Chapter 1
"You've lost them."
"I have not."
"You've definitely lost them."
"We are not lost!"
"That's not what I said..."
"We're on a Path! We can't lose
them!"
The motorcycle droned through the Wood Between in a bored
hum as its riders argued. Nothing new or odd here. The front wheel hit a root
and swerved. The driver growled a little to himself before shouting at his
passenger "Sam! Lume above! Will you sit down all ready?!"
The girl behind him perched primly on the seat in a
standing position while using her companion's back to balance herself by
planting her hands on his shoulders. She released one shoulder to shield her
eyes and peer ahead from her vantage point. The shift in weight threw her
partner off and the vehicle swerved again.
"Are you even listening to me? Hey Sam,
I'm talking to you! Sam!"
"Hm? What? Did you say something?"
Sam inquired, pulling her wandering mind back to the present.
"Sit down!" The driver shouted.
"I can't see anything then." She
protested.
"That's my job!"
"You can't track and drive!"
"How else can I drive?"
"You're supposed to watch where you're going
and you can't focus on that and the prey...which we've lost by the way."
"We have not! And when have I ever gotten us
in trouble while tracking and driving?"
"Do you want an answer to that? Do you really
want an answer to that Evan?" Sam asked as she leaned down so as to give
him a meaningful stare he could almost see out of the corner of his eye.
"Do you have your notebook on you?" Evan
asked nervously.
Sam nodded slowly for emphasis. "Always."
"Then never mind. I'll just focus on
driving."
"Good idea."
Reaching back he grabbed her ankle and skillfully pulled
her down into the seat "But to do that I need you to sit." He
pretended not to notice the fact that she proceeded to glare holes in the back
of his head for lack of a comeback.
They puttered on in silence for a while after that and
Sam was determinedly fighting off a dozing fit when she noticed their pace
slowing. She sat up straighter and peered about them but was unable to get a
good look at what lay directly ahead of them so she waited until they had
rolled to a stop. Quiet filled the tense air as she waited. After a pause she
crossed her arms and scowled. "Did we run out of gas again?"
"This is it. They went through this
portal." Evan turned to grin at her with a familiar look of triumph and
embarrassment. "And we're out of gas!"
Sam sighed wearily as she clambered off the back seat and
examined the portal.
"Any idea where it leads?" Evan asked as
he put down the kickstand and came to join her.
Shaking her head Sam leaned forward and smiled a little
"no, but it's not a Fairie demesne, I can feel the mortality coming from
it. It'll be nice to be back in a human world!"
"And to not have to deal with those annoying
Fairies" Evan said, releasing a relieved sigh.
"Right. After last time..." Sam agreed
and they both winced at the memory. A sudden thought crossed her mind and she
straightened. "This is bad. Those two could make a real mess in a mortal
world."
"No kidding" Evan said, his frown
mirroring her own.
They stared at the Portal a moment before turning back to
their vehicle.
"So" Evan asked, voicing their thoughts
"what do we do with the bike?"
"Hide it" Sam decided quickly "we
don't know what time period we're going into and we don't want to draw
attention by being terribly old fashioned."
"Or new. This could be the past." Evan
pointed out. He groaned a little "seriously though, it's easier when we
actually get to use it!"
"You could have used it on the way back if
you had remembered to bring extra gas! Stop pouting. Where should we hide
it?" Sam cast about for a suitable spot.
"Inside the Portal obviously. We'll lose it
out here with all the shifting and mischief." Evan glared at the
surrounding Wood.
"Yeah but...we don't know where we'll walk
out into. What if people see us?" Sam hesitated.
"The Wood never opens up in a village, odds
are low anyone will see us aside from some daring kids but I doubt anyone would
listen to them."
"Alright then. Ready?"
Evan put up the kickstand, grabbed the handles and
nodded.
Sam took a deep breath and stepped in with her partner
close behind.
Eanrin twitched his nose and preened himself, the air of
the mortal world already making him feel dirty. He let out a weary sigh and
checked the small scroll that hung around his neck once more. This ought to be
a fairly short trip; just deliver the scroll to the present King and Queen and
then he could leave. That was all, short and sweet, though he didn't much like
the idea that Imraldera was unashamedly using him as an errand boy. He
determined to have a talk with her about it as soon as he had returned. But for
now...he sniffed the air to determine the proper direction and wrinkled his
nose again before stepping out. Ah well, he resigned himself, it was probably
about time he checked in on this King Shadowhand at any rate. So thinking he
padded lightly down the mountainside and straight into a cloud of Midnight.
Every hair on his back jumped up on end and a strangled hiss escaped his throat
as he recognized the dreaded aura. But the Beasts that owned it paid him no
attention. In less than a second they had left the golden cat behind and
carried on in a reckless dash. Eanrin was left to shake and try to settle
himself after such a sudden meeting with his old foes. Sucking in several deep
breaths he sat back down to preen himself and wonder what poor soul the creatures
were hunting now and vaguely ponder if he should do something about it. But no,
he was on a mission and a sudden feeling of urgency filled him. He took a step
and then heard the sweet trill of a Thrush behind him, hastening him on his
way. That was all he needed to hear to send him dashing headlong for the castle
with surprising agility for a blind cat. But there was more his Master needed
from him and though he knew he would do whatever was required, after just
recently finishing up his last job, he felt a groan rise up inwardly.
Chapter 2
"You've got our gear?"
"Yes"
"Including money, bedrolls, time period
clothes changes and our weapons?"
"That pretty much sums up the gear."
Evan snorted.
"I'm just making sure. We've already
forgotten gas and I doubt we'll be able to secure the right kind, if any at
all, here. I'd hate to forget something else important." Sam said as,
despite already going over her check list, she went rummaging through the pack
Evan was carrying. “Food, water…”
"You know, if we don't hurry we really will
lose them!" Her partner huffed as he nearly lost his balance due to her
energetic search.
"We've already practically lost them! The
search can wait another few minutes so we don't get stuck in a dangerous
position. Remember Ragniprava? That would never have happened if we had just
remembered the rope!"
Evan shuddered at the memory. "That was tough; we
nearly lost that Prince back there!"
"We did for a bit and had to call for back
up" Sam paused to huff a little over the recollection of their stinging
defeat. "This is our third big job I don't want to botch this one like the
last two. Being allowed to work in the mortal world is an honor since it takes
more finesse than with those horrid Fairies. I'm glad the Prince gave us this
job...because I'm sure He knew we would end up here." Emerging from the
pack she grinned and gave him a thumbs up "this time, we won't need to
call for help!"
Returning her grin Evan jerked his thumb at the gorge
wall behind him. "Sounds good, ready to start climbing?"
Sam nodded, tightened the straps on her own bag and
followed him to the faint inkling of a path that rose jaggedly up the wall to
the table land above.
Twirling his hand gun expertly, Alexander glanced behind
him at his sniffling twin and frowned. “Kat, are you okay?”
The smaller girl
sneezed and offered him a weak smile “Just fine!” she held up her gun and
nodded to the writhing mass of dragon before them. While they couldn’t kill it,
they were capable of holding it off until the nearby town inhabitants had
evacuated.
Turning his attention back to the creature he sighed. “We
had better finish this quickly at any rate. I’m going to give us a bit of
ground, cover me.”
Kathrine nodded as she immediately began a barrage of
bullets that kept the flaming beast busy as her brother moved to the side;
their perfected teamwork allowing him to know where she was shooting and avoid
the missiles as he closed the distance with his target. Once he gauged himself
close enough, he let out a heavy stream of lead that pushed his foe backwards,
inch by inch, slowly gaining ground.
“Alex!” Kat’s
frantic shout drew his attention to his surroundings and he leapt backwards,
narrowly avoiding a dangerously spiked tail that slammed into the dirt where he
had just been.
He raised his gun
again but found the cartridge empty. “Dragon’s teeth!” he swore as the tail
slammed into his stomach and sent him flying.
“Alex! Alex are
you alright?!” Kathrine screamed as she frantically scrambled after him.
Spitting dirt from his mouth, Alexander sucked in a deep
breath and stood. “I’m fine” his irritated tone indicated otherwise and Kat
frowned worriedly but a violent cough shook her small frame and distracted her
attention.
“Looks like
neither of us are in top condition.” Alex stated ruefully as he helped steady
her while keeping his gaze fixed on the enemy. “This is probably our sloppiest
performance yet. Do you think they’re almost done down there?”
“The last boat
hasn’t quite sailed yet. They need more time.” Kat panted, her eyes trailing
down the hill to the coast where a single pair of white sails still hung by the
docks.
“Alright, we’ll
give them a good thirty minutes. Ready to move in together?”
She nodded and they stood back to back, breathing deeply
and sending many heartfelt prayers for strength. A Thrush sang somewhere in the
distance and a smile tugged at both their lips. “I think that was the signal.”
She murmured.
“Follow close
after me” he said as he went for another headlong charge, this time without his
sister’s shield of bullets. “Focus on destroying the wings, it won’t be able to
follow for at least a week then” he ordered.
“Right!”
And then they attacked in a fury of shots and lead and
fire. The dragon screamed and thrashed at them but years of perfecting their
teamwork paid off as they slid around opposite sides, refusing to create an
easy target or opening. In less than ten minutes they leapt clear and met each
other at their starting point.
“Where are they
Kat?” Alex asked without taking his eyes from the beast.
“Out of sight!
The town is cleared! Mission complete!” she replied breathlessly and finished
with another sneeze.
“Good.” Quickly
sliding his weapon back into its holster he turned and scooped her up before
beating a hasty retreat into the forest.
“I…I…can w…w…”
Kathrine’s words were lost in another violent sneeze followed by a cough.
“First thing
we’re doing when we get back is take you to a doctor.” Alex stated firmly.
“It’s…” sniffle
“it’s just a cold!” She protested.
“Even so I’ll be
asking for some time off until you’re better.”
She took one look at his face and resigned any argument,
knowing full well he would undoubtedly have his way. Not that she really minded
the thought of being pampered a bit!
Icarus slung his bag carelessly onto his shoulder and
grinned at the blackened and charred remains of what had once been a peaceful
glade, at the center of which writhed a barely breathing dragon. It was about
as dead as he could get it and looked as though it wouldn’t be chasing after
the ships anytime soon. Movement to his left caught his eye and he watched Alex
and Kat race by. Alex looked like he was carrying his sister…again. “What a
softie” Icarus sighed as he checked his bag of explosives one last time, then
patted it happily and deemed it all a job well done before starting after him.
He met up with them halfway back to the Path and met Alex’s look of disapproval
unashamedly.
“You incinerated
half of the country side…again” Alex stated the obvious.
“Yeah, but my
dragon isn’t moving now!” Icarus said happily.
Kat sneezed and earned a glance from the explosive’s
master. “You feeling okay?” he queried.
“Yes, it’s just a
cold” she answered, wishing she could have remained invisible throughout the
confrontation.
“Focus, Icarus,
as your superior it’s my duty to report this you know!” Alex said as he crossed
his arms and waited for the rebuttal.
“Senior? You’re
only one year older than me! You’re just glad that there’s someone younger than
you to bully around!” Icarus protested.
“That is not how
Knights of the Farthest Shore act and certainly not my intentions. As for other
behavioral conduct…” he glanced at the distant rising smoke and returned his
scowl to the boy before him “you’ve broken nearly all of the rules.”
“One day I’ll be
the one making the rules! Just you watch and see!”
“Are you saying
you’ll be the Prince of Farthest?” Alex asked in mock curiosity as he raised a
querying eyebrow.
“You know what I
mean! One day I’ll be on top and then you can’t give me orders!”
“People only get
‘on top’ as you put it, by following the rules. Honestly! This is why you can’t
keep a partner!”
“Hmph! I don’t need
anyone who doesn’t know a thing about fire and powder to be hanging around me!”
“You’re hopeless!
I don’t even know how to report this!” Alex sighed as he dropped his face into
his hands.
A harsh cough from Kat drew them both back to the
present.
“Let’s just get
back to the Safe House. We can talk about this later!” Icarus grumbled as he
started ahead of them.
Alex nodded and helped Kat to her feet before moving
after him at a slower pace.
Chapter 3
Sam and Evan stared at the bleak looking town below them
and Sam let out a groan.
“Know where we
are yet?” Evan asked.
“Looks like a
recovering Southlands after the Dragon’s invasion! Could this get any worse?”
Sam moaned.
“Well at least we
have an idea of the time. I think we’ve got some clothes from the period…but I
don’t know about Southlander style.”
“We’ll make do, I
mean, we hardly look Southlander material at any rate. We’ll just say we’re
travelers. It’s true enough.”
“Cause I’m sure a
Dragon blistered land gets so many travelers!” Evan snorted.
“We’ll say we’re
here to help, also true.”
“And they’ll just
believe that coming from a couple of kids?”
“Maybe, I think
sixteen was practically an adult around this time…I think, so we should be
considered at least capable young people!” she finished optimistically.
“I hope you’re
right” he sighed as he went digging through the bags to produce the proper time
period clothes.
Sam stared at them a moment before asking “Where are the
shoes?”
“Shoes?”
“Yes, Evan,
shoes.”
“Oh, looks like
we forgot those.”
Sam suppressed a scream, failed and yelled her frustration
to the clear blue sky.
“You’ve got shoes
on Sam, and if we hurry we shouldn’t be here long enough for anyone to notice.”
Evan sighed wearily. “Now it looks like there’s some crumbling village down
there, I don’t see anyone around so we can change there. After that we need to
find the Dogs.”
Sam’s scream trailed off and she nodded bleakly. “You’re
right, sorry.”
He shrugged and set off for the village with the girl in
tow.
After successfully delivering Imraldera’s message, Eanrin
was padding carefully back towards the Wood, alert and on the lookout for giant
black Dogs and, unfortunately, any hint that his next mission had arrived. Instead
he met a strange scent that caused him to turn into what smelled like an
abandoned old village. Foul Dragon fumes still clung to dark corners and lurked
in holes in the dilapidated village, but there was a strange new smell of young
mortality, fresh and untrodden like the people native to the land. Curiosity
and a reluctant acceptance got the better of him and the cat found himself
slipping stealthily through the alley ways to one particular building that was
more whole than the rest. Rather loud voices drifted through the old walls and
Eanrin’s ears twitched as he listened closely.
“Are you ready
yet?”
“I’m ready all
right! I do worry about the shoes though.”
“No one is going
to notice your shoes Sam!”
“Right. Did you
see anything of the Dogs?”
“No, but odds are
they passed through this way, the Path is leading through here.”
“I guess so…how
exactly do we have a Path following them?”
“More like
they’re following one of our Paths, lucky for us.”
“Why haven’t they
left it? They can find other Paths; they’re fey creatures after all.”
“How should I
know?”
“It might be a
trap, they’re clever beasts.”
“We’ll just have
to be cautious then.”
“I’m trying to
jot this down for our report and you’re not helping.”
“Are you ready
yet?”
“I’m ready
alright! Let’s go!”
The door swung open and one small person stomped out
followed by another person with a lazier step. Both pairs of feet paused when
Eanrin coyly meowed and turned to look at him.
“It’s a cat” the
girl’s voice stated blandly.
“It’s a Fairie is
what it is” the boy announced irately. “We don’t have time for this.”
And they would have moved on if he hadn’t changed form
just then and caught them by the back of their clothes. “Hold hard there you
two, I’ve got a few questions” he told them which did nothing to stop the
barrage of protests that rained down from the pair.
“Listen mister, I
dunno what you think you’re doing but we’re in a hurry!” The boy stated firmly
as he struggled to escape.
“Put me down!
What is wrong with you? Let go!” the girl shrieked as she moved and twisted in
ways he didn’t know humans could move.
“Who are you two?
You don’t smell like you’re from around here and you haven’t even attempted the
language.” Eanrin demanded without letting go.
“We’re…Knights of
Farthest Shore and you’re going to be in serious trouble if you don’t let us
go!” the girl panted as she finally ceased her struggles.
“I highly doubt
that. But at any rate, I suppose that makes me your senior in the field. What
are you two doing here?” Eanrin pressed. Too late did he notice the tense feel
of the youngsters in his grip. With practiced precision the girl lashed out at
him at the same time as the boy and they pushed off of him, using their force
and momentum to tumble out of his hands. He jumped backwards, narrowly avoiding
a swipe as they attacked to gain ground. Cursing his lazy senses he halted a
few feet from them to recover himself before offering a rueful smile. “That was
nicely done. That being said, please refrain from further attacks or else I
shall have to pin you both down. Now if you would just…” With a weary sigh he
caught the ankle of the girl as she swung a kick at him and proceeded to hold
her upside-down by it. Next he grabbed the boy’s fist mid-swing and held him
tight in a headlock. He waited until they had exhausted themselves struggling, before
proceeding. “Now, if you are quite done I’ll have you answer my questions. What
are you doing out here?”
“We’re hunting
the Black Dogs!” the girl moaned as she swung from his grip. “The blood is
rushing to my head! Please put me down!”
“Put her down you dragon
eaten hairball!” the boy shouted, swiping at Eanrin’s feet with his leg.
“Well, since she
asked nicely” he released the girl who crumpled to the ground, clutching her
head and groaning.
“You didn’t have
to drop her!” the boy huffed.
“Quite the
gallant aren’t you?” Eanrin asked with a small smile “What are your names?”
“We don’t have to
tell you, you overgrown rodent!” the boy snapped
“I’m Samantha
Rodgers and he’s Evan Tales. Please don’t hurt him” Sam groaned.
“Only because you
said please” Eanrin grumbled. “Aren’t you two a little young to be out here on
your own? And traveling through the Wood at that? How many human’s years are
you off by?” He chuckled at their surprise “Oh please, neither of you smell
like you could possibly be from this century. You’re fabrics and skins and are
all wrong and what are you wearing on your feet?”
Sam shot Evan a glare who in turn glared at their
captor.
“Well the Lumil
Eliasul thought we were just fine for the job” Evan stated with a growl.
“Can’t argue with
that one then. So, do you have any idea where you’re prey has wandered off to?”
“Of course!”
“We don’t need
any help!” Sam said firmly.
“Well that’s
tough. You’re both liars and I’ve been ordered to help you.” Eanrin sighed
wearily “Though trust me, I rather wish I were safe away in a distant haven!
Dogs have never been my favorite part of this job!”
“And who are you
exactly?” Even demanded.
“Oh gracious! I
can’t believe I forgot to introduce myself! Allow me to amend that! I am the
famed and illustrious, glorious poet of Rudiobus, Sir Eanrin. Perhaps you’ve
heard of me?”
“Oh no!” Evan
sagged wearily against Eanrin’s hold.
“Eanrin? As in the Sir Eanrin of Rudiobus?” Sam asked
as her tone rose in excitement. “I love your poems! I’ve memorized whole
volumes of them!”
“And she’ll quote
whole volumes if you don’t stop her” Evan’s voice held a note of pleading that
fell on deaf ears.
“Well I’m glad
see that art is still appreciated no matter how the times change. Just how far
into the future are you two?” Eanrin asked feeling his spirits lift a little.
“I don’t know the
exact difference in years but it’s pretty big” Sam said thoughtfully.
Eanrin sniffed approvingly ‘Glad to hear it, and I
haven’t bumped into you yet?”
“No” she said
sorrowfully “I haven’t had the chance to meet you since…”
“No, don’t tell
me” Eanrin stopped her with an upraised hand “it’s bad luck to know your future
and that’s a proven fact I might add.”
“Right. But have
you written a poem entitled Gleamdren
Fair yet? It’s my absolute favorite!” She asked excitedly.
“Why dearest that
one’s already a classic! O Gleamdren fair, I love thee true.”
“Be the moon waxed full or new” Sam
chorused with him
“In all my world-enscoping view,
There shineth none so bright as you.”
“Alright,
alright! Don’t we have some dogs to chase or something?!” Evan frantically
pulled them back to the present in the desperate hope that they would desist.
“Not much of a
poetry lover are you?” Eanrin asked ruefully as he released the boy.
“Not at all,
you’re stuff is so old and lame!” Evan huffed as he rubbed his neck.
“I know a certain
prince you would get along with…I can’t stand him much either” Eanrin
commented.
Evan didn’t respond as he pulled Sam to her feet and
retrieved their packs. “Let’s just go, don’t slow us down Patches!” he growled
at the Poet.
“Excuse me! I
have a rather prestigious name and would have you use i…”
“Yeah, yeah, keep
up Patches!” Evan ignored him as he struck off down the Path.
“Sorry, that’s
just something he does. Evan doesn’t use names until he has some sort of
respect for you. You have no idea how long it took before he finally started
calling me Sam!” she sighed at the thought.
“What were you
before that?” Eanrin inquired.
She winced “Don’t ask.”
A ways down a certain Path, hidden in the crumbled ruins
of what was once a lord’s manor; black Midnight swirled in disarray as its
owners watched the place where the Path entered. Their heavy breathing
resonated against the walls and their red eyes stared forward unblinkingly.
They were waiting.
Chapter 4
It was nearly
evening before Evan finally looked back at Sam and slowed his pace a little.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded in annoyance.
She shrugged and sent a quick glance at the Poet who had
taken the lead hours ago and held it despite Evan’s attempts at outpacing him.
“I was just thinking that the Prince wasn’t really giving us this job
ourselves. He still sent someone after us and one of our seniors at that.”
Evan followed her gaze and then shrugged “Honestly I’m
kind of relieved. With some experienced help, we might actually be able to get
the job done without any major problems for once.”
“I guess you have
a point. I should be more focused on getting the job done right than getting
the credit. Do you really think he’ll be much help though?”
Evan tugged one of her ponytails lightly “Aren’t you the
history buff? This is the same cat that’s faced dragons time and again! Not to
mention evil goblins! And he took care of Una for a while!”
Sam smiled slightly and Evan was happy to see the spring
return to her step “You’re right, I had forgotten. I guess he is a pretty good
companion to have on our side. After all, he’s seen the Dogs true forms before.
Do you really think he’s that neat?”
“Sorta” Evan
grinned “But don’t tell him I said that!”
She laughed and nodded.
Eanrin pretended he hadn’t heard them as he hid a smile
and paused, pointing to a manor on a hill nearby “I’m pretty sure I can smell
them coming from over there. I’m not sure if they’re resting, waiting or both
but it’s best to be on your guard. Do you have weapons?”
“Yes” they both
said with a nod.
“Good, then we
shall proceed but with caution. Stay close and don’t wander off.”
“Right, got it,
let’s go already!” Evan sighed.
Sam shoved him and hurried after Eanrin with her
companion close behind.
The small group
crept across what had once been a courtyard and tiptoed with utmost care into
the ruins of the manor where the midnight awaited them. It took only a few
steps from the door to be engulfed in blackness and Sam felt a chill crawl up
her spine. In three weeks, this made twice in her life, she had stood in this
same darkness and the terror of it was still somewhat fresh. She stood closer
to Evan who drew his sword with one hand and reached for her with the other.
“Stay close” he
whispered
“You too” she
murmured back, trying to keep her voice from shaking as she silently slid her
own sword from its sheath and took his hand.
While the apparent
object of their mission was to hunt down the Black Dogs, the trio found
themselves at a bit of a loss as to what they were supposed to do with them.
Were they supposed to catch them? If so, where would they take them? If not,
were they supposed to kill them? Could they kill them?
Eanrin hoped his hair didn’t look like it felt because it
felt like it was standing straight up and he knew that all he wanted was to get
as far from this dragon eaten place as he could. But unfortunately he had a job
to do and, loathsome though it was, he continued to press forward, slowly
cautiously, until he felt them move. “Get back!”
Sam and Evan jumped and looked to their senior only to
see two pairs of glowing red eyes rushing down on them in a roiling mass of
fury. A scream tore at Sam’s throat as Evan released her hand to better wield
his weapon, but she swallowed it down and took a defensive stance. The Beasts
were upon them and she swung her sword, feeling it slice through the darkness.
A miss. Her hands trembled as she returned to her stance and sought out the
pair of eyes that had vanished. And then, like the sun cutting though the rain,
a bird swooped by. She caught only a glimpse of it as it passed but she heard
its song, strong and sweet, resounding in her soul. A smile tugged at her lips
and she stood a little straighter. How had she forgotten? Of course He was
still there. Her hands stopped shaking.
Evan sucked in a
deep breath as he skidded back two more steps and slashed at his opponent. It
was dark in here, too dark. He didn’t so much mind the lack of light but not
being able to see the walls, to know where he was stepping, how much room he
had left, was unnerving. He fought back thoughts of a shrinking room and
sliding walls, forcing himself to recall the large exterior of the manor. Even
so, breathing became difficult and one resounding thought began to fill his
mind. ‘I have to get out. I have to get
out.’ What was that rumbling? In his mind’s eye he saw the walls slowing
moving in, the space narrowing, the air was being sucked from his lungs…the
Black Dog charged him, teeth bared and flashing white in the Midnight. Evan
stumbled back again and dodged. Then he drew a deep breath. Air flowed in and
out of his lungs. The sweet trill of a Thrush wound its way through the
darkness and Evan suddenly remembered his teacher’s advice from one of his
first panic attacks. He stretched out both hands, sword and all, and slowly
moved back one step and then forward two. Nothing, nothing touched him. He was
in a large space with plenty of room and the walls were the least of his
problems. The Dog came again and this time he side stepped and brought his
blade down, feeling his sword pierce flesh. The Dog howled and turned on him
but he felt awake now and moved with precision and skill as he stayed out of
reach of the jaw that had mauled kings and torn apart fairies. With a sudden
growl and whimper the Dog forgot him and whirled around as a new opponent
struck from behind.
“Can hardly smell
anything in this dragon eaten atmosphere! You there, Evan, where’s Sam?” Eanrin
demanded as he danced nimbly around the Dog, inflicting painful looking wounds
on the creature as he went.
Evan, impressed by
the blind poet’s skill, took a moment to comprehend the question. As
realization sank in he felt as though the walls had suddenly leapt in on him
again as he stumbled forward and shouted into the thick midnight “Sam! Sam
where are you?”
For several heart stopping moments nothing happened, and
then Sam’s disgruntled voice “I’m here and busy…what is it?”
Relieved he
carefully made his way toward the sound, paused and glanced back at the fight
behind him, but all he could see was more swirling darkness so he pressed
forward once more. “Are you alright?” he called.
“Yes for now
but…I can’t find the Dog! I know it’s just waiting to spring out from some…” He
didn’t hear the rest.
With a snarl a
pair of red eyes flashed towards Evan. Prepared for such an attack, he dodged,
swung hard at the passing shadow…and missed. The Dog came at him again,
releasing a strange baying howl as it did so.
“Evan!” Sam’s
voice came from somewhere close by and he felt her press her back against his
“Are you alright” she panted.
“Fine, how are
you holding up?”
“It’s irritating
not being able to see what I’m doing!”
“How do you think
Eanrin feels?”
“I can’t even
imagine…though his nose works better than mine!”
Evan chuckled a little and felt the tension ease out of
Sam’s body.
“I can’t believe
we let ourselves get separated, it really threw me off back there” she
murmured.
“Me too. Sorry
about that” he replied.
“Did you see the
Thrush?”
He grinned “No, but I might have heard Him. Are you ready
to press in?”
“Ready when you
are, partner!”
“Let’s go!”
“Wait!”
The poet’s shout drew them up short just as two pairs of
red eyes charged them. Chaos ensued. Eanrin tried to call to them as their
world became fraught with flashing teeth, flaming eyes, and rumbling thunderous
growls. Lunging forward at what smelled like mass, Eanrin’s blade dug deep into
the hide of one of the Dogs, creating an opening Evan took, his blade finding a
hold in the beat’s chest. The creature’s howl filled the room but did nothing
to diminish the sound of a sickening crack followed closely by Sam’s scream.
And then the Dogs fled and the midnight vanished, leaving them crumpled and
confused, blinking in the evening light that poured into the ceiling-less
manor.
Dropping to his
knees beside the girl Evan began bombarding her with questions but Eanrin
quickly pushed him aside. “Where does it hurt?” he asked.
“My…leg” Sam
panted.
He heard her grit her teeth as he lightly ran his finger
down the offending limb and winced when he found the problem. “I’m afraid
you’re ankle’s broken my dear.” He told her gently.
“Can’t be” she
protested weakly “I’m fine, just twisted it is all. I can still walk. We need
to hurry and…” she trailed off into a moan as Eanrin prodded the break.
“Quite broken,
you’re definitely not standing on it.” He announced, leaving no room for
argument.
“Then I guess
there’s only one thing to do” Evan said as he stood.
Sam groaned. “And here I thought we’d finally manage
ourselves!”
“I’ll make the
call” he sighed. “You take care of her Patches!”
Eanrin snorted but did not dignify him with a reply.
Chapter 5
Alex found Icarus lounging around the kitchen of the Safe
House, where he usually found him. The younger boy looked up from a cake he was
demolishing and asked around a mouthful of frosting “How’s Kat?”
“Lady Imraldera
says it’s just a cold and she should be fine after some rest” Alex sighed as he
slid into a chair next to the boy. “She also says that the prince would like to
have a word with you later.”
Icarus groaned “Why is it always me? Nobody else seems to
get in trouble!”
“Nobody else sees
fit to destroy entire landscapes…and don’t blame the dragon.”
“Even Sam and
Evan don’t get in this much trouble and they’re not allowed on jobs on their
own! Speaking of which, I didn’t see them out on the field. Any idea where they
are? I wanted to show Evan my newest powder mix!”
Alex frowned “No, they’re out. Lumil Eliasul’s orders;
they’re hunting down the Black Dogs.”
Icarus almost choked “What? Isn’t that a bit much for
them?”
“That’s what I
thought but…the Prince specifically choose them.”
They both mulled over this a moment before Alex sighed
“We’ll probably be called in to help sooner or later, but I hate to think of
the state they’re likely to be in by then.”
“Hopefully it’ll
be later; I’ve still got this cake to finish!” Icarus added as he dug in more
fervently.
A quick ringing in the background made them both freeze.
They heard someone answer and exchanged glances. A few minutes later a woman
appeared in the doorway.
“Ah, I thought I
would find you two here. Can you head out? Sam and Evan need back up.” She said
cheerily.
Alex nodded and stood. Icarus sighed and would have
commenced whining had it been anyone else, but it was hard to whine when Una
was expecting something from you.
The Prince’s bride beamed at them and tousled Icarus’s
hair, coaxing a smile from him despite his sulking. “It sounds like Sam’s been
hurt; I’m counting on you both to take care of them alright? Alex, will you be
alright without Kat? I heard she was sick.”
“It’s just a
cold, she would be very glad if you would visit her though. I should be fine
working in a team. May I ask as to what is the nature of this mission? And, if
it’s not too rude, why Sam and Evan were sent out alone?” Alex queried.
Una frowned slightly “The mission…is a very delicate one.
We’re hoping for retrieval if possible.”
Both boys looked at her seriously.
“Sam and Evan are
going to play a major role in this and much will hinge on their decisions. You
two will be there to provide support and back up but, no matter what happens,
when the moment comes, don’t interfere.” Una warned.
“How’ll we know
which moment?” Icarus asked with a frown.
“You’ll know.”
She assured him. Then she smiled again and hugged them both “I’m counting on
you two.”
“Leave it to us,
Una! We’ll make you proud!” Icarus replied with a grin and a hasty salute.
“We won’t let you
down” Alex agreed.
Una nodded “I know!”
“There, that
should hold it in place for now” Evan said with another proud glance over the
bandage he had wrapped around Sam’s ankle.
She winced a little as he pulled it tight but offered a smile
of thanks nonetheless.
“I’m sure your
mother will be worried sick when she sees that.” Eanrin commented and was quick
to note a shift in the atmosphere. He frowned “She does know you’re out here
doesn’t she?”
“Well…not
exactly…” Sam laughed a little.
Eanrin’s frown deepened “Please tell me you aren’t
sneaking around her back! What about your father, does he know?”
“No…they’re dead”
Silence so pure you could almost hear the planet turning
followed that statement.
At last Eanrin cleared his throat “I apologize. That was
terribly rude of me…”
“No, you didn’t
know.” Sam waved off his apology “Truth is I never really knew them. I think
they’re dead but…I sorta just grew up on the streets for the first couple years
of my life. There wasn’t really anyone around that I could call family. But
Lumil Eliasul found me when I was seven. He took me in ‘a father to the
fatherless’ as they say. He gave me a home and raised me along with his wife
Una. I became a knight because I wanted to thank them.” She sighed and her head
drooped “But I let them down again. I have as yet to complete any of my
missions without help. I…hate letting them down...they’re always so kind about
it too.”
“It’s not your
fault, they know that” Evan sighed as he tugged one of her ponytails lightly.
“What about you,
do you have any parents or guardians?” Eanrin asked though he doubted the
answer would be yes.
“Mind your own
busy Patches!” the boy snapped as he bristled.
“Evan’s like me.”
Sam said as she placed a reassuring hand on her companion’s arm. “In fact,
there are a lot of orphans at the Safe House that Una runs. She takes care of
us there along with the other knights. It’s all one big family.”
“Speaking of which, I think your back up’s
here” Eanrin said as he became aware of two new scents.
“That was fast!”
Evan exclaimed as he glanced down back the way they had come.
“Looks like
they’ve still got a bit of a walk before they get here.” Sam sighed.
“Plenty of time
for you to get some rest.” Eanrin replied.
“But…”
“I agree, Sam.
We’re going to have to find some way of moving you soon and you’ll probably
need all your strength then” Evan said, crossing his arms in finalization.
Sam glanced at the darkening sky and sighed wearily “Oh
alright.” She laid back and closed her eyes, listening as Eanrin and Evan
quietly moved around her, arguing over something as they made a fire and
started cooking some of their supplies. She swallowed the bitter taste in her
mouth and wondered if she was hungry or tired. She wasn’t. Defeat didn’t hurt
any less the third time round apparently. She wondered what Alexander would say
when he saw the mess they had made. After all, ravaging, angry, and hurt fairie
beasts were now roaming a mortal world unchecked. She sighed a little and tried
to get comfortable. Letting her thoughts drift it wasn’t long before she was
sound asleep, despite how she felt, it had been a long day.
The first handful of stars had been cast into the
darkening sky when two figures climbed up the hill to the manor and entered the
flickering ring of firelight.
“Welcome one and
all, have a seat will you?” Eanrin cheerily welcomed the boys. “I must say, you
studied your time lines a little better than these two.”
“We weren’t told
ahead of time where we were going!” Evan huffed before turning to the newcomers
“Thanks for coming… Oi, where’s Kat?”
“She’s got a cold
and is staying home this time. We’d better wrap this up soon so I can get back
to her” Alex replied.
“It’s kinda weird
seeing you without her, like you’re missing your shadow!”
“That’s what I
thought! And I had to walk the whole way here with him!” Icarus exclaimed.
“Only since the
gorge, we rode the first part of the way” Alex corrected. He turned back to
Evan “So, what’s the situation. Where’s Sam? And who’s this?” he gestured to
Eanrin.
“This is Eanrin,
you know, that Eanrin. Sam’s over
there, sleeping” he pointed to the small form bundled in blankets, at the edge
of the fire’s glow. “We had the Dogs in here but…things took a turn for the
worse. We managed to injure one of them but then they broke Sam’s ankle before
they took off so we can’t pursue.”
“Her ankle is
broken? How did that happen?” Alex demanded in alarm.
Evan shrugged a little “I don’t know. Luckily it wasn’t a
bite so it looks like it ought to heal up ok.”
“Is it in a
splint?”
“I bandaged it up
as best I could.”
“Man, this is
rough!” Icarus sighed “How are we going to move with her like that?”
Alex frowned “I’m not sure but…we’ll have to proceed and
bring her with us. Catching the Dogs before they hurt another human takes
priority…but we should try to consider Sam’s safety and comfort as well. In the
meantime…” he turned to Eanrin with a smile “I can honestly say I’m glad to
meet you again though this is the first time for you. You were extremely
helpful with my studies of the art of verse!”
“Oh, is that so?”
Eanrin asked interestedly.
“Oh no, please
stop. I already suffered through this with Sam!” Evan groaned.
“Lume above!
Don’t start on all that Alex!” Icarus growled as he took a seat by Evan and
started sifting through the leftover dinner rations.
Eanrin wrinkled his nose at the younger boy. He smelled
much like Evan and had an annoying air about him, not to mention a vile stench
that reminded him of dragon smoke without the poison if that were even
possible.
“When do you want
to move out?” Evan asked Alex.
“I think we
should leave that to our senior, since I get the feeling you’re not here by
coincidence” Alex said with a glance at Eanrin.
“I’m beginning to
doubt the existence of coincidence” Eanrin sighed before waving a hand airily
“even so I don’t have much preference since I’m mostly back up as well. As soon
as possible I suppose.”
Alex nodded “Alright. We should really figure out how we
plan on moving Sam first…”
“We sleep now and
then get up bright and early to talk about it!” Icarus announced as he collapsed
on his back with a yawn. “I’m exhausted and it’s too dark to make anything.
We’ll figure it out tomorrow.” He ended this with a snore.
Evan poked him and then shrugged at Alex’s questioning
gaze “He’s out.”
“I hate it when
he does that” Alex huffed. “Well, what do you two say?”
“I, for one, am
all for sleep!” Eanrin said as he transformed and stretched his fluffy body
with a yawn before padding off to curl up next to Sam.
“Sound’s good to
me too. It’s been a busy day.” Evan answered with a tired grin.
Alex sighed again but nodded in agreement. “All right,
we’ll discuss this tomorrow. But it will be early. We shouldn’t waste time.”
Evan nodded as he fetched a few extra blankets from their
supplies and wrapped himself up. The last he saw was Sam’s sleeping form curled
around a golden ball of fluff, and then he was asleep.
Chapter 6
We lost, was
the first coherent thought that occurred to Samantha as consciousness returned
to her. And it’s all my fault. If I had
been more careful I wouldn’t have tripped and the Dog wouldn’t have crushed my
ankle and then… She felt like sulking so she decided to go back to sleep
for a bit. Her mind drifted and then wandered back to the last time she had
caught herself sulking, nearly a year ago.
She had hidden herself away in her favorite
place, the library, and was poring over a book of poetry when Imraldera found
her.
“I thought you might be here” the Keeper had
said with a small smile as she peered around the stacks of books Sam had used
to barricade herself in. “Una said you and Evan got in another fight?”
“I don’t see why I have to work with that
dragon-eaten idiot!” Samantha grumbled back “Why does Icarus get to work alone?
He’s younger than me!”
“Yes but the Prince thought you two would be
a good match. What’s gotten you so worked up this time?”
“Take a wild guess.”
“Was it the name calling again?”
“A mouse! He called me a mouse!” Samantha
spluttered. “I hate mice!”
“Did he actually call you a mouse or…”
“No! He decided that was my name until he
says otherwise! I know it’s wrong but there are times when I just want to hit
him in the face!” She avoided looking at her teacher’s face and dissolved into
an inarticulate growl as she self –consciously fingered the offending locks
whose color had earned her the nickname.
“Well, you know things aren’t always what
they seem.” Imraldera mused as she searched for the proper way to address with
this “I understand how you feel though…” her thoughts wandered to a certain
cat-man and her words weren’t exactly intended for Samantha.
“You do?” the girl asked hopefully.
Imraldera smiled
“Yes, but that still doesn’t make it right. Not that Evan’s in the right either
but…I think he’s waiting.”
“Waiting for what?”
“Like you Samantha, Evan doesn’t really know
how to…interact well with people. But instead of hoping for the best he expects
the worst. I suppose it’s sort of a test. He wants to see if you can put up
with his worst before he shows you his best. It’s not a really good way of
making friends but I think he’s gotten so used to people leaving him he’s
stopped expecting anything else. We need to change that.”
Sam stared long and
hard at the Keeper’s face and then looked back down at the book in her hands.
“So…he’s afraid?”
Swallowing hard,
Imraldera tried to explain before she got the boy into trouble. “Well…not
exactly…I mean…”
Standing Samantha
brushed off her skirts and nodded to her Teacher before heading for the door
with a purposeful stride.
“Wait! Where are you going?” Imraldera called
in a panic, hoping she hadn’t just given the girl ammunition against her
partner.
“I’m going to set things straight.” Samantha
said without turning around. “I’m going to let him know that I’m not going
anywhere whether he likes it or not but he’s going to have to put some effort
in too. I won’t do all the work!” She paused in the doorway and looked back.
“I’m going to make him say my name!” And then she was gone.
Marching down the
hall she strode through the crowded dining hall to the end where Evan sat alone
in the windowsill. He saw her coming and grinned “Did you find your tongue
Mouse? Where was it? Wait; let me guess, in a book?” His laughter was cut short
as she shoved a fist into his face, a hairsbreadth from his nose.
“Listen Evan, you may be the most annoying
person I’ve ever met or ever will meet, but Lume help me, I’m not going to
leave!” she announced “I’m not going to run away just because you’re scared and
don’t know how to talk to people. That’s okay, I’ll help you. I can’t fight
dragons myself and neither can you, the Lumil Eliasul says we can work
together so it must be so! But I’m not going to do everything; for this to work
you need to say my name, Samantha!” She turned her fist around and opened her
hand, palm up, her scowl dissolving into an inviting smile. “Okay?”
“You do realize everyone’s staring at you!”
Evan growled uncomfortably.
“I don’t care. All I care about is your
answer. Do you think we can make this partnership work?”
He stared at her a
moment and then that irritating, condescending grin returned “Sure thing…Sam.”
She frowned “What’s
so wrong with my name?”
“It’s too long.” He slid off the windowsill,
took her outstretched hand, and shook it mockingly “I look forward to working
with you, Sam. For however long you can last.”
“I’m not leaving” she told him decidedly as
she returned his firm grip.
“We’ll see.”
Vaguely she wondered if Evan still thought she was going
to leave at some point. It hadn’t ever really come up after that day. Voices
drifted in on her consciousness, a loudly whispered argument was taking place
somewhere over her head.
“Yes we should wake
her up! We need to get going!” Icarus’s voice snapped with no attempt at
quietness.
“I know but…she
really ought to rest that leg and it’s going to get really tough for her once
she does wake” Alex protested in a soft tone.
“Well we do need
to get going soon but…” Evan’s voice trailed off leaving a plain note of
reluctance in its wake.
Softly, a pair of paws rested on her arm and kneaded
their claws through her sleeve. Sam opened her eyes and looked at Eanrin who,
with a cattish grin, announced loudly “Oh my, are you awake?”
The arguing ceased and Sam chuckled a little to herself
as she sat up and pet the cat. “Yes, I’m up” she said, more for the other’s
sake than Eanrin’s.
If he had had
eyes, the cat might have winked at her.
“About time you
were up!” Icarus announced loudly.
“Good morning,
how do you feel Sam?” Alex asked as he kneeled next to her.
“Alright, it
hurts a bit but…I should be fine. I’m sorry for calling you both out here just
because we…” She was silenced when Alex placed a gentle hand on her head.
“It’s alright so
long as you’re okay.” He told her with a reassuring smile.
Sam let out a deep breath and smiled back.
“Hey, hey,
alright now, we need to get going!” Icarus called as he hoisted a bag onto his
shoulder.
“Sam hasn’t eaten
yet, will you slow down!” Evan snapped as he brought the girl her food. The
details of the night were discussed and the previous day’s happenings told anew
so that everyone present knew everything they needed to know by the time Sam
was finished. When they were ready to go, the three boys produced a pair of
sturdy crutches they had worked on that morning. Sam tried to feel relieved
that no one would be carrying her, but she couldn’t help but notice how she
slowed them down when they started moving. She was grateful for their hard work
and understanding, even Icarus didn’t complain about the pace, and eventually
found herself feeling a little relieved there were more of them. With Alex and
Icarus present, it wasn’t possible for the Dogs to escape them again. By
evening, the Path had managed to lead them to the edge of another gorge and
there, at the bottom, just outside the Wood, they found the Dogs.
“We have to stop
them before they go in!” Icarus shouted as he started sliding down the slim
path on the wall.
“Hold on!” Alex
pulled him back and waited a minute before pointing “They’re not moving.”
“One of them was
quite wounded” Eanrin commented.
“Maybe it’s
collapsed” Evan offered.
“This could be
our chance!” Icarus shouted, struggling to race down again.
Alex glanced at Sam out of the corner of his eye. The
girl was staring down at the gorge, struggling to hide the fact that she was
panting, though her lack of comments made him think she was fairly out of
breath. He cleared his throat decidedly “So long as they’re not moving we
should take the chance to rest here and engage them later.”
“But they’ll be
resting too!” Icarus protested.
“They won’t
recover from injuries like that with a few hours rest!” Evan announced as he
moved back to help Sam ease into a sitting position.
“Not to mention its
best for us to be in top condition when we face them. The Beasts are far more
dangerous than when I faced them long ago in Etalpalli” Eanrin mused as he
turned back to sit with the others.
Icarus ‘humphed’ crossed his arms, and sat down on the
edge of the gorge, watching the Dogs for any sign of movement.
The hours ticked by slowly.
Sam bit her lip. She knew it was her fault. No one else
was this tired. No, they had stopped for her and now they were trying to figure
out how on earth they were going to bring her down there, if they even should.
With a weary sigh she leaned backwards against Evan who she knew was sitting
behind her.
“You ok?” he
asked, casting a glance over his shoulder at her.
“I’m fine. Evan, really, but I’m totally
useless. You should just leave me up here and go get the Dogs. It’s impossible
for me to get down there and I wouldn’t be anything more than deadweight
anyways. I know this was supposed to be our mission but I’m sure the Lumil
Eliasul will understand so long as the job gets done.”
Evan was silent for a long moment before asking quietly
“Are you sure?”
Sam nodded firmly “Yes, I am.”
He sighed and then nodded “Alright. Did you hear that
Alex?”
“Hear what?” Alex
asked as he paused in a heated argument with Icarus.
“Sam wants us to
go on ahead and take care of the Dogs while she waits up here.”
Alex frowned “I don’t like the idea of leaving you up
here alone. What if something were to happen?”
“It can’t be more
dangerous than going down there injured!” Sam said with a wry smile.
“Accept it Alex.
It’s better this way. Sam can’t do anything and she’d just get hurt more.” Icarus stated.
“Bringing her
into a fight like this would be less than wise” Eanrin added. While he felt
that the decision ought to be theirs since it was their mission, he felt that
he might as well help avoid potentially detrimental situations.
Alex hesitated a moment and then nodded. “Alright then.
Let’s go.”
The group stood
and headed for the ravine. Evan paused at the top, watched everyone else move
down, and then glanced back. “You sure you’ll be okay by yourself?” he asked
Sam.
She smiled encouragingly “Yep, just make sure you don’t
leave me alone for too long!”
He nodded “I’ll be back soon.” And then he descended
after the others.
Halfway down the group entered the Midnight that
surrounded the Dogs. Clinging to the wall they slowed their pace to a crawl,
testing each foothold ahead as the narrow trail was no longer visible. By
Alex’s reckoning, they were only a few feet from the ground when something
moved. The ground trembled and a vicious howl split the air as both beasts
leapt to their feet.
“Icarus! Guard
the entrance to the Wood, don’t let them escape!” Alex shouted as he pulled two
pistols out of his belt and opened fire at the flaming pair of red eyes that
was charging them.
“Got it!” Icarus
answered, leaping from the path to stumble forward and find the line that
separated the mortal realm from the Between.
Eanrin drew his sword and neatly clipped the oncoming Dog
as they abandoned the trail and sought the more sturdy footing of the gorge
floor.
“Why is there
only one, where’s the other one?” Alex demanded as he dodged to the side and
shot at the flaming red eyes that flew past him.
As if in answer,
Evan’s panicked shout of “Alex!” drew his attention back to the gorge wall
where a second pair of red eyes was scrambling over the edge. Alex felt a cold
weight drop in his stomach. From somewhere to his left he heard Icarus’s shout
of “Sam!”
Chapter 7
Sam listened to
the sounds of shouts, shots and howls, ringing in the darkness below. She
shuddered and whispered prayer after prayer for her companion’s safety.
Somewhere behind her she heard the distant song of a Thrush. Turning quickly
she caught a glimpse of the bird as it fluttered off to a different tree. She
smiled, knowing that He was here gave her the assurance she needed. She turned
back to the gorge and for a moment she stopped breathing. There, crawling out
of the gorge like a dragon from the Far World, was one of the Dogs. Her heart
skipped a beat and a scream stuck in her dry throat.
The beast reached the top of the plain and stood there
panting as it inspected its surroundings. When its red eyes alighted on her a
low rumble sounded in its chest and grew to a thunderous bellow. Midnight
surrounded her and the scream escaped her throat.
“Sam!”
Alex and Eanrin were hard put holding, Evan and Icarus
back as they tried to charge the Dog that stood on the trail, blocking their
escape.
The creature growled, snarled, and lunged at them without
leaving its position, making no move to attack.
“What is it
doing?” Alex asked the Poet.
Eanrin shook his head “I’m not sure but…it looks rather
like their after…”
“Sam!” Evan
nearly broke free of Eanrin’s hold.
“Why, Lume love
us, would they want Sam?” Alex demanded.
“You tell me!”
Eanrin snapped.
“You don’t
think…it was an escape, do you?” Icarus asked quietly.
“What?” Alex
asked
“The other one
was the really hurt looking one. Do you think this one’s trying to let it escape?”
Icarus explained.
The group exchanged glances.
“They…wouldn’t.
They’re neither intelligent nor kind enough to…” Alex started but stopped
uncertainly.
“Aren’t they?”
Evan asked.
It stood there and growled and roared and barked…and
shook. Sam slowly became aware that the Dog, rather than attacking her, seemed
to be casting about for a way around her. Its eyes darted to the sides even as
its shaking, bleeding body slid wearily to the ground. Its growl turned into a
rumble and then a sharp whimper. Sam shuddered a moment. She knew that sound,
that pain filled whimper. She had cried much the same way during the nights she
had spent alone on the streets, unwanted, abandoned, alone, afraid. Despite the
animal tones in this cry, she still knew it well and she also knew what she was
supposed to do. Picking up her crutches, she struggled to her feet and then
moved closer to the Beast. The growl returned but she paid it no heed.
Shuffling forward, she got as close as she dared before dropping the crutches.
The growl faltered in confusion. Samantha sucked in a deep breath and then
hopped forward a few more steps on her good leg. She had been an expert at one
leg hopping once in the games they played at the Safe House, but she hadn’t had
painful consequences to touching her foot down then. She only made it forward a
few more inches before she sank to the ground. She looked into the glowing red
eyes in front of her and saw a frightened child. She nodded and reached out to
that child. “I know you’re there. You’ve been loved once and you miss it
because you’re alone now. I know. It hurts doesn’t it? But it doesn’t have to.
There is Someone here who wants nothing more than to love you. Will you
listen?” Closing her eyes she sought out the song she knew resided in her
heart, in every breeze and breath of life, in every drop of water and budding
flower, glistening star and moving beast.
“Beyond the final water falling
The Songs of Spheres recalling,
Oh child lost in darkness,
Won’t you return to me?”
As the last word fell softly from her lips and the last
notes of the Thrush died away, the darkness faded and before her lay, not a
beast, but a child, a thin, dirty, sobbing child. Releasing a sigh, Sam leaned
forward and pulled the small body onto her lap and hugged it tightly to her.
The gentle tune
drifted down from the top of the gorge and slowly the group retreated from the
Dog.
“I’m almost out
of bullets” Alex panted.
“I’m almost out
of powder!” Icarus huffed.
Evan swung his sword thoughtfully as Sam’s voice died
away. The others probably couldn’t see it, but to him there was an obvious
change in the Dog’s behavior. While moments ago it had roared and charged at
them with blustering bravado, it now stood still, breathing heavily, and
watching them with a guarded look that masked something greater. Evan had worn
many masks in his life and he knew for a fact that this creature was struggling
to mask its fear, and now that mask was slipping. A thought occurred to him and
he sheathed his sword.
“Evan, what are
you doing?” Alex asked.
“Wait here a
moment” Evan murmured. Striding forward he headed for the Dog.
Alex made to stop him but Eanrin placed a restraining
hand on his shoulder. “Let’s see what he plans to do first” the Poet advised.
Una’s words occurred to him then and with a nod he stood
still.
As Evan
approached, the Dog, instead of lunging at him, backed up two steps. The boy
smiled and paused at what he assumed was the start of the trail.
The Dog growled menacingly and crouched as though in
preparation to leap.
“You’re a pretty
mean guy aren’t you?” Evan asked the creature “But you still helped your
sibling. You’re not as evil as everyone wants you to be. And I bet you’re not
as strong as you want to be.” He took another step towards the Dog, listening
as its growl vibrated through the air dangerously. “Looks to me like you’ve
never been pet or praised either…you’d probably take someone’s hand off if they
tried now, even though you want it.” He smiled a little more when he remembered
Sam’s proposition of friendship, she had nearly punched him to get his
attention, but she had gotten her way in the end. “Sometimes creatures like
us…”
The Dog let out a
roar and leapt.
Everything seemed to slide by in slow motion. The
streaking red eyes, thunderous bellow, flashing white teeth, all streaming past
him. Evan felt himself move, step by step, out of the way and then reach out.
His hands found the creature’s scruff and he threw all his weight into it. Time
snapped back into motion and both boy and Dog went down. Evan found himself on
top and put everything he had into keeping the beast down. It was a Fairie
creature and one of darkness at that, yet a strange strength flowed through his
limbs and Evan found himself just barely able to outmatch the beast. The
creature roared, whined, snapped snarled and struggled, terror motivating it to
desperately seek escape. But at last its strength faded away and it lay still
beneath his hands. He held it there for several moments before releasing it.
The Dog looked at
him, whining, pleading for mercy.
With a weary sigh,
Evan dropped to the ground beside it and reached back to scratch its ears.
At first the Beast
stiffened and then slowly relaxed. Its tongue lolled out of its mouth and its
tail beat the floor awkwardly as it had never had a reason to wag before. The
Midnight vanished.
Glancing over his
shoulder, Evan grinned at his group. “You guys ready to go?”
“What’d you even
call us out for?” Icarus demanded.
Chapter 8
At the top of the gorge they met Sam cuddling a child and
playing hand games. On spotting them she waved and the child immediately became
the other Dog who bounded joyfully around its sibling.
“I’m glad you
guys are all ok” Sam said after seeking everyone out and assuring herself they
had all walked themselves back.
“I told you I’d
be back” Evan said, tugging her hair.
“Took you long
enough!” she retorted.
“Hey Sam, you
ok?” Icarus asked.
She smiled “Yup, just fine!”
“Thank goodness!”
Alex sighed with relief.
They all stopped and fell silent when a new figure
appeared, loping towards them from the direction of the tree where the Thrush
had sat.
“Lumil Eliasul” Eanrin
murmured, recognizing the smells and aura of his Master.
The Black Dogs cowered before the approaching creature
but when he bowed his head and looked at them, they crawled to him joyously and
he bent to press a kiss to each of their faces. Then he turned and smiled at
the watching group.
It wasn’t until he
had padded silently away, taking the Dogs with him. That Sam realized she was
grinning back. That look, that smile, had filled her with a warmth that
threatened to explode out of her. “Well done” he had told her. She looked up at
Evan and saw the same smile mirrored on his and everyone else’s faces.
“I always knew he
was big but…he totally dwarfed those Dogs!” Icarus exclaimed.
“I know. He had
never looked so huge before!” Sam sighed as she remembered the sight of the
Black Dogs following after the Lumil Eliasul like puppies. “Where do you think
he took them?”
“My guess would
be to Dame Starflower. I believe she’s one of the few people left who can speak
to them” Eanrin said.
“Then we might
see them again!” Sam said excitedly.
“For now we
should be heading home” Alex said.
They stood just inside the Wood, their gear packed onto
their bikes and a Path at their feet.
“Well, I wish you
all a safe journey and” Eanrin pointed to Sam and Alex “do seek me out in the
future. I’m sure we could have a splendid time of it!”
“Will do!” she
replied with a grin.
“It would be my
pleasure!” Alex answered.
“Until next time
then!” the Poet said as he set off with a wave.
“Well then, shall
we?” Alex gestured to their Path.
“Pity the Prince
didn’t heal your ankle while he was there, huh Sam?” Icarus asked as he turned
on his engine.
“Actually, I
think I’ll enjoy the time off!” Sam sighed.
“You and me
both!” Evan said.
As they pushed off and started driving, the loud roar of
the motors drowned out most conversation but, from where she sat, Sam could
still hear Evan’s quiet question. “Hey Sam?”
“Yes?” she asked.
“Would you still
rather I called you Samantha?”
He couldn’t see the look of surprise that crossed her
face, nor the soft smile that replaced it. He did feel her grip on him tighten
as she hugged him.
“No” she
responded “Sam’s kinda grown on me. And it’s easier for everyone else too!”
A sigh of relief escaped him before he grinned and sped
up. Sam laughed as they left the others behind, much to Icarus’s irritation.
