Frank-KWar

by Kynyr's War [lit]

  Claw glared at Aisha. I'm going. This is too urgent. He paused, reflective. I want you all gone within the hour."

  Aisha and Merissa left. Kynyr straightened, walking as far as the door to follow them out. I'd like to stay."

  "I want you to, said Claw.

  Malthus sat and listened as the group went over what they had found. Pandeena deliberately left out the transformation of Caimbeul and the fact that she knew where Clodagh was.

  "They came for me, but I fled, Pandeena explained. I went to Caimbeul's for help, and found his sitting room floor and walls covered in his blood. Too much blood for him to have survived it. There were also pieces of entrails and flesh. From the scent, it's his."

  "Belgair have ten of my guards ready to ride with me."

  "I'll come with you. Malthus regarded the newcomers, raking them with his eyes, suspicion written large upon his face.

  "I expect you will, Claw growled. I want more work out of you than fucking my daughter and hunting for the Sanctuary."

  A hot flush spread over Malthus face. His gaze traveled from Belgair's consternation to Kynyr's cool self-assurance and spied the ring, immediately wanting a closer look at it. That's an interesting ring."

  "It was my grandfather's. Tarrant Redhand."

  * * * *

  Merissa went to Darmyk's rooms to get him ready to leave, and found him still in bed, looking whey-faced and ill. She sat on the edge of the bed and touched his forehead. Little Bear? Are you sick?"

  Darmyk opened his eyes. Don't feel good."

  Merissa pressed his cheek and turned his head to the side. She saw a fresh bruise and tiny fang marks. Her stomach clenched. When did this happen?"

  "Don't know, Mama."

  "We're going to great grandma's for a few days. I'll have someone carry you to the carriage."

  Darmyk's eyes brightened. They never took Ros. He would be safe.

  Since they did not know how long they would be away, Merissa packed several changes of clothes for Darmyk, including his warmest cloak. Then she summoned Kissie, one of their nibari.

  "Carry him down for me?"

  "He's not feeling well?"

  Merissa's lips tightened and she shook her head.

  Kissie lifted Darmyk to her hip and stepped out into the hallway.

  Kynyr Maguire went up to Kissie. Let me carry him."

  Kissie smiled and gave Darmyk to Kynyr.

  As Kynyr shifted Darmyk to his shoulder, he twitched the cub's collar open discreetly, spying the fresh fang bruise. A flush of anger flashed across his face and vanished into a schooled mask with a smoothness that would have done credit to a far older wolf. You'll have a good time at your gramma's Little Bear."

  "Yes, I will."

  "Good cub."

  The carriage, which had been readied while they packed, waited for them in the yard.

  Malthus stopped Merissa as he saw Darmyk carried past him. What's wrong with him?"

  Merissa tapped her neck.

  "It got him again?"

  Merissa nodded, and then ran to catch up with the servant and Darmyk.

  Aisha and her aunts were already down at the carriage waiting for her. The carriage was a huge monstrosity with driver and footmyn, lavishly fitted out, and had been imported from Shaurone at great expense for Aisha as a one hundredth wedding anniversary gift from Claw. The luggage was loaded in the boot and on top. Four guardsmyn mounted up and rode alongside the carriage as it rolled out of the courtyard and down the road to Dogwood where Merissa's granddam lived.

  * * * *

  Kynyr slowed his horse level with Pandeena's mount. Come by the house this evening?"

  "What? Pandeena scowled at him, still cognizant of the fact that he had dumped her for Kady.

  Kynyr licked his lips, made a discreet sign of the bear, and tapped his neck with a quick, meaningful glance.

  Pandeena pretended not to notice, her tone changing to friendly. Mind if I bring friends?"

  "Fine by me. Kynyr started to nudge his horse, back to his proper place in line beside Claw.

  Gorgarty grinned at Kynyr. She's a mean one. Don't go waving your stick at her."

  "I'll remember that."

  "She busted up those two wet tailed dogs that live at the Camp fer waving their sticks at her hole."

  "Gorgarty, when you're ready to take your head out of your ball sack, I'll talk to you. Until then, just shut the fuck up."

  "You're as uppity as she is. Bet your mama still wipes your ass."

  "Haven't you heard yet?"

  "Heard what?"

  "I'm the heir to Red Wolf."

  Gorgarty made a choking sound.

  Kynyr ignored that.

  When they reached the Shrine, the bodies had been removed, but the blood and discretion remained as mute testimony to the atrocities done there. Finn glanced at Kynyr. Wolves wouldn't have done this."

  Kynyr's lips had tightened into a frown at the lawgiver house and remained that way since. Wolves did this."

  By the time that the searchers returned, after having retraced all of Pandeena's steps and found no trail to follow, Claw was pale faced and breathing hard. He dropped into his chair as if his legs had gone weak.

  Kissie took one look at him and fetched Sheradyn, who administered more of the medicine.

  "You must not keep doing this, Sheradyn admonished Claw.

  "I'll do what I have to do."

  "Is your chest or arm hurting?"

  "A bit, just a bit. Not much, so quit worrying, Claw snarled at him.

  Sheradyn turned to Pandeena. I think that you should leave and allow him to rest."

  Pandeena had thought long and hard about confessing to Claw concerning her psychic link to Caimbeul while they searched and examined the crimes, and how he had told her about Yren. She did not want to reveal too much of what she could do. She certainly did not want him to know that she was the Second Mother, daughter of Navaryn.

  Yet Caimbeul had given her a name: Yren. If she put it off, the Serpent might strike again. Everything had to be weighed. She drew herself up, her gaze moving from Sheradyn to Malthus. We need to speak to Claw alone. Malthus, Sheradyn, please leave us."

  Malthus frowned at her. I think you've distressed our chieftain enough."

  Pandeena lifted an eyebrow. Speaking as senior priest to the clan, I'm ordering you two out for a private discussion with Claw."

  Sheradyn left immediately, but Malthus lingered until both Pandeena and Claw snarled at him. Then Malthus departed.

  Kynyr pushed past Malthus and entered the room. I'm staying."

  She gazed at Kynyr. I suppose you can stay. I found something. It requires the utmost secrecy. She went to the door, giving Claw a shake of her head and a finger to her lips. Then she closed the door and sketched a sign in the air. Beside the door, the sign melted into the surface.

  Hathura tilted his head with an impish smile, drew a single fan, joined her at the door, and waved the fan across it. The door vanished.

  Claw blinked and straightened in his chair. What did you do?"

  "Scry ward. Hathura snapped his fan closed and shoved it into his belt again.

  A look of consternation crossed Claw's face. Why would anyone"

  Pandeena pulled at her hair. Many reasons. Caimbeul was fireborn as well as lycan. He had many talents. Some that even I didn't know, and at one time we were married."

  "I am sorry."

  "Married? Kynyr's brow furrowed.

  "Don't interrupt, Kynyr. Pandeena turned again to Claw. I didn't come seeking comfort, chieftain. I came for vengeance and to tell you things that are for your ears onlyand Kynyr's. I don't want you telling even your wife."

  "You have my word."

  "The Butchering Serpent is in the valley. We suspect he's hiding in Wolffgard."

  "The valley maybe. Wolffgard? No. There are no sa'necari in Wolffgard since those females vanished."

  Meleajys leaned against the wall near where the door had been, his arms folded. Hathura
moved to a chair near Pandeena and Claw.

  Kynyr slipped over to Hathura's side. Haven't I met you before?"

  "When you were ten. Creeya. The summer faire."

  "This may convince you. Pandeena took the crystal from her pouch and put it in Claw's hands.

  "Memory crystal?"

  "Yes. It's the record of Caimbeul's murder, which recently came into my hands."

  Claw's eyes widened to saucers. How do you use it?"

  "It's keyed to a word, just close your hand on it. Close your eyes and call his name."

  Claw's expression looked sicker and sicker as he lived Caimbeul's memories of the attack and his death. Now and again, Pandeena saw him shudder as if it were Claw's own body being pierced by the blades. They slit his belly open and put something inside to kill the fireborn half."

  "Give me that. Kynyr took the memory stone from Claw and shoved it on his pouch before anyone could stop him.

  Claw shook himself free of the visions with a great effort and sat in silence for a long time. When he finally met Pandeena's eyes, he had a haunted, troubled expression. You found his body and didn't tell me."

  Pandeena nodded. We managed to raise him, but his fireborn half was too damaged to survive. That's when he made the crystal. The effort cost him dearly. He died a second time, a final time, moments after finishing it."

  "The pretense of a search was necessary. Hathura pulled a chair close to Claw and sat down. We needed to convince the dark one that we were deceived."

  Toniqua took a chair also and settled her satchel on her lap. I wish there were Guildsmyn in your valley."

  "Guildsmyn Claw leaned back in his chair, breathing heavily with his face flushed.

  "Are you all right?"

  "Yes, Claw said dismissively. I'm just short of breath lately."

  "Let me Read you. Pandeena reached for the chieftain and he waved her off.

  "All you're going to find is what you found before."

  Before he could nay say her again, Pandeena grasped his arm and Read him. You're worse."

  Claw sighed. I'll be dead by mid-winter. Find my brother Brock. Don't wait. Malthus has too much influence in my household. I don't trust him."

  "You have me, grandfather. Kynyr placed a protective hand on Claw's shoulder.

  "You can't do it alone, Kynyr. You need Brock."

  "We found Brock a week ago. The Grand Master has sent for him. Hathura leaned forward in his chair, grasped Claw's wrist and Read him also. You're in a bad way."

  Claw glanced from Hathura to Pandeena and back again. How?"

  "We Jumped. Pandeena and I both do it. However, I was the only one of us who had been there before so she could not do it without me."

  "You're mages?"

  Hathura shook his head. I am after a fashion. Pandeena isn't."

  Claw glanced sharply at Pandeena. Then what are you?"

  Hathura lifted an eyebrow at Pandeena, received a nod of permission, and answered. Yuwenghau. I'm Hathura Waveskimmer. He pointed at each of his companions. Meleajys Sun-Child. Toniqua Nightsbane. Pandeena Moonbow."

  Awe lessened Claw's pain and he started to push from his chair to kneel before Pandeena. The second mother of our race...."

  Pandeena rose and stopped him. I require no worship. That isn't our way."

  "And the First Mother?"

  "She sent me."

  Claw struggled to absorb that fact. Praise Tala. Tell me the rest of it. We have a male sa'necari hiding himself somewhere in the valley."

  "Nikko's alive."

  "Alive!"

  "Yes. He was shot by the Serpent and a horde of imps. My mother saved him, but he's physically fragile from the attack, and remembers nothing. At first, he couldn't even remember his name, but it has been coming back. When he collapsed wounded, he murmured something to Lokynen, it sounded like marl or murl, or mal, no one is certain."

  Claw growled low to himself. You're telling me the Serpent married my daughter?"

  "We don't know that he's the Serpent. I tried to Read him the first day I met him, but all I detected was human with nothing sa'necari about him."

  "That's a relief, I guess. Claw stared at his hands uneasily, painfully aware of how dependant he had grown on others since his health had worsened. I don't like the mon, but Merissa loves him. She and Aisha talked me into the match. Sheradyn says the cubs Merissa is carrying are lycan."

  "That doesn't prove anything. Caimbeul's memories only show us that we have a male sa'necari loose here."

  "Are you all here because of the Serpent?"

  "Not originally. Dynanna held a meeting of yuwenghau and gathered a small army to find and protect a child that is the last of the lineage of Dawnhand. We haven't found the child yet, but we did stumble upon Nikko and discovered that the Serpent was here."

  "I can tell you who the child is. He's my grandcub."

  "Darmyk? A shiver ran through Pandeena at this confirmation of her suspicions that Darmyk was the last descendant of Dawnhand and that the mon she suspected of being the Serpent lived under the same roof as the special child. Then she wondered if Lokynen knew and had withheld the information. It would be just like that big oaf.

  "His father is Isranon son of Isranon. He was the last Dark Brother of the Light, but he has turned to the darkness and repudiated the child."

  "I'm sorry."

  "I'll have guards arrest Nesswen and Yren. Once they've had a taste of the irons and the whip, they'll tell us who the others were, and lead us to the Serpent."

  "Nesswen is dead, said Toniqua.

  "Brock is coming. Pandeena gripped Claw's forearm in a gesture of reassurance. And he's not coming alone. He's bringing Netherguard and Guildsmyn with him. He intends to get to the bottom of whatever is going on."

  Claw managed a smile. That sounds like Brock. You've given me hope, Pandeena."

  * * * *

  Kady sat with her arm around her husband's shoulders. She was the only bitch in the room. Kynyr had called a council of war and all of the adult male Sinclairs had been summoned to it, including Todd and those who were currently still living in Longbranch. His face was hard, his eyes like steel, and a barely contained icy rage clung to him.

  "They murdered Caimbeul. Those bloody bastards. This is my war now. If Claw doesn't do something about it, I will. Kynyr scanned the faces of those gathered at the table. There's something I haven't told you. I killed Baroucha."

  Todd nodding with an appraising look. I knew that."

  "You didn't know this. While I was killing her she said that Malthus knew about me ... about my family ... and he would kill all of us. She told Malthus about my father ... and now he's dead. So are you with me?"

  " We are. Todd slapped his hand into the middle of the table.

  Trevor stood and placed his hand over Todd's. If there's one thing Sinclairs do well ... it's wars. I'm in."

  Kynyr added his hand to the stack.

  One by one, all of the Sinclairs added their hands. If truth dies, then all that is left in life is darkness and lies, Kynyr quoted Caimbeul's poem. I will not let the truth die with Caimbeul. Are you with me?"

  "Aye! they chorused.

  Kady laid her hand atop the dogs hands. And I. I'm in this with the rest of you."

  * * * *

  EPILOGUE:

  Larena sat on her bed with her hand on her belly and cried. Her menses were three weeks late. She had prayed and left offerings at the shrine repeatedly. But they still did not come.

  She considered her choice. She could not afford Sheradyn; Cahira would probably refuse to help her; and Atreius would probably tell her father if she tried to buy tansy. Or she could tell Malthus.

  Her father would throw her to the wolves like he had done to Kady.

  Preece was waiting for her on the common when she slipped from the house that night. He walked her to Malthus cottage without more than a few words.

  Malthus let her in and dismissed Preece.

  He curled his finger under her chin and
lifted her head up. You're sad."

  "Malthus ... I'm pregnant."

  Malthus hugged her. I love you, Larena. I love you more than anyone ... including Merissa."

  "You do?"

  "Yes. And if you help me, I will divorce Merissa and marry you."

  "What do you want me to do?"

  "Poison your sister."

  THE END

  * * *

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