Hunter's Moon

by D A Godwin

  Shall I defend you?

  I somehow doubt that will be necessary.

  Dirensi’s voluminous, exotically patterned dress swished around her as she waved a hand that seemed to possess more rings than fingers. “Prepare Her Highness a bath at once, and see that she has fresh clothes. And, my dear, you won’t need any weapons here. We remain quite safe in this keep. Take that away as well.”

  The girls jumped to obey. Shalindra tried to protest, but to no effect. One them snatched at the hammer, then recoiled with a small cry, clutching her hand.

  “What did you do?” Dirensi hissed.

  “I did not do anything,” Shalindra replied, “and I was attempting to explain that I am quite comfortable with what I am wearing now.” She took the injured girl’s hand in her own and inspected the angry red welt that marred her palm. “Hold still, child.”

  Dirensi stepped forward and jerked the girl’s hand away. “Do not concern yourself.”

  “I can heal her easily,” Shalindra protested.

  “It is unseemly for a princess to work for a servant. I will not have it in my house.” She shooed the girl off before Shalindra could raise an objection.

  “Now, Your Highness, what would you care to do?” Dirensi said, taking hold of her arm. “The gardens have not quite come into bloom, but nevertheless I find them quite lovely at this time of year.”

  Shalindra politely freed her arm. “I am going to return to our camp and see to the wellbeing of those under my care.”

  Dirensi looked aghast, as if some incredibly foul bug had just climbed into the room.

  “You are welcome to join me,” Shalindra said. “I will likely be outside the wall.”

  Dirensi opened her mouth to speak, then shut it in a scowl that stretched her skin even tighter over her bones than it already was.

  Shalindra did not care. She turned on her heel and made a bee line towards the nearest flight of stairs.

  Is that horrid woman following us?

  No.

  Once down the steps she turned towards the first usher she spied. “How do I get below stairs?”

  The man looked shocked at the question. “My lady, if there is anything I can get for you…”

  “An answer to my question would be a good place to begin.”

  “Ah… yes, Your Highness,” he said, looking as uncomfortable as a house servant possibly could. “If you would kindly follow me.”

  He led them to a small wooden door tucked inconspicuously behind a curve in the wall.

  “Shall I accompany you, my lady?”

  “Thank you, but no. I would not want you to be found away from your post.”

  Dirensi will love you after this.

  The things she said to me last time we were here… It makes my blood boil just to think of it.

  And you didn’t put her in her place? I thought you were the princess.

  I was a young girl in someone else’s domain.

  They made their way down the curving, narrow steps into a cramped storeroom. Hearing voices, she turned right through another door that led to an equally small room where three of the cook staff were engaged in lively banter.

  Conversation stopped the moment she and Tormjere entered.

  “I am looking for the girl with the injured hand,” Shalindra said.

  The servants eyed each other, but none seemed willing to speak.

  “She is not in any trouble, and Lady Dirensi does not know that I am here.”

  One of the men pointed them towards another door.

  Shalindra pushed it open and stepped into a large kitchen.

  The girl saw her and backed into a corner, her eyes wide, like a frightened doe that would bolt at the first opportunity.

  “I am not going to hurt you, child,” Shalindra said kindly. “Let me see your hand.”

  “Lady Dirensi ordered me…”

  “Lady Dirensi is not here, and I do not wish you to suffer on my account.”

  The girl chewed her lip before holding out her hand, now wrapped in a damp cloth. She winced as Shalindra pulled open her fingers and unwound the makeshift bandage.

  “What is your name?”

  “Corolin, my lady.”

  “I need you to look at me, Corolin.”

  “It’s not proper, my lady.”

  “If you wish the pain to stop, you must.”

  The girl did, though hesitantly, as if fearing the consequences.

  Shalindra looked deep into her eyes and found the hot sliver of her pain. With a whispered prayer, silver light slid across the girl’s palm, dissolving the scar.

  She tied the cloth around Corolin’s hand once more. “Keep this on for a few days, and no one will know.”

  Corolin smiled at her with a mixture of happiness and relief. “You are too kind, my lady, thank you.”

  “Is there a way out that does not require us to go through the main door?”

  Corolin pointed. “That hall leads to the carriage house, my lady.”

  I take it you’ll not be enjoying the comfort of the castle tonight?

  I would rather sleep on the ground than here. Shall we ride?

  Can’t we walk?

  Shalindra just laughed.

  * * *

  Tormjere felt himself being drawn to the point in the sky. His surroundings stretched and distorted as the point grew larger, or was he growing smaller? He wiggled his legs to make certain they were all there. He didn’t care why he was being put through this, it simply didn’t feel good. All he wanted was to feed. It would take dozens before he quenched his hunger, but it would be such a different, welcome taste. But he had to do something first. The other demon had told him that.

  Tormjere’s eyes snapped open and he sat up quickly.

  The room was quiet and black. He walked to the window and opened the shutters, then took a drink from a basin of water. Just across the street, the temple of Eluria stood, its white marble almost glowing in the light of the halfmoon. Shalindra was there, as were Kayala, Enna, and every other cleric who had helped them, but he, of course, had not been allowed to stay. Edward had secured the establishment where he and twenty of Edward’s best men now slept, so that they could keep watch over her.

  Again?

  They’re just dreams.

  They remind me too much of my own nightmares.

  Which you’ve not had in some time.

  He could almost feel her sigh. Not since they came to life.

  A Stronger Force

  Shalindra and Tormjere met Edward atop the wall once more the next morning. Though none of them had authority over the city’s defenses, the wall provided a clear view of the fields to the south where the bulk of the Ceringion forces camped. Captain Pemberfeld, a sandy-haired knight who had been in command of the archers the day before, greeted her with a deep bow.

  It had been simpler when no one knew who she was.

  Poloni arrived a short time later in his carriage. He climbed the steps with some effort, and upon reaching the top was clearly surprised to find them there.

  “You should be in the keep, Your Highness, as this business is best left to more seasoned men. Lady Dirensi was most upset that you declined our hospitality.”

  “No offense was intended,” she replied. “I needed to remain with my Sisters.”

  “Of course, Your Highness,” Poloni said, failing to keep the annoyance from his voice. “Your room remains ready should you reconsider. However, if you continue to refuse it, I cannot guarantee your safety.”

  “Her safety is well taken care of,” Edward said, “though she may end up ensuring ours before this is over.”

  “I doubt that. They are laying siege to us, as we expected,” Poloni said confidently. “They know they do not have the strength to best us.”

  They know we’re stuck, he means.

  Edward stood with a worried look on his face. “They do not appear to be settling in, my lord. See how they have assembled those formations on the outskirts of the town? I will adm
it that it is odd that there are so few men, but they’ve constructed no siege engines, nor have they made any real attempt to encircle us fully. It’s more like they are waiting.”

  “And they can keep waiting until the snows come, for all the good it will do them,” Poloni responded without looking at the Ceringions. “It is good you are here at any rate, Your Highness, because I wanted to tell you myself: we received a bird from Merallin just this morning. His Majesty your father is most pleased that I have found you and bids you return home at once.”

  That took surprisingly little time.

  “There is an army between here and there, unfortunately,” she pointed out.

  “There are always ways, Your Highness. Agreements can be reached.”

  “You think she can bribe her way through?” Edward asked.

  “The courtesies of war will still be observed. I’m certain that we can bargain for your safe passage through the lines, perhaps with a treaty or exchange of prisoners.”

  They have all the prisoners, and we have none.

  Edward frowned. “I would prefer it if they didn’t know she was here at all.”

  “Perhaps I was not clear,” Poloni huffed. “The King commands that—”

  “He will have to wait, I am afraid,” Shalindra replied. “We are quite busy here at the moment.”

  “You should not refuse his commands.”

  “And you should not presume to lecture me on my family duties.”

  Poloni frowned. “You are a foolish girl. While you make pretend at war, the rest of us will have to deal with…”

  His voice trailed off as Tormjere and Shalindra turned suddenly in unison.

  “What is it?” Edward asked as Shalindra scratched at the back of her neck.

  “Demon,” Tormjere said.

  Activity along the wall came to a halt as all eyes turned towards the field.

  “Congratulations, my lord,” Edward said, though his voice held no joy. “You’ll get to witness what one of these mythical creatures is capable of.”

  “I must see to the city’s defense,” Poloni said, scurrying back down the steps to his waiting carriage.

  Shalindra put a hand to her symbol of Eluria, not needing to feel its burning warmth to know what needed to be done.

  Even from a distance, they could clearly make out the towering shape lumbering forward. Thick and stocky, it was covered with greenish-black, thickly scaled skin that bore the scars of countless contests. Dorsal spikes ran down its back, and it possessed arms twice the length of its shortened legs, causing it to move on all fours more often than not. A massive head, squashed and lumpy like a potato, filled the space between hunched shoulders. Black, lidless eyes looked out from beneath a heavily ridged forehead.

  “By all the hells,” Captain Pemberfeld said, “what manner of devilry is this?”

  “That,” Edward replied, “is a demon.”

  “We’ve ballistae at the keep,” Pemberfeld said.

  “Little help they will be,” Edward replied. “Save your arrows for the Ceringions.”

  “Warren!” Pemberfeld shouted. “Muster the reserves to their staging points!”

  The soldier saluted and rushed to obey.

  “Do they really mean to attack us with only that?” Pemberfeld asked. “They can’t have more than two thousand, and all from Durbris by the colors.”

  “We will handle the demon,” Shalindra said to Edward.

  Her cousin looked at her as if she was crazed. “That’s ridiculous. You can’t fight the demon and their army at the same time. We’ve no forces outside the wall and no hills to aid our defenses if we did.”

  “We must do something. I do not want to wait for it to reach the city when the field will provide plenty of room to move. Can our cavalry pass safely around the city?”

  Edward shook his head. “Not to the west, and they own the eastern side of the river.”

  “What of the land between the wall and the river?”

  “Possibly, but it will take time.”

  “Then hurry.”

  Edward bowed and rushed from the wall.

  It will be here long before Edward returns.

  We need Birion, but I do not know where to find him.

  Tormjere had not taken his eyes off the demon.

  Doesn’t this feel too obvious? They have to know we’ll come for it.

  Does it matter? Arrows and spears will not keep it from the city, nor will this wall.

  I’ll not argue that, but are you sure everyone here is worth saving?

  Shalindra gave him an amused frown.

  The clatter of hooves sounded in the street below as a horse was reined to a stop. They turned to see Sir Birion vault from his saddle and take the steps up the wall two at a time, which was impressive given that he was fully armored in plate over mail.

  “My lady,” Birion said respectfully. “Captain, report.”

  “They are massing to attack, sir,” Pemberfeld said, “though with only a portion of their forces. I’ve called the reserves to their positions. Her Highness and her companion have designs to deal with… that thing.”

  I’m your companion now?

  If you would ever talk to anyone, he would know your name.

  Birion turned to her. “May I ask what you intend, my lady?”

  “I think it wise to keep the demon outside the wall rather than allow it the opportunity to bring harm to those inside.”

  “By yourself?”

  “Edward is bringing his cavalry around the east side of the city.”

  The Ceringion forces lurched forward, accompanied by the all-too-familiar pattern of drums and horns that signaled an attack.

  “That direction along the river is swampy and will take forever.” Birion looked uncomfortable. “My lady, please, you should not endanger yourself. Our walls are strong. We will handle this. I must insist…”

  He stopped short, realizing what he had said.

  “I… Forgive me Your Highness, but I feel it my duty to see that you remain safe. Riding into the field now seems a poor decision.”

  Shalindra pointed. “How long do you think the walls will hold against that? You will not be able to attack it effectively until it stands beside us on the battlements.”

  Birion struggled with himself for a moment, then bowed his head. “Yes, Your Highness. I’ll have mounts brought for you both. If you’ll at least wait until they’re within range of the longbows, I will ensure you reach the creature unharmed.”

  “Agreed, thank you.”

  Birion turned to a nearby trumpeter. “Sound the cavalry.”

  A waiting trumpeter blew a sharp pattern on his horn.

  “We should be able to field a respectable force. My men were on reserve, and we’ve enough infantry close to hold the gate open. It will be murder getting them out fast enough, though.”

  Birion regarded the advancing forces with a critical eye. “They must place heavy stock in the fiend to attack with such a small complement.”

  He sees it too. Something isn’t right.

  Only grass and crops lie outside the wall. You know how strong the others were, and this one is larger. Should it breach the walls, the city will be lost.

  By the time the cavalry had assembled the Ceringions had crossed half the field. The gate was thrown open at Birion’s shouted command, and hundreds of Kingdom footmen rushed out, forming up on either side of the gate.

  “It is time,” Birion said. Shalindra and Tormjere lost sight of the battlefield as they followed him down the steps to their waiting mounts.

  “Stay at the rear as we exit,” Birion said.

  Compared to the expansive view from the top of the wall, the tightly packed horsemen and tall buildings stifled the flow of air and created a claustrophobic atmosphere that smelled of horses and fear.

  Birion signaled, and his company of heavy horse began to move. The clatter of hooves and armor was deafening in the confined space, and Shalindra could see little but the knight in f
ront of her as she spurred her horse forward.

  The battlefield exploded into motion around them as they broke from beneath the gatehouse. Ceringion arrows were already falling, striking men and horses around them. Some of the knights raised shields, but most continued to ride ahead in formation, relying on chance to keep them safe.

  Can you protect us as we ride?

  I do not think so. I can only affect what I see.

  The creature’s head swiveled in their direction as if aware of their presence, and Shalindra felt darkness wrap around her mind. With a determined shake of her head she threw it aside. She would succumb to no further nightmares. The demon broke into a run, using its arms as another set of legs and squashing men of every alliance as it careened towards them.

  “Lances out!” Birion’s deep baritone carried down the line. “Forward!”

  “No, wait!” Shalindra shouted.

  Her voice was lost amidst the rumble of hundreds of horses. The knight’s charge crashed into the demon like a wave against a rocky shore. Lances snapped against its greenish scales. A few lodged in its thick hide, but it scraped them off without care. The demon spun about, bludgeoning anything within reach. Men were trampled, and horses knocked to the ground or tossed into the air like dolls.

  Birion’s company circled around to reform, bringing them close to where Shalindra and Tormjere rode.

  “Do not waste your men on it!” Shalindra screamed. “Keep their soldiers from us!”

  Birion’s helmeted head snapped towards her, then swiveled back and forth as he scanned the field. There was a moment’s hesitation, then he saluted and led his men into the Ceringion footmen who were circling around the creature.

  Shalindra galloped forward and dismounted smoothly, letting her momentum carry her towards it. Tormjere landed less gracefully, then drew his sword and sprinted after her. He passed her in three steps and continued running.

  She planted her feet, Eluria’s symbol at the ready, and waited for the demon’s attack.

  Tormjere was almost to the creature when a swirl of purple-black mist hissed into existence nearby. He skidded to a stop rather than continue past the manifestation, warily regarding both it and the demon.