Broken Skies

by Amy Hopkins

  Bodies pressed and shoved against the shuddering horses, and several of the remnant screamed insults and threats.

  Danil felt the beast’s eyes crawling over him, but whatever had them fleeing at that breakneck pace had such a grip, not a single one stopped to fight them.

  The crowded press eased as fast as it had started. Remnant after remnant passed, then vanished into the trees across the road, leaving them suddenly alone.

  Polly let out a sob, then slid off her horse and sat on the ground. Danil climbed down to join her, grabbing the reins of both horses so they couldn’t run. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders.

  “Sorry,” she whimpered, trying to force down her shuddering gasps.

  Danil squeezed her. “That,” he said softly, “Was the scariest fucking thing I have ever encountered. Ever.”

  “You’re n-not scared,” she said, eyes still wet. Her voice was a little steadier, though.

  “Are you fucking insane?” Danil asked. “Those bastards could have shoved us through a meat grinder backwards. Only an idiot wouldn’t be scared.” He winked. “I’m just really, really good at hiding it.”

  “Liar.” Polly sniffled, then wiped her nose on his shirt.

  Danil cupped a hand around her face. “I’m not kidding. I’ve spent my life at the Temple, learning to control my mind, master my emotions. I can hide fear; I can work through it and stay focused when I’m terrified. That doesn’t mean I’m not shitting my pants.”

  “Teach me,” she said, voice hard. “Teach me how to do that.”

  “Right now?” Danil asked, surprised.

  Polly shook her head. “No. But soon.” She took a deep breath. “If one of those bastards had taken a swing… I couldn’t have moved if I’d wanted to. I couldn’t have fought back.”

  Danil nodded slowly. “Ok. That’s fair. You’ve taught me to fight with my eyes closed, I certainly owe you this.” He rubbed her back. “But first, we have to get back to Tahn. I don’t think those remnant are headed there, but I can’t say I’m so sure about those things Bastian saw.”

  Polly nodded and stood on shaky legs. Danil helped her back onto her horse.

  “You ok?” he asked, worried at how hard her hands trembled as she held the reins gripped in white fists.

  Polly shook her head. Then, she grinned. “I’m scared as fuck. Not gonna stop me doing my job, though.”

  Danil couldn’t stifle the wide smile that crept over his face. “That’s my girl.”

  He mounted his horse, kicked its ribs, and they set off on the last leg of their journey.

  When they arrived at Tahn, the sun had dropped low in the sky. Danil was relieved to see the gates firmly shut and lanterns dotting the top of the wall.

  “Ahoy the gates!” Danil called as he dismounted. “It’s your favorite mystic! Open up!”

  A head poked over the wall. “Ye don’t look like Julianne or Bastian,” Garrett called. “In fact, ye look like that prick Danil—and he’s nobody’s favorite.”

  “Very funny, you vertically challenged little bastard.” Danil waited, but the gates didn’t open.

  “If ye want to come in, I’d advise ye don’t piss off the man who’s holdin’ the gate shut, ye smartassed wee prick.” Garrett waited for a response.

  “My prick is anything but small, little man. Now, open up.” Danil smirked.

  Garrett opened his mouth to shout something down, but Danil muttered something under his breath.

  “Yes, Danil the great an’ powerful. I shall bow at ye feet and lick yer dirty boots, for yer glory shines upon—”

  “Danil, hurry the fuck up!” Polly snapped. “I’m cold and tired and some big fucking monsters are coming to kill us. Just get him to open the damn gate.”

  “Spoil all my fun,” Danil grumbled. A moment later, the gate swung open and they rode in.

  “You better hold that spell as long as you can,” Polly suggested. “Because the second you let him out of it, he’s going to hunt your ass down and give it a walloping.”

  Garrett gave them a limp wave, then closed the gate.

  Danil winked at Polly. “Watch this.” He waved a hand in front of Garrett, then placed a finger on the rearick’s temple. “Garrett, you won’t remember this. Instead, you think we traded insults for a while, then you opened the gate to let us in. You locked it after. But, you are now absolutely certain that my dick is bigger than—OW!”

  Danil winced, rubbing the bruise forming where Polly had punched him. His finger had slipped off Garrett’s head with the unexpected whack had interrupted his spell.

  Garrett shook his head, dazed. Then, he slowly looked up.

  “Why you little—” Garrett lunged.

  Danil dropped his horse’s reins and ran, taking off down the street. The furious rearick at his heels shouting in anger.

  “Idiot,” Polly murmured. She grabbed Danil’s horse and led both animals back to Tessa’s.

  Her friend ran out to the road to greet her. “Is everything ok?” Tessa asked, voice breathy. “First you ran off, then Garrett came in and ordered the town locked up. He ran past just before, screaming at someone.”

  Polly giggled. “Yeah, that was Danil. I expect that to go on for a while.”

  Tessa put her hands on her hips. “Men! I swear, it’s a wonder they get anything done in between dick measuring contests and—what’s so funny?”

  Polly had doubled over laughing at the words ‘dick measuring contest’. She did her best to explain to Tessa that that was exactly why Garrett was trying to kill Danil.

  By the time the two women had recovered from their laughter, a sore and sorry Danil had returned.

  “What did he do to you?” Polly asked.

  “I have a bruise on my ass an inch thick and a mile long.” Danil rubbed his backside. “I think it broke the skin.”

  Polly sighed and shook her head. “You know what I’m going to say, don’t you?”

  Danil nodded sadly. “That I deserve everything I got? I had to use that spell, though! He wouldn’t let us in, and who knows what could have followed us back!”

  Polly snorted. “That’s not the bit that I was complaining about, and you know it.”

  Danil sighed. “Look, you might have a point. I’m not admitting that you do, I’m just saying you might.”

  Polly walked past, head high. “Well, until I get a full apology, you’ll just have to keep that big ol’ dick of yours to yourself.”

  She slapped his ass, and he yelped in pain, but she ignored him. Tessa clapped a hand over her mouth but couldn’t hold back a fresh round of giggles.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Marcus threw a glance over his shoulder. Above, trees loomed over them, obscuring the stars. Ahead, the long line of exhausted workers and guards marched towards home.

  “I could fall asleep on my horse,” Julianne murmured beside him.

  Marcus nodded. “I know how you feel. Why don’t you meditate for a bit? That’ll recharge you a little, at least.”

  Julianne chewed her lip. “I don’t feel safe diverting my attention,” she said.

  Marcus shook his head. “It’s more dangerous for you to be so tired you can’t stand up when the real fight breaks out.”

  Julianne sighed, then nodded. “Ok. We’re only twenty minutes out. Will you take my horse?”

  Marcus took the reins, holding them gently at his side. He was confident the horse would continue to amble along, while Julianne only spared the absolute minimum energy and concentration needed to not fall off.

  They rode in silence, Julianne’s eyes a soft white, Marcus’s dark in the half-moon light. The men ahead spoke little, using quiet voices and constantly darting glances at the trees. Every sound brought a spike of anxiety, every stumbled step a jolt of worry.

  The trees broke and finally, the walls of Tahn came into view. The bright, sparkling lanterns lifted the men’s spirits, and they picked up pace, walking faster and talking a little louder.

  Marcus heard a b
urst of quiet laughter. Another man started a loud joke. Then, a scream.

  Bedlam broke out. Marcus’s horse reared up, then charged ahead, ripping the second set of reins from his hand. Something crashed beside him and as he turned to look, the moonlight sparkled on a shiny surface, throwing hues of red and amber.

  “Run!” Marcus screamed. “Run to Tahn!”

  He wrestled with his horse as Julianne’s bolted past, riderless. Terror turned his veins to ice as he jerked roughly, wheeling his horse around to face the terror.

  The armor-clad monster stood in the pathway, sword raised menacingly. Behind it, a figure in white rested on the ground.

  “JULIANNE!” Marcus screamed. Oblivious to the risk, he booted his horse and charged forwards.

  As Marcus approached at a breakneck speed, the beast lifted his weapon. All the rider could see was a pair of bright, white specks rising from the pile of white cloth.

  Marcus nodded, and clenched his teeth so hard they almost cracked.

  The sword swung, sharp blade biting through the cool evening air. Marcus threw himself to the side, yanking the horse around.

  Hooves skidded on dry dirt, and Marcus brushed the ground with one hand, skin peeling off on the tiny rocks and sharp stones that dotted the side of the road.

  The blade scraped his leg, sending spears of fire shooting through his thigh. Marcus’s outstretched hand grabbed Julianne’s.

  Fingers wrapped around his wrist. He pulled, gripping the pommel of his saddle with white knuckles. He felt Julianne’s leap, pushing her off the ground and her grip on his arm pulled harder.

  The horse skidded to a stop, now facing the back of the monstrous, armored creature from another world. Julianne’s arms slid around Marcus’s waist as the momentum of their turn slid him back to a sitting position.

  Now. Julianne’s command thundered in his head, and he kicked, bolting forwards. The lumbering man-beast tried to turn, but his heavy armor slowed him. Marcus dashed past, and they were off, hurtling down the road, wind whipping hair into his face and stinging his eyes.

  The gates that kept Tahn wrapped in safety had already opened to admit the crowd of people fleeing towards safety. Now, they were closing. Bowmen stood on the wall, tall and proud, weapons drawn.

  Two men—one short, the other with sparkling white eyes, screamed from above.

  “Faster, Faster!”

  “Get yer skinny ass inside ye prick!”

  Marcus leaned forwards, kicking his horse and praying it wouldn’t stumble.

  Something leapt onto the road beside them. Big, red… he didn’t look, only focused on the narrowing gap ahead.

  Julianne’s weight shifted behind him. He felt the scrape of a sword being pulled from his scabbard, then a piercing scream filled the air.

  Marcus roared. He kicked harder. The horse slammed through the tiny opening in the gate, slamming Marcus’s leg against the barricade, then stumbling to the ground inside the safe confines of Tahn.

  Marcus rolled free of the horse’s weight, and the animal lurched back to its feet, sweating and trembling.

  “Jules?” Marcus gasped.

  She crawled over to him, then collapsed, rolling onto her back.

  “Bitch be damned,” she gasped. “You’re insane.”

  Marcus felt a laugh bubble up. “You’re alive because of it.”

  “I wasn’t complaining.” She lurched up and leaned her head on his chest. “Thanks for saving my ass.”

  “Thanks for being ready,” he said. “If I’d gotten there, and you hadn’t jumped, we’d both be dead.”

  “It helps that I knew what you were doing,” she admitted.

  The horse casually clopped over, then lifted its tail.

  Marcus and Julianne bolted, rolling away and jumping to their feet.

  “I suppose I deserved that,” Marcus said, face wrinkling in distaste as the horse proceeded to drop lumps of shit on the road right next to him.

  Marcus clapped the horse’s rump, then looked up to the watch tower beside the wall. “What’s out there?” Marcus called.

  “One fat dead bastard, and four fat live bastards,” Garrett yelled back down. “And one big prick so ugly he can’t show his face.”

  “Dead?” Marcus called.

  He saw Danil nod. “Jules stabbed it with your pointy stick,” he said. “Nice work. Wish I had a girl to do all my killing for me.”

  “Hey!” Polly squealed

  Danil winced as she emerged behind him and whacked the back of his head. “It’s really not my day, today.”

  Polly just shook her head and started down the ladder. Danil followed her.

  “What are you two doing?” Julianne asked.

  “Can’t fight from up there,” Polly pointed out. “And those bastards look like they want in. How’d you do with the portal?”

  Julianne nodded. “All closed up. At least, I think it’ll work.”

  She explained that Ardie had shown her how arduous the trip through the rift was. It seemed the creatures had the same need for air as those on Irth, and that some had died from lack of it.

  “So,” she finished, “Making sure they get stuck on our end should mean they just suffocate.”

  Polly winced. “Poor little varks.”

  Julianne pursed her lips. “I don’t think so. We haven’t seen a vark come through since the bigger ones. I think the varks were the guinea pigs—they made it through, and now the big guys are traveling through, they don’t need to send any more test subjects.”

  “Where is Ardie?” Marcus asked. “You… you didn’t squash him, did you?”

  “No, dear.” Julianne patted Marcus’s hand. “Annie is babysitting. Vark-sitting? Ardie is with her.”

  “Ah.” Marcus tipped his head towards the ladder. “Should we go up for a look?”

  Julianne responded by kneeling next to him. “Are you sure you should even be walking on this?” She tenderly touched his blood-soaked thigh.”

  Marcus shrugged. “It stings, but I think he just grazed it.” He bent his knees and shifted his weight. “It’s fine.”

  “Right.” Julianne stood and headed for the ladder. “But if you get blood on my robes, you’re on washing duty.”

  She shimmied up the ladder, leaving Marcus to wonder when he wasn’t on washing duty.

  Julianne scanned the flat, open land outside Tahn. The still body of the alien she’d stabbed lay on the road, ignored by its kin. The armored man paced along the wall, occasionally making casual swipes with his blade.

  “This shouldn’t be too hard,” Julianne murmured.

  Garrett glanced at her, eyes wide. “Yer havin’ me on, right?”

  Bette snorted. “Grow some balls, ye wee coward. She’s right.”

  Garrett smiled sweetly. “Ye’ve got enough balls for three of us, me love.”

  “Damn right I have,” Bette said. “Look. That one there, he might be big, but he’s a wee bit stupid. That armor is weighin’ him down. Watch him turn…”

  Garrett watched as the clobbering thing reached the end of his track, then slowly and awkwardly turned.

  “I bet if he had a wee stumble, he’d hit the ground and not get up. He’d be like a wee tortoise, or a big fat roach stuck on its back, legs all AHHH and EEHHH!” Bette scrabbled at the air with her hands, mimicking an upside-down roach.

  “Best not piss the bastard off, me love,” Garrett pointed out. Her voice had carried through the night air, and the beast in question had slowly turned his head towards her.

  It resumed its stomping progress. “The scaly things have hard carapaces,” Julianne told them. “But they’re not as protected as Ardie.”

  She lifted her arm and drew a line under her armpit. “There’s a gap around here, and one here,” she said as her finger traveled down her side. “And they have nothing over their faces. If you can get something sharp in any of those spots, they’re dead.”

  “So, we need to trip the big bastard, then get in close to the others?” Marcu
s asked.

  Julianne pursed her lips. “Maybe not. I think the big one controls the others. If we take him out, his minions might—might—leave us alone.”

  “Well, then,” Marcus said. “Let’s hope he leads the charge.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Polly stood at the ladder propped on the wall, hands sweaty on her spear. She touched the dagger at her belt gently.

  “You’ve checked that three times now,” Danil murmured. “It’s definitely there.”

  She flicked him a nervous grin. “I just want to go already.”

  “Not until we get the signal.” Danil’s eyes reflected the moonlight, and Polly wondered if she’d ever seen anything more beautiful.

  She eyed the wall before them, leaning on the cottage beside it. Garrett teetered on the top of the ladder, crouched low as he looked over the battlefield outside. A rope dangled from one hand.

  “Am I going in blind today?” Danil asked, the white fading from his eyes.

  “What?” she yelped. “Don’t be stupid. You don’t go into a real fight without using every advantage you’ve got!”

  “Fair enough.” He shrugged. “I think it’d be great practice, though.”

  “Don’t you dare,” she threatened. “Or I’ll sneak up behind you and stick this spear up your ass.”

  He winced. “My cheeks are still smarting from Garrett’s bloody—that’s it!”

  A crash from the gates signaled it was time to go. Garrett flung the rope over the wall and made sure the hooked end was secure. Then, he silently swung a leg over and disappeared.

  Danil went next, then it was Polly’s turn. She tried to ignore the weakness in her knees as she climbed up and refused to look down as she wrapped her hands around the rope. In moments, her feet were back on solid ground. She tugged the rope to let Mack know he was safe to follow.

  “Stay down until we attack,” Garrett whispered. He pointed at a lumbering beast not too far off, a little separated from the others. “Our job is to harry the pests, make their ugly-assed owner mad enough to follow us.”

  The whites of his eyes shined in the moonlight. “Once ye’ve got his attention, then run. Run! No dickin’ about, ye hear? Straight fer the town, and fer the sake of the Queen Bitch herself, do NOT get caught in the trip-wire.”