Mortal Banshee

by Jonathon Magnus

  Visor said, “I know for a fact that telepathy doesn’t work that way, regardless of the heterochromatic status of the telepath. She has to touch you. She even has to be in contact with certain parts of your head to get certain information.”

  Eliot smirked.

  Loring held up his hands defensively. “Okay, dude. We didn’t ask for the life story version.”

  Visor checked behind them. Athian and the girls rode outside of ear shot. Cespenar was behind someone or off scouting. It was a good time to go ahead and get this out of the way. “Or stimulate your head to get more out.”

  Eliot looked ahead wistfully. “And wrap you up in that hair.”

  Loring said, “Gives you something to hold on to when you’re doing the hound.” He demonstrated his theoretical gyration with complete with hair pulling and riding crop use.

  Visor said, “I wouldn’t say she’s the best catch on the boat.”

  Eliot said, “Yeah, I’m not much of a siren man, myself. Guess if you’re looking for a little goodie tail, it’s all good. I just like a little spice.”

  Loring said, “The kinkier, the better.”

  Eliot said, “Quenton sure has a piece.”

  Loring shaped his hands in a curve. “Evan’s ass is so perfect, you could use it to calibrate a sextant.”

  Eliot hissed, “Dude!” He shrugged at Visor.

  Loring said, “Oh yeah. Sorry, man.”

  And there was the challenge. Maybe it would be better to just let the alpha male take the lead. Eliot seemed level headed enough—at least more rational than Blaydon. With his ego and his livelihood tied to his reputation, he’d push for mission success. Rap would probably get offended at some point about something he said, but she’d get over it. They’d never let up on Athian, but he was an adult. But if Sorana drew attention, she may not handle open ridicule so well. That could turn out badly for all involved. Yeah, he had to take the lead. “Actually, if you want really spicy, you were more right with Ranie.” He pretended to get distracted by something ahead.

  Eliot said, “Hugh?”

  “Well …” Visor conspicuously looked behind to make sure the girls were far enough away. He then motioned the marines to lean in close.

  They did.

  Visor spoke in hushed tones. “Well, you guys know how sirens work, right?”

  Loring nodded vigorously. “Oh … yeah.”

  “Sure, just …” Eliot made a rolling motion with his hand.

  Visor said, “Well, as you know, sirens only last for a few years with each guy. Before the ol’ red-head back there, I used to live in Raykez. Our family shared a Revon’s Resort farmstead with Ranie’s.”

  Loring looked skeptical.

  Visor said, “Ask Rap if you want. Anyway, Ranie was a couple years older, and she became a woman early.”

  Loring asked, “Well how old was she when you took the first dip?”

  They were making this too easy. “Hmm, man, I don’t remember. But what I do remember—she liked to bring a friend. If you got lucky, you could get Ranie and her friend in the same mood, on the same night … and if you could get ahold of some shine ...” He nodded slowly. “Only thing is—Evan didn’t drink much back then.”

  Loring was in deep thought.

  Eliot looked shocked but soon put on a broad smile. “Okay, you got me.” He laughed heartily.

  “Oh, dude!” Loring was slower to catch on, but eventually laughed, too.

  Visor smiled and laughed with them. “Actually, I did know Ranie back then, but I was just kidding about the rest.”

  Loring clapped Visor on the shoulder.

  Visor said, “Have either of you guys seen Burke?”

  Loring looked around. “It’s been a while.”

  Visor said, “Can you go up and check for him?

  Loring rode off.

  Visor asked, “You think the rhino’s going to make it? I smell swamp ahead.”

  Eliot spit. “I think as long as we don’t have a steep hill, he’ll be good. He swam okay from where the crane dropped him.”

  Visor said, “Yeah, I’m just thinking it’s one thing to doggie paddle to shore and another to get through a field of soft mud, if it gets deep.”

  Eliot said, “I’m just surprised that thing can keep up with the horses on the open ground. It seems like he’d get tired.”

  Visor said, “She likes the rhino, though. And he just seems safer somehow.”

  Eliot said, “I’d think so, with the armored skin, and leather barding on top of that.” Eliot surveyed the surroundings. “You think it’s time to reset bearings?”

  Visor said, “I think we only have another hour or so in the rhino today. We can check progress at camp. Mercy’s maps are usually accurate—just sometimes dated.”

  Seeing Burke return from scouting, Visor held up. Burke hopped up on the Rhino, and the riders made a circle with their mounts.

  Rapture scratched behind the snow leopard’s ears, letting her palm rest on his head. “There is unnatural terrain ahead. It looks like farmed land, but I don’t see crops or buildings. Maybe an outhouse or shed—I can’t tell. No major buildings.”

  Athian said, “Don’t vardal live underground? It could be the top of a village.”

  Visor said, “That’s the story, but I’ve never been in a vardal city. We know they are at least able to live on the surface.”

  Athian said, “Same with the vampires, right?”

  Visor said, “They’re pretty much the same physiology.”

  Rapture said, “He smelled lizards—possibly buway.”

  Visor said, “Pixie.”

  Cespenar said, “Okay. My tooshie’s getting sore anyway. Which way?”

  Rapture pointed.

  Visor said, “Just scout the edge to see if it’s safe for us to approach and get a look. Don’t go over the village—farm area, whatever. Can you cloak yourself while flying?”

  Cespenar said, “Can you walk and scratch your leg at the same time?”

  Visor said, “Depends where the itch is.”

  Cespenar said, “Yeah, and … okay—forgot where I was going with that. Anyway, no, I can’t do both at the same time.”

  “I’ve seen you fly and shine lights.”

  “Yeah, flashing is easy.”

  “Okay, just go and keep a distance so you’re safe.”

  Cespenar took off.

  The Blade of Mercy traveled another ten minutes before circling up the mounts for the evening.

  Loring returned with no new information.

  Visor made preparations to scout ahead. “Sorana and Eliot are with me. The rest of you stay with the mounts. If something happens, go back to the Virtuosa for help. Finnur’s in charge on ship. If you feel like a rescue is in order, the marines should run it.”

  Rapture said, “Because I’m an illiterate, teenage, vardal farm girl.”

  Visor said, “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  Sorana led the scout trio ahead.

  Eliot spoke in low tones. “You ever consider bringing that other siren, Ursula?”

  Visor said, “Yeah, I did.”

  Eliot said, “No offense to your girlfriend, but it would be a lot easier to have everyone mobile—on foot.”

  Visor said, “I know. Ursula’s still recovering from captivity. She’s also not someone I trust. Maybe someday, but not yet.”

  “She’s a siren. She’d side with us against vardal. She’d heal us in any case. Did you ask her?”

  “What’s your point?”

  “We usually don’t bring girlfriends into the field.”

  “I know. But I’m not a marine, so I can. And yes, I would sacrifice others or the mission to protect her.”

  Cespenar flew in and landed on Visor’s shoulder. “Snakes—at least a mile either direction—pit after pit, full of them.”

  Eliot said, “Like pit traps?”

  Cespena
r breathed rapidly. “More like fields.”

  Visor broke off a piece of chocolate and gave it to Cespenar. “Good boy.”

  Cespenar started to say something, but nibbled the chocolate instead.

  They crawled the last several yards to the edge of the mound and up to the crest. The pits of snakes went on as far as Visor could see in the post-dusk lighting.

  Sorana signed, Riding snakes.

  Visor studied the pits. Actually, I think these are farms. They’re growing snakes for food.

  Sorana pointed into the distance. Riding snakes, over there.

  Eliot asked, “What’s up?”

  Visor said, “Riding snakes in that direction, beyond where we can see. Do you have your spotting scope?”

  Sorana said, “Two snakes, with riders.”

  Visor asked, “Are they armed?”

  No visible weapons. Sorana went on to describe what seemed to be farmers.

  “Ow, damn.” Eliot held up his arm. There was a thorn stuck in his forearm. Blood was visible. He pulled it out. “Dang, that stings.”

  Sorana said, “Venom.”

  Visor asked, “Will he be okay?”

  “Fleur Du Mal, Eastern strain, single impale—numbness, perhaps itching.”

  “What if we get impaled several times?”

  “Enough venom causes temporary paralysis. It’s not fatal to humans.”

  The assassin was a botanist as well?

  The Blade of Mercy doubled back a distance before setting up camp. They smoked some snake meat for later consumption. It took two more days to reach the River of Sin. They changed course to follow its banks, veering away on occasion to avoid contact with larger groups of vardal. None of the farmers or travelers they met knew anything about cyborgs or anyone matching Mercy’s description of Amaranthine.

  Sorana captured a suspicious vardal on a night patrol. They interrogated him for some time without success beyond learning his name was Ulric. Visor and Sorana took him into the woods and were eventually able to extract some information. They returned to Rapture for healing. “Sorry.”

  Rapture said, “I understand.”

  “A telepath would have made this a lot easier.” Visor regretted saying that, even though it was the truth.

  Eliot asked, “What’s the plan?”

  Visor said, “Loring and Athian stay here to guard Rap and Ulric. The rest of us head out now.”

  Chapter 60

  Amaranthine

  The Blade was concealed half way up a gentle slope. Sorana signed, They believe him.

  Visor signed, Maybe.

  Down on the main path, two vardal thugs guided Eliot. Eliot was blindfolded and had his wrists bound with twine.

  One vardal led Eliot and second brought up the rear. The vardal talked, but were too far away for Visor to understand the words.

  Visor slipped but caught himself.

  Cespenar flew in and landed on Visor’s backpack. “There is a structure ahead. Maybe three minutes. Looks like an old house.”

  Visor signed, This is probably it. Go. Don’t let them get Eliot inside.

  Sorana headed down to the pathway.

  Visor continued until he had line of sight to the house’s front door and a view of Eliot below. Sorana approached the vardal, letting her long hair hang out of a hood that obscured her face. She clutched her stomach and doubled over.

  The lead vardal called to Sorana in vardal. “Who are you? Stop there!”

  Sorana stopped. “I’m sick.” Her legs wobbled and she visibly struggled to breath.

  The vardal dropped the twine and approached Sorana cautiously. Another vardal came out of the house.

  Visor aimed Ninette at the vardal that was trailing Eliot, placing the crosshairs of the magnified sight on his center of mass. He aimed up two feet to account for arrow drop. He loosed the arrow and knocked another, but the vardal was already down writhing on the ground.

  Eliot removed his blindfold and ran off the side of the path.

  Sorana efficiently disabled the lead vardal.

  Visor shot the house vardal in the chest, and he fell.

  Visor found Cespenar hiding in a nearby bush. “See if there are more thugs about.”

  Cespenar saluted and took off.

  Visor met Eliot and Sorana below. The three vardal were dead. They found another one inside. The thug negotiated for his life, confirming some of Visor’s guesses and directing the Blade of Mercy to the basement, where a prisoner was being held. Visor found the vardal prisoner with one leg chained to the floor. “This is good, but I prefer more spice.”

  The prisoner said, “The spice of life is best tasted cold, wouldn’t you say?”

  Visor said, “I hear WaterCrescent is cold this time of year.”

  The prisoner sat up. “How is the Tower Witch?”

  “Amaranthine, is it?”

  “Yeah, I know. Yam is fine.”

  “Yam? How did you get to that?”

  “I tried Am but that confused people. ‘Am what?’ Ammie sounds too much like Amy.”

  “I’d imagine. Mercy’s well, and sends her regards.” Visor unlocked the chain. “Can you walk?”

  “Yeah. I could use some water.” He struggled slightly in getting up. “The witch can be a real witch sometimes. I figured with Yam, I could say it’s short for Yamaranthine. That way she’ll still be happy and no one’s going to confuse Yam with a girl’s name or potato.”

  “That sounds well thought out.” Visor found some water and brought the pitcher to Yam. “Tell me about the Catalyst.”

  The Blade of Mercy chained up the remaining thug, recovered Yam’s belongings and other supplies, and headed back to camp. Yam shared what he knew of Eurydice and the specifics of the Catalyst. It was inside a prison, underground in Eurydice. He didn’t know if the people holding him were employed by Maciate. He suspected they were not police.

  The Blade returned to camp.

  Visor asked, “Where’s Rap?”

  Athian said, “She’s just using the privy—should be back shortly. Sorana?”

  “Scouting.”

  “Is this him?”

  Visor nodded. “Yam. He’s given us a lead on the Catalyst, and some good information on entry into Eurydice.

  Athian prepared the horses for travel. “Is he coming with us?”

  “It’s best if he does, don’t you think?”

  Athian asked, “Do you feel up to it?”

  Yam said, “I think so.”

  Visor said, “It would be better to have you. We’d just never get all the information just talking.”

  Loring hacked a spluttering cough. It wasn’t a good time to get sick.

  Burke growled. He was eyeing Yam warily as he prowled into camp.

  Yam said, “Whoa. Cat doesn’t like Vardal?”

  Burke whined and spat.

  Visor approached Burke delicately. “I don’t know. Others didn’t seem to bother him. Did they put some kind of chemicals on you?”

  Yam smelled his armpit. “It’s quite possible. Also, I was chained for quite some time without access to facilities. You probably noticed that.”

  “We’ve all been traveling.”

  A woman gasped. Rapture stared at Yam with wide eyes. She pressed her back against Gebuhrman.

  Eliot casually positioned himself behind Yam.

  Visor said, “Yam, I guess out of procedure, we should check—.”

  Yam turned and grabbed Eliot’s wrist.

  Eliot tried to draw a weapon, but Yam knocked it away and punched the larger Eliot in the ribs. Eliot doubled over.

  Loring stepped up and swung his bow at Yam.

  Yam ducked and kicked Loring in the stomach.

  Loring fell to a knee, breathless.

  Yam kicked Loring to the ground.

  “Sorana!” Visor drew Fifi and got Yam’s attention. He took a step back. “Sorana
! We need you!”

  Rapture screamed, “Soranaaaa!”

  Recovered, Loring closed aggressively on Yam from behind. He thrust a dagger.

  Yam sidestepped Loring’s attack, grabbed his wrist, and gave Loring a hard elbow to the chin. Yam caught the dagger mid-air.

  Loring fell, out cold.

  Visor thrust and parried with the finely balanced Fifi. He had a reach advantage, but Yam was faster and stronger.

  Athian attacked with a tent pole.

  Yam blocked Athian’s pole strike on his arm and deflected it up over his head. He closed and stabbed Athian in the gut. Yam spun behind Athian and stabbed him in the back as well.

  Visor tried to close, but Yam ran the other way.

  Yam ran past Ulric, delivering an efficient, Sorana-style coup de grace upon the bound prisoner. Yam spun back to face Visor.

  Visor held Fifi at guard and backpedaled.

  Burke pounced onto Yam’s back and clamped his jaw onto the back of his neck. Burke had grown. He probably weighed nearly as much as Yam.

  With Yam distracted and slowed by Burke, Visor was able to drive Armaan’s blade into Yam’s thigh. He aimed low to avoid Burke.

  Yam twisted and fell. The blade must have lodged in bone because it was pulled from Visor’s grip. Yam pulled Fifi out of his leg.

  Rapture was healing Athian.

  “Rap, Run!” Visor backed up and withdrew Ninette. “Get on Gerb. Get back to the ship!”

  The cat was on the ground and whining, a dagger in his hip.

  Cespenar flew past Yam and flashed a light in his face.

  Yam swatted at the pixie.

  Cespenar flew out of reach.

  Visor aimed for Yam’s center of mass. He was about to shoot when there was a blur of motion.

  Sorana knocked Fifi out of Yam’s hands. She took time to scan the camp site for other threats.

  The scan proved costly. Yam took advantage of her distraction, punching Sorana in the sternum.

  Sorana fell back, staggered. She pulled out her baton, but it ended up on the ground.

  In ensuing flurry of attacks, it looked for a moment as if Yam might get the upper hand. He was stronger. But he was clearly suffering from previous damage.

  Sorana landed a groin-chin-sternum combination that knocked Yam flat on his back. There was a ‘crack’ upon the last impact. Sorana doubled over and cradled her fist and forearm, her eyes wide and jaw open in a silent scream. Gathering herself, she released her serrated dagger. She staggered toward the unmoving Yam, wincing with every step.

  Are you kidding me? “Sorana, go to Rap.” Visor waited for Sorana to clear the zone then shot a broad head, barbed tipped arrow into Yam’s ribs. The arrow hit the target, but there was a metallic clank and it fell to the ground. Yam didn’t react. Visor cautiously circled around Yam and shot a field point arrow into his pelvis. It sunk in deep and did not provoke a reaction. Satisfied that Yam was actually dead, Visor moved close and prodded the body.