Julianne strode toward him briskly with her eyes set in a hard expression and her lips in a tight, straight line.
“Uh, oh,” Vinnie murmured.
“No,” Astrid replied softly. “This will be a good thing.
Gormer stopped and stood straight, bracing for a storm that never came. Julianne practically attacked him with a long-overdue embrace.
“Welcome home,” Julianne said, squeezing him tight.
Gormer nearly collapsed in her arms. “I’m so sorry for all I did in the past.” He sobbed as Julianne supported him. “I did so much damage.”
“You are forgiven. I understand,” Julianne told him. “We always wanted the best for you. Astrid showed me some of your past that you had never let us see.”
“It’s no excuse,” Gormer stated plainly.
“No, but at least it’s an understandable reason,” Julianne acknowledged. She held him at arm’s length and beamed at him with a smile that made Astrid’s throat clench. “You are a mystic, in spite of everything. Never forget that. You are on the path now, and all is right again.”
Her love bolstered Gormer and made him straighten. He couldn’t find the words because he didn’t need any. He simply smiled back, renewed.
The emotional scene finally pushed Astrid over the edge. She was done. She was beyond exhausted from the epic fight. One of the villagers offered her a chair.
“Oh, thank you,” Astrid breathed, collapsing into the seat. The hardwood felt like a down pillow. She set her helmet on the ground beside her and simply enjoyed breathing deeply.
Julianne eased herself into one of the chairs carefully, testing it first in case it collapsed beneath her.
“I don’t suppose you’ll be around to help with the cleanup?” she asked Astrid. “We tried to close the portal, but they broke through. We don’t know if that will be the last of them.”
“Aye, and that beast of a cart ya got there would be handy in the rebuild of our wee town,” Garrett added.
Astrid paused, clearing her throat. She looked around for Aysa and saw her hurrying toward the group, Hadley beside her. “Aysa?” she called. “How tight is our timeline?”
“Tight,” Hadley replied. “No rest for the wicked. We leave at first light.”
“Yeah, there’s no way in hell we’re going to let Karl beat us,” Aysa added.
“You’re leaving already?” Marcus exclaimed. “I thought you’d at least stay and catch up with Julianne for a while.”
Julianne shook her head, face drawn into a somber expression. “It isn’t only Hadley leaving. We all are.”
“What?” Marcus shot to his feet.
“What?” Vinnie yelped, face darting around the wide circle where all the warriors had gathered. “The Badger’s a beast, but she’s got her limits. I can’t fit all of you in here!”
Hadley shrugged. “The old man just said to bring you, Jules. If you want to bring others, that’s up to you, I guess. More the merrier and all that shit.”
Marcus sat back down with a thump. “I’ll beg if you make me. I mean, unless you think I should stay.” He looked at Tahn and the two pillars of smoke that arose from the battered town.
Julianne shook her head. “I won’t go without you, at least. And I can’t stop anyone who wants to come, not as long as Tahn is left with enough people to keep it safe and start rebuilding.”
Bastian heaved a sigh. “I’m up for an adventure, Master, but I think my talents will better serve here. You’ll stay, won’t you, Tansy?”
Tansy nodded. “Of course, I will. Tahn needs us. Needs me.”
“Where are we going, though?” Marcus asked.
Astrid shrugged. “Beats me. I don’t even know, not entirely. I’m just here for the ride.”
“We’re going to meet Ezekiel,” Julianne said. “And, I assume, Hannah.”
“Is old Karl still travelin’ wi’ the lass?” Garrett asked, his eyes locked on Bette.
“You know Karl?” Aysa asked excitedly.
“How many rearick do ya think there are in the world, lass?” Bette asked. “Of course, we do!”
Aysa shrugged. “Then I guess you know about the ones in the mountains out east?” she asked, thinking of the mountain people they met in Heema.
Bette opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again, but nothing came out.
“Didn’t think so,” Aysa said smugly.
“I hafta pop back ta town fer a wee bit. Don’t you lot go anywhere without lettin’ me know, ya hear?” Garrett heaved himself to his feet and strode off.
“Where’s the wee bastard goin’ now?” Bette asked. “Probably off ta pen a letter to old Karl. I know he misses the old coot.”
“Something like that,” Julianne agreed.
“So it’s just the two of you?” Vinnie asked.
Julianne looked around. “More or less. But if we’re leaving at first light, I need to get some things ready.” She stood and tugged on Marcus’s arm, ignoring his tired groan. “Come on, you lazy lump. We have bags to pack and goodbyes to say.”
As they walked into Tahn, Julianne eyed the city she’d grown to love. It was damaged, but not decimated. They would rebuild, and Julianne knew they were strong enough to do it without her help.
“On to the next adventure,” she muttered.
The sun was just beginning to streak the sky with light when Marcus and Julianne arrived back at the Badger. Hadley waited outside for them with Aysa.
“Is Garrett here already?” Julianne called.
“Garrett?” Marcus asked. “Is he coming to see us off?”
“I’m bringin’ me wee self wi’ ya!” Garrett announced as he walked around the big machine with a rucksack over one shoulder.
“What about Bette?” Marcus asked.
“I’ll be back ta her in no time,” Garrett stated, his cheeks turning pink. “Just…somethin’ I have ta do first.”
“No one coming to say goodbye?” Aysa asked.
Marcus rolled his eyes. “They wouldn’t let us go without a send-off. You’ll see.”
Vinnie’s head popped up from the top of the Badger. “Are you coming? Sunup is well and truly underway, and these two—” he jabbed a finger toward Hadley and Aysa, “keep saying how time is of the essence.”
Marcus tossed his bag at Vinnie, who caught it by a strap. “Load us up, Vinnie. Let’s go!”
The team piled into the cramped quarters of the giant machine, and it started with a choked whine. “We’re off!” Vinnie called from the front.
Over the roar of the Badger, another sound rose—cheering. The whoops and hollers from the people of Tahn rose over the clanking wheels and clattering gears, bringing a smile to the lips of everyone inside.
Julianne squeezed Marcus’s hand. “Onto the next adventure.”
Astrid raised a fist in solidarity. “The next adventure.”
Chapter Nineteen
Everything in Brenin wrapped up nicely with the people. The smaller castle was almost destroyed, but the vaults were closer to the front, where Arryn hadn’t harmed much. The kingdom was able to retrieve the gold and other treasures that had been stolen from them, and the rightful king had distributed it amongst the people—as it should have been all along.
Now that everything was said and done in the foreign country, they could carry on with their next mission. Meeting Hannah and the Founder. The more Arryn thought about it, the more nervous she got. It was something she’d wanted for so long, and she couldn’t believe it was about to happen.
She and Cathillian stared out onto the water from the bow of the ship they’d been able to pay for passage on. Land was barely in view now, but it was that very land that could have taken her home to the Dark Forest. Had she been able to travel back, it would have taken a week to get from the shore to the Terres Forest, and another day and a half to get back to the Dark Forest.
For now, however, she would have to wait.
“It won’t be too much longer now,” Corrine said, thrusti
ng a shoulder into Arryn’s side and nearly knocking her over.
Arryn steadied herself and smiled at the girl who was on the verge of becoming a young woman. It was no more than a few weeks away from her twelfth birthday, and Arryn couldn’t help but think about just how much the young girl had been through in those years.
Corrine had changed so quickly. She was now a warrior that not many liked to go in the Versuch pit with. With how fast she had progressed, Arryn assumed she would have a reputation like Nika and Elysia by the time she was sixteen. Arryn was a force to be reckoned with, but Corrine was quickly catching up. Nothing made Arryn any prouder.
“No, not too much longer. I can’t wait to get back home. With all this mysterious Founder stuff, it’s hard to say just how long that will be,” Arryn said.
Echo screeched from above, and Cathillian shook his head. “She says she’s ready to get back home, too. Only, she didn’t say it quite so nicely. That damned raptor has developed quite the attitude. I think she’s been hanging around the two of you for too long,” he said to Arryn and Corrine.
“Hey!” Corrine said, a disgusted look on her face. “How rude. Arryn—get him.”
Arryn laughed, whispering something under her breath as she twisted her hand. She flicked her fingers, and a weak bolt of energy passed from her fingertips, hitting Cathillian in the hip and knocking him sideways into the railing of the ship. The girls both laughed as he stumbled and righted himself.
Both girls stopped mid-laugh as they fell to the ground with a loud Oof! They looked over at Cathillian, who had a triumphant smile on his face. Arryn looked down and saw their legs were wrapped in vines.
“Did you forget all the plants we’re transporting? You might be queen of the sea with all your fancy physical magic, but I’m not useless. Next time, you’re getting a lightning bolt,” Cathillian said with a wink.
Arryn’s jaw fell open. “Well, damn, that escalated quickly. You’re getting better at predicting my bullshit. Finally.”
He laughed. “I’ve just learned you don’t pull any punches, not even with me! Mean ass.”
She winked at him as she finished unwrapping her ankles. He reached out to help her stand, and she gladly accepted, pulling Corrine along with her. They stayed and watched the waves crashing against the side of the ship as they neared the coast.
Once the ship landed, Arryn helped Cathillian carry off the plants they were transporting. They were rare in this part of the country, and she wanted the seeds. The plants would go to the locals who would plant and sell them in their shops. Bast, Cleo, Corrine, and Parker all followed close behind.
“So, what’s the plan?” Corrine asked, throwing her long braid that consisted of hundreds of smaller box braids back over her shoulder. Lately, she had taken to wearing them high or low in a flowing ponytail or gathered in a thick braid—not unlike how Arryn and the other long-haired druid warriors usually wore theirs. It was best for battle and kept their hair out of the way.
“We’ll go into town and drop this stuff off. Get something to eat. Then, be on our way to meet Hannah. I might not look like it, but I’m about to pee my pants I’m so excited.” Snow grumbled and looked over, the corner of her lip pulled up to reveal one of her long, sharp teeth. Arryn laughed. “Don’t worry. I won’t pee my pants and then ride you.”
The tiger grumbled again, almost sounding relieved and once again faced forward as they all walked.
Arryn smiled. “No, it’ll probably be when we get closer to the summit.”
Snow’s head snapped around to look at Arryn just before she huffed loudly and trotted quickly ahead of the group.
Arryn laughed hard. “Aw, come back! That was funny!”
“Hmm. I think Echo isn’t the only one with an attitudinal problem,” Cathillian said.
She shook her head. “Nope. No sense of humor!”
Dante butted up against Arryn, nearly knocking her over with his giant head. He was fully grown and even taller than his mother—nearly as tall as Chaos, an over-one-ton, jet-black shire horse that was the familiar of Elysia, Cathillian’s mother.
“At least one of you still loves me,” Arryn said with a smile. She threw her arm over his massive neck and pulled him in tight to kiss the top of his head. He purred, and she let him go before scratching the side of his face.
“I’m excited to meet the rest of Hannah’s group. If they’re with her, they’re probably hardened warriors who won’t take many breaks,” Cleo said.
Arryn’s face turned blank as she stared at Cleo incredulously before jabbing a thumb in the direction of Cathillian and Parker.
“Oh, right,” Cleo said, pursing her lips before turning around. “There’s always that possibility.”
“You’re all getting your hands stuck in a bowl of hot water tonight,” Cathillian said.
“Yeah! No joke! What the hell did I do?” Parker said.
“Pfft,” Cathillian huffed. “You don’t have to do much of anything around those she-devils.”
“Remember who you share a sleeping roll with, sweetheart,” Arryn said with a devious smile.
They continued to walk into town, each of them wanting to stretch their legs after being stuck on a ship for several days. When they caught up to Snow, she was lying in the middle of the main street in town, sprawled out on her back, her front paws stretched out over her head while her back legs were almost flat on the ground. A dozen or more children giggled and rubbed her furry belly as she purred.
The last time they had come through, the people had been afraid until Arryn had explained what they were. After that, everyone fell in love with the big cats, unable to believe anything like that existed—especially at that size.
Arryn smiled as Dante easily leaped over their group and quickly ran over, dropping down and sliding in to get the same treatment. As soon as he stopped sliding, he flopped over onto his back the same way his mother had.
“They’re ridiculous,” Corrine said with a laugh.
“They’re more like dogs than tigers,” Bast said, everyone laughing at the comment. It was true.
A shot went off in the pub across the street. Arryn knew the sound of magitech weaponry when she heard it. In the blink of an eye, both tigers had rolled over, sweeping the kids’ legs out from under them with massive paws and scooping them under their massive bodies before lying on them.
Arryn pulled her bow and quiver off her back, handing it to Cathillian. “Hold this for a sec.”
He didn’t say a word as he accepted both. She then pulled her staff made from the mighty Heilig tree from the clip on her back before walking forward.
“Good job, guys,” Arryn told Snow and Dante, knowing they were working to keep the kids safe.
As she walked into the tavern, she saw two men holding magitech weapons. She had learned from past trips that attacking towns close to the sea was a common practice because of the easy escape. It was much harder to catch someone out on the water than it was on land. Fortunately, there weren’t many of them, which led her to believe these men had decided to take what they could and had hired a ship to take them somewhere rather than having their own ship.
One of the men aimed the magitech rifle at the man behind the bar who was visibly shaking. “I said, give me everything. I want the coin, the mystic’s brew, everything.”
Mystic’s brew all the way out here? Arryn thought.
She shook her head and took another step inside. Someone reached out and tapped her foot, drawing her attention.
“Get out of here!” the man mouthed to her. “They’ll kill you!”
She gave him a warm smile, her eyes flashing white as she passed calming energy toward him. Everything will be just fine, she reassured him.
The man visibly calmed, and she turned forward again. “While you’re trying to take all of his shit, how about I take both of you?” she said with confidence.
In an instant, both men turned, the rifles pointed in her direction. “Not smart, little girl,” the one
on the right said.
“No, I think that’s both of you. Clearly it takes two of you to form a cohesive thought, and it looks like you still got it wrong. Didn’t your mama ever teach you it isn’t nice to steal? Get a job, boys,” she said with a smile, her staff planted on the wooden floor in her left hand.
“We don’t have time for this,” the man on the left said. She could hear the whirring sound of the rifle charging, the blue light in the core brightening as he prepared to shoot her.
Her eyes washed out to a medium grey as she mumbled a single word under her breath. He pulled the trigger, and her hand opened in front of her, a wall of energy absorbing the shot and wrapping around it.
The eyes of both men widened as they each took a step back, running into the bar. “Wh-wh—”
“There’s a rule where I come from, fellas. Don’t ever underestimate your opponent. Because there will always be someone bigger and badder than you—even when they’re half your size.”
Her eyes turned black as she thrust her hand forward, the energy ball splitting in two and shooting each one in the stomach. They both screamed before falling to their knees, the magitech weapons hitting the floor with a thud.
Their clothing was singed and there were holes in each of their abdomens. She crossed the room and stood in front of them. As they looked up, she cracked each one in the face with the end of her staff, knocking them unconscious. She knelt and touched each one, taking a quick peek inside their heads.
Minus the attempt on her life just then, neither one had ever actually killed anyone. The hole in the ceiling showed they had only been trying to threaten everyone—though she knew they were capable of much worse. She let her healing magic flow through her, giving them just enough to stop them from dying from the wounds in their stomach, but not enough to close the injury entirely. She wanted them to feel the pain of what they’d done.
She stood and took a step back. “They’re unconscious and will be for a while. I made sure of that. They haven’t killed anyone, but they don’t deserve to go. Call in whatever authority you have and have them thrown in prison. This isn’t the first place they’ve hit, and it won’t be the last. For the most part, I think they’re just idiots.”
Etheric Apocalypse Page 18
