Woad Children (Challenger's Call Book 3)

by Nathan Thompson

  I sighed again. But before I could cure anyone’s depression, a feminine, pitiless voice chuckled some distance away. I felt a cold wind blow on my back as I leaped to the side, spun around, and drew my shield and axe, hiding the weapon behind my barrier so that it would not be obvious that I was about to throw it.

  “Alert!” I shouted, but my people were already moving into position. As I looked for the source of the voice beyond the trees, the Gaelguard created a shield wall around our backs. But the woman merely chuckled again, sending another blast of frost toward us.

  “Come on out, Caill,” Lady Titania commanded. “You clearly came here for a reason.”

  “Oh,” a deep woman’s voice sounded out, “that I did. But I wasn’t expecting so much entertainment.”

  “I’ll do a song and dance if you walk right up to us all,” I offered, turning my head to quickly look at the four demigods behind me. Their stances were serious, but relaxed. Well, they were all somewhat relaxed. Pan still wasn’t serious. Which meant this was a parley and not an attack. She had already passed up the opportunity to ambush us.

  A strong flurry of snow blew out from the trees to form some distance in front of us, circling near the ground until it created a complete ring of white, then spiraling upwards until it was clear it had formed the base of a dress or robe. The tinkling sound of ice crystals followed next, adding to the snow until it created a slender, imperious gown of blue-white frost, much like the clothing I had seen the Hoarfolk wear earlier, only more regal. When the flurry faded away completely I saw a woman roughly my height, with pale, colorless skin, wearing a long-sleeved dress and a triple-horned tiara that looked to be made of black ice.

  “Greetings, noble Challenger,” the frost-colored woman said as she took a single step forward. Merada hissed to me, gripping her spear tightly. “I confess I wasn’t expecting to find you here.”

  “My invitation came at the very last minute and I had no chance to RSVP,” I replied sarcastically. “Why is she here, Icons? And why are we not attacking her?”

  The frost witch chuckled again. She had a deep voice for a woman, cold, but not emotionless. Just… hungry. Which was unfortunate.

  I had already had it up to here with freaky evil hungry women.

  “Oh? The noble hero of Avalon is actually this bloodthirsty? Huntsman, I think you might have something in common with this one.”

  A deep, savage snort came from nearby. Once more the trees whispered as a horn blared in the distance. The next moment, a large, bare-chested man roughly the size of the Stag Lord stepped into view, naked except for a pair of boots, a furred loincloth, and an antler-horned helmet that dripped blood from the horns and completely shadowed his face. But the eyes that gleamed from inside perfectly matched the color of the blood on his horns.

  “I doubt this small, doomed thing could do anything but anger me. Greetings, brother,” the bloody-horned figure added as he nodded at the Stag Lord.

  “We are no longer brothers,” the equally large Icon said gravely. “Why have you come?”

  “How did he even find us?” I demanded. “Did you invite them? Because I have a problem with that if you did.”

  Especially considering they wanted me to come alone. But all four Light Icons shook their heads. The frost witch let out her laugh again.

  “My, how he barks. Worry not, young Challenger, they did not know we were coming either. We were on our way to deliver a proposal to each of them and happened to detect their presence here.”

  I turned to look at the four demigods I had a much higher opinion of twelve seconds ago.

  “Secure location?” I snapped. “Really?”

  “It is easy for us to find each other when we become corporeal,” the Stag Lord said as he glowered at the other giant. “That is partly why we seldom do so. Let me introduce your enemies to you. The white witch you see is the patron Icon of the Hoarfolk and current sponsor of this Tumult, Caill Fuar. The other, the murderer, is the Bloody-Horned Huntsman, sponsor of criminals among every race and patron of sentient sacrifice. You can thank him for sponsoring the Chaos Wound’s progress, and I believe you were responsible in thwarting the assistance he gave to the first Horde Pit in our world.”

  “You’re welcome.” I nodded at the Dark Icon, as if I had graciously done him a favor. “Glad I can finally put a name to the face.”

  “You were a wretch that came out of nowhere,” the Bloody-Horned Huntsman growled. “And you ruined a long-term investment, one that would have let me pour far more power into the Chaos Wound than I am now able to. But that doesn’t matter anymore. The Trial’s progress is sufficient, and you are no longer my problem.”

  “That’s generous of you,” I shrugged, still keeping my shield in front of me. “I appreciate it. Are we all ready to fight to the death now?”

  Six divine heads to turned to look at me.

  “I’m serious,” I insisted. “They’re here in corporeal form. And I know not every mortal here should participate, but the odds are at least five against two, in our favor. Is there a magically binding rule that says we can’t attack them?”

  “Five against two?” Caill Fuar tilted her head. “I see. He does not count the Steward as strong enough to oppose us, based on her performance in the last war.”

  “Crap,” I said suddenly, glancing at Merada guiltily. “Sorry Merada, completely unintentional and I promise I’ll work on it. Six against two. I meant to say, the odds are at least six against two. And that’s not counting Breena or the rest of my people who might be strong enough to interfere.”

  Should I have included you in my count, Breena? I sent her worriedly.

  No, Wes, I’m fine, she sent back. You’re doing great.

  “You were including yourself in that count, little Earthborn?” Caill Fuar smiled. “At your Risen age? How droll. I’d keep you for a pet, if you weren’t already doomed by the Horde. But no, it is an unspoken rule that Icons will not attack each other in moments like these.”

  “Indeed, arrogant wretch,” the Huntsman rumbled. “We came here to discuss terms. But I will happily show as many deaths as you think you can stomach, if you insist on provoking me.”

  “That’s cute,” I answered the bloodied barbarian god. “And in response to your point—” I turned to Caill—“I have zero respect for formalities regarding beings who are literally trying to destroy a world. And you don’t want me as a pet. I’m not past the teething stage right now.”

  Heh, the new guy snorted. I like that one.

  “We will protect you if they attack, Challenger,” the Stag Lord rumbled, still glaring at the Huntsman. “But they will be able to flee if we force them into combat. We will hear your proposal, Fallen Icons.”

  “How reasonable of you,” Fuar replied. “Hear our request, oh lofty ones. This world is finished, and the Earthborn have played all parties. Our Challenges have caused far more damage than they were supposed to, and far more quickly. We will not gain even half the power or usable territory for our followers that we had been hoping to gain. I know—” she spread her robed hands—“you do not mourn our loss. On the contrary, you feel we should suffer more, for everything we have taken from you. But what if we were to stop taking?”

  “You would never stop taking,” Lady Titania replied. “Indeed, that is one of the key differences between your Court and mine.”

  “So nice of you to remember that we are kin, sister fey.” Fuar gave another cold smile. “Let me be more direct: Gather as many as your tribes as you can, and take your people off of this world. We will not pursue.”

  “I do not believe you,” Mother Glade answered.

  “I do not blame you,” the white witch replied. “But the truth is that you will not be able to save all of your people. We will lay claim to the ones you are forced to leave behind, as well as the rest of this world. That will have to be enough, as the Earthborn are starting to show signs of turning on us and we need to be ready to deal with them.”

  “Even
if we were to somehow use the ancient Pathways to travel again,” the Stag Lord replied. “We would have no guarantees of safe arrival to wherever they led. But beyond that is the simple fact that we do not accept your reasoning for not pursuing us.”

  “Oh, that’s actually true,” Caill Fuar replied, sounding as surprised as everyone else was, myself excluded. “I’ve been keeping track of the negotiations. Now that our Cataclysms have run most of their course, the Earthborn have gradually become less and less respectful. They have not honored the original terms they negotiated with us, constantly changing what they had agreed to provide at the very last minute.”

  “Really?” I said, trying to sound as surprised as possible. “On my planet we always had a sheet of paper people are afraid to disobey to keep anyone from trying that.”

  “Your world doesn’t have any magic,” Caill Fuar scoffed. “Much less script magic. They were, however, masters at finding ways around our traditional oaths. I have to say I’m rather surprised, Challenger. With the way the rest of your race is, it’s a wonder Avalon’s Steward even thought to look for beings worthy of wearing Avalon’s mantle on that world.”

  “We’re not all bad, despite what we like to tell ourselves,” I tried to say casually while still keeping my shield up. It was starting to get uncomfortable holding a weapon behind it in this position. “And I doubt you weren’t trying to double-cross them as well.”

  “Oh, naturally,” the frost queen replied. “But as soon as they had the power to oppose us in combat, the Malus Order began to break the terms on a level I had thought would trigger the bindings for sure. In fact, that Pit you raided the other day?” I kept my face completely deadpan, urging my entire team to do the same through the mindlink and Breena’s subvocal whisper magic. “Just before you attacked, they drove away my representative, providing him nothing and saying our deal was no more. That was why he refused to aid them when you attacked the Pit.”

  “I didn’t see any enemies but the Horde and the Malus Men,” I said carefully. “Your representative didn’t even show up. Which means you’re lying about the rest of your proposal.”

  Really, Wes? Breena hissed.

  Shush, I sent back. It’s worth a try.

  “I must say that the amount of confidence in this one is marvelous, Titania,” Caill Fuar said offhandedly. “Does he even know what hunts him? No?” she asked when the other Icon didn’t reply. “I’ll give that information for free in a moment. But since my word is called into question, know that I, Caill Fuar, hereby swear that my ambassador’s report was as exactly as I described.” Power crackled around her, and everyone else hissed in shock. Then she continued speaking. “The Earthborn betrayed him, and by extension, me, and they announced that they would no longer provide the slaves and resources we needed. They even taunted him by pretending to offer more, before they let him leave with nothing. You should have seen how angry he was.”

  Holy boiled star-bread… Breena began, he covered for himself and she didn’t catch it.

  Deadpan, people, I reminded everyone. Give nothing away.

  Aye, Merada said, but I can hardly believe it. He lied to hide his blunder, and now it comes to benefit us. That means she doesn’t know anything about what you told him.

  “Can we trust that oath?” I asked Breena and the Icons behind me, all of whom nodded.

  “There,” the white witch continued, “I trust the Hunter and I can still negotiate in good faith now?”

  “You can, but we’re going to refuse,” I replied, stepping forward. I dismissed my axe a moment before, because I could resummon it in a heartbeat and there was no point standing like that forever. “Avalon’s Challenger is here. They’re done losing to your people.”

  Bloody-Horns snorted again, crossing his powerful arms. “Big talk for a young Earthborn boy that has never seen an Icon in combat. We can read your Risen level, little one. We know you to be far from ready to handle a Trial, much less a Tumult. You won’t even need to fight us to fail.”

  “And it’s quite odd that you think you will even have the time,” Fuar added. “Or is that why you fled here? To escape your fate back on Avalon?” She looked curious and amused to me. I did what I had been doing and pretended to be a dumb, young, and inexperienced male.

  That last one’s not pretending if we’re still a virgin, Teeth pointed out.

  “What do you mean?” I asked the Dark Icon, still looking like I didn’t believe her. “Avalon’s fine.”

  “Stupid prey,” Bloody-Horns scoffed. “He doesn’t even know who hunts him.”

  “Don’t blame the poor boy,” the Hoarfolk Icon admonished. “He doesn’t understand just how much he has angered the Lord of the Lost Deeps.”

  “The who?” I asked, curious.

  “The Dragon Icon, and chief of all Hordebeasts,” the other Dark Icon replied. “He who rose to Icon status and seized an entire world away from the Steward of Avalon. You have apparently offended him, little Earthborn. I pity you for your fate.”

  “Tell me why I should fear an Icon that can’t even leave his own world?” I asked in contempt. Both of the other Icons just laughed.

  “I have no idea whether or not he can leave,” Fuar admitted, “but he doesn’t need to deal with you personally, Challenger. He has a whole Pantheon of Dark Icons in his Court. He even has the power to raise up new ones. Something he has done specifically for you. Have you not heard of the skinless wolf that hunts you?”

  The time dilation, I realized. That was why no one realized I had already slain Raw-Maw. That event was a mere two days ago on this world, even though I’d had over a week of training back on Avalon. Don’t grin, I told myself. Keep acting foolishly cocky.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m not a little girl in a red hood,” I replied, watching them blink as they tried to understand my reference. “I’m not afraid of a big bad wolf.”

  Wait, Breena said. Isn’t he called that in the Three Little Pigs?

  Just roll with it, I replied. But the Dark Icons were laughing again.

  “Proud, proud fool,” the Huntsman scoffed. “Let me inform you, then, that the Raw-Mawed Wolf is the Icon of Hunting Wes Malcolm. He has no other responsibilities. No other means to gain power, and followers. His sole purpose is to find you, and to trap, capture, or kill you himself if he is able to. The closer he comes to finding you, the more powerful he becomes. The more damage he does to you, or to even the things you care about, the more powerful he becomes. By the time he gets to you he will be strong enough to devour a being of your Risen level in only one bite. You are doomed to be his food, young Challenger. The only decision you should have left is where to die. Will you die on the Woadlands, our current world, and bring another Dark Icon to this vicinity, or will you return to die on Avalon, where he will probably strike first, so that you can spend your last moments watching your people be returned to the Horde?” Bloody-Horns turned his head to the four Icons standing behind me. “And this is the creature you are now putting your trust in? Consider our offer. Everyone wins. You get more survivors and a chance to find a new world to start over. We get this world and all the prey you must leave behind. You can even take your crops and livestock with you. You should. They’re not currently enough to feed the tribes still resisting us, who will starve to death even if you somehow overcome the Tumults at the last moment.”

  I felt the worried gazes of the Icons behind me, as they weighed this offer against the fact that they had no way to save the lives of their people at any rate.

  If I was in their place, I would have to think about this offer, whether I wanted to or not. When I saw Caill Fuar grin, I knew that the Dark Icon was coming to the same conclusion.

  Malcolm, this is bad, Merada sent me. Even if they believe in you, this still may seem as the best of their bad options.

  Don’t worry, I thought back confidently to her. I’ll fix it in a moment. I directed my mind at the Freaking New Guy I still couldn’t get rid of. Hey asshole, do you want to take over fo
r a bit?

  Fuck you, Teeth snarled back. But yes. When?

  Wait for them to get ready to leave.

  “But,” Fuar continued with cold loftiness, “we of course understand this is not a decision to be made lightly. We will withdraw and give you time to consider your choices. You have until our next battle. My people are marching for what your people call the Bear-Paw River. We will arrive in five weeks. You may give us your answer then. Goodbye, brother and sister Icons,” the white witch said, turning her back and beginning to shimmer back into snow. The Bloody-Horned Huntsman also began to turn.

  Now? Teeth asked.

  Yeah, I answered, but keep it to just talking, snorting, or laughing. No attacking. Yet.

  Fine, he sent back, and I switched to the passenger seat and let my inner dragon-slash-jackass do what he did best.

  I started chuckling, loud enough for them to hear me. Then I started cackling. Both Dark Icons paused, giving me one last, curious look over their shoulders. Then I threw my head back and began roaring with laughter. Caill Fuar raised a blue-tinted eyebrow as she looked at me.

  “My apologies,” she said to the Light Icons behind me. “It seems I broke your Challenger’s mind on the way out.”

  “Yeah,” I snorted as I kept laughing. “Totally your fault… Raw-maw… that’s hilarious…”

  “Is it?” She tilted her head again, with a fey’s curiosity. “Do humor me, and explain why.”

  “Well,” I snorted, trying to rein in my laughter. “I mean… have you even seen the guy?” I brought my antics down to a chuckle. “He looked ridiculous!”

  Now the Huntsman turned at my words.

  “You are claiming to have seen him?” he scoffed.

  “Yeah,” I said, down to a light snicker. “Mostly white fur. Too large to use most fire exits. Also had a fur-less, fleshy mouth, which gives him his name. I personally wouldn’t have wanted that for an identifying feature, but it wasn’t my decision. But what I really had a problem with,” I added, dropping all of my antics and getting dead serious, “was that his fighting potential sucked.” I spat the last word out. “I’m serious. If you two battle at that level, then I really am taking you both down right now. I mean it. He was that bad.”