by Mark Eller
After two days, the Chins pulled Helmet's body down and opened his belly. They burned Helmet's entrails on a great fire built of cattle dung and filled the open cavity with a paste of minerals and herbs. Afterward, they wrapped his body in resin soaked linen.
"My husband will be shown to all the tribes," Mu Lei explained. "We will travel for a year, and then he will be laid to rest. Every tribesperson will lay a handful of earth on his grave each time they pass. This was agreed upon when we first learned he would not live forever. "
Dry eyed, she watched as her husband's body was carefully arranged on the travois. Wrapping herself tighter within the folds of her burnoose, she went to stand beside Helmet. Without fanfare, two women lifted the travois handles and headed toward the plains. Shoulders square, gait firm, Mu Lei walked proudly beside Klein as the small Chin contingent left the camp, pulling Klein's body on a travois behind them.
Autumn started to speak, but stopped as Zisst stirred in her arms. She shifted toward Kim, something Aaron had noticed her doing whenever she seemed uncomfortable. Something in the mine had attached his daughter to his guard.
Patton caught his attention. "This isn't the time, but I'd like to speak with you on a personal matter when you find it convenient."
"Mu Lei left something out," Aybarra said quietly. "When Helmet is laid to his final rest, she'll lay down beside him. It was decided no emperor should go to the Gods without a companion."
"You better not die anytime soon," Melna said to Aaron. Her tone was entirely serious, but her attention was not completely on him. When he followed her gaze, Aaron saw an unwelcome sight. Kim stirred, and a faint growl issued from her lips.
"Mister Clack," he said evenly as the man and his four warrior entourage stopped before him.
Clack's smile was affable, but there was no hint of it in the rest of his face. "The emperor is dead."
"The emperor lives," Aaron said coldly. "I'm the emperor."
"They don't know you. They don't love or trust you. Step aside and let me take your place. It was supposed to be mine anyway until Klein went soft in the head."
"There will be war and starvation," Autumn said softly. "Death will roll over the borders and enter the lands. The empire will break and the crusade begin."
"Shut up," Clack snapped, and he swung his hand.
Autumn didn't move. Instead, her gaze shot confidently toward Kim. Reaching forward, Kim caught Clack's wrist. Her face was twisted. Clack glared, not in the least intimidated by her appearance. He didn't shake his hand free. Instead, he ignored her until she released his wrist on her own.
"It's like this, Crip," Clack said,"I'll be emperor, or I'll split the tribes.
"There will be war," Aaron said. "If you leave, the empire will war against you."
One of Clack's followers stirred from his impassiveness. "Emperor Clack will win because I will be by his side."
"Han Chuk," Melna supplied to Aaron. "He was the emperor's Supreme General."
"You will lose," Aaron assured them. "Your rifles are mostly useless, but mine are not. You have used your ammunition while I have preserved almost everything I brought over."
Clack laughed. "Pull my other one, Turner. I know what you brought over. It isn't enough for this war. Your weapons might help at the start, but they won't help for long. When it becomes swords and spears, I'll have a hundred thousand people looking to kill you."
Clack was both correct and wrong. Aaron didn't have the weapons and ammunition he needed. What he did have was a lot of books, a lot of factories, and the formula for manufacturing gunpowder. He also had the means to make primers. Hopefully, a supply of empty brass was somewhere out on the plains. The Chins had shot up a lot of ammunition over the years. Aaron hoped the spent brass had been left on the ground. He wasn't sure he had time to create completely new ammo. Researchers and experimenters would have to work up a formula for the right combination of hardness and expansion before new brass could be made.
Aaron was not an expert on war, but the idea of not telling your enemy everything was a fairly simple concept. Besides, he didn't plan on going to war. Heralda's One God had scrubbed his soul clean. He had no intention of soiling it again, another bit of information Clack did not need to know. Aaron wasn't naive enough to think the emperor of a barbarian nation could stay entirely clean, but he would do everything in his power to remain as pure as possible.
Gods, how had he gotten into this? It seemed like a lifetime ago when he entered Galesward with the intention of running a men's clothing store. He had wanted to live in comfortable obscurity. Instead, his renown had exploded.
Clack still watched him. Kim watched Clack. Her lips were thin white lines; her eyes were slits.
"The war will not be between our factions," Aaron told Clack. "It's between you and me. Split the tribes and I'll kill you."
Clack's grin grew larger. Laughter entered his eyes. "That sounds like a challenge. Han, did you hear the man challenge me?"
"I did," Han Chuk answered. "He called you the son of a dog and cast a challenge in your face. I'm surprised because an emperor need only order a death, but I heard what I heard."
Clack grinned. "Since I was the one challenged I get to choose weapons. I choose swords. Will just before the sunset be fine for you?"
"Daddy won't kill you," Autumn said. Her smile carried not a trace of worry. "I've seen it."
* * *
Aaron played with the straps attached to his portable throne. Even though a dozen Chins were in the tent, he felt alone. I'm going to die, Aaron told himself. He tested the thought, knew it was true, and yet he was not afraid. He found the concept strange since he had always known he was a coward. Yet there he sat, hours from his death, and felt not one tremble.
The lack of fear was a most curious thing. He had no way of explaining it except by accepting, through Heralda, he had been changed by the One God.
After all these years, he had no choice but to admit Heralda was not delusional. She really was the Messenger. There really was a One God, and the sure knowledge of the fact made all the difference.
The tent flap parted, allowing in light and dust, and Missy who wore a frown. She paused until her eyes adjusted to the dim interior, and then made her way through the throng to stand before him.
"Zisst is dying. There isn't much time."
Nodding, Aaron rose. "I knew it was coming," He felt tired and worn. "He's old, and I've asked a lot of him."
"Autumn has Zisst," Missy said. She reached up and touched the corner of his lips. "You aren't trying to cover Heralda's Kiss."
Aaron rubbed the corner of his mouth. The stain was supposedly a sign of acceptance from the One God. He had spent a long time running from this. The time for running was over. He had been called by his God. He would answer the call no matter where it led.
"Let's go," he said.
Missy led the way out of the tent and out of the Chin encampment. They walked off the manor grounds while Aaron pretended he didn't see the dozen Chin guards trailing behind or the other guards who scouted out the land ahead. He was a private man, but privacy was a privilege his position denied him. His death at Clack's hands would be a public entertainment.
With Zisst held lovingly in her arms, Autumn sat beside a stream. Kim hovered by her side. Autumn's eyes were wet as she gazed up at Aaron, silently begging him to make it right.
"We were walking," she said, low voiced. "Zisst seemed worn out so I carried it for a while, and then we stopped here. Do something, Daddy. Zisst can't breathe."
"Ahhh. " Aaron knelt beside her and gathered Zisst into his arms. Trusting eyes looked at him while thin wind fought its way into and out of Zisst's small lungs. Its normally parti-colored fur appeared dull and listless.
"Perteet," Zisst said, its voice less than a whisper. Its tongue gently brushed against Aaron's wrist. "Purdert. " Zisst's tongue rolled out further. Its eyes closed, and then its body shuddered.
"Daddy," Autumn whispered. "Daddy."
/> "It's gone," Aaron told her. "Honey, I'm sorry. Zisst lived a long time and--"
Zisst's body shuddered again. Separated. Melted. Flowed from Aaron's arms. It splashed to the ground where it lay as a puddle of congealed goo. The goo shook. Steamed.
"My God," Missy whispered, swaying back on her heels. Her eyes grew huge, but she seemed rooted.
Aaron wanted to take a step back. He wanted to pull Autumn to safety, and he wanted to yell. An insubstantial mist reached out of the goo, latched onto him, and pulled a nebulous substance from his body and into itself. The mist touched Kim, touched Missy, and then broke away.
Kim's face paled, Missy shook, and the goo changed as it rose from the ground. Within moments, it stood in a column two feet high. The column split, split again, and then there were three. Each fell to the ground and rolled into a ball, gathering dirt and debris.
Separating, the balls moved apart. One went toward Kim, one toward Missy, and the other butted against Aaron's feet. Looking down, Aaron felt paternal. The ball sprouted blue and yellow hair. It trembled, then flattened out on the ground.
Unbelieving, Aaron knelt to scoop the small shape into his hands. Its fur tickled his palm.
Almost reverently, Aaron ran a finger across the fur, heard a soft purring, and then the fur parted. An eye appeared, stared at him, blinked, and closed when another eye formed. This eye remained closed while a muzzle pushed forth and legs elongated from the body.
Finally, after ten minutes, both eyes opened to focus on Aaron. The muzzle parted.
"Perteet."
"Perteet," said another beast from Missy's direction, and then once again from Kim's.
"By the God's," Aaron whispered while the animal snuggled into him.
"No," Heralda said, making her way toward them. "By the One God. Even He must have Servants on earth."
* * *
"Are you any good with a sword," Patton asked an hour later.
"Horrible," Aaron answered. "I tried to learn once, but after a few days, I gave it up. Haven't touched one since."
Patton's face was a brown study. "I'll have to fight him."
"You'll do no such thing," Aaron rejoined. "You're still healing. " He stopped, silenced by Patton's shaking head.
"I'm done healing. Your holy woman, your Heralda, she came to see me this morning."
"And," Aaron encouraged.
"She healed me. It was intense. I'm more than ready to fight."
Aaron studied the man, amazed. He had once thrown hard candy into the back of a wagon when Patton was a child. Later, Patton and his sisters entered the first Turner House.
A few crumbs cast upon the water had brought forth a man willing to die for Aaron Turner.
Thank the One God, the unwritten rules of dueling wouldn't allow Patton to do so.
"I challenged him," Aaron told Patton,"or so they claim. Nobody can stand in my stead. Only somebody with a valid prior claim can take precedence. I have to fight him, and I might win. Clack's forgotten I can transfer. He'll find it disconcerting when I slip behind him."
"Ahhh. " Patton's obvious worry lessened. "I should have known you'd have an edge."
Aaron forced a smile, knowing he wouldn't win. His transferring skills had improved over the years, but it still took time and concentration. He somehow doubted Clack would twiddle his thumbs for the second or two Aaron remained defenseless before him with his eyes closed. No, Aaron's only hope was to trust to luck or to place his trust in the hands of the One God.
* * *
Luck, tradition, or limited choices placed the duel in the exact same clearing where Aaron had fought Johnston. Aaron studied the waiting crowd while he tucked his hands into his pockets. He wondered where Ho Luk was. He could use another skin of the drink she had given him the day he fought Johnston. Aaron had no doubt he would make a better showing while drunk. He would also have a better chance of holding onto his sword, something he had seldom done while sober.
If he had to die, it might as well be in front of a finely dressed crowd of the high and mighty. The increased interest over his last duel probably had to do with the fact the Chin Emperor was getting himself killed.
Face pale, Melna held tightly to her father with one hand and Patton with the other. Missy was missing, as were Autumn and Heralda. Aaron had given Missy the chore of making sure Autumn was safe and far away. He had no idea about Heralda.
"Vultures come to the feast," Kim said contemptuously. Her eyes narrowed as she moved her attention to those near Melna. "Aaron, there is a dangerous woman standing close to your wife."
Aaron saw nobody of particular interest.
"She is difficult to see," Kim added. "My eyes want to slip past her."
Ahhh.
"Does she have several knives tucked around her belt?"
"No. A sling dangles from her hand, and several pouches are attached to her belt."
"Miss Margrave," Aaron told her. "She's one of the two guards I assigned for Melna. Do you see the other one?"
"No."
"That," said a voice almost in his ear,"is because I'm here."
"This," Aaron said to Kim once his heartbeat slowed,"is Miss Homes."
"You have an interesting Talent," Kim told the woman.
Homes shrugged. "More of a knack than anything else. Sir, don't worry. I'll be out there with you. First time it looks like you're losing, I'll slip one of my lovelies into his belly."
Unlike some others, Miss Homes didn't own false expectations of his success. Part of Aaron wanted to take her up on her offer, but he could not. It would be murder.
"Thank you, but no."
Kim drew his attention to an approaching Chin woman. Aaron had never seen her before. If not for her clothing, he would have doubted she was Chin at all. Young and lovely, her eyes were bright and her face animated. Not one scar showed.
"Stand away," somebody called to her. "Only their seconds are allowed near."
She ignored the order. A few moments brought her before Aaron.
"I am Ho Luk," she said in a heavy, barely understood accent,"and I beg favor."
Aaron waited.
Raising a hand, the woman touched her unscarred face. "Your servant, the holy woman, has taken the marks from me. Please allow her to travel to my tribe. She is a healer of great strength. We have many suffering children."
"Can we talk about this later?"
"For you, there will not be a later."
Well, she was right. "Heralda is her own person. It's not my place to tell her where to travel. Speak to her. If the God she serves allows it, I have no doubt she'll accompany you."
The woman nodded. "I wish you great fortune. He sometimes switches to his left hand during battle. Bill Clack is not the best with a sword we have, but he is tricky."
Great.
"It is time!" Henry Declare called out from the center of the clearing. Aaron released a bitter smile. Declare had not hesitated to again volunteer his services for Aaron's second duel. After the last one Declare's company had been sought for days, giving him an air of social importance he had not possessed before.
"Challenge has been made and met," Declare continued. "Terms have been set. Emperor Turner, I ask you, do you see any way to the set aside this quarrel?"
"No," Aaron answered. Finally, his mouth went dry, and his knees trembled. Not fear. Not now. Just nerves.
"Mister Clack, is there any--"
"I call hold!" Kim strode into the clearing. "I have a prior claim on the life of Bill Clack. I call him false and a murderer, and I give my word I swore vengeance upon his life many years ago. Nobody stands before my claim, not even this man who is my master."
Clack stamped angrily out into the clearing. Standing beside Declare, he peered toward Kim.
"I don't know this woman. This is Turner's attempt to escape the duel."
Back straight, Kim held her head high. Not one hint of hesitation showed as she closed on Clack. Aaron tried to follow, tried to stop her, but a hand grabbed hi
s shoulder and a knife pressed to his belly.
"Stay," a female voice ordered. "I don't want to kill you until the fighting starts, but I will if you leave me no choice."
Why, Aaron wondered, did everyone want him dead?
"If I go out there you won't have to kill me. This isn't Kim's fight."
"She thinks it is," the woman replied,"and I like it this way. When I kill you, my contract is filled, and I get paid. When Clack kills her, a traitor to the guild is eliminated."
Aaron prepared the special place in his mind. His Talent hummed. It was ready, and he wasn't surprised. Deep within, he still felt traces of the One God's touch. He stood still, a knife pressed to his belly, a duel in the offing, and he was not afraid.
* * *
Kim had no words to describe her suddenly burgeoning emotions when she stared into Clack's face. Despite everything, despite the missing years and the abuse, despite weeks of crying and later months screaming, she still felt some traces of affection for the man. However, piled on top of that affection was a shit-load of hate. Bill Clack owed her more than his life.
"I don't know you," Clack said again. "Your challenge is refused."
"You cannot refuse," Kim said. "You will fight me, or I will kill you. Tonight, tomorrow, or some other time when you think you are safe, I will kill you."
"You have no cause for challenge."
"I'm sorry," Declare broke in. "Unless you give us proof of a prior claim, you'll have to leave the field and allow the duel to continue."
Reaching up, Kim ripped away the left sleeve of her shirt. After throwing the torn material on the ground, she pulled on the ripped edges until the front of her shoulder and the beginning edge of her breast were exposed. Declare took a half-step back.
Kim knew what he saw. He stared at the image of her burned over assassin's swords.
