The story he’d told wasn’t entirely accurate. A group of demons had casually crossed their bridge a week ago and came to the front gates of their settlement. There were only six or seven demons. The Mayor had fifty men armed with swords, spears, axes. In the end, none of them stepped out to face the demons.
It was Michelle and Cassie. The girls jumped from the wooden towers of the wall and landed on the gravel in front of the gates. Both girls had seen demons before, but never this close, never in battle.
Seeing them land like that, seeing the girls stand tall and beautiful, looking very much like Legacies, the demons were uncertain. Cassie capitalised on that. She killed the demon closest to her with a swift strike, driving her sword in his chest.
Seeing her speed, the other demons fled.
The guy Mayor Stout had sent to bring cash, he returned with a bag of money. Mayor Stout placed the bag in front of Martial. The Legacy opened it and stared inside. “This will do. But I also need wine, food and women for the night.”
“Of course,” Mayor Stout said, laughing loudly.
Women? Cassie frowned. “Did you say women?”
Mayor Stout stopped laughing, as did Andrew, George and Kalin. There was a silence, filled only by Martial slurping his drink. He finished the mug, his fourth, or was it his fifth?
“What’s the problem?” Martial asked.
“Did you say women?” Cassie asked, her voice strong.
Martial nodded. “Women to sleep with. Pretty. But no girls with black hair and blue eyes. That combination precisely. Blonds with blue eyes, black-haired girls with green eyes, sure. But no black-haired girls with blue eyes. Do you understand that?”
Mayor Stout nodded. “Sure, of course… We’ll… we’ll find… We’ll source-”
“You’ll source some girls for him?” Cassie turned her attention to the Mayor.
“Relax,” Martial said. “This happens sometimes. More in the smaller towns and little…” he glanced around at the people that surrounded him. “Villages… is this a village?”
“A settlement,” Mayor Stout nodded.
“Okay… whatever,” Martial muttered. “This happens in small... places. Ask around the village. Tell the girls there’s a… You can tell them I’m a Legacy, even though I’m so much more. You won’t struggle to find girls willing to bed me. Pick the pretty ones. Send them to my room. And remember, no black-haired girls with blue eyes.”
Martial climbed to his feet and barged his way through the crowd, his feet unsteady, he made it to the stairs. “Send wine to my room. And girls. Tonight, I fuck, tomorrow, I kill.”
“Does he know which room is his?” Andrew asked, as they watched him stagger up the stairs, his head leaning forwarding, as if he were a baby whose neck wasn’t big enough to support the head.
As Martial disappeared from sight beyond the walls of the first-floor corridor, Mayor Stout cleared his throat. “Right, well… girls. We need to find girls.”
“You’re not serious,” Cassie muttered.
“I am serious, Cassie. We have a settlement to save. We’ve been here since before the demons emerged from hell. We won’t be giving it up, not without a fight. If girls are what the Legacy wants, we’ll give them all to him. I’d bring my own daughter if… if she wasn’t a little on the chubby side.”
“Your daughter is fifteen!”
“Yes well, I didn’t say I was going to bring her,” Mayor Stout muttered. He turned to Andrew, George and Kalin. “Right… we need to get the word out. Pretty girls. Not ones with black hair and blue eyes,” Mayor Stout stopped. “What do you think that’s all about?”
“Maybe it’s what his wife looks like,” Andrew said. “You know, he wants something different when he’s out and about.”
“Makes sense,” Mayor Stout replied. “Right… we need to get the word out. There will be loads of girls wanting to sleep with him, he’s right about that. We need to judge the girls before we send them up… can’t send every girl that wants a bit of him,” he chuckled.
Cassie had heard enough. She kicked back her chair and stormed out of the pub. It was dark outside, the sun having set. Michelle was no longer sitting with Ellie on the ground beside the pub. Cassie collapsed on the ground and leaned against the brick wall of the pub. She took a deep breath and sighed.
Everything was unravelling. The Legacy wasn’t at all like what she’d imagined him to be. Physically, he was a perfect specimen, but he was an asshole. Not something she’d have associated with a Legacy.
They were supposed to be heroic, selfless, brave. This one wasn’t selfless. He was a braggart, an alcoholic, a mercenary.
For many years now, Cassie had dreamt of leaving behind Coldstream and going out into the world, of being a true Legacy, of finding a master that would train her. When she heard of the Legacy coming to their little settlement to beat back the demons, she thought her dreams would be coming true.
Instead, Martial turned up.
Cassie climbed to her feet and headed for the home she shared with Michelle.
Chapter 4
Cassie woke the next morning feeling glum. They would be setting off towards the mountains, herself, Michelle, fifty of the local men and the Legacy, Martial. She should have been excited, ecstatic.
She had been looking forward to this moment ever since she’d known the Legacy was coming, that they would go on the offensive and attack the demons, rather than sit back and wait for the demons to come to them.
Cassie had dreamed of this moment, had imagined herself in battle, sword in hand, slicing through the demons, returning home a hero, before leaving Coldstream for good, Michelle by her side, the Legacy their new master, teaching them, training them in the ways of the Legacies.
Instead, quite possibly, the one and only drunk, arrogant and womanising Legacy in the whole wide world had turned up. Cassie wouldn’t be at all surprised if it turned out Martial couldn’t fight. What if he wasn’t a Legacy at all? What if he was a scam artist?
Mayor Stout had paid him already. Martial could have fled at night with the money.
Cassie sat up straight and jumped of the bed.
She dressed quickly, pulling on her jeans and a black jacket, she walked out of the room, into the corridor, paused by the open door leading into Michelle’s room.
Her Legacy housemate was fast asleep, Ellie beside her, the blanket covered only up to their waists. Both girls were naked, or at least, not wearing anything above their waists. Michelle had an arm over the girl, her fingers squeezing Ellie’s breast.
Cassie raised an eyebrow.
She knew Michelle preferred women, but it seemed a little premature to be bedding the farmer’s daughter, unless it was just comfort she was giving?
Cassie didn’t have time to worry about the girl now.
She rushed down the narrow stairs and coming to the front door, she pulled on her boots and grabbed her sword. She fastened the sheath around her waist and placed the sword in the scabbard.
Cassie dashed out the door and down the street, heading towards the pub. It was early morning, the air was cool, the streets were empty. Cassie’s footsteps thudded on the pavement.
The settlement was old, and the roads were built before the arrival of demons and angels almost three hundred years now.
Back then, on the roads, it was cars that drove people about. Cassie had never seen a car before but had heard of the strange machines. The road had been built for those, and on the side, the path had been elevated to allow for humans to walk. But over time, the pavement and the road had both levelled in deterioration.
Cassie made it to the pub and burst in through the front door. “Where’s the Legacy?” she asked.
The barmaid Audrey stood behind the counter, a glass in one hand, a towel in the other as she dried it. She stopped and stared at Cassie, before pointing at a table in the corner of the room.
It was Martial, the Legacy.
He was still here.
Cassie breathed a sig
h of relief. She placed an order for breakfast and headed over to the Legacy’s table at the corner.
“Can I sit?”
Martial looked up at her, dark circles under his eyes, he blinked rapidly. His hand rose to his forehead and he squeezed it, nursing what Cassie imagined was a horrible hangover.
“Sit, but… I’m wasted for now., No more girls till tonight.”
Cassie’s lips tightened. “You don’t remember me?”
Martial leaned forward and squinted. “You’re attractive, but don’t take it personally… I’m sure our night was epic, but I meet a lot of pretty girls.”
“We’ve not slept together,” Cassie thumped her fist on the table. “I’m the Legacy of this town. I was in this pub with you yesterday, around the table?”
“You don’t need to bang on the table,” Martial muttered, his hand back on his forehead. “What do you want?”
“Are you really a Legacy?”
Martial sighed. “Do you people not listen? I’m so much more than a Legacy. I’m-”
“Yeah I’ve heard the brag surprisingly many times considering I’ve only known you for half a day. Can you fight?”
“You want to test me?” Martial reached for his waist. His hand felt around before he looked down. “My sword is usually there…”
“Oh, my Lucifer,” Cassie muttered.
“Lucifer was an ass,” Martial said.
“You can’t say that,” Cassie said weakly as she leaned back in her chair. “You can’t say stuff like that. You’re not supposed to be a drunk, or a womaniser, or a braggart… this isn’t right.”
“Ah, I see,” Martial nodded. “You’re a Legacy trapped in this village. You’ve never met another Legacy, but you’ve heard lots about them. They’re your heroes. You tell yourself you’ll be one when you grow up.” Martial paused and leaned forward. “How am I doing?”
Cassie hated to admit how right he was. “What’s your point?”
“Legacies are assholes. They definitely drunk a fuck ton, they have fucking harems of women, or men around them to fulfil every dirty desire imaginable. And trust me, after living for hundreds of years, Legacies have really fucking dirty minds.”
What Martial spoke of wasn’t exactly shocking news to Cassie. She’d heard of the excesses of Legacies. She just chose not to believe them.
“How old are you? I mean, you look eighteen, but how old are you really?”
Cassie folded her arms across her chest. “Forty-three,” she said stiffly.
“Really? You must be second generation Legacy? Who were your parents?”
“I don’t know. I was abandoned as a child in this village, along with Michelle, the other Legacy.”
“Bit rough, but that’s life, isn’t it?”
“I don’t need philosophical lessons from you, mister. Just make sure you don’t die out there. Coldstream has paid a lot to you.”
“Not that much,” Martial said with a shrug.
“A lot of money for Coldstream. If you can’t kill this demon and his army, this village is over. Everyone will have to pack and leave. They’ll be refugees in a poor land that’s been ravaged by war with demons, war with angels, war between humans. You have to save them.”
“Alright, alright,” Martial raised his hand. “Relax man, jeez. I’m good for the money, I promise.”
“Thank you.”
“Great. Now that we’re friends, can you get me a beer please?”
Cassie climbed to her feet and glared at him. “We’re leaving in two hours. Meet us at the front gate. And remember to bring your sword.”
Cassie stormed out of the room just as the barmaid brought her breakfast. She was hungry, but not hungry enough to eat with the handsome asshole.
Chapter 5
Later that day, Cassie sat on her horse. It was a beautiful white mare and she stroked its mane as they waited near the front gates of the town. Beside her was Michelle on her horse. They were surrounded by roughly fifty men, half had horses, the others would walk. It would be a slow trek to the foothills of the mountains.
By the side of the road that led out, a small crowd had gathered. Women and girls held flowers in their hands, and they passed them around to the men leaving to fight. The mood was sombre.
In a small village, where everyone knew everyone, and the only causes of death were natural, heading out to battle demons, the possibility that many might not return was terrifying. Many of these men had families. Wives and children that they might not come back to hug.
The weather was warm, and Cassie stared up at the sky. The air was clean, and she felt good. She was being useful. They were going to head out to the mountains to fight demons. It was every Legacy’s dream. Cassie felt her resolve strengthen. This mission would not be in vain, even if it cost her her life, the demons would die.
Every Legacy’s dream, apart from Martial, it seemed.
He was an enigma.
Everything about him screamed fraudster, but somehow, Cassie believed him. She believed him when he said that he would kill the demon leader. Why, she couldn’t fathom. The guy was just the worst. Just right this moment, it was him they were waiting for, had been for the past half hour.
From further down the street came the sounds of cheering. Shortly after, Martial was visible, sitting atop his black stallion, he waved at the crowds as he passed them. A couple of girls aged about eighteen and wearing short summery dresses rushed out from the crowd. Martial stopped his horse, but remaining in the saddle, he leant down and kissed one girl, then the other.
Cassie gritted her teeth, holding back her anger and her resentment. He was a Legacy, much like she was. She’d saved the town in the previous demon attack, actually killing one. Yet, no one rushed out to congratulate her, crowds didn’t gather on the streets to cheer her.
And then there was Martial, another Legacy, who had so far done nothing for the town, aside from take its money and defile its women. Sure, defile was a strong word, but Cassie was furious. And yet, they cheered him as if he’d returned from slaying the demons.
“Why so glum?” Martial asked as he made it to the gate.
“Have you got your sword?”
Martial placed a hand at his hip and tapped the black handle swirled in gold. “Never go anywhere without it,” he smiled.
Cassie frowned. He’d forgotten his sword earlier this morning. Was he deliberately winding her up, or was he just that drunk?
They set off for the mountains, moving at a steady walking pace, Cassie led the way, Michelle by her side. The path towards the mountains wasn’t as developed as the one that led south, towards the human settlements, the towns, and going further, the capital.
Past the village were the fields. There were crops growing, from cabbages, to potatoes to wheat. A few settlers worked on the fields in groups of two. One worked while the other stared towards the forest beyond, in case demons emerged. The fact that Ellie’s farm, which was to the south of the settlement had been attacked had raised the fears and cautiousness of the humans.
The demons were becoming braver in recent years. The demon wars happened before Cassie was born. She’d grown up during the time of peace, when the treaty had been signed.
But over the past years, it seemed the treaty would not last much longer. Cassie heard the stories of settlements to the east falling. It had seemed distant, a faraway land. But now, it had come to her own settlement. The danger was here, and it was real. Farms burnt; Ellie’s parents murdered in cold blood.
She knew Ellie’s parents. They were her age, even though she looked the same age as their daughter now. Growing up, Cassie and Michelle had played with Ellie’s parents as friends. They drifted apart when Michelle and Cassie stopped aging, and the physical appearance between them changed.
Cuthbert and Jane, Ellie’s parents, they were good people. They didn’t deserve to die the way they did, in their own homes, having done nothing to harm the demons.
She wondered why the demons did that, why they
killed for no reason. Some said it was to steal the human soul. If a demon killed the human, and the human was afraid during its death, the soul belonged to the demon. The human would be trapped in eternal suffering at the hands of its killer.
Cassie shuddered at the thought. It was hard to imagine a being so purely evil, and yet, they existed. She wondered how Cuthbert and Jane had felt in their dying moments. Had they been afraid?
Cassie looked back at Martial. He’d saved the girl. He’d saved Ellie from the demons. The poor girl had been stripped naked. The demon attempted to rape her minutes after killing her parents. Such evil… Cassie shuddered once more in her saddle. How had the humans ever resisted such evil?
Immortals.
That was how.
She glanced back at Martial once more. He rode behind them, Kevin and Mitch either side of him. Sitting on the magnificent stallion, looking the way he did, the tear on the leather jacket, his hair long flowing in the wind, stubble growing on his face, he looked every part the hero.
And, she reminded herself not for the first time, that Martial had already saved Ellie and killed three demons in the process.
As they left the fields behind and entered the forest, Cassie wondered if she’d been too hard on him. After the things he must have seen, after the amount of years he must have lived, was it a wonder he was constantly drunk?
She pushed thoughts of his moral character out of her mind and focused on the road ahead. It was a narrow path, with large trees growing either side, the branches blocked out most of the sunlight. Cassie kept her eyes peeled, looking for movement ahead, fearing any demons lurking about, ready to pounce.
She saw no movement at all. She heard nothing either. No rustling of the leaves, no crunching of fallen branches and twigs snapping under heavy feet. No sounds save for the steady rhythm of hooves hitting the ground.
No sounds…
The forest should have been teaming with life, of rabbits, of wild deer. There should have been birds amongst the leaves. But nothing.
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