by CM Raymond
The Unlawful, pointing northeast, picked up speed as Gregory leaned on the controls. The Jannas Mines were quickly fading into memory, and their destination was rapidly approaching.
He was alone in the cockpit. The rest of the crew—except for Ezekiel, who was below attempting to connect with Lilith again—lounged on the deck. Hannah leaned against Sal’s side, feeling it rise and fall with his contented snoring. Devin slept too, curled up between Sal’s front legs.
“Looks like we wore him out,” Laurel said. “I could brew him a cup of kaffe. He earned it down there.”
“No!” the others all screamed at once.
Hannah grinned. “We’ll just let him chill for a bit, Laurel. Don’t know if we could handle having the big oaf hopped up on kaffe right now.”
“All right,” Hadley said, “time to spill the beans. What the hell happened down there, anyway? And… The plan?”
Hannah recounted the details of her adventure, taking time to tell the story of Polly and the others. When she got to the part about Wartface and his wandering hands, she hesitated. “Well, let’s just say that I couldn’t contain my sense of justice...all that cruelty. Those were some real cold-blooded bastards down there.”
Hadley looked at her with a skeptical expression clouding his eyes, but he kept his doubts to himself.
Aysa nodded along as Hannah talked. She had some remembrance of a few of the slaves from Baseek. Others were family members of friends and neighbors in her coastal village. Aysa herself had been affected by the slaughter; her missing arm was evidence of that. “Thank you, Hannah. What we did today won’t right everything that happened to my people, but it makes things a little bit closer.”
Hannah nodded. “Hopefully those rat bastards will spend the next ten years digging themselves out of the rubble. Maybe they’ll learn that being asshats doesn’t actually pay.”
They sat quietly for a few beats, until Parker asked, “So, boss, any more stops along the way? I mean, asshats are everywhere.”
Hannah glanced at him and then at the horizon beyond Unlawful‘s bow. She knew that destroying the mines had been the right move, but time was of the essence. If Ezekiel was right, they didn’t have much of it to spare. As the leader of the BBB, Hannah understood that she’d have to make decisions like this all the time, choosing between equally appealing paths.
This world would always contain injustice. No Founder or Oracle or Matriarch could change that. But those with strength of mind and arm could do their best to stamp it out. That’s what Hannah was committed to. It was the strongest truth she knew.
“I don’t think I could ignore a cry for help, not one that stared me in the face, anyway,” Hannah finally said. “But right now, we have to get to Lilith. The darkness is still growing, and the Triple-Bs have to bring the light.”
“Aye, lass,” Karl snorted. “I’ll make ye a deal, then. You bring the light and I’ll bring me hammer and the fear of the Patriarch with me.”
“You’re such a badass,” Laurel said. “Just sometimes more ass than bad!” She snickered at the rearick’s expense.
“Careful, Laurel. You want to make sure that hairy ass stays on your side,” Hannah said. “If Gregory’s right, we have two days until we make it to the Oracle. We need to be ready. Get some rest, all of you. Since Ezekiel hasn’t connected with Lilith yet, we don’t know quite what we’re walking into. It could be anything.”
“Aye. This ass, for one, will be ready for anything, Captain,” Karl said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, the best way for me to rest is to finish off a few pints of mead and sleep like a bloody rock.”
****
Gregory sat alone in the cockpit. The moonlit earth hurtling by beneath him had lulled him almost into an trance, calling for him to fall asleep. But he resisted the urge, rubbing his eyes until he thought they would fall out.
The ship was well designed, but for all its technical brilliance it still needed a pilot. If he fell asleep now, there was no telling where the ship would go. More likely than not it would crash straight into the ground. On their first day aboard Unlawful, Karl had told Gregory that if he crashed it, the rearick would shove his hammer up the young Arcadian’s ass. The look in his eye told Gregory to take the threat seriously.
He yawned deeply, then rubbed his eyes again.
“I’ll slap you if you think it would help.”
Gregory turned to find their newest team member leaning in the doorway.
“No offense, Aysa,” Gregory said, looking at the girl’s giant Baseeki hand, “but from your hand, a slap might kill me.”
“Fair enough,” she said as she climbed in and took a seat next to him. “Listen, why don’t you let me man the wheel for a little bit? You look pretty beat.”
“I don’t think so,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s all pretty technical.”
“You saying I’m not smart enough to handle it?”
He opened his eyes wide. “No, not at all. It’s just—”
“Because if you’re calling me dumb, I might just have to slap you after all. There might not have been fancy Arcadian technology in Baseek, but we spent our days on the water rowing fishing boats. How much harder could steering this thing be?”
He grinned condescendingly. “It’s a bit harder than a rowboat.”
“Well, that’s too bad, because I saw a lonely druid sitting by herself in the mess. She looked like she could use some company.”
“Wait.” He was suddenly fully awake. “Seriously?”
“But you’re far too busy with your important work here. Maybe I’ll see if Hadley is around to keep her company…”
“OK,” he said, rising to his feet. “You know what, I could take a quick break. You sure you can handle this?”
She smiled. “With one arm tied behind my back.”
Gregory explained the basic controls to her, complete with several “don’t touch that button” reminders. Then he skipped out of the cockpit toward their eating area.
Laurel was there, drinking a steaming beverage.
“Is that what I think it is?” he asked as he sat next to her. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Relax,” she said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. “Sal is off on a night hunt. We’re under no threat of a kaffe catastrophe.”
“Well, if that’s the case…” Gregory grabbed the mug and took a sip.
They sat in silence for a moment, enjoying a rare moment of peace together.
“I was watching you today from the cockpit. You were amazing out there.”
Gregory couldn’t be sure, but it looked like she blushed a little. “Thanks. Truth be told, I was a little sloppy. Good enough to beat those dicks, but my fighting instructor back in the Dark Forest would have scolded me for more than a few missteps.”
“Well, I thought you were a work of art out there.”
“You Arcadians and your sweet talk. I bet you’ve used that line dozens of times.”
He laughed. “Trust me, you’re the first.”
“Good,” she said. “Because if I found out that you were sweet on some girl back in the city, I’d march us right back there and make grass grow all over her face—”
“Gross.”
“—and weeds start sprouting over her ass.”
“Does nature magic even work like that?” he asked through his laughter.
She shrugged. “Probably not. But it would sure be fun to try.”
“Well then,” he said, “on behalf of my nonexistent lover in Arcadia, maybe we shouldn’t go back home for a while. Maybe never again.”
Laurel took a long sip, then looked at him thoughtfully. “Would you be sad if you never went back to Arcadia?”
Gregory thought for a quick second. “Nope. There’s nothing for me back there. My mom fled almost immediately after Adrien died. It’s for the best that you’ll never have to meet her. And my dad can rot in that damn cell for all I care. Besides, I’ve got all I need right here.”
He patted her hand and she l
eaned in for a deep kiss.
“What was that for?” he asked when she finally let him come up for air.
“For giving a good answer,” she replied.
He leaned in to kiss her again, but Devin popped his head up out of her shirt. Her nose was twitching, and she was looking around frantically.
“Oh, shit,” Laurel said. “That’s not good.”
“What is it?”
“There’s only one thing that gets Devin this excited. And he’s big and green and can fly. Sal’s back.”
Gregory jumped to his feet. “Shit. Shit. Shit. Quick, get rid of the kaffe!”
****
Hannah sat in the stern with Parker by her side. She soaked in the moonlight while also taking in his profile. For years he’d looked like a boy on the streets of Queen’s Boulevard, but the past year had aged him, as it had aged them all.
He opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted by the flapping of wings. Sal didn’t slow as he approached the ship. Normally the lizard would have run straight to Hannah, tail wagging, but this time he barely even noticed her. He barreled through the door like he smelled something delicious inside.
A second later, the muffled sound of Gregory’s cursing could be clearly heard.
They looked at each other and laughed, imagining the chaos brewing within their ship. When he could breathe again, Parker asked, “Knowing what you know now, what would you do if you could go back five years?”
Hannah snorted as she laughed. “Damn. I thought you were going to ask what I wanted for dinner.”
She sat quietly for a minute, thinking about the question. The right answer, as everyone knew, was that she wouldn’t change anything. Each and every event that had happened made her who she was, prepared her for right now, and brought her to this place with him. But all that contentment talk was bullshit, and she knew it.
“Let’s see… I’d have my magic and no one would know it, so I would already be a badass bitch, right?”
“I assume so.” Parker leaned back on his elbows.
“OK, then I would take Adrien out first thing. You know, with some mastermind plan. It would have been easy back then. He didn’t think there was anyone who would oppose him. I’d blast his ass off the face of Irth and then finish the day with that Doyle douche who was always at his side.”
“Not bad. But then you wouldn’t have been chased by the Hunters.”
“Uh huh,” Hannah agreed.
“And you wouldn’t have met Ezekiel.”
“Sounds good so far,” she said.
“And you wouldn’t be on this ship, setting off to save the world.”
“Damn it, Parker. That all assumes I wouldn’t have met him any other way. We were fated.” She leaned back next to him and looked over with a smile.
Parker laughed. “Not sure I believe in fate.” He shoved his hand through his hair, pushing the strands behind his ears. “And second?”
“Easy. I would have made out with a hot guy years ago. All these wasted years.” She gave him a wink.
He shifted his weight onto one elbow and looked deep into her eyes. “But we were fated as well. Then. Now. Does it make a difference?”
Hannah looked down, staring at an invisible dot on the deck for a moment and then back up at him. “Parker,” she whispered, “I was talking about Gregory.”
Parker lost it, laughing hard enough to bring convulsions.
“What?” she asked. “Beneath that kinky black hair and all the math and stuff, he is hot. I mean, Laurel gets it.”
“Sure,” he conceded, “Gregory is hot.”
“There you go, telling me I’m right again.” She leaned closer, only an inch away from his face. “Lucky for you, Gregory is taken now. I missed my chance. I’ll have to settle for some scum from the Boulevard.”
“You’ve always loved slumming it,” Parker said as he kissed her, pulling her body into his.
CHAPTER SIX
Karl snorted. “So, I’m all rested up and ready to kick some arse. We there yet?”
Aysa, Laurel, and Hadley looked at him, each of them shaking their heads. The team had been stuck together for several days as they journeyed northeast. Clouds filled the sky, blocking any sort of view and giving the BBB nothing to look at except each other. And Hannah had refused to take any more detours until they reached the Oracle. Karl was getting cabin fever.
Which meant he wanted to hit something.
“I should teach you to meditate,” Hadley said.
“Right after I teach ya to pull yer own head outta yer ass,” Karl grunted. “Come on, pretty boy. Let me teach ye a lesson or six.” He slid off the wooden crate and unslung his hammer from his hip.
“I’m a lover, not a fighter,” Hadley quipped. “Anyway, I’d hate to make you cry in front of the ladies.”
“Who you callin’ a lady?” Aysa asked, pushing herself away from the railing and pulling her bolas from their sling. She spun the Baseeki weapon and a smile warmed her face. “I’ll take a lesson, rearick. Or maybe I’ll give one. Let’s see what you got.”
Karl held up his hand. “Dunno, lass. I know ya got some fire in thar, but I don’t spend me time fightin’...” His eyes cut to the nub where her left arm had once been.
“Take no pity on me, old man. I cut the damn thing off myself when I was eight. Imagine you were still pissing in your momma’s arm when you were that age. Besides, it will help make this a fair fight.”
He laughed deep and hard. “I like this one. And I’ll like shuttin’ ‘er piehole.”
Raising his hammer, he stepped toward Aysa. She moved to the side, circling him. She kept herself hunched low, but with her long legs she still managed to stand taller than the rearick.
Their eyes were locked, and Karl felt the thump of his heart increase in anticipation. No matter the situation, a battle between two well-equipped fighters always gave him a thrill. He had seen the girl fight on the beach by her hometown. He knew she was not one to take lightly.
Aysa spun the bolas in front of herself in a figure eight. “Sure you don’t want to go back to your mead, Short Stuff?”
“Hey,” Laurel shouted, “that’s my line.”
Aysa looked over her shoulder at the druid and grinned. “I learned from the best.”
Karl moved for a strike just as she turned back, his hammer coming down from overhead. The Baseeki nearly missed the attack, but her reaction was instantaneous. Sidestepping him at the last moment, she smacked his ass with her bolas.
“Scheisse,” he screamed as he rubbed his buttocks. Hadley and Laurel started laughing, but Aysa only grinned.
“Come on, rearick, you’re supposed to be this legendary fighter. I’m just an innocent kid.”
“Aye, lass, yer as innocent as I am cheerful.”
He came at her again, swinging wide with his hammer. But his attack was slow, and left him open for a counterattack. Aysa easily dodged and took advantage of his vulnerability. She whipped her bolas toward his head.
Karl, however, would not be taken down that easily. He dropped his hammer and caught her weapon in mid-swing. She didn’t realize she’d been played until it was too late.
He pulled on her bolas, and she stumbled toward him. With his free hand he grabbed her ankle and yanked it toward him, flipping her.
She landed hard on the planks.
“Scheisse,” she said as she stared up at him.
He smiled, reaching down a hand to help her regain her feet. “I tell ya what, ye’ve got some natural talent there, kid. Seriously. But what ya got in speed and grit, ye lack in experience. And experience will win every time. Ye start training with me, however, I’ll having ye running circles around whatever we come up against out there.”
She smiled and nodded. “I’m in. Will it end up with me on my back every time, though?”
He laughed. “Aye, probably. Until ye learn not to fall. Wanna try again?”
The two sparred for another half an hour without weapons. Karl sh
owed her how to use her strength and reach to her advantage. Then he demonstrated every possible weakness that came along with it—and each lesson came with a corresponding bruise.
“Ho-lee-shite,” Laurel yelled after a particularly brutal take-down.
“I know, I know,” Karl said. “But it’s the best way fer the kid ta learn.” He turned toward the druid, but she wasn’t looking at him or the fight. Her eyes were focused beyond the bow of the ship, into the distance.
The clouds were finally clearing.
She rushed to the front and everyone followed, mouths gaping. A little way off, a town, or what remained of it, was coming into view. It looked only a little smaller than Arcadia, and had been built against a large rock mass with the town extending south. Beyond the city wall stretched what could only be small patches of farmland.
What drew their attention, though, was the smoke rising from multiple places in the city. As Unlawful drew closer, it became apparent that the town had been devastated. The eastern section lay completely in ruins, just as the Boulevard had after Adrien’s attack. The rest wasn’t much better. Some houses barely stood, others were crumbling into nothing, and the wall wouldn’t keep out a three-legged mule.
“Shit,” Hadley whispered.
“You can say that again,” Parker said.
“Shit. Sorry, couldn’t help myself.”
Hannah stepped between the two of them and scanned the city for signs of life. Finding none, she turned to Hadley. “Can you—”
“I’m on it,” he interrupted, his eyes already turning white.
After a moment, his eyes faded back to normal and his face twisted in confusion. “There’s a large group of people, but they all feel distant. Like they’re underground. And I can feel a presence there that makes no sense to me at all. It’s powerful, but surrounded by a lot of static.”
“Aye, static. I get that after a lot of mead. Ye been hittin’ the bottle early, mystic?” Karl grinned, but Hadley’s face showed no hint of humor.
“No idea what it—”
“It’s Lilith,” Ezekiel interjected.
They turned and found the old wizard on the deck behind them. The man had been all but a recluse since they had left Baseek, staying in his quarters after the event at the mine. Unlike his previous appearance, his countenance now looked drawn and tired again.
