Herald of the Nine

by Tiger Hebert

  “Well,” Vichont said, “where are you two off to next?”

  Vacinne scrunched up her nose and said, “I really need to get back to the Setting Sun Inn. They have a bath that is to die for! Oh, and not to mention Gerald’s cooking!”

  Renlar and Vichont chuckled.

  “Seriously, if you’re ever down that way, you need to stay there. You won’t regret it,” she added.

  “I’ll take note of that,” he replied. “And what of the Black Blade? What will he do next?”

  Renlar turned to her and said, “Vacinne, there are some matters that your uncle and I need to address. Would you excuse us for a bit?”

  She eyed him warily. “You’re not stirring up trouble, are you?”

  Renlar chuckled, “I hope not.”

  Vichont eyed Renlar curiously, but said nothing.

  Vacinne shot a serious look at each of them, and said, “No more trouble.”

  Renlar lifted his hands into the air and said, “I promise.”

  She said, “Okay,” then she turned and departed.

  Vichont turned to Renlar and said, “Is everything—”

  “All is forgiven,” interrupted Renlar.

  “Okay,” said Vichont.

  Renlar turned and watched Vacinne making her way down the stairs. “In the Wardens’ old Code of Conduct, section fourteen, article three...”

  Vichont LeDroux said, “That is the Code of Conduct regarding courtship of the betrothed...”

  Renlar turned to meet Vichont’s eyes. “Yes, Grand Master. I would ask for your blessing, should she consider me worthy.”

  Vichont studied Renlar appraisingly for a few long seconds before nodding. “You have my blessing—as long as you follow the Code to the letter, one full year, and not a day sooner. Perhaps that will even give me enough time to try to dry out that brother of mine.”

  “Thank you, Grand Master,” said Renlar with great relief.

  “Can you promise me one more thing?”

  “What’s that?” asked Renlar.

  “When courtship has finished and the time comes, let us host the wedding here at the temple.”

  Renlar smiled. “We would be honored.”

  Renlar was amazed that, in the midst of so much death and destruction, that his heart was filled with joy. It gave him hope. It gave him strength. And it gave him all the more reason to keep his oath.

  VACINNE STOOD OUTSIDE King Goldenhall’s palace. As she waited, she stroked the mare’s long brown neck. She heard laughter and footsteps. She turned and saw Renlar, Draece, and Thrazen making their way down the palace steps.

  When they drew near, she asked, “Is everything settled?”

  Renlar answered by lifting two large sacks and grinning like a child.

  Draece patted his own sack and said, “Very well settled indeed. King Goldenhall was quite generous.”

  She asked, “Where do you two go now?”

  Thrazen did not carry a sack, but he seemed happy nevertheless. “I’ve got an organization to rebuild.”

  “Is that so?” asked Vacinne with a curious expression.

  “Aye. Might not be the most glorious quest, but sometimes in this crazy world, ugly things need to be handled,” replied the dwarf.

  Vacinne’s heart sank with his response. “There’s got to be a better way.

  “Aye, I wish that were true dearie,” Thrazen replied. “But Beggars’ Row ain’t gon’ clean itself up.”

  “Wait, what?” she asked.

  Renlar grinned, “You heard the man, Beggars’ Row can’t change on its own. For real change to happen, someone needs to step up.”

  Thrazen said, “Aye, and that someone is me. We need to cut off the supply of drugs that are being pumped into the city.”

  Vacinne was amazed. “So that’s what the Dirt Dogs will be working on?”

  Thrazen nodded, “Aye, and at times it might get messy, so the King ‘ll not touch it. He can’t. So, we’ll take that problem off his hands.”

  Vacinne’s brow scrunched. “I don’t understand. You made it clear that you give King Goldenhall a very wide berth. You didn’t even want to be seen by him!”

  Renlar shrugged, “Gratitude has a way of changing things.”

  “Renlar has put in a good word for me and the Dogs. He told the King we were instrumental in puttin’ a stop to that bastard Masoc and his bloody mad boss Jherenon,” said Thrazen.

  “And?” she asked.

  “Goldie ‘as agreed to hire us, unofficially of course,” said Thrazen with a nod of the head.

  “Goldie?” asked Vacinne with a chuckle.

  “Eh, he’s not exactly a fan. Said nobody calls ‘em that. I told him, I’m nobody, I’m just a Dog,” said Thrazen with a shrug.

  Vacinne couldn’t help but laugh at her short friend. “Thrazen, the work you’re going to be doing for the people of Beggar’s Row is going to be great. I’m so proud of you.”

  For perhaps the first time in his life, Thrazen smiled. He said nothing, but stretched out to shake her hand. She shook her head and stepped forward and embraced him. After their hug, Thrazen thanked Renlar one last time, then he departed.

  Vacinne and Renlar turned to Draece. “What about you? Still heading South?”

  Draece smiled and nodded. “Yeah, it’s time to go home.”

  “You do realize you won’t be getting a hero’s welcome in Nas’nethar, right?” asked Renlar.

  Draece drew a deep breath and exhaled, “I know, there’s a lot of unfinished business there waiting for me, but it’s time.”

  Vacinne asked, “Is there a plan?”

  Renlar and Draece both laughed at the question.

  “What?”

  “Draece prefers to live in the moment,” Renlar said with a smile.

  “Guilty as charged,” admitted Draece.

  “We will see you again, won’t we?” asked Vacinne. The concern in her voice was genuine.

  “If your God is willing, perhaps,” said Draece.

  “He’s your God too,” said Renlar.

  Draece laughed, “You’re the one who swore an oath yesterday, not me.”

  “It’s never too late,” said Renlar.

  Draece grinned, but changed the subject, “Blackie, Vacinne, I just wanted to say... this whole adventure... it meant a lot to me. It always will. I learned a lot, most of it I’m sure I don’t even understand yet, but you both showed me that darkness doesn’t have to win. With the life I’ve lived... I really needed to see that.”

  Renlar turned toward his old friend. “Draece, you did some good in this world, a whole lot of good.”

  A wave of emotions washed over Draece’s blue face. Tears formed in his silver eyes. He went to say something, but his words were choked out. Renlar pulled his friend in for a heartfelt embrace.

  Vacinne took a turn sharing a hug with her new friend before he mounted the brown horse she’d been tending to. Draece smiled and waved, leading the horse away.

  Vacinne waited until he was out of earshot, then she asked, “Will he be okay?”

  “He’s crossed some unsavory folks back in Nas’nethar. That sack of gold will help a lot, but some debts can’t be paid so easily. But he’s one of the cleverest men I’ve ever met. I guess time will tell,” answered Renlar.”

  Vacinne nodded, then took him by the hand, “Are you ready to go now?”

  “I’m ready to get home, but I’m not looking forward to the journey ahead,” he admitted.

  “You don’t like flying anymore?” asked Vacinne.

  “Flying?”

  “Ausaliia, we’re ready,” said Vacinne.

  RENLAR WATCHED VACINNE from the hallway. She stood before the mirror in her cozy room at the Inn. Unaware of his presence, she gazed upon her reflection. The long lavender gown he’d bought her fit well. Her bright blue eyes stared at the mirror intently as she ran her brush through the golden tresses that spilled over her right shoulder.

  She’s perfect.

  As he stared at h
er, his heart raced.

  He was careful entering the room so as to not make a sound. He didn’t want her to hear him. He drew upon the smallest amount of air that could lift him from the floor. He moved toward her at an angle, and eased himself down behind her. Before her eyes could meet his own, his hands settled upon her shoulders and his lips landed softly upon her neck.

  “Oh my,” she said as she leaned back into him.

  Renlar pulled his lips away after the one gentle kiss. His eyes met her’s in the mirror.

  “You didn’t have to stop.”

  Renlar smiled as he opened up one of his balled fists. A golden necklace fell free. Renlar reached across her chest with his free hand and grabbed the dangling end of the chain and he drew it across her collarbone. Vacinne’s eyes went to the round ruby that dangled from the golden chain.

  Vacinne gasped, “It’s gorgeous!”

  “I hoped you’d like it,” said Renlar. “It was my mother’s.”

  Vacinne’s eye met his. “Are you sure?”

  Renlar brought the ends of the necklace around her neck and fastened the clasp.

  “As sure as I’ve ever been, about anything,” he replied as he met her eyes.

  “Renlar...”

  Renlar reached down and took her by the hand and turned her to face him.

  “Vacinne, you are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. Your beauty captivated me from the first night you walked through the doors of this Inn. But it was your compassion, your strength, your courage, and your fiery determination that stole my heart.”

  He now held both of her hands and squeezed them.

  “When you kissed me in the library, then again in your room, I wanted to kiss you, and hold you, and... everything... all at once. But I want to do things, right, I need to do things right. Not only to honor you, but to keep my oaths—to the Light, and to your Uncle.”

  “Renny, what are you saying?”

  Renlar lowered himself down onto one knee. “Vacinne, will you be mine?”

  Her eyes grew wide. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

  “I told you I’d fight through the pits of the Hells to make you mine, and I meant it. Besides, I think we’ve already done that.”

  Tears were already streaming down her face. “Yes, Renlar, yes!”

  As he rose back up, she threw her arms around him and kissed him. He held her tight as their lips met in a long passionate kiss.

  When their kiss finally ended, she asked, “Wait, what was the promise you made to my uncle?”

  Renlar said, “That we would honor the Code.”

  “Which is?”

  “We would have a proper courtship,” replied Renlar.

  “Aww, that’s so old fashioned and cute. How long before we can get married?”

  “One year,” he replied.

  “Renlar!”

  21

  Onward

  Three months later...

  Vaccine crept between the massive gray boulders. Her shield thrummed with her power and her Ashthorill Runeblade glowed as the golden runes skittered across its surface. With careful steps, she moved out into the mountain clearing.

  The gwyeroc has got to be here somewhere, she thought.

  Be patient, Renlar insisted.

  Easy for you to say, you’re not the one who had their lunch stolen!

  I offered you my stew, he rebutted.

  I’m just ready to find this damned thing, so I can go home.

  The rippling hiss of breath forced from a creature’s mouth rose above the faint sound of the breeze. The sound had to be coming from somewhere behind the rock outcropping on the other side of the clearing. Those boulders were massive and could probably hide a whole dragon. The creature’s hissing breath was accompanied by a snort then the loud chewing of a large beast. The chewing was followed by swallowing.

  A guttural voice rasped, “Your scent leaves me craving your flesh, woman.”

  The unseen beast growled and began to move. A massive red-furred dire wolf emerged from behind the boulders.

  “Gwyeroc, what is your name?” demanded Vacinne.

  The mighty beast came into full view, revealing his true nature. He was no simple dire wolf. His shoulders were six feet off the ground and Membraned wings rose up from his back. He was indeed a gwyeroc.

  “Beast, your name!” she demanded again.

  The red beast set its red eyes upon her, and with a fang-baring snarl he rasped, “Hunger.”

  The gwyeroc charged forward and leapt into the air. The beast opened wide, flashing his massive fangs as it shot toward her. Vacinne flashed away as Hunger landed where she was. The furious beast wheeled back on her with a snarl.

  Vacinne shouted, “Your days of terrorizing the people in these mountains are over, beast.”

  Hunger chuckled, “You think your threats scare me? You brave... and stupid girl. I will hunt until I’ve tasted the flesh of every last human in the Sorrow Spire Mountains.”

  The gwyeroc surged forward. His speed was incredible. Vacinne just barely brought her shield up in time to absorb the blow. The beast was massive and easily weighed over four-hundred pounds. The impact sent her reeling backwards.

  Hunger lunged. Vacinne threw herself into a sidelong roll. She stopped just beyond the gwyeroc’s reach. She hurried to her feet and slashed wildly with her sword, halting the beast’s advance.

  Hunger snarled and snapped at her, but she kept her ground. Her sword was ready to strike and the beast approached with caution.

  “You underestimate me, beast,” shouted Vacinne as she clapped her sword against her shield.

  “That is where you err, human. You think only of you and I. But to be wolf is to be of the pack.”

  The red gwyeroc drew in a deep breath, lifted its face skyward and released the most terrifying howl she’d ever heard. The shrill edge of the beast’s cry sent shivers down her spine. Thrice it howled.

  Hunger lowered his malevolent gaze back toward her. His amber eyes burned with wicked desire. The beast began to laugh as other gwyerocs came into view. Vacinne’s head whipped in each direction as the beasts, seven in all, surrounded her on all sides. The pack slowly closed the distance on her, as they released deep throaty growls.

  Hunger rasped, “You may be strong, little one, but not stronger than the pack.”

  “Is that so?” replied Vacinne as her eyes continuously surveyed her adversaries.

  “That’s why it will be so satisfying when I rip your throat out and watch the life drain from you, like an elk on the tundra.”

  Vacinne grunted, “You’re really playing up the whole wolf thing, aren’t you?”

  Hunger cocked his head to the side in confusion.

  Vacinne continued, “You know, hunting elk on the tundra, the pack, that whole bit.”

  “Enough talk, woman. Brothers, tonight we feast on human!”

  Vacinne grinned, “Nice try, but we both know it’s just you and me, demon.”

  She slapped her sword against her shield once more and the additional six gwyeroc illusions disappeared, leaving just Hunger. He snarled and snapped as rage overtook him. He lunged at her. She swung hard. The gwyeroc demon’s agility allowed it to twist unnaturally in mid-air. The blade shaved hair off the beast’s right side as it just narrowly missed flesh. The demon beast landed, spun, and lunged with impossible speed. Vacinne called upon her magical ward. The golden shield formed just in time to meet Hunger’s frothing maw. Massive fangs bit at the golden ward, unable to break through.

  Vacinne released her magical ward and lunged forward with a shield strike. The steel surface of the kite shield slammed right into the demon gwyeroc’s face. The demon recoiled and licked its busted lip where black ichor began to ooze. Vacinne seized the advantage. She called upon her power and launched a series of phase attacks. The demonic beast roared in pain and rage as her runeblade slashed from every side, before plunging through its left flank. The Ashthorill Runeblade cut through fur, hide, and bone as it pierce
d Hunger’s lungs. The demon writhed and yelped as it died. Vacinne put her foot on the demon’s hide and pulled her once pristine blade free. The still glowing runes were now covered with the thick black sludge that ran through every demon’s veins. The same sludge was now splattered all over Vacinne’s recently painted armor.

  “Well at least it’s not as noticeable now that you’ve painted everything black and gray.”

  Vacinne spun around to see Renlar suddenly standing there.

  “Now you show up?”

  “What do you mean?” he asked innocently.

  Vacinne snapped, “You left me with the demon gwyeroc!”

  “Pff, clearly you could handle it,” he replied.

  Vacinne counted, “And what if I needed help?”

  “Then you probably shouldn’t have asked for blue thistle tea. I just searched three peaks just to find enough for one pot,” he groused.

  Vacinne’s expression softened, “Aw, poor Renny had to pick flowers while his fiancé killed the demon.”

  “Well, it’s like they always say, a man’s work is never done!”

  Vacinne groaned, “You’re impossible.”

  The earth trembled beneath their feet. The angry sound of thunder rolled over the mountain side. The quaking strengthened.

  “Is a storm coming?” she demanded as she staggered to keep her balance.

  Renlar’s face grew hard. “No.”

  The earth shook violently and the thundering grew louder—and closer.

  “Then what?” she shouted as she looked around.

  Renlar replied, “I don’t—”

  “There!” shouted Vacinne, pointing to one of the nearest ridgelines to the North.

  Black rock and stone towered high above the ridgeline. The gigantic mass was moving toward them, and the mountain shook with each step.

  The sky suddenly grew dark in the distance.

  Vacinne cried, “Stone giant!”

  Lightning danced through the clouds and the thunder filled the air. Renlar turned at her and smiled. His body lifted off the ground. Where his eyes once burned bright white, they now burned with golden fire.

  Thanks for reading Herald of the Nine!