Lightfoot

by Joe Kuster

  She swung at a third one, forcing it to back off. The furry monster hunkered low and lunged with its claws. Rachel parried the blow, but the force of it knocked her to a knee.

  The one that TJ had shot in the foot tried to pounce on her from the side. Fortunately, the beast hadn’t noticed Faith at the swordswoman’s feet. The cat’s shadow briefly formed into a solid wall the size of a door shield. The werewolf slammed nose face into the living darkness and crumpled into a ball as it clutched at its broken nose.

  Abby tried for another stunning light aimed at the opponent Rachel was trading jabs with, but the shot went wide. Winded, Abby slumped to her knees, her pool depleted.

  The wolf that had survived being stabbed in the chest backed away from Rachel. It glanced around, then decided to go for easier prey.

  Taking aim with his force magic, TJ whipped a concussive blast into it just as it managed to get within range of Abby. Its head detonated in a spray of gore as its headless body slumped at her feet. She glanced around with a startled look, then turned her eyes skyward. He blew her a kiss, then dove back into the fray, trying to distract the remaining attackers.

  Rachel ignored the boom and red mist behind her and pressed the offensive. The raven-haired swordswoman feinted to the right, causing her opponent to overextend. Taking the opening, she whipped her blade and claimed a hand with a sickening crunch. She then darted in, spearing it through the thigh. As the beast fell backward, she rammed her blade into its skull with a roar of effort. The creature went silent as she tore her sword free.

  Shifting her shadows, Faith formed a sharply-pointed tentacle and mercilessly stabbed straight into the brain of the wolf that fought to regain its wits after smashing into her defenses.

  The last wolf whirled back and forth, then, upon realizing all its allies were dead, dropped to all fours as it turned to flee.

  TJ built up a burst of speed then swooped in to plant his booted foot into its face. The wolf went sprawling as TJ kicked back into a hover. Frantically rolling to the side, it made to get up just as Faith launched herself onto his shoulders. Her shadows flashed forward, and the werewolf slumped into the grass as the top part of its head was removed with a jet-black blade of darkness.

  Confirming all their opponents were down, TJ drifted to the ground and held his hands low. Getting the hint, Faith ran to him and jumped into his arms. He gave the shadow cat a quick hug, then dropped her on his shoulders where she could plant her back feet into his hood.

  TJ was feeling rather grateful to the little terror. He hadn’t known the shadow cat could form shields. He’d planned on keeping tabs on things from the air, letting Abby and Rachel practice with their new talents while he blew up anyone that got too close. He hadn’t asked Faith to assist, but she’d done so on her own to protect Rachel.

  Looking inward, he danced across his bonds while his partners did likewise. With a brief check, they let out a collective sigh of relief as they each determined no one was hurt. Walking back to the center of the ambush, TJ gave each of the women a quick kiss, then began the long walk to fetch his horse.

  Fun.

  TJ chewed on his lip, not sure how to respond. His heart was still hammering in his chest, and as much as he wanted to yell out in triumph, he couldn’t help but wish that they hadn’t had to kill them.

  One of his closest childhood friends had been a were. Bobby had been a good kid, wrote moving poetry, and would come over to stay with his family some evenings. Unfortunately, it was their nature to be stubborn hotheads. Not long after his maturity party, the idiot had said the wrong thing and ended up on the wrong side of a Deva’s war hammer.

  These wolves hadn’t been him, but they reminded him how much he missed Bobby. That, in turn, only made him realize how much he missed his family. He longed for the nights with his father, talking about nothing for hours on end while drinking at the tavern. He yearned to hear his mother singing as she wrote at her desk.

  Faith butted her head against his cheek.

  Scritches?

  Pushing his meandering thoughts away, he reached back and scratched between the cat’s ears. The little murderer began to purr loudly.

  He wondered if the cat were intentionally trying to distract him as she rubbed against the back of his head. If so, it was working. It was hard to ignore the surprisingly loud rumble in her chest when it was next to his ears.

  Two firm tugs on his core reminded him of the two women waiting on him. He got a mild sense of concern from both as he dropped out of sight and could tell they were walking back to their wagon. It wasn’t quite mind reading, but instead was something that tended toward empathy. He could pick up their bodies and general emotions without issue. He couldn’t pick up anything more complicated yet, but maybe that would change over time. Based on their reactions, it seemed like they’d figured out much the same.

  While weird, he honestly didn’t mind. He didn’t have a pile of dark secrets he was trying to keep from them. Although now that he thought about it, it would make surprising them with gifts astoundingly tricky. He wondered if this realm had similar solstice celebrations and harvest festivals, or if they had different holidays. He supposed he’d have to ask at some point. TJ would need time to shop ahead of time, ideally when they were sleeping.

  He forced himself to take a step back from his mental meanderings. Once he was back on solid ground, he pushed his consciousness their way in response, trying to reassure them. As he did so, it brought his mind back to the here and now.

  He might be homesick, but bit by bit, he was making a new home for himself. He’d certainly gotten lucky in companions. Perhaps more than anything, he was glad he wasn’t alone in this strange realm.

  He looked inward and felt the warmth radiating from the little soul container and smiled despite himself. He didn’t understand the mechanics, but he could sense Rachel and Abby nestled against him.

  Rachel’s soul was stuck entirely in the phylactery just as he was. However, Abby could flit back and forth over their bond to her own body since she’d never died. Whatever anchored a soul to her body was still in place; it had just been given room to roam. Despite the freedom to do as she wished, her soul was typically resting next to his whenever she was awake. Right now, it was gently caressing the essence of his being.

  His magic twisted slowly, basking in the warmth. TJ could feel a steady trickle of his essence returning. It took him a moment to understand where it was coming from. He hadn’t had anything to drink yet today, nor was he having sex, so that only left one option.

  “Well, I guess that answers that. I don’t know how I got that lucky, Faith, but… I’ve found two women who love me,” TJ said aloud as he continued petting her head.

  New family.

  He smiled to himself while he continued walking to where his horse was standing under the shade of a tree. “I suppose, but I don’t know what that means. Not really. I’ve dated. Been passed around. Found the occasional fling… but there’s only one woman I ever thought I loved until I came here. Even then, I never got to do anything about it. I can’t say as I really know what to do with a relationship like that. Any ideas?”

  Bring them mice.

  He opened his mouth, then closed it.

  “Yep, I’m sure that’s exactly what two human women want. Probably left right in front of the tents,” TJ deadpanned.

  Yes.

  Pee on their shoes first.

  Mark what is yours.

  TJ groaned, then promised himself to begin covering their footwear before they went to sleep.

  “Good talk, Faith. Good talk.”

  Chapter 21

  TJ woke to a furry tail swishing in his face. He tried to brush it away with a blind swat of his hand. Nevertheless, she persisted. As he inadvertently slapped himself in the face, the pounding of his hangover made itself known.

  Groaning, he grappled blindly at his bedroll and jerked it over his head, trying to blot out the light peeking in from around the canvas tent’s o
pening.

  Faith was unimpressed and proceeded to stand on his chest as she tapped at his covers, slowly uncovering him, bit by bit. He cringed away and tried to ignore the brat.

  He was beyond exhausted from so many days on the road, and he didn’t want to get up yet. Even if the lumpy mess of robes he was using as a pillow wasn’t comfortable, it still sounded better than getting in a damned saddle again.

  Lazy.

  “Some of us can’t sleep all day in the wagon,” TJ complained as he gave up and began trying to heal his crushing headache. He had every intention of going back to sleep the moment the spell was completed. The golden glow came and went, and he settled back into place.

  The tail swished again; this time aimed directly at his nostrils. Slapping it away, he rubbed at his nose.

  “Gah, fucking little mouse muncher,” he complained. “You know that itches, and you do it intentionally.”

  Lazy.

  “TJ, breakfast is ready,” Rachel called out.

  Groaning as he pulled the bedroll open, he dumped the little black cat to the side.

  He answered, “Coming.”

  “Really? And you didn’t even call me in to swallow,” Abby joked.

  Rachel sighed. “Could you not? It’s been six days of you two screwing nonstop.”

  “My apologies, Mistress,” Abby replied. “Although zat’s not all we’ve been doing. I’ve been practicing my songs as much as I can.”

  “And you’re borrowing from his pool because you can refill it by fucking him every time we take a break,” Rachel grumped.

  “Stop, please,” TJ said. “We’re all grumpy because we’ve been on the road, and none of us have had a good night’s sleep. Rachel, I apologize. I would have gladly spent the night in your tent if you wanted. Preferably after we’ve had a good bath. Shy of that, Abby is just doing what we asked her to do. It’s the easiest way for her to get up to speed and prepare for the inevitable. However… we’ll try to be more respectful. I know this is asking a lot from you.”

  “Sorry, TJ. You’re right. I’m just… wound up. I find myself struggling to not just write Father that we’re eloping, ability to inherit titles be damned,” Rachel said.

  TJ walked over and gave her a tender kiss. “Rachel, we’re already bonded for life. In my eyes, you’re already my wife. The rest doesn’t matter to me, although I know it matters to you. I would love nothing more than to take the quick route, but not if you’d regret it every day after. Just let me know any way I can ease my love’s burdens, and I’ll gladly do it.”

  Abby cracked a smile. “Spoken like a man who knows zat a woman’s toast is best served with honeyed words.”

  Rachel blew out a wet raspberry, then scooped a plate full of breakfast hash and handed it over. She then repeated the move for Abby and herself. “Like you’re not bonded to him too.”

  Abby gave a bubbly grin and blushed. “I am, aren’t I? I don’t understand why you are making such a fuss over zese titles.”

  “Oh?” Rachel asked.

  “Mistress, I’ve never heard of any woman receiving such a treasured token as magic itself. My soul has a promised afterlife of joy. I have a lifelong commitment of being cared for, and ze love of a kind and handsome man. To say nothing of ze fact he has earned ze direct favor and ongoing attention of a divine. Whether he makes me his second wife, his hundredth, a concubine, or something else does not matter. I am already ze happiest girl in ze realm. We have him, and he has us. Being known as a Dame later in life and having a fancy house is paltry in comparison,” she replied.

  Rachel sighed. “I see your point. Maybe I’m making too much of this, but it’s hard to let go of what I’ve been told my entire life. I wouldn’t automatically receive my father’s titles like barons and higher, but it’s tradition to pass it down if I can show promise. I think I’ll candidly ask the Duchess for my options. My father is an honorable man, but he’s not always straightforward on such matters.”

  “So, you’re saying he might have led you to believe all of this dancing around is required when there might be an easier way?” TJ asked.

  “Well, we’ll find out today. We can’t be more than a few hours from Ardsville,” she said.

  TJ rubbed at his lower back. “Ugh. A comfy bed and not smelling like a horse sound amazing. I had no idea they sweat so much.”

  “Is ze plan to go directly to ze castle?” Abby asked.

  Rachel shook her head. “We’ll want to find nearby accommodations, store the wagon, and freshen up before we attend the Duchess. She knows we’re coming, but I’ll send a runner to announce our arrival. She’ll then send for us once she’s ready to receive us formally. It might take hours, or it could be a few days. It really depends on her schedule on when she can grant us an audience.”

  “Ze only part of zat I care about is ze bath,” Abby grumbled.

  TJ speared another mouthful of potatoes and eggs, then said, “Well, I guess that’s as good of a reason as any to get on the road. I’ll do the dishes as soon as we’re done.”

  Rachel and Abby groaned in unison.

  “What?” TJ replied.

  Rachel chuckled. “You’re only offering because Serina gave you that strange spell that cleans things or can change the smell or flavor of nearly anything.”

  Abby blushed. “Zat is a useful spell. Especially for… intimate moments. Before and after.”

  TJ grinned. “What can I say? Magic is fucking awesome.”

  “Excuse me? I’m not sure I heard that correctly,” Rachel said through clenched teeth.

  The big man cleared his throat and glared back. “I said, no fallen daughter of Blackstone is staying in my inn.”

  “Fallen? What is that supposed to mean?” Rachel roared.

  The man huffed. “My inn, my rules. I don’t want some crotch dripping of the Black Butcher of Amalay staining my sheets.”

  TJ slid in between Rachel and the man before she could draw her dagger. “Look, we’re just looking for a place to stay while we visit with Duchess Aberdeen. You’re right by the castle, surely you don’t want to lose the nobility as customers.”

  “Hah, shows what you know. The New Order is coming, and there are gonna be some big changes. Now get out of my establishment before I call the guard,” the man scoffed.

  Muttering a string of obscenities, Rachel pivoted. She threw a golden-glowing fist into the door, knocking it out of its bottom hinge. The man’s eyes were as wide as saucers as he made out the knuckle imprints in the hardwood.

  Giving a single finger wave over his shoulder, TJ slid out of the Cock & Turkey Inn. As he did so, he paused to reset the door back into the slot where it would swing. He had to kick at the metal bracket a bit to twist it back into shape just to get the door closed, but lifting around on it loosened the layers of fliers that had been affixed to the door.

  Pushing the brass tacks back into place, he straightened a notice proclaiming, ‘Escaped Necromancer: William (Bill) Shrub’ along with a sketch that could have been any man on the street, only with the addition of a palm-sized loop of metal pierced through his lower lip. The bottom half of the paper was torn off, so whatever other information there might have been appeared to have been taken by a presumed bounty hunter.

  Shifting his eyes from the wanted poster, he eyed where Rachel’s knuckles had dented the door. While his powers were a lot more intentional, her powers tended to manifest into her physical actions in less defined ways. They’d experimented after she’d decapitated the werewolf and found it modified not just her accuracy, but the force she was able to exert.

  As soon as he was on the steps, he found his bonded noblewoman kicking at the horse post outside. As expected, her switch had flipped. There was no trace of her regal bearings left at all. The man had come incredibly close to having his nose broken at a minimum. If she’d have laid into him with her amplified punch, the asshole behind the counter might not have had a skull left.

  Pulling even, TJ whispered, “What the hell is g
oing on?”

  “I don’t have a damned clue, but he knew who I was before I opened my mouth. That doesn’t bode well,” she growled.

  TJ rubbed at his temples. He was too road-weary for this level of stupid. The fact the wolves had been sicced on them was bad enough. That seemed reasonably clear who was behind that. However, being denied a room at an inn all the way in Ardsville was just getting absurd. If he weren’t already walking on eggshells, he probably would have let Rachel knife the idiot.

  He glanced around, making sure their exit hadn’t caused a fuss. It was hard to tell over the general din of activity and street life. The roads were packed with a constant flow of wagons, horses, guards, and workers. Everyone seemed to know where they were going, quickly hustling into and out of the castle itself.

  Seeing that no one was paying them any attention, TJ began to relax. Still, they’d have to find accommodations somewhere. Rachel had told him that if someone were high enough in station, they might warrant staying in the royal apartments as an honored guest, but as a knight on the way to becoming a baron, her father didn’t rate that privilege, much less his daughter.

  Gently pulling her along by the arm, he steered her back to the wagon where Abby was waiting. “How about Abby or I try the next inn? No one knows the name Lightfoot. If they do, we’ll know it’s one of our divine stalkers at work.”

  “That’s probably a good idea,” she muttered, looking dejected.

  TJ gently placed a finger under her chin and peered into her blue eyes. “Hey, if you tell me to go pulp the guy, I’ll do it. I just thought you wouldn’t want to cause trouble. Especially not before meeting with the Duchess.”

  “No, that wouldn’t go over well,” Rachel grumbled. “I’m finding that what I’ve been led to expect was… misleading. My father made visiting Ardsville sound like fancy parties and unimaginable wealth on display, but I never thought it’d be like this. The city is filthy, and the port looks like it’s mostly sewage. It isn’t better; it’s just more people. Even Larton has better sanitation. I expected the center of the duchy to be pristine stone walls that reached the heavens, not an old city wall that I could get over by standing on my horse’s saddle.”