by Kory Shen
Kuri faced me fully again. She nodded. "Nothing is pure in the world of men." Her pale face turned a shade darker. "Nor in the world of the elvenfolk. Only Mother Earth is truly pure. I, too, knew this when I chose my path."
Her chosen path. Something clicked. "You could have gone to a more mage-friendly human kingdom, like the Dominion. Or somewhere exotic, like the Tundra up north. They'd accept an elf, hell, a fire mage, with open arms in that frozen wasteland."
"Honor is meant to be earned," Kuri said. "As is penance. A shallow, easy victory holds little meaning."
"Like Holden," I muttered. Would the weapons dealers put up more of a fight? I mean, they were weapon dealers. "Think we can handle a dozen traders?"
Kuri golden eyes flashed. "I can match two dozen men on the field. It's the battle off the field that concerns me."
"Maybe you should keep your distance from me," I said suddenly. "You have enough complications as it is. I can go by myself. There's no need to get caught up with my…family." Saying that word was strange, not quite right.
Kuri raised her hands, stretching, then yawning as she lay down on her bed, facing away again. "You should get some rest. You're starting to blabber like an idiot."
I watched Kuri's back, her long golden hair, her sleek legs bent to fit inside the small bed. She shifted slightly, just enough to check over her shoulder whether I was still looking, the sly way women and thieves had mastered.
I grinned and curled up on the wooden floor, sneaking my own glance back at her.
But by then, Kuri was snoring and fast asleep.
* * *
The next morning, Kuri and I waited by a grove of oak trees on the southeast edge of the castle. She was dressed in her usual red and white robes, and I was in my armor. Our horses were tied a few steps away. The sun peeped out over the horizon, the early light casting a pinkish tint across the trees and grass. Like the blood I would spill today.
"No need to be so moody," I muttered.
Kuri flicked her eyes to me, then went back to scanning the road toward the castle. "Still no sign of Lexley."
"Maybe there's another oak grove we're supposed to meet at," I said. "I mean, these trees all look the same to me." While I had some basic knowledge of the outdoors, I was a city boy at heart. A tree was a tree.
"No, this is the only cluster of oaks on this side of the city," Kuri said, as if it was the most obvious statement.
I blinked at Kuri. "Really? Are you sure?" I stepped close to her. "Can you talk to trees?" I whispered.
I dodged backwards as a small tongue of fire puffed from Kuri's hand toward where my armored head had been.
"Hey!" I cried.
"Are you mocking me?" Smoke curled from Kuri's right hand.
"No, it was an honest question. I'm curious. I don't know the first thing about…" I looked around. Even though we appeared to be alone, it wasn't a good idea to blab about secrets in the open. Vimm had taught that lesson long ago. I shrugged, instead. "About you know what."
Kuri scowled. "No, I do not talk to trees. I simply pay attention to them."
Mira chirped in my ear. "Kuri is correct. This is the only sizable cluster of the tree you identify as oaks in this region."
I raised my hands in a placating gesture. "Okay. Mira says you're right, by the way. This is the only grove of oaks. I mean, I talk to my armor. Nothing wrong with talking to trees."
Kuri shook her head and turned her attention back to the road.
"Incoming," Mira said. "From behind us."
As I swiveled, a blue light outlined a figure walking through the forest. I wouldn't have been able to make out the shape if not for Mira's help.
I pointed at the approaching figure. "There."
Kuri looked into the distance. "You have sharp eyes. As good as an elf's."
"Thanks to Mira."
Kuri cocked her head. "I haven't met this Mira properly, yet."
Mira chattered excitedly. "I would be quite interested to have Kuri inside me."
"Okay, okay, keep your breeches on." I sighed.
Kuri gave me a strange look.
"Mira's reminding me that she very much wants to meet you." I lowered my voice to whisper back to Mira. "Don't forget. I'm your owner, not Kuri."
By now I could make out the shape of the figure. It was a woman.
"Is that—" Kuri began.
"Yes." I waved. "Lady Dyann? What are you doing here?"
Lady Dyann stepped out of the tree line. She was in a plain brown tunic that blended in with the forest surroundings. She gave a short nod to Kuri, then turned to me.
"Sir Jakson," Lady Dyann said. "I came to—" Before Lady Dyann could speak further, another voice interrupted.
"Jakson, you asshole, can't you count? I told you to bring one whore, not two."
What the fuck? Lexley was only ten feet from us in his full armor, riding his horse. Lady Dyann gasped at his sudden intrusion. Kuri stepped away sharply.
"Mira, why didn't you warn me about him?" And how in Yora's name had he snuck up on all three of us while on a horse?
Mira's response was a fraction of a second later than usual. "Unclear. I did not detect him until he spoke. He simply appeared. Could this be related to the spatial anomaly from yesterday?"
I knew what Mira meant. The enchantment that had whisked my father to safety in the middle of the attack. But no, it made no sense for Lexley to waste an expensive enchantment just to see us off.
Lexley's visor was up. He was grinning at our confused expression. Lady Dyann recovered first.
"Your Highness," she said, ignoring Lexley's earlier insult. "A pleasure to see you as always."
Kuri glowered but didn't say anything.
"What brings you here?" Lexley asked.
Lady Dyann opened her mouth to speak, but Lexley held up his hand. "Nevermind. Return to the castle. This instant. You know, it's rude to talk with a bastard's cock in your mouth."
Lady Dyann's mouth was still open, frozen in the middle of forming a word. Her mouth shut, the muscles of her jaws clenched tight. Her face darkened, and I wondered whether the Third Champion would challenge him to a duel for that insult. But she gave me one more look, shook her head silently, and walked towards the road back to the castle.
"What was that about?" I asked Lexley. "She didn't do anything."
Lexley laughed. "Another bitch pretending to be a knight. We're better off without her."
"Lady Dyann is loved by the people. She's—"
Lexley cut me off with a glare. "The people? We're avenging the king. My father. Or did you forget your promise to him from yesterday?" He looked back towards the castle in the distance. "You can leave with her if you like. No one expects a thief and bastard to keep his word."
For a brief moment, I considered doing exactly what Lexley had said. It was the smart play.
Had Lady Dyann been trying to warn me? Lexley was clearly up to no good. And this wasn't some unimportant exhibition match. It was a grim mission, with orders to kill to the last man.
On my left, Kuri fumed in anger, real smoke rising from her elven frame. She kept quiet, though, letting me take the lead.
I hesitated. I had originally thought to protect Genna by becoming a Champion, but what was the point of that if I dragged new friends into further harm along the way? Kuri would take part in any misery Lexley had planned. That much was clear. Even Lady Dyann might suffer blowback if things didn't go well.
But I had promised my father vengeance. A rash promise? Was I that eager to please a father who had ignored me until now?
No, I wouldn't beg for my father's approval, but Lexley was right about one thing. I had given my word.
Jakson the thief wouldn't give two shits about breaking a promise if that's what it took to save his own hide. I was aiming for something more, though. A real knight, not one of these cowardly pretenders hiding inside their shiny suits.
My path was clear. Fucked up, but clear.
And my father was
n't completely wrong. An attack on the crown deserved an absolute response. Anything else would invite further attempts.
I opened my helmet and walked up to Lexley on his horse, raising my head to meet him eye to eye.
"As the king said, we serve the Elderlands, and the Elderlands will not tolerate an attack on the crown. Show me who to kill."
Lexley grinned. "Well, then. On your horse, and keep up." He turned his horse and kicked it into a gallop, not waiting for Kuri and me to mount.
"When that one is smiling, I am not," Kuri said with a frown.
"Same here," I said, "but I've made my decision."
"And I have made mine." Kuri was already on her horse. I leaped on mine to match her.
"Oh?" I asked. I half-expected her to say that she was leaving the Knight Sentinels. I wouldn't have blamed her.
"I seek honor so that I might return to my homeland," Kuri said. "But so far, I have only seen one man of honor." Her golden eyes gleamed. "No matter what happens today, I will stand by you to the end."
I started to make a joke, but stopped. "Thanks, Kuri." I pointed at Lexley's disappearing figure. "Let's see what he's up to."
Our horses broke into a gallop, chasing after my half-brother prince.
CHAPTER 21
We rode east, towards Holden again, but veered off further south about a mile from the ruined town. After a few minutes of riding, we dismounted. Lexley instructed us to follow a path through the forest, which would lead us to a clearing used as a campground by the rogue traders. His spy, posing as a buyer, had counted nine men and four women in total. Kuri and I were to kill them all.
"Strip their bodies and check for markings," Lexley said. We were crouched next to a glade of evergreens. He winked at Kuri. "That is, if any bodies are left after you're through with them."
"As you command, your Highness," Kuri hissed.
The sun was a good hand's breadth above the horizon. The daylight would make it more difficult to conceal our approach. Armor and sunlight weren't exactly the best camouflage. "Why didn't we do this at night?"
"Rogue traders work in the dark," Lexley said. "They're more likely to be asleep by now. Why? Are you afraid?"
"No, but can you tell us anything else? What kind of armor? Are they fighters?"
Lexley shrugged. "They're traders. Probably soft hands and pudgy bellies. Just kill them." He wagged his finger. "You better not let a single one escape."
He turned and mounted his horse again. "Enough questions. You know what to do. I'll be waiting to hear of your triumph." We watched him ride away.
I studied the faint dirt path winding its way deeper into the glade. The path I had chosen.
Kuri put her hand on my armored shoulder. I glanced at her.
"What's the battle plan?" she asked. Her voice was strained.
Oh, that's right. The forest. Fire. Kuri couldn't be happy about this, but she had still chosen to come along with me. I reached up to pat her hand.
"Don't fight it, Kuri. We'll burn down this whole forest, this whole damn kingdom, if that's what it takes to root out its enemies. Today is not the day for holding back."
Kuri's lips pressed together tightly. "I'll do what I must."
I tried another approach. "How about you let me go first? You stay back and pick off any runners. If everything goes to hell, well, trap them in a blaze."
Burning them all would make it harder to find evidence of their crimes, or clues to who they had worked with. It would be better for everyone if I could handle them on my own.
"Hey, Mira," I whispered. "I'm going to need your help on this one. Thirteen against one. The less Kuri has to do, the better."
Mira replied cheerfully. "Understood. Combat tactical support is ready and operational."
Kuri removed her hand. "Don't worry. I'll do my part."
With that, we stepped forward onto the path.
* * *
We walked slowly through the forest now, careful to make as little noise as possible. After about five minutes of walking, I raised my hand, motioning for Kuri to stop.
"I'm detecting heat signatures, likely people, about a hundred yards up ahead," Mira said.
I squinted through the trees. Up ahead, the forest opened up into a clearing. "Mira says there are people up there," I whispered to Kuri.
Kuri nodded.
"Stay behind me," I said. "I'll go first."
I was about to move, when Mira spoke. "Warning. Anomalous chromatic distortion detected," she said urgently.
"Say that again?" Did she mean the lighting?
"Here." Mira highlighted a general area to our right. "The distortion is gone, but it was here three seconds ago."
Kuri waited for me patiently. "Talking to Mira?" she asked.
"Right." I leaned over to talk more quietly. "She says she saw something strange. On our right, by that clump of bushes."
Kuri walked over to examine the area. She bent down and touched the leaf-strewn forest floor.
"Someone was here just now," Kuri said. She pointed to several leaves, then picked up a broken branch. "Freshly damaged."
All I saw was a pile of half-rotten leaves and twigs. "I'll take your word. It's like the ground can talk to you," I said, shaking my head. "That's a compliment," I added quickly when Kuri scowled at me.
"There's a very faint heat residue in the area Kuri touched. As if someone was just there," Mira said. "I'm scanning our surroundings but still not detecting anything else."
"Mira says you're right, again." I pointed to the ground by Kuri. "Someone was there recently, but she can't detect anything now."
"Mira is a spirit?" Kuri asked. She rubbed her chin. "Interesting. So whatever it is can hide from spirits, too."
"Whatever, or whoever?" There were rare and expensive Invisibility Cloaks, but those only hid you from sight. I was pretty confident that wouldn't hide someone from Mira, or even Kuri's heightened senses. As for mages and magical creatures, they were both rare in this part of the Elderlands.
"Lexley. He appeared earlier out of nowhere, surprising even Mira," I said.
"There are mages who can cast powerful illusions. Powerful enough to fool a spirit," Kuri said.
"For clarification, I am a daemon, not a spirit," Mira said.
I ignored Mira. "Wouldn't that have to be a really strong mage? Like as strong as you?" Kuri cheeks turned pink at my remark. "I've never heard of anyone like that. You said it before. The cream of the crop doesn't come here. Except you." Kuri's cheeks turned even brighter pink.
"There would have to be a reason," Kuri said.
"Money?" I asked.
"Possibly. Or war."
I shivered at the word. Knights clamored for war, for glory, but ordinary folks knew that war meant hard times. Higher taxes. Less food. Being pressed into service.
I had never experienced war, but the last war had led to my birth. War touched everyone.
Kuri combed her fingers through the dirt and leaves, then stood up. "What now?"
Everyone knew you should quit when you were ahead. I had my armor. I had my girl. I glanced at Kuri. Possibly girls.
But I wasn't ahead. I was still a nobody. Genna was still at the Temple, and Kuri would never fit in with the Sentinels as a mage, not to mention her hidden elven background.
"We stick with the plan," I said. "Between you, me, and Mira, I'm sure we can make it out, no matter what happens."
Me versus the world. What else was new? Just an elven fire mage and a spirit-laced suit of armor.
I smiled. That didn't sound like bad odds. "Let's do this."
I crept to the edge of the clearing. Kuri lingered behind, ready to whip out her flames when needed.
I could see the campground now. There were six tents, five wagons, and a group of oxen tied up on the far side. I did a double-take at the lone figure standing guard. He was wearing what looked like Sentinel-class armor, although the style was unrecognizable. He had no heraldry or other markings. It made sense, the guar
d wearing armor. I mean, they were rogue traders.
"Mira, what can you tell me? Are all thirteen here?" I asked.
Mira replied immediately. "Affirmative. I'm detecting one standing target, and the rest are in the tents. Two in each tent, except for the large one in the middle with three."
Fourteen in total. Close enough. Lexley's information was good, then. "What about weapons?"
"The standing target appears to have similar weaponry to your contemporaries. I cannot tell you much more from this distance."
"Got it."
I watched the lone guard for another moment, trying to decide if I should approach openly or to surprise him. Wasn't it dishonorable for a knight to sneak up on the enemy?
Fucking Yora. I was letting all this talk of knights and honor get to my head. I was here for one purpose. To kill.
I took a deep breath. It was best to get this over quickly.
I raised my left hand, still hiding behind a tree.
"Full power, triple shot, when I give the word," I whispered. I aimed carefully.
"Triple shot."
The attack struck the unsuspecting knight in his side. I had aimed near his armpit joint, where the armor would be weaker, and the burst of light shot cleanly through his armor before exiting on the other side.
The armored guard fell to the ground without a cry.
Well, that was easy. I stepped out into the clearing, approaching the nearest tent. Killing defenseless men and women didn't sit well with me, but they had drawn first blood. Innocent people had died the other day. I didn't completely disagree with my father's sentiment.
I was a good ten yards from the first tent, when all six tents burst open.
Standing in front of me were thirteen unmarked knights in gleaming Sentinel-class armor. Their armor was unmarked, but the power the knights wielded was clear.
Was this Lexley's plan? Setting me up to fail? I clenched my fist. I wouldn't scare that easily.
The tallest knight swiveled his helmet to look at his fallen comrade.
He drew his weapon, a broadsword with lightning crackling along its length. Then, he roared. "Kill him!"
The thirteen knights charged.
