Journeyman

by Heather Atkinson

  Silas threw back his head and roared with laughter.

  “Silas,” a voice echoed through the trees.

  They all paused.

  “Dad?” groaned Damon, hauling himself up to a sitting position, his hair standing on end.

  Silas’s head snapped up, eyes bulging at the sound of his hated enemy.

  “It’s me you really want,” continued One Eye’s voice. “So come and get me.”

  Unleashing another of his enraged roars, Silas charged through the trees, vanishing into the darkness.

  Raven tore after him. Damon tried to follow but one of Silas’s men swung at his head with a massive stick.

  “Oh for God’s sake,” said Luke when Henrik emerged before him. Again. “You’re like a bloody cockroach. Why won’t you just die?”

  “You die worm.”

  Luke felt something inside him snap. “I am not a fucking worm,” he yelled before hurling himself at a surprised Henrik. The two toppled together to the ground, Luke landing on top of him. He slammed his fists into his face, snapping his head from side to side, a stunned Henrik unable to stop the onslaught. Luke snatched up a nearby tree branch and brought it down on the side of his head. There was a loud crack and Henrik went still, eyes sliding shut, exhaling his last breath.

  Luke flopped to the ground, breathing hard. “You’ll be worm food now,” he told his body, following this up with a mirthless chuckle. He watched Damon bounce his opponent’s head off a tree, grasp his head between his hands and give a quick tug, snapping his neck.

  “Well done,” said Luke. “Is it time to go home now?”

  “Where’s Raven?”

  “No idea.”

  “Shit,” said Damon.

  CHAPTER 27

  Saskia was backhanded across the face but she shook off the pain and dizziness, grabbing the arm holding the knife and attempting to twist it but the man was just too strong. She pushed back against the knife with both hands, her opponent’s face dripping with sweat, eyes full of hatred.

  “I am going to kill you she-wolf and skin you,” he snarled in her face. “I hang your pretty snow white skin on my wall and stroke it.”

  Saskia ceased pushing back against the knife while side-stepping. As her opponent stumbled past her under the momentum of his own weight she drew one of the arrows from the quiver strapped to her back and plunged it into his neck.

  “I take your head to put on my wall,” she hissed in his ear, twisting the arrow. “But I not want to look at something stupid.”

  She tore the arrow out of his neck and he toppled to the ground, left foot twitching as the blood pumped out of him. She looked to Aidan, who was on the ground in a tangle of limbs with Mathias, both matched in strength and skill. She drew another arrow, snatched up her dropped bow and aimed it at Mathias but she couldn’t get a clear shot without hitting Aidan.

  Aidan wrapped his legs around Mathias’s waist, grabbed his right arm and pushed out his chest, hyper-extending the joint, making Mathias grunt.

  Keeping hold of Mathias’s arm, Aidan rolled out from under him and brought his own elbow down on Mathias’s, snapping the joint. As he screamed and thrashed Aidan grabbed him by the hair and yanked him upright.

  “Do it,” he told Saskia.

  She unleashed the arrow, which struck Mathias in the left eye. His screaming stopped and he toppled facedown into a pile of leaves.

  Aidan pressed his fingers to Mathias’s his neck. “He’s gone.” His head snapped up, eyes scanning the surrounding area. “Raven,” he said before setting off in a sprint, Saskia following, bow and arrow at the ready.

  Raven raced through the trees. She’d lost sight of Silas but she could hear him crashing through the bracken up ahead. She came to a halt when the sounds suddenly stopped. Keeping a tight grip on her knife she looked around, listening but there was only silence. Even One Eye’s yelling had stopped.

  “Jesus,” she said when Silas lunged at her out of nowhere. She managed to avoid his attempt to grab her but he was now behind her and she had gone from being the pursuer to the pursued.

  She tossed one of the flash devices behind her. There was an angry cry but she didn’t stop to see the result of her handiwork. She kept running, hoping to see One Eye but there was no sign of him.

  “I still see you little girl,” yelled Silas.

  “How about now?” she muttered, tossing her last smoke device over her shoulder. Raven chanced a glance behind her but could see nothing through the curtain of smoke.

  She ducked down low as Silas burst through the curtain. If only she had a gun on her she could have ended this by now. Neither did she have any flash or smoke devices left. All she had was the knife in her hand. She wasn’t so arrogant that she thought she could stand up to Silas Hagen with this. All she had was her speed.

  Picking up a rock she tossed it into the undergrowth ahead of her. When Silas looked in the direction of the noise she burst out of her hiding place and charged through the trees away from him, her breath coming out in sharp gasps, the angry puffs of her pursuer getting closer. How the hell could a man that size move so quickly?

  One Eye could hear the approach of someone up ahead, their pace fast and frantic followed by a heavy thud, telling him they were being chased. He was both astonished and appalled when a slender figure emerged up ahead, long dark hair streaming out behind them.

  “No,” he breathed when he saw his daughter was being chased by Silas Hagen. “Raven,” he called.

  “One Eye?” she called back.

  “Run to me.”

  She increased her pace, putting everything she had into it while doing her best not to trip on the uneven surface.

  One Eye touched the tip of his staff and smiled. It was lethally sharp. With the right knowledge anything could be turned into a formidable weapon.

  “Here I am Silas,” yelled One Eye.

  Silas’s gaze snapped off Raven and onto him, his lips drawing back into a cruel smile.

  Drawing back his arm, holding the staff like a javelin he called out the code word, “Seventeen.”

  Raven threw herself to the ground as One Eye loosed the makeshift spear. Silas was running at full pelt, his size meaning he was too slow to move out of the way as the spear struck him in the upper right side of the chest, his own momentum increasing the efficiency of the weapon. He was thrown onto his back, writhing on the ground.

  One Eye raced up to his daughter, who had hauled herself up to a sitting position.

  “Raven, are you okay?” he said, taking her by the shoulders.

  She nodded. “Fine.” She appeared hesitant before flinging her arms around his neck.

  One Eye beamed and hugged her. “I missed you too.” He appreciated this show of emotion from a woman who rarely displayed any. They turned their attention to Silas when he groaned. “Time to finish this,” he said.

  Raven nodded and released him before getting to her feet, watching as One Eye loomed over his nemesis.

  “This feud ends here,” said One Eye, his voice tired. “No longer will I look over my shoulder.”

  Silas released a laugh and coughed, blood spraying out of his mouth. “You think it is over old man?” he wheezed. “It will never be over. My brother still lives.”

  Raven and One Eye looked at each other before turning their attention back to Silas.

  “You lie,” said One Eye. “He died in the fire.”

  “You think I died in it too.” He spat blood out onto the ground. “Kurt is coming for you and he will kill you.” He glanced at Raven. “And your little daughter too.”

  “I weary of your lies,” said One Eye, pulling the knife from his belt.

  “Believe I’m lying if it makes you feel better. Kurt will avenge me.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “You will die slowly and painfully old man.”

  “I’m only fifty five, why does everyone insist on calling me old?”

  “Your day will come and soon. It will be full of pain and
despair…”

  One Eye rolled his single eye. “A glib tongue that goes on chattering sings its own harm. And I weary of your words. But I will show you the mercy that you have never been able to show others.”

  One Eye jabbed the blade into Silas’s heart. His chattering was silenced, his body going rigid before relaxing, head lolling to one side. One Eye pressed his fingers to his neck and sighed. “It’s over. Finally.”

  “What he said about Kurt…”

  “No doubt the lies of a desperate man. Still, I will try to confirm whether it’s true or not.”

  He got to his feet and Raven slid an arm around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder as they walked back through the forest. One Eye beamed at her and wrapped his arms around her. It was nice to be missed. “Is Damon with you?” he said.

  “Yes. He was the one who told me you’d gone missing. Aidan’s here too.”

  “Really? I am honoured.”

  “We’ve been all over the island looking for you. This place was the last on our list, being the most northerly point.”

  “And your timing was impeccable. Thank you,” he said, kissing the top of her head.

  Raven smiled. One Eye rarely showed affection too, so this moment was very precious indeed.

  They found Luke sat on the ground, covered in sweat, bruised but otherwise unharmed, Damon sat beside him.

  “Thank God,” Luke breathed with relief when he saw them.

  “Raven,” called Aidan, emerging through the trees with Saskia, racing towards her. He pulled her to him and kissed her. “You okay babe?”

  “Fine. You?”

  “Fine.” He looked to One Eye. “It’s good to see you.”

  “And you too Aidan,” he said, shaking his hand. “Thank you.” He looked round at the assembled group. “Is everyone okay?”

  They all nodded.

  Damon rushed to his father. “Dad,” he grinned, crushing him into his huge chest.

  “It’s good to see you too,” said One Eye’s muffled voice. He patted his son on the arm. “I can’t breathe Damon.”

  “Sorry Dad,” he said, releasing him. “It’s just that we’ve been all over this bloody island looking for you. We thought at one point we’d never find you.”

  One Eye was rather touched when his son appeared to be on the verge of filling up.

  Raven released her husband to embrace Saskia, the two were very fond of each other, the top of Raven’s head only reaching the she-wolf’s shoulder.

  “Where’s my hug?” grinned Luke, opening his arms wide. “Actually, it doesn’t matter,” he added when he caught Aidan’s glower.

  Raven smiled and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for helping One Eye.”

  “Oh not a problem. Actually it’s been rather fun.”

  “That’s not how I’d describe it,” sighed One Eye.

  “Silas?” said Saskia.

  “Dead,” replied One Eye. “With a tree branch. What about the others?”

  “The majority are dead,” said Aidan. “A couple are incapacitated.”

  “Release the injured ones. We need to bury the others quickly before a local stumbles across this mess.”

  “Me and Damon will do it,” said Aidan. “You lot get yourselves back to the B&B.”

  Damon scowled at him.

  “Thank you, that’s very kind. Myself, Saskia and Luke need to get back to the B&B before we’re missed. The local police think we’re responsible for the deaths of two villagers. We’re not,” he hastened to add when Raven looked at him in astonishment. “I intend to find out who is though. But first, we need to get back.”

  Raven linked her arm through his. “Let’s go then.”

  As they hurried back to the B&B, Saskia and Luke following, One Eye brought Raven up-to-date on recent events.

  “Thank goodness,” said One Eye when they returned to find the B&B still empty. “We need to change out of our outdoor clothes quickly, make it look like we’ve been here all evening.”

  While Raven stoked up the fire in the lounge, Saskia, Luke and One Eye hurried back to their respective rooms. They returned ten minutes later, washed and changed.

  “I take it you kicked my door in?” One Eye asked Raven.

  “I did,” she replied. “I had to confirm whether you were staying here.”

  “You did the same to my room too?” said Saskia.

  “Actually, that was Damon.”

  “Well fortunately my door is still intact,” smiled Luke.

  “I’ll pay for the damage,” said Raven.

  One Eye patted her hand. “You’ll do no such thing. Don’t worry about it, I’ll sort it all out.”

  Raven smiled at him and looked to Saskia. “You look a bit battered and bruised.”

  “She was like that before,” said Luke. “Henrik managed to plant one on her yesterday.” He purposefully ignored her glare.

  “I poured us all brandies,” said Raven, setting them out on the coffee table. “Except for the iced vodka for Saskia.”

  “Perfect,” smiled Saskia, picking up her glass and draining it. “Ah, that is better.”

  “It’s been a long time since we were together like this,” smiled One Eye, sitting in an armchair and picking up his glass. “It’s lovely having all my family around me. Well, some of it anyway.”

  “Because our meetings usually descend into a fight,” said Luke.

  “You mean you say something to annoy someone and they hit you,” said Saskia.

  “Yes, I can’t deny it and it’s usually you doing the hitting.”

  “True.”

  “You’ve not hit me so far. I call that progress.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “It isn’t over yet.”

  Raven took a seat and removed her coat before sitting back with her brandy. “No it’s not over,” she said. “You’re still wrapped up in the deaths of two villagers.”

  “Yes,” said One Eye slowly. “It is rather embarrassing.”

  They went silent when the front door banged open and there was a rush of voices.

  “Sounds like our hosts have returned,” said One Eye.

  The lounge door opened and a ruddy-faced Alan entered with Helen and Simon.

  “There you are,” said a tipsy Alan. “The bonfire’s over. We’ve come to take you to the pub for a drink.”

  “I didn’t think we were welcome,” said One Eye.

  “I managed to do a little smoothing of troubled waters.” His hungry hopeful gaze settled on Saskia. “Shall we?”

  “Yes, why not,” she said, slamming down her glass and getting to her feet.

  “Wonderful.” Alan finally noticed Raven. “And who is this?”

  “My daughter,” said One Eye.

  “Daughter?”

  “Yes. My son and son-in-law have arrived too. They’re out stretching their legs after the drive.”

  “So, you remember who you are?”

  “Yes, with Raven’s help.”

  “Raven,” said Simon, drawing everyone’s attention to himself. “Unusual name.” His eyes flicked to the tattoos on her arms, which were exposed as she’d rolled up her sleeves because of the warmth from the fire. “Wow,” he breathed.

  Helen glared at her boyfriend as he continued to stare at the new arrival. He snapped out of it when she smacked him on the arm.

  “We’ll need two rooms,” said Raven, addressing Alan. “One for me and my husband and one for my brother.”

  “Husband?” said a crestfallen Simon. Realising Helen was glaring at him, he wiped the disappointed look off his face and hung his head.

  “Yes, that won’t be a problem,” said a cheerful Alan. “We have plenty of room.”

  “Thank you,” smiled Raven.

  Helen smoothed out her scowl when she looked at One Eye. “Are the rest of you coming to the pub?”

  “Yes, I think we will,” he replied. “We’ll follow on when the rest of our party has arrived.”

  “See you there then,” said Helen before dra
gging a still-staring Simon from the room, Alan and Saskia following.

  “It appears you have a new fan,” One Eye smiled at Raven.

  “He looks stupid and unimaginative.”

  Luke laughed. “You always were an excellent judge of character Raven.”

  She gave him a smile and looked to One Eye. “So, do you know who killed the two villagers?”

  “I have a very good idea but I need to test my theory first. I’m going to create a little drama in the pub.”

  “Haven’t you had enough drama for one night?” said Luke.

  “Trust me, you’ll enjoy this. Once the drink’s flowing and everyone’s nice and mellow I’m going to announce that I know who the killer is and that is where you come in Luke. While everyone is reeling from that shock I want you to make out that you’re trying to diffuse the tension by telling them a story, they enjoy a good storyteller in Caillte. Luke, I want you to tell your goat story.”

  “Oh God,” said Raven.

  “Wonderful,” beamed Luke. “You know how much I enjoy telling that story.”

  “Yes I do,” said One Eye.

  “Oh this is going to be fun,” he grinned, taking a sip of brandy while picturing his big moment.

  CHAPTER 28

  Aidan and Damon arrived at the B&B an hour later, looking tired and dishevelled.

  “Don’t sit down yet,” said One Eye when Damon moved to slump into an armchair.

  “But I’m knackered,” he retorted.

  “We’re going to the pub. I thought that would give you a new lease of life,” he smiled when Damon leapt up again.

  “One Eye’s going to draw out the killer,” said Raven.

  “I am so you two, hurry up and get showered and changed. It will look a little suspicious if you turn up at the pub covered in earth. Damon, you can use my shower and Aidan can use Luke’s.” He looked to Luke when he opened his mouth. “Really, you’re going to object after they saved our lives?”

  “Well, no,” he sniffed. “But make sure you rinse the tray out after.”

  Aidan was too tired to argue, so he rolled his eyes and tramped upstairs.

  Once Aidan and Damon were freshly showered and changed the five of them set out for the pub. One Eye’s ankle was throbbing after the fight in the forest, so he was back on one of his crutches.