“I do not lie. I can tell you of the silver mines in the high caverns of the Lethe. I can tell you of the rustrock veins that shoot north of Silverstream. I can tell you of the gold that can be found beneath the asphodel fields of the Deadlands—and I can tell you of another place the ancients used to mine—and in that mine, is rustrock.”
The Infidel Friend’s face darkened.
“How could you know of such things?” Calimay asked, an amused grin on her face.
Galen smiled. “Queen Calimay, I knew the Carrion’s secrets long before Lucreas met Maab.”
“You need not deal with such a fool,” Malkravyan said. “You can get the rustrock from Maab. Surely she’d trade you in order to get her hands back on the angel’s get—particularly since she now knows he was in her oblivious grasp.”
They have contacts with Maab.
Of course they did. Arturus wasn’t sure how Maab had figured out who he was, but for that information to make it to Calimay, Maab almost certainly would have had to send someone here with the message. That meant Maab was still looking for him.
That’s why she risked La’Ferve in a battle against those who wore upside down crosses. It’s me she’s after.
“She might,” Galen said, “but I don’t think this Infidel Friend has your best interests at heart. Sooner or later, you’ll need rustrock again. And in the meantime, you’d be down one angel’s get.”
Calimay nodded. “Very well. Take the rest to the pits. Leave Galen here. Galen, once you’ve shown us to the rustrock, I’ll let you free.”
Galen’s lack of reaction kept the soldiers from moving. After a moment of silence he spoke, “No.”
Calimay pursed her lips, and her fingers again began drumming again against the stone. “I assume you have conditions.”
“I do.”
She shrugged. “Go ahead. State them.”
“I and my friends, including Kelly, remain free. In exchange, I’ll lead your people to the rustrock.”
“Acceptable.”
“I’m not done.”
“Careful, I can still have you killed,” Calimay said, bringing some chuckles from the soldiers.
Galen smiled. “You might after my next request.”
More laughter.
“Go on,” Calimay said grinning, “test me.”
“I want my boy, too.”
The smile disappeared from Calimay’s blood colored lips. “Impossible.”
“Either I’ll have him, or Maab will. Maybe you’d rather spite Maab than me.”
“Fool. You should’ve taken your freedom while you could—”
“I have more on offer,” Galen broke in, “if you’d pardon my interruption.”
“What else could I possibly want?”
Galen walked forward. The soldiers followed him but they dared not touch him. He put one foot on the first of the three stairs that led up to Calimay’s throne.
“Maab will fall,” Galen said. “Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not the next day, but even she won’t be able to resist this kind of Hell for long. The Carrion is filled to the brim with devils. We’ve even seen a Nephilim. Something’s come here, Calimay. Something very powerful. Another Archdevil perhaps. Or maybe something even older. Something even worse. I’ve seen the soldiers who’ve allied themselves with demons, and I’m willing to bet you want to know who’s made the deal with the devil.”
Calimay stood up from her throne and walked down to him, stopping on the second step so that she was still a half foot taller than Galen.
“You think you can tell me who?”
Galen cocked his head to one side. “Are they coming upstream along the Lethe?”
“Yes.”
“I know a way to get to the City of Blood and Stone. If you give me leave, I’ll let you know all I find out. Up to and including whether Lucreas really is the one issuing the demon call.”
If we make it out of this, I’m going to make Galen explain what the Hell is going on here.
Calimay smiled. “What good would that do me?”
“Maybe none. Maybe a lot. As I recall, you and Lucreas were lovers, once upon a time. If it is indeed he who is cavorting with them, perhaps a meeting could be arranged. Maybe, in exchange for help against Maab, he might spare you.”
“These are just empty promises until fulfilled. And these promises are not likely to ever be anything but empty, because even if you somehow travel to the banks of Erebus and survive spying on the City of Blood and Stone, it still might not do me a damn bit of good to know if it was Lucreas who cast in his lot with Ahriman.”
Galen nodded.
Calimay sighed. “Very well. Let me sweeten my side of the kitty. I have no real interest in having your boy. I just want his blood mixed with one of my priestesses so I have the line. If nothing else, that will give me leverage with Lucreas—even if Lucreas is not to return for many years. I have the clay of an earth mother. I can bring fertility upon one of my daughters.”
Galen shook his head. “He’s a virgin. This will confuse him. He should have time to learn of love.”
“Our deal hinges on this. If not, you lose your boy, and Maab gets him.” Calimay turned around and ascended back to her throne. She straightened out her lavender robe as she sat. “And neither of us wants that, do we?”
Galen looked back and met Arturus’ eyes.
“Don’t be a fool, Calimay,” Galen said, turning back towards her.
Arturus swallowed.
“I will accept no less.” Calimay said. “Lucreas be damned. He’s either coming or he’s not. I want your boy’s seed, and I’m going to have it. Whether your broke dick son goes back to you or stays with Maab is your choice.”
Shit.
“I’m sorry, son,” Galen said, and then turned back to Calimay. “He chooses which of your daughters, then. And you must promise me you’ll return him unbroken.”
Calimay smiled. “He can choose which daughter. I’ll advise her to try and keep her libido in check. Accidents happen, though.”
The right side of Galen’s top lip curled into a sneer. “Yes they do.”
“I could be more persuasive, Galen, if I wanted. My daughters have been known to be obedient when I let them know how very important it is that they listen.”
The priestesses began chuckling.
Galen nodded. “I consent.”
Consent to what? What is he—
The lustful grin on Calimay’s face hardened Arturus’ heart.
“Deal then?” the Queen asked.
“Deal.”
Katie shared a hut with Erica, but Martin hadn’t seen Erica in over three days. A charcoal bird had been drawn on the door curtain. The drawing was amazingly well done, all things considered. In the old world, Erica had been an artist.
The girls had named the bird, and Martin greeted it as he pushed through the door curtain. “Hey, Reginald.”
Katie lay unconscious within, her long brown, curly hair spread out all about her. She was unnaturally cool, as if the cold of the stone had somehow seeped into her body. She was breathing, he noticed with relief. Martin watched the rise and fall of her chest.
She’d lost a lot of weight. At first they’d joked about how sexy it made her, but he feared for her now. Clumps of fat still clung to her thighs and stomach, but her face looked gaunt. Dark circles spread out under her eyes, and her wrists were thinner than he remembered them being.
He knelt down beside her. “Katie?” he whispered.
She didn’t stir.
He touched her shoulder and moved her a bit. “Katie, come on princess, wake up.”
Her eyes opened for a second, then closed again.
“Come on!”
He shook her a bit more roughly.
This time her eyes stayed open.
“I brought you food, baby.”
Without getting up, or even looking at him, she shook her head.
“You might as well eat it,” Martin said. “The hunters have caught about half a
dozen guys trying to steal from other people’s tents. Everyone knows about my pot, Katie. They’re going to get to my food unless you eat it.”
She shook her head again. “I can’t, Martin. I know how hard it was for you to save that food. I know it’s everything you worked for. I don’t want to.”
I saved it so I could get a woman like you, Katie!
“Katie, we’ve just got a couple more days to go. It’s bad out there, in the wilds. Our villagers have been going out there, spending the nights. They’re not coming back. They’re just sitting there, lying in the halls like ole Bense. They’re getting the stilling. You will too, if you don’t eat.”
“Martin, I can’t do this to you.”
“The feast day is almost here. You’ve got to hold on. This is just a little. There’s plenty left.”
He pulled the devilwheat out of his hoodie’s pocket with his weak hand. The limb had almost recovered all of its strength. He’d just been out hunting with Graham, and the hand hadn’t let him down.
Katie turned towards him, looking at the food. He could tell how badly she wanted it.
“Take it, Katie. There’s plenty left in the pot.”
But there wasn’t plenty left. Maybe one or two handfuls was all that remained of his savings. She pinched some of the devilwheat between her fingers and put it them in her mouth. Then she took another pinch, and another. Then she snatched it all out of his hands and began to gobble it down.
“Slowly,” he warned her, “or it will hurt your stomach.”
She didn’t listen. After she’d eaten, she fell back asleep immediately.
Martin hung his head, touching her hand. She remained comatose.
“No harm,” he told her. “I saved that food so I could get a girl like you. Be silly for me not to spend it.” His voice cracked a bit at the end.
Don’t you become a miser, Martin. Don’t you do it.
He stood up and exited the tent. Michael Baker was there. Martin started.
“Martin Warwick,” the First Citizen said. “I’m sure you heard about some of the changes at our last vote.”
“Of course,” Martin answered. “I’m so happy that we’ve done the feast day. I can’t tell you how great an idea I—”
“There’s another thing we voted on,” Michael interrupted, “and I just discussed it with Graham.”
“What’s that, First Citizen?”
“We’re not happy with how he’s been handling the temporary Lead Hunter position. He hasn’t stopped the thieves from raiding tents. He hasn’t stopped the villagers from murdering each other in the wilds or from leaving the village. He hasn’t been killing any dyitzu. You’re healed up now, aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. You’re promoted to temporary Lead Hunter. Hold on to it, and you’ll get all of the things that come with it.”
Martin froze.
Michael smiled. “Sorry, didn’t mean to shock you.”
Martin felt his blood pressure rising.
How the hell am I supposed to do this?
“I’m going to tell the rest of the hunters now,” Michael said. “Do me some good, getting out of the Fore.”
“Thank you, First Citizen,” Martin managed.
He turned around suddenly and entered back into the tent.
“Katie! Katie! Guess what?”
She did not stir.
Martin felt keenly the weight of his new position.
My first priority is to protect the people of Harpsborough.
There were people just like Katie, in the village and all around the surrounding wilds. People who weren’t going to make it until feast day. Now, suddenly, all those people were Martin’s people. Each of them had someone who cared for them as much as Martin cared for Katie. Rarely had Martin ever felt such a singularity of purpose.
Aaron, I’m going to make you proud.
The soldiers had left Kelly in the audience chamber with Calimay.
“Well,” Johnny said as they entered their new room, “it ain’t a dungeon.”
And a dungeon it was not, Arturus noticed—but only when compared to their previous accommodations.
The room was brighter, but still dim. It was only about eight feet tall, and the floor was a ten foot by ten foot square. Two sets of bunk beds, made out of woodstone, were on either side of the room. Sheets had been laid across the wood, but there were no mattresses or pillows.
“We’ll be a bed short when Avery comes back. Two, if we get Kelly.” Aaron noted. “Galen, you and Turi want to share a bed?”
Galen shook his head. “I’ll take the floor. Not much of a difference.”
Arturus’ father shut the door, which was made of wood and belted together by strips of iron, behind them. It closed with a thud.
“Are we good?” Johnny asked. “Can we trust this bitch to keep her bargain?”
Galen shrugged. “I’ll be able to speak with her again tonight, and then I can give you a better idea of her intentions. Still, I bet you she’ll stand by her word. She’s obviously been pulled back into contact with Maab, and I don’t think she likes it. That might be why she’s let that Infidel Friend into her court. She may want to use us and Harpsborough to keep her people’s autonomy.”
“Speaking of which,” Johnny began, “how on earth did she get an Infidel Friend to stay with her? You don’t think she’s fucking that asshole, do you?”
Aaron sat down on a bunk and shrugged. “She’s evil, he’s evil.”
“By that count,” Galen said, “we’re evil, too, for being willing to deal with her. But one thing’s sure, we all have some common enemies.”
“Who’s Lucreas?” Arturus asked. “And why is Calimay so interested in him? What’s the City of Blood and Stone?”
Galen smiled. “One at a time, boy. Lucreas Crassus has been in Hell for a long time, and he fought alongside Saint Wretch against the Infidel. Lucreas made a deal with Tu-El, an Archdevil, and learned its secrets. Some time ago, the Infidel’s people collapsed a section of the Carrion on top of Tu-El, but no one managed to kill Lucreas.
“Lucreas is the one who taught Gilgamesh how to affect hounds. Who taught La’Ferve to fight. Before Maab became Queen of the Carrion, he raised Maab’s predecessor to a level of power almost as great as Maab has now. Calimay was one of his lovers.
“There is a city, ancient and wicked, that he and Tu-El had some hand in building. Like Londinium, it is run by devils, but has men who live there as well. It is my guess that this new tribe with the upside down crosses is in some way connected to that city. Perhaps the Minotaur that rules there has become ambitious and wants to rule the Carrion. Or perhaps Lucreas has returned to the city, and he’s the one causing the spread. That’s what I need to find out.”
“Does it even matter, though?” Aaron asked. “A Minotaur or Lucreas, it’s all the same to us.”
“Perhaps,” Galen said. “But perhaps not. A Minotaur might be content with the Carrion. Then Harpsborough only need face Maab and her people as they flee. Lucreas, well, he’d never stop at conquering just the Carrion.”
Johnny used the woodstone ladder built into one of the beds to climb up to its top bunk. He took off his shirt and used it as a pillow.
“Comfortable?” Aaron asked.
“It ain’t a feather mattress,” Johnny answered, “but ‘twill serve, ‘twill serve.”
Arturus heard footsteps coming down the hall.
“Galen—” Arturus began, but his father cut him off.
“There will be time to answer more of your questions, but Calimay’s people are coming for you now, son. You’ll need to impregnate one of her daughters. Calimay has three, I believe.”
Arturus suddenly felt his heart in his throat. “Which should I pick?”
“The nicest one,” Galen said.
“How am I supposed to tell that?”
“Your best guess, son. Your best guess. Don’t let them get on top. Do anything you can to assert some control over the sit
uation. Make sure you don’t look like a victim. Try to finish as quickly as possible. This is your first time, so that shouldn’t be a problem.”
The footsteps halted outside their door.
“Try to keep your wits about you,” Galen said. “Don’t let yourself feel violated. Enjoy it if you can.”
“Enjoy it?” Arturus heard his own voice crack.
The door opened.
“If you can,” Galen said.
Two Carrion soldiers flanked a lavender robed priestess.
Arturus nodded to his father and left.
Aaron watched Galen’s facial expression as the door closed behind Turi. If there was any change in the warrior’s feelings, Aaron couldn’t detect it.
Surely, he must care about this.
“Well, Galen” Johnny said, “I bet I know what you’re thinking right about now.”
“Oh?”
“You’re thinking, ‘Thank God I didn’t have a daughter.’”
Galen smiled.
“He’ll be fine,” Aaron said. “Turi is a tough kid. It ain’t going to fuck him up.”
Galen’s smile disappeared. “It might. Surely you heard us arguing in the cell.”
Aaron shared a glance with Johnny, whose head was peeking out over the top of his bunk.
“We did,” Aaron admitted. “But it stopped. We thought, you know, that you’d handled it.”
Galen moved across the room and sat on the bunk beneath Johnny Huang. Taking a cue from the hunter, Galen took off his shirt and used it as a pillow.
“They gonna give us our stuff back?” Johnny asked.
“They will,” Galen said.
“What about Kelly? Are they going to make her one of theirs?”
Galen shook his head. “I doubt they’d dress her up in lavender. She’s just as much a prisoner as us. Out of some feeling of respect, they might give her a nicer room. The Carrion tribes used to work like that, before Maab became so powerful she could dominate them all. There wasn’t a single leader, and a priestess from another group was an honored guest. It looks like Calimay may in some way honor that ancient formality.”
“Galen,” Aaron said, “I want to say thank you, now, just in case we don’t survive any longer. Without you, we’d have been dead a dozen times. This whole expedition—”
Knight of Gehenna (Hellsong Book 2) Page 20
