “It’s what my Arck wishes and I failed him. I’m sorry. Sorry I hurt-”
A figure flew out of the mist and slammed into Raptor. He was thrown back and skidded along the frozen ground with the crackle of breaking ice. He clutched the mutt that had attacked him, but disappeared under its huge form.
Amber grabbed for her com, while her mind fumbled with the command to release a sword. Something heavy fell into her hand and she gripped it with numb fingers, but didn’t let her terror stop her. She screamed a wordless cry of defiance, hoisted the blade over her head and charged at the still form of the mutt.
It heaved upright to meet Amber. Her scream was suddenly less savage and more horrified. She swung the blade as hard as she could and hit absolutely nothing. Her blow was straight, but her target slumped to collapse at her feet. She looked down to see flames reflecting in a pool of blood spreading from the corpse.
Raptor rose with a clank of metal feathers and a curse. His dagger ran red in the firelight. He strode to Amber’s side and reached out, but pulled his hand back when she flinched away.
“Perhaps you should sheath the sword, lady. Before you drop it on your foot.”
Amber looked down at her shaking blade and forced herself to stop trembling. “Or before I use it to teach you some manners.”
“I’m sorry,” Raptor said, but Amber interrupted his apology.
“Prove it. Help Nikareon.” She turned to the heaving pile of bodies behind her and it was taller than before, with more drugged congregation members throwing themselves on top of her rescuer.
“I’m here to fulfil my duty by protecting you. The Beserk is irrelevant. He’s also capable of saving himself.”
That was a strong possibility, but Amber started to protest anyway. However, before she could argue there was movement in the smoky sky and she swiveled to track a new threat from above. She tried to focus on a strangely spiky shadow. A ship?
No, not a ship. It was the crazy calamity of broken parts that had transported Nikareon. It seemed the Beserk had brought allies with him. At least he’d had the good sense not to come alone, which meant there was hope for Amber and a chance to get away from Raptor. Letting her unpredictable bodyguard save her was too much of a risk. A single apology didn’t begin to restore her trust in him.
Even Nikareon was a better choice than Raptor. Amber shuddered at the thought that the Beserks were her best option, but staggered to meet the landing ship anyway.
The strange vessel swooped in, pirouetting through the air. It turned on a wingtip and a strut brushed through the clustered tents before it dropped to the ground. The warm light of an opening hatch washed over Amber and a figure sprinted from it. Her rescuer snapped open wings that spread wide and dark in silhouette, before jetting forward. He charged with raised arms and bursts of energy from his coms tumbled attackers off Nikareon.
Amber could faintly hear Nik’s voice. “No. See to the lady first. And you’re grounded for all time.”
Amber blinked and tried to focus. Of course their rescuer was on the ground now. They all were.
Fingers dug into her elbow, hard enough to hurt, and dragged her away from the ship. She gasped, but dug even deeper than her assailant’s fingers to force a chill smile to her face before looking up. Raptor saw her expression and instantly let go.
“We certain-sure need to leave, my lady,” he insisted, his arm out
stretched as if he’d love to seize her again.
“You needs must leave,” she said. “Now. Go protect Sweep and her crew until the fleet arrives to help. I can get a lift with the Beserk.”
“Are you insane?”
Amber was abruptly as angry as Raptor sounded. His face was hard to see in the night, but the dying firelight caught on his curled lip. She sneered back.
“Do what I say, or you’ll never work on Kresynt again. Go.”
He hesitated and the grinding of his teeth made Amber flinch. However, she stood tall and pointed back into the darkness. “Leave now, or leave permanently when the Arck returns.”
Raptor gave an answer that sounded like a snarl, but turned away without further argument. He didn’t go far. Amber’s fronds could feel him watching as she turned to greet Nikareon’s subordinate. A flash of teeth indicated that her savior offered a cheery grin back, along with his hand, which she didn’t take. Instead she shook her head in an effort to clear it and checked that the med field had restored her blood level. She was recovering well, but the image in front of her remained the same. The crewman was no taller than she was. It seemed she’d been saved by… a child?
The boy’s grin vanished and he crossed his arms. “I’m twelve.”
“Excuse me.” Amber stopped to cough. “I stand utterly corrected.”
“Good.” The youngster gripped Amber by the forearm and shook it firmly. “I’m Haze and I’ll be your rescuer today.”
He propelled Amber up the slope toward the motley ship and his grip was surprisingly strong. When they reached the hatch he hoisted her over its lip without trouble.
“Nikareon,” she gasped, but Haze was already returning to battle.
“Find a seat,” he called, looking back over his shoulder and his eyes were silver pools.
Someone staggered from the night and the boy swung back, bringing up his leg as he turned. His boot hit hard – slamming into Nikareon’s jaw and bone cracked. The sharp sound was followed by strong language and Haze hesitated.
The light from the youngster’s eyes dimmed to leave him gaping up at his leader. He tried a hesitant smile. “Sorry?”
“You will be,” Nikareon vowed and grabbed Haze by his collar to drag him back on board. The boy offered Amber another grin as he was lugged past her.
“Welcome aboard the Horizon,” Haze chirped, which made Nikareon dig in his toes to stop instantly. He gave the youngster a shake.
“You don’t get to play greeter when you’re a stowaway. Do you feel any shame, boy?”
The youngster’s smile vanished and he looked somberly up at the tall Flight. “Sorry about the kick, Patri.”
Amber hesitated on the lip of the entrance and the closing hatch had to nudge her aboard. Patri? The Beserk had another child? A biological child?
“Yes,” Nikareon snapped. “He’s mine, though there are times I’d rather deny it.”
“Feeling the paternal love,” Haze murmured and his father gave him another shake before releasing him.
Amber took a deep breath and furled her bristles close to her fronds, trying to get her thoughts under control. She didn’t need a Beserk rummaging through her brain and the best way to distract herself was by going to work. She stepped closer to Nikareon, despite her reservations, then rose on her toes to study his jaw.
“There’s bruising and it’s starting to swell. Would you mind if I fixed it?”
He grunted in response, his glare locked on his son and Amber took that as permission. She decompressed a regen strip and pressed it into place along a jawline so taut it seemed likely to snap of its own accord. Her fingers moved smoothly and quickly, with only the slightest shaking at the end. It seemed the Beserk didn’t bite after all.
Amber dropped to her flat feet and ran a quick scan to check her work. “You’ll be fine.”
“No thanks to some,” Nikareon growled, looking sourly at Haze. “But you have my gratitude, lady.” He nodded toward the boy. “You’ve met my youngest child.”
“Youngest,” Amber echoed in shock. “Of how many?”
“Twenty,” Haze answered. “I’m the youngest, but also the bravest and most resourceful.”
Nikareon grunted agreement. “Not my smartest though. You’re grounded for this, Haze. No flying for ten weeks.”
The boy paled. “Ten weeks? But, Patri, I saved your lives.”
“Which is why I’m not ripping the wings from your scrawny back. What the hail are you doing here?”
“I snuck on board.”
“I noticed. Why?” Nikareon’s tone was as frigid as ice melt, but the youngster had recovered his calm and the chill stream of words seemed to run straight off his winged back.
“I’m up to Surveillance 101, sar. ‘The skill to remain undiscovered is essential to gain reliable intelligence.’” The boy flashed a dimpled grin. “I want to be intelligent, Patri.”
“I’m not convinced of your intelligence, but you’re definitely too smart for your own safety. There’s a Harvester fleet out there. What if one of them had caught you?”
The boy sniffed, seemingly unimpressed. “If I met a Harvester I’d arrest him.”
Amber sensed amusement from Nikareon, but his glare remained steady. “Then what would you do?”
“Defend him. That would only be fair since I’d dragged him into Court.”
“So you’d be a bounty hunter and a lawyer?”
Haze’s face lit up. “Can I? Please? That’d be perfect.”
Nikareon held onto his frown for another second, before a laugh scattered it. “Drakkit, Hazeon. I don’t know what to do with you.”
“Clearly I need to be punished, sar. I shouldn’t have stowed away, but I’m sure you’ll measure that against ameliorating factors. Such as saving your butt.” The boy inclined his head to Amber. “Butts. And ten weeks is a terribly long time without flight...”
“The punishment stands. It’s ten.” Nikareon held his son’s gaze and the boy snapped to attention.
“Yessar.”
“Don’t feel so disappointed,” the older Beserk sighed. “There’s a strong possibility of time off for good behavior. Now, let’s get to the control room. I want to find your big brother.”
Haze looked modest. “I’ve already tracked him down, sar. While I was saving you.” He offered his arm to Amber. “This way, my Lady.”
She looked back at Nikareon with raised eyebrows while Haze led her to the link. The older Beserk shook his head in despair and she smiled when she turned back to the child. It was delightful watching a crazed killer who ate violence for breakfast struggling with parenthood. “So, Haze. Tell me all about your father.”
10
Aboard Horizon
The nest at the heart of the rag-tag ship was… perfect. Amber stepped from the link onto cushioning moss and completed a small, surprised circle. The chamber was a marquee with fluttering drapes, which showed hints of a forest beyond the translucent walls. Birdsong rang out and she glimpsed rainbow feathers through the shimmering curtains.
She took a deep breath of sweet air and managed a shrug. “It’s okay.”
Nikareon gave her a sardonic look. “Your surprise was as loud as a shout. Did you never guess that Beserks have a serene side?”
“That I did suspect… but a flowery, fluttery, perfumed side? Indeed not.”
The engines roared and the moss under Amber tilted, but the tent around them turned as well, until the floor was flat again. She gasped, though with delight more than fright. She’d never seen gravity manipulation used in such a way. Most ships kept their nests weightless during flight, but this one- wait. Flight?
“Have we launched?” she demanded, and a waterfall replaced one of the marquee walls. Images danced within it, including several of the dark planet falling away.
“Where are we going?” Something tightened in her chest. “Where are you taking me?”
“Don’t panic,” Nikareon said. “I set certain standards for the maidens I abd
uct and you’re totally safe.”
Amber narrowed her eyes. “Don’t ever call me ‘safe’ again. I’m nothing of the sort.”
“Apologies, Lady, for my stupidity. I know you’re deadly dangerous. Five minutes of conversation with you is lethal, even if it requires suicide.”
“Don’t panic, Beserk. I set certain standards for those I converse with and you’re totally safe.”
Haze smothered a snort and Nikareon shooed his son away. “I see the co-ordinates for Zak. Now go. To your room. Your ten weeks grounded start now.”
The boy hung his head and his lower lip trembled. “Yes, Patri. Whatever you say, Patri. I live to serve you and follow your-”
Nikareon tapped his toe, making Haze break off. His father scowled. “Good behavior doesn’t mean ludicrous subservience and don’t try those sad eyes either. Go.”
Haze slunk from the room, but Amber saw his reflection in the link wall and it was all dimples.
“Cute kid,” she said, grinning at Nikareon, who seemed to have misplaced his usual smug smile.
“He’s more nuisance than a priest in a brothel.”
“True of father, true of son,” Amber murmured and her smile really was out of control. “I doubt he’ll be grounded for the full ten weeks.”
Nikareon grimaced. “Likely not. In truth I’ll have to take care I don’t end up scheduling extra flying time for him instead. That one could talk the Mistwind down to a gentle breeze.”
He turned away abruptly, calling up a control hologram to float between his hands. His jaw set in its habitual hard line, reminding Amber that sweet little Haze was more than just charming. He could kick a grown male in the face and was doubtless violent and uncontrolled at times – traits he inherited from his father. They were Beserks. Nikareon smiled easily enough, but she needed to remember what he was. She moved away and hugged her arms around herself. She couldn’t wait to get home.