by Paton, Chris
“Is that what he promised you?” Seffi padded across the deck and stepped onto the ground.
“And who are you?” The Count tilted his head to one side. His nostrils flared and he laughed. “Ah, you are the one my Dragoș favours.” He called over his shoulder. “A good choice, Dragoș.”
Seffi glanced at the large wolf as it pawed the ground in front of the the innkeeper's horse. She turned her attention back to the Count. “You never answered my question.”
“Because I found it dull,” the Count shrugged. “I find you and your mechanical friend far more interesting. For the moment at least. But,” he sighed, “to satisfy your curiosity, the answer is yes. That,” he pointed at the emissary, “is what they promised me. Upon my approval, of course.”
“Your approval?” I tightened my fingers around the musket. “I understood we were to make a demonstration. How are we to do that when you had your wolfmen attack us?”
“You must be the engineer,” the Count yawned. “From the way you hold that musket, you can't really be anything else now, can you?”
“I...”
“Wait a moment, engineer,” the Count raised a hand. “You have already provided ample demonstration in the fighting skills of your machine.”
“You mean when you attacked us?” Seffi flexed her fingers.
“Attacked? No, no, we were merely testing your machine.”
“Your wolf nearly ripped off my arm,” Seffi took a small but significant step forwards. I recognised her subtle change of stance.
“And yet you appear to be fully healed,” the Count raised his hands. “A small inconvenience for a most impartial test.”
“Seffi,” I cautioned. The Count turned his head towards me, a sly smile played across his lips.
“Are we to have another test, friend?”
The whirr of the emissary as it clicked into a fighting position distracted the Count just long enough for Seffi to reach the head of his mount. Grabbing the reins, Seffi lunged forwards, slashing at the leather saddle strap and toppling the Count to the ground. The horse bucked in her grip and Seffi let it go.
The Count picked himself up and took a slow step backwards. Seffi advanced as the Count unbuckled his belt and shrugged his body free of his heavy sheepskin jacket. For every step the Count retreated, Seffi walked forwards. Slipping her left hand behind her back, she grasped a second knife. Changing her grip, she rotated each of the knives. Her fist clenched, the stiletto blades pointing to the ground. The Count pulled off his linen shirt, balling it in his hands and tossing it onto the ground.
“Seffi,” I called out as the large grey wolf raced away from the horse in an arc towards her.
“No, Dragoș,” the Count held up his hand, the palm flat, rigid. “I claim your mark.”
Dragoș slid to a stop, the hairs on his back bristled, his tail straight as a lance.
“No man claims me,” Seffi crossed her arms in front of her, the knives flashed in the moonlight.
“Then it is fortunate,” the Count's voice deepened into a growl, “that I am not a man.” The growl lengthened into a howl as black hairs burst from the Count's neck, the muscles of his leg burst the seams of his trousers as he kicked his boots free to make room for the claws.
“Wuotan,” I yelled. “Seffi needs you.” The emissary took one step forwards before the clicking of its gears slowed. Turning its head within a final bout of steam, the glow of the emissary's eye dulled. Fear contracted through my stomach. The musket rattled in my hands.
“Karl,” Natalia took my hand. “Is your beast dead?”
“No,” I stammered. “But I fear we are.”
Chapter 9
“What is wrong with your machine?” Natalia tugged at my shirtsleeve. “Why won't it work?”
“It has run out of water.” I flicked my head towards the inn. “Perhaps if we can get some from the kitchen?” I lowered the musket.
“Karl,” Natalia pulled the musket from my hands. “Give me that. Do what you must.” Dropping to one knee, Natalia pulled the musket into her shoulder and sighted the muzzle on the grey fury bouldering around the emissary towards us. I turned and ran.
I stumbled at the blast of the musket, turning to see Natalia hurl the empty weapon at the face of Dragoș bearing down upon her. “Natalia,” I stopped, one foot on the wooden deck. Natalia scrambled to her feet and raced around the emissary.
“Cezar Negrescu,” Natalia called out. The young wolf fidgeting by the side of Natalia's father sprang forwards. “Help me.”
A snarl to my left caught my attention. Turning my head I watched as Seffi pitched forwards into a roll, slashing at the hind legs of a massive black wolf, its fur streaked with flames of silver. The wolf's snarl lingered as it prowled around Seffi.
“Quickly, Karl,” Seffi called out, her eyes fixed on the wolf before her. “I can't hold it forever.”
“Right.” The wooden deck sang beneath my feet as I raced to the door. Ignoring the clash of the two wolves fighting at the emissary's feet, I wrenched the door open, grabbing the pails of water by the fire. The water sloshed as I ran out of the inn and onto the deck.
Seffi whirled in the moonlight, blades flashing like teeth, clashing against the fangs of the Count, the muscles of his wolf form flexing beneath thick bristles of fur. She had the wolf at arm's length, but it couldn't last. Her hair hung clung to her forehead and cheeks, sweat glistened upon her brow.
“Natalia,” I leaped off the deck and ran towards the emissary, slowing at the sight of the young wolf, Cezar Negrescu, its fur thick with blood. Cezar limped a defensive ring around Natalia. The grey wolf, Dragoș, paused to lick Cezar's blood from its jaws.
“Hurry,” Natalia pressed herself between the emissary's legs.
“There is a hatch in the side of the emissary.”
Natalia looked up.
“That's right,” I nodded. “Open it and...” Dragoș turned his great head. Ignoring Cezar, the black wolf turned his attention towards me.
“Karl...”
Seffi's voice, quieter than I liked, pierced the night. Turning my head, I saw the Count's teeth close around her shoulder, the claws of one massive paw pierced her sheepskin jacket as the wolf pressed the Transylvanian air from her lungs.
“Seffi?” I dropped the first pail of water as Dragoș hurled me off balance. Rolling onto my knees, I swung the second pail at the wolf's head as the Count's vicious captain launched his attack. The pail connected in a splinter of teeth and a satisfying thud. The vibration of the swing shivered along my arm and I rolled onto the ground as a brown flash of bloody fur bounded over my body. Cezar sank his teeth into Dragoș unprotected right flank, clamping his jaw shut as Dragoș tried to shake free of his assailant. Pushing myself to my feet, I caught a glimpse of Natalia as she grabbed the bucket I had dropped and carried it to the emissary. It was then that the Count spoke, his words tinged with a feral grammar that carried above the sound of wolves fighting and the steam of the emissary taking on water.
“Karl Finsch,” the Count lifted his head from Seffi's shoulder. “I believe your machine belongs to me.”
“I was sent to negotiate,” I took a step away from the wolves. Dragoș slowed, dragging the exhausted Cezar towards the inn in an effort to shake the weak wolf free. “There was no mention of a gift.”
“Negotiate? Hah,” The Count moved to stand astride Seffi's body. I stiffened at the sight of her back arching slightly as her lungs were freed of the weight of the wolf. “You are in no position to negotiate. Besides,” saliva from the Count's jaws drooled onto the top of Seffi's head, “I am in the stronger position. You have nothing to bargain with, engineer. I have bested your chaperone, or...” the Count narrowed his wolf eyes. “Perhaps she is your mate?”
My hands shook. I shoved them into my pockets. My right hand fingered the thimblestone and I grasped it in my fist. The soft sound of the emissary steaming-up sent a surge of adrenalin through my body. If it wasn't for the approach of two more of the
Count's wolves and the clip clop of the innkeeper's horse, I might have done something stupid. Caution overruled impulse, that and the sight of Seffi caged within the Count's four massive paws.
“We can perhaps come to an agreement,” I called out, lifting my eyes from Seffi's prone form to look into the furious gaze of the Count. “If you would only release my friend.”
“Friend?” The Count shook his wolf head, slathering another burst of saliva upon Seffi's head. “A pretty thing like her? She is far too fair to be a mere friend. But,” the Count licked his teeth, “let us negotiate.”
“This emissary is no more than a demonstration model. Something designed to wet your interest. The emissaries in production at Wallendorf's...”
“I have already been promised fifty such machines. They will arrive at the end of the year. Why should I wait, when I can have that one now?” The Count dipped his head in the direction of the emissary. “Of course,” he continued, “there are other matters at stake. Are there not, Mihail?”
The innkeeper slowed his horse to a stop, patting the horse's neck as it snorted at the wolves prowling on each side. Mihail looked at me before turning in his saddle, searching for his daughter. I followed his gaze to see Natalia step out from beneath the emissary. Catching my eye, she flicked her eyes upwards at the panel above her. It was shut, the brass bolt locked snugly in place.
“Perhaps,” the Count nodded at the two wolves. The innkeeper's horse skittered as they circled towards Natalia. “I can have everything I want. Your daughter belongs to me, Mihail.”
“No,” the innkeeper slid off his horse and raced towards his daughter, but the wolves were faster. He stumbled under the claws of the first, while the second continued padding towards Natalia.
Gripping the thimblestone, I gauged the distance between the emissary and Seffi, and the wolf approaching Natalia. “You'd never make it to Seffi, Wuotan,” I whispered. The soft click and whir of the emissary's head squeezed a tear from my eye. I felt its course down my cheek as I nodded at the emissary. I pulled my hands from my pockets and ran towards the Count. “Wuotan, protect the girl,” I shouted over my shoulder. The clank of the cloven feet trembling through the ground behind me suggested the emissary was doing just that.
Gripping Seffi between his jaws, the Count clamped them shut around her shoulder, lifting her body from the ground as I launched myself at his head. Seffi cried out as the Count tossed her to the ground before batting me in the chest with his paw. Seffi's blood dripped from his fangs as the Count laughed, coughing and spluttering as he shook off his fur and wobbled onto his hind legs. The Count's wolfish mane shed from his skin, tumbling down his body as his muscles contracted and his back straightened. I looked up at the naked form of a well-muscled man in his fifties as the Count wiped the last of Seffi's blood from his lips.
“You chose a girl over your mate?” The Count aimed a kick at my stomach and I flinched. “Pah,” he feinted. “Worthless. But on the other hand,” he pointed at the emissary. “Your machine is a work of art. Truly, it is a blunt instrument on a grand scale.” The Count looked up as the emissary approached, Natalia cupped within one arm and her father hurrying along by the emissary’s side.
I sat up in the shadow of the emissary as it stepped in front of the moon. Seffi stirred on the ground before me and I pushed myself to my feet. Facing the Count, I nodded towards Seffi. “I would like to attend to my friend,” I paused, “my future wife.”
“Really?” the Count laughed. “Oh, I am afraid it is far too late for that.” He pointed at Natalia in the arms of the emissary. “You made a choice, engineer. I may have marked that little one when she was but a babe, but,” he turned to gesture at Seffi, his arm sweeping back and forth, “that one is far more valuable. She is strong, pretty, determined and fearless...”
The Count paused on the last word as my fist connected with his jaw. My knuckles cracked on impact and he laughed as he prodded his jaw with thick, hairy fingers.
“Commendable, but ultimately useless,” the Count smoothed his hand over his chin. “Go, attend to your once future wife. Only, be quick about it, before my men arrive.”
Brushing past the Count, I dropped to the ground by Seffi's side. Gripping her shoulders, I rolled her over onto my knees, holding her face with the palm of one hand as I pulled back the tattered sheepskin around her shoulders with the other. The wound closed under the soft caress of moonlight, hiding all trace of trauma but for the blood smeared upon my hand and staining the tanned surface of the sheepskin.
“Seffi?” I smoothed my palm upon her cheek. “I am so sorry, Seffi.” Another stream of tears coursed down my cheeks. “I couldn't save you, couldn't stop him from...”
Seffi opened her eyes. Absorbing the moonlight, they shone. “It's all right, Karl. There was nothing you could do.”
“I tried...”
“I know you did.”
“But the emissary... he was too far away...”
“I know.”
My hand fell from Seffi's face as she turned within my grasp. Kneeling before me, Seffi flicked her eyes at the Count before pressing her palms to my wet cheeks. Her kiss, soft as butter, melted upon my lips. I closed my eyes.
“No, Karl,” Seffi whispered. “We are not done yet.”
“Seffi?” I blinked at the tears and focused on Seffi.
“There is a path behind the inn. I saw it on the map. Take the girl and her father into the mountains. The emissary will protect you.”
“But...”
“I will join you as soon as I can.” Seffi's lips inched into a smile. “I will have a quiet word with the Count.”
“He has more men on the way. They will arrive any minute.”
“Which is why you must go quickly...” she paused and looked up at the stars. The smile on her face broadened. “I think our fortunes might be changing, Karl.” Seffi wiped the last tear from my cheek and stood up.
“Ah,” the Count opened his arms wide. “Have you said your farewells, my dear?” He waved at the approach of a bloody wolf as it stumbled towards us. “Now that you have finished saying goodbye, I think we can begin the formal introductions. Allow me to introduce Dragoș, Captain of the Guard and my most trusted servant.” The Count waited for Dragoș as the wolf shed his fur and shuddered into the shape of a young man, pitted and scarred from battle. Dragoș pressed his hand to his side to examine the wolf bite leaking blood beneath his ribs. Natalia stifled a cry behind her hands. “It seems,” the Count grinned, “that the young Cezar Negrescu has been disciplined. For good this time, I trust?”
“Yes,” Dragoș nodded. He flicked his eyes at Seffi. “She is yours, Count?”
“She is.”
Dragoș let go of his side and closed the distance between him and Seffi with two long strides. The moonlight shone upon his back as he bowed before her.
“Yes,” the Count nodded. “Penance can be a powerful drug. You will get used to it, my dear. I am sure you will get to like it. Now,” the Count paused as Dragoș straightened, “pretty as you are, there is one thing amiss.”
“And that is?” Seffi slid her right hand behind her back.
“Why,” the Count clapped his hands together, “we have yet to be introduced. What name does my new mate have, I wonder? Or should I give you a name. Ionela, perhaps, after my late wife?”
“My name,” Seffi let her hand fall to her side, “is Seffi Achterberg.” With a single step towards Dragoș, Seffi gripped the man behind the neck as she thrust the last of her knives into his throat. Dragoș choked as the blood streamed down his chest. Seffi spun the Captain's body towards the Count, pitching him forwards onto the ground. “Now, Karl.” Stepping over Dragoș' body, Seffi launched herself at the Count. “Run.”
Chapter 10
The pounding of the emissary, the whine, click and stamp of its cloven feet, vibrated along the narrow track leading into the mountains behind the inn. Branches thrashed at the emissary's body, the steam wheezing out of its exhaust pi
pes. Natalia stumbled and I lifted her onto her feet, her father led the way.
“What of your friend?” Mihail called over his shoulder.
“She will follow us. Keep moving.” I swallowed past the lump in my throat, resisted the urge to turn and look back down the path, closed my ears to the sounds of combat.
The emissary stopped. Its great arms swinging as it turned on the path and gripped the throat of the wolf chasing us. With a lupine yelp the wolf crumpled within the emissary's grip, the servos within its fingers whining as they closed, squeezing the life out of the wolf. The second wolf, the one guarding the innkeeper back in the clearing, slid to a halt, digging its claws into the path.
“Natalia,” I took the girl's arm and pulled her along the path. “How much water did you put into the emissary?”
“Only a little,” Natalia looked down at the ground. “There was not much left in the pail.”
“No,” I listened to the slow whine of the emissary's servos, the soft click of its gears. “I dropped it when fighting with Dragoș.”
“Then it will stop,” Natalia gripped my hand.
“It will run out of steam, and then stop.”
“Come,” Mihail called from a small outcrop of rock above the path. “You must see. There is something coming, something in the sky above.”
Stepping to one side of the path, I let go of Natalia and looked up, searching the sky in the direction the innkeeper was pointing. “There,” I grinned. “So that's what Seffi had seen. All is not lost, Natalia. Come, let us join your father.” We ran up the path, the slow plod of the emissary, dragging the wolf within its fist, drawled along the path behind us. Natalia clutched her father as we walked off the path, casting shadows on the rocky outcrop in the moonlight.