Broken Skies

by Amy Hopkins

  The small party nodded.

  “Off we go!” Garrett turned and ran for his target, ducking low in the long grass. Polly quickly lost sight of him.

  She made to follow, but Danil caught her arm. “There’s another one headed this way.” He pointed.

  “I don’t see it,” Polly whispered, eyes straining. She wished the moon was just a little fuller tonight.

  “Me neither.” Danil’s teeth shone in a grin. “But Bette does.”

  “Oh, you flipping genius,” Polly said. With his sight-skills, he would be able to see the whole battlefield, from the perspective of anyone watching.

  They scurried off, the whispering grass the only sound to give them away. Danil put an arm out to stop her.

  He pointed. Polly lifted her head just far enough to see the hulking creature ambling their way.

  “Face, armpits, sides,” she muttered to herself. A strike anywhere else would just slide off their hard shells.

  GO!

  Danil’s order bounced into her head, and she shot forwards, spear over her shoulder, ready to stab for the floppy, snouted face of her target.

  “AARGRH!” Danil’s war-cry caught the beast’s attention.

  It turned, just as Polly thrust forwards. Her spear slammed into the back of its head and snapped in half, jarring her arm. “Shit!”

  She pulled back and used the jagged wooden end to ward off the angry glare that turned her way. Sharp, scissor-like claws stabbed forwards, and she danced out of the way.

  The attack revealed jagged hooks jutting from the creature’s arms. If it got close enough to grab her, she’d be torn apart.

  Polly eyed her spear—or, what was left of it. The stick was a little shorter than the beast’s reach.

  “Let’s hope you’re not much faster than the old man,” she grunted.

  Polly slid forwards, then rolled under an angry swipe. She came to her feet behind her opponent. The alien swung around. “Fast,” she murmured. “This isn’t gonna be easy.”

  She trained her gaze on the soft spots beneath its arms. If Danil had a chance to slip in there, she wanted to make sure he could see what he was doing.

  He took the chance. Polly saw his blade flash, but the beast jerked out of his way.

  “Too slow!” she called to Danil.

  “I noticed,” he called back, sword out as the beast’s attention turned to him.

  If I can just slip under there, Polly thought, visualizing her next move.

  The beast swung back, twisting to protect the vulnerable spot.

  That was weird. Polly slowly moved to one side. She blew out a slow breath and pictured herself running forwards, stabbing the flaccid snout with her splintered stick.

  The creature whined and spun, turning its back to her.

  “Uhh, Danil?” she called. “We might have a small problem.”

  “This fat bastard is anything but small,” Danil called. He danced backwards as a claw sliced out towards him. “And it’s fast, too.”

  “So fast it’s like it knows your move before you make it?” Polly asked. She darted forwards, then swung back as her target rounded on her.

  “Yeah. That fast.” Danil stepped back. “Wait a minute. Are you saying…”

  “I am. I don’t even have to make the move, Danil. Just picture it in my head.”

  “Well, shit.” Danil tried another blow. The beast dodged easily. “My mental shields aren’t much use here.”

  Polly closed her eyes. She felt the wind, heard the rustle of grass. Pictured herself throwing high, towards its face.

  Polly ducked as the breeze shifted, opening her eyes. The beast didn’t change its strike, claw sailing harmlessly over her head.

  “It sees what we visualize!” Polly yelled. “Not what we feel. Danil… you’re going in blind, my love.”

  With a flurry of motion, Danil charged and rolled, coming to his feet behind her, green eyes sparkling.

  “Now this is gonna be fun.” Danil lifted his sword and let his senses absorb his surroundings.

  Though Polly had taught him how to fight blind, his sharply honed senses gave him the advantage. Once she had shown him a trick, he could usually use it to best her when she fought blindfolded.

  Danil took a slow breath and let it out, feeling his chest sink down. Cool air touched his skin, while the warmth of Polly’s skin just inches away soaked into one arm.

  He felt a subtle shift in the air. He lunged backwards. Then, he darted forwards. His sword scraped along hard carapace. Too low, he thought.

  He waited, hearing the rustle of grass as his enemy turned to face him. Again, the shift. This time, Danil angled his blade just a little higher. It clattered against hard shell, then lodged into something soft.

  Screams buffered Danil’s mind. He thrust harder, twisting the sword in soft flesh. A heavy weight leaned against him, and he drew back, slipping his sword out moments before the beast thumped onto the ground.

  A roar echoed in the sky. Danil snapped back into magic mode, using Polly’s eyes to see the tall humanoid monster start towards them. It took three steps, then broke into a run—headed right for them.

  “Got the bastard,” Danil muttered. He kept his mind carefully clear of predictions—the last thing he wanted was to tip the asshole off about the trap they’d laid.

  He turned and ran, angling back towards the gates of Tahn.

  The ground shook with each clomping stride the giant took. Armor clanked, and, in the distance, Danil heard cries of warning.

  “Pull yer panties up, boys! It’s comin’!” Bette yelled.

  Ahead, the small group of fighters Danil had scaled the wall with were headed inside. Behind, the thundering crashes were getting closer. Danil glanced to the side. Polly ran beside him, grinning.

  “You’re—you’re not even… tired?” he gasped, pumping his legs as hard as they could go.

  “Tired? Ha!” Polly leapt ahead, legs like a gazelle. She turned back to check on him, and her eyes widened in alarm. “Move it, kid! It’s right on your tail!”

  Kid? Danil thought. More like a tired old man. What the fuck am I doing out here?

  Julianne stood atop the wall, watching his flight across the open field. Through her eyes, he saw the small figure running and stumbling, chased by the larger, heavier beast. Neither were particularly fast, or graceful.

  Pride prickled him. He didn’t like Julianne seeing his desperate progress. Remembering how Polly had shown him how to run more gracefully, Danil lengthened his stride, straightened his back and timed his breath to his steps.

  He saw the difference. Less stooped, he made a bigger target, but his speed increased just enough. He saw the fat rope strung across the path and jumped, pulling his legs up and praying he didn’t end up as the fly caught in the web.

  He made it, stumbled, then righted himself. Inside the gates, he stopped to watch.

  The lumbering Skrima followed but slowed, pulling up before the rope. It leaned forwards, bunched its legs, then jumped over the rope.

  The whole village fell silent for a breath. Then, the monster took its next running step.

  A second tripwire, this one a thick steel wire, caught its boot. The beast lurched forwards, toppling onto the ground with a mighty crash.

  Bette’s victorious holler was quickly joined by others. Bodies rushed the flailing Skrima, climbing on it, stabbing metal and wood against the hard shell of its armor.

  Danil leaned forwards to rest his hands on his knees. He saw Polly, rushing to stab at a knee joint. Her first strike slid off, but a second plunged deep, splattering crimson ichor as she withdrew the stumpy spear.

  She’d stopped to pick it up, Danil realized, still dazed and oxygen starved from his frantic run.

  He almost didn’t notice someone move up to stand next to him.

  “You look like shit.” Julianne rested a hand on his back, and Danil’s mind flooded with gentle energy, while the tightness in his chest eased.

  He knew it was a f
alse sensation but enjoyed it anyway.

  “Thanks. I love being told how handsome I am.” He nodded at the fallen Skrima. “Looks like this little adventure is done.”

  “We’ve won the battle.” Julianne’s smile held a hint of sadness. “Not the war.”

  “You think there’s more than one portal, don’t you?” Danil asked.

  “Do you really believe there’s not?” Julianne asked.

  He shook his head. “Not really. I’d like to pretend, though. Just for tonight?”

  Julianne really smiled then, a grin that lit up her eyes. “I think we can do that.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Tansy strummed the strings of the little banjo in time to Garrett’s raucous words.

  And so, did I say

  On that fateful day

  To the man with the little tiny dick

  I said if ye dare

  Then I’ll grab ye by the hair

  Of yer balls and I’ll kill ye right quick

  He ducked, and he rolled

  And he was so bold

  He still tried to sneak off to me lass

  But I knew he were there

  So, I grabbed his curly hair

  And shoved my wee sword up his ass

  Bette hooted and slapped her knee, while Tansy let out a melodious yodel.

  Julianne nudged Danil and pointed. Amongst the press of bodies twisting and twirling on the floor in time to the rearick ballad, Annie and Cavill danced.

  Annie had her skirts lifted almost to her knees while her quick feet stepped in time to the music. Cavill’s hands twisted in the air as he kept time with her, both of them red-faced in the warmth and grinning like children.

  “That’s adorable!” Julianne exclaimed, grinning as widely as Annie herself.

  “It’s pretty sweet,” Danil said. He’d only stepped off the floor a short time earlier, after Polly finally took pity on his aching feet. “Annie’s outdoing half the damn town, though. She hasn’t stopped!”

  “To be fair, she didn’t have to sprint across a giant field with a big, mean monster on her heels,” Julianne teased.

  Danil laughed. “That big, mean monster almost had my ass!”

  “Polly would have gone back for you.” Julianne looked up as Marcus wandered over to hand her a brass cup.

  She sipped it, closing her eyes. “Mary broke out the good stuff tonight,” she mused, swaying in time to the next song. This time, Tessa crooned a slow song about a young girl who was leaving her home for the first time, off on an adventure to a faraway city.

  Marcus took Julianne’s hand and pulled her away from Danil. “Dance with me,” he begged.

  Julianne shot Danil an apologetic look, but he waved her off.

  “See! Julianne’s dancing!” a voice said in his ear.

  “Polly, I can barely stand!” Danil complained. Still, he grinned when she passed him a plate loaded with roast beef, gravy, potatoes, and bread.

  “This should perk you up,” she said.

  “Or send me into a food coma,” Danil said through a mouthful of food.

  “Oh, for Bitch’s sake, at least sit down.” Polly dabbed a napkin on his shirt where he’d already dripped some gravy.

  “Yes, boss.” Danil shuffled over to a seat and balanced the plate on his lap. He sighed happily.

  “I knew a good feed would cheer you up,” Polly said.

  “A plate like this could cheer up a dead remnant,” Danil pointed out. “Have you tasted this beef? I’ve seen melted butter that’s tougher.”

  Polly picked a morsel off his plate and put it in her mouth. She closed her eyes in bliss.

  Danil leaned over and kissed her cheek. Polly’s eyes snapped open in surprise. “What was that for?” she asked.

  “Because I love you.” He held out another bit of meat and popped it in her mouth.

  “Oh. Well, I am quite lovable.” She opened her mouth, waiting for another bite.

  Danil put the plate down. “Food can wait,” he said, standing. “Tonight, we dance.”

  He swept her out into the crowded dance floor and twirled her around. “Tonight, we dance. Tomorrow, we fight. Then, we eat.”

  “Sounds like a perfect date.” Polly twirled around, then drew in close to him and rested her head on his chest.

  “Just perfect,” he said, resting a hand on her head.

  FINIS

  Author Notes Amy Hopkins

  Written March 22, 2018

  Wow, guys, long time no see!

  I feel like I owe you all a bit of an apology, or at least an explanation. Christmas/New Year’s was an utterly CRAZY time for me. We moved to our beautiful new dream house in a tiny valley town. We had no internet for about three weeks (hullo, astronomical phone bill!) and my kids were on the equivalent of what I think is the US summer break - seven weeks of summer break, trapped inside due to constant rain and an unfinished yard, overly-excited about the new changes but also incredibly anxious about new schools.

  It was incredible, but also hell. Writing didn’t come close to being on schedule, but I’m trying to be ok with that - after all, family comes first! Still, not having my writing, which is kind of a sanity break amongst the chaos, might have made me a bit of a cranky beast.

  This year, I expect things to be a little smoother. My smallest has started day care, and apart from tantrums on the days she goes (because she doesn’t want to leave) and the days she doesn’t (because she wants to be there), it’s going really well!

  Side note: I just leaned over to type a note to Steve and Jami, that “I’m just knocking up my author notes now”. Steve was a little perturbed until I explained I like my notes to gestate for a while, then emerge fresh and pink and wailing, and make everyone in the room cry tears of joy. Please, feel free to cry while reading this.

  Anyway… Broken Bones, the next part of the vagina-rift arc, is underway and shouldn’t be too long of a wait. I’ve got two weeks of school holidays in the middle, because the school system exists purely to torture parents, but daycare will continue so I’m hoping my middle kid is old enough to respond to hard cash bribery so I can keep working.

  Ok, now Steve is going to be a character in one of Jami’s books. I can’t wait to read that one…

  I hope you guys have a really happy Easter, which falls a few days after you’ll get this book. If you see me online begging for wine a few days after that, it’s because the bribery didn’t work. Send babysitters.

  Happy reading!

  Amy

  Author Notes Michael Anderle

  Written March 26, 2018

  First, THANK YOU for not only reading this story, but our author notes here in the very, very, very back as well.

  Now, I KNOW I’m not supposed to laugh at other’s trials in life, but Amy makes it so damned hard NOT to. If I go to hell for laughing at your shit, Hopkins, I’m totally grabbing you on the way down.

  Just saying.

  It is pretty damned amazing what our little group of friends (family if you will) have gone off to do since we started all of these collaborations a little over a year ago. Houses have been bought (I don’t know if LMBPN books had anything to do w/ Amy’s new house, but I do know of two other authors who have purchased homes due to their success) and careers have been supported and helped.

  Not every effort went well, unfortunately, and I hold out hope that some of the series will catch on as we re-cover the books and figure out how to get them back into the market for another swing.

  For example: this series is going under the knife and we are going to redo the covers. Except, this time we are going a 3D model route.

  This is a TYPICAL type of interaction with Amy when stuff goes down. I’m beginning to wonder if it is a typical AUSSIE type response and if it is? Then I need more Aussie’s in my life, you people are fucking hilarious!

  Imagine this: Jude delivers the following image (low-res see below) to us in SLACK (our company communication platform). Jude is just trying to get an idea
if we are moving in the right direction because 3D can be very challenging and sucks to have to undo a lot of work or start over.

  When I see the image, my answer is a very simple: “Oooohhh. I like this!”

  Amy’s however, is this: “I love it and hubby thinks she’s hot and wants to meet her, so.... good?”

  I’m just wondering what kind of relationship she has with hubby? Because, my Hispanic wife wouldn’t react the same way.

  At all.

  Period.

  I think Amy’s books deserve a fresh effort and a lot of time has been spent thinking HOW to do it. Covers are usually the first to be considered (after story.) Hopefully, we will have this project done in the next 6-8 weeks tops.

  At least, that would be nice.

  THANK YOU SO MUCH for reading (and reviewing, and telling friends) about our work. It is because of you that WE get to write for a living!

  Ad Aeternitatem,

  Michael Anderle

  Amy Hopkins

  For a chance to see ALL of Amy’s different Book Series

  Check out her website below!

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  Books from Amy Hopkins

  The Talented Series