The Shadow's Heart

by K J Taylor

  The other griffin, however, seemed intent on her. She came closer, moving tentatively with her head low in submission.

  ‘What do you want?’ Senneck demanded.

  The other female crouched low. ‘Are you Senneck?’

  ‘I am, and I do not wish to be disturbed.’

  ‘I am sorry,’ said the female. ‘But … I had heard that you were back in Malvern, and I wanted to see you.’

  ‘Why?’ Senneck started up aggressively. ‘Why would you know my name?’

  The female shrank back. ‘Because you are my mother.’

  Senneck stopped. ‘What?’

  The female dared to stand up straight. ‘I am Seerae. I am your daughter. I did not know that you were alive.’

  ‘You …’ Senneck came closer, sniffing. The scent was familiar. So were the eyes, and the line of the body. She had grown, of course, and her feathers had darkened, but … ‘You are Seerae. I thought that you were dead.’

  ‘I stayed here in Malvern after the war,’ said Seerae. ‘They did not know me. I joined with the Unpartnered and lived with them.’

  ‘And your brother?’ Senneck asked sharply.

  ‘He did not hide as I did,’ said Seerae. ‘He chose to try and fight the Unpartnered instead, and was killed. I survived to adulthood and chose a human. His name was Penllyn, and he chose to fight for Shar. Now he is dead, and I do not know what to do.’

  Senneck paused for a moment, thinking. ‘Come with me,’ she said at last. ‘I must go South with my human. Fly with us, and I will help you to find a new human.’

  ‘You would do this for me?’ asked Seerae.

  ‘I will, but in return you and your new human will help me one day, when I ask for it,’ said Senneck. ‘Do you accept?’

  Seerae’s tail swished over the stonework, and she turned her head away for a moment. But she soon faced her mother again, and huffed softly. ‘I will do this,’ she said. ‘For a new human.’

  ‘Then come,’ said Senneck. ‘It is time to go.’

  Senneck took off from the edge of the tower and Seerae followed, flying southward out of the city. Senneck led the way, letting her daughter ride on her slipstream, and felt stronger knowing she was there. Humans were not the only ones who knew how to win allies, and with Seerae beside her, she would be stronger. Now it was time to find Kullervo and keep him safe, as she should have done for Erian. Time to find a way forward, to a better future.

  Saeddryn left Malvern seething with rage.

  ‘How did they do it?’ she roared as she rushed through the shadows. ‘How?’

  There was no reply.

  Saeddryn left the shadows and ran tirelessly across country, bounding over rocks and logs and leaping streams without breaking stride. ‘How?’ she said again, without any strain showing through in her voice.

  When there was no reply again, she snarled. ‘Arenadd!’ Her voice lashed out like a whip. ‘Answer me. How did they find me? How did they know where I was?’

  I don’t know, he said at last, voice murmuring in her ear. Saeddryn, I don’t know. I was watching out like you told me to, and I only just saw them coming.

  ‘But how? Nobody could have seen us, not in the shadows!’

  I told you, I don’t know. Arenadd sounded harassed. Skandar has the power too; maybe he could sense you.

  ‘But Skandar wasn’t the first to come,’ said Saeddryn. ‘It was that freak, the man-griffin.’

  He’s not human, said Arenadd. Who knows what powers he might have? There’s never been anyone like him before.

  Saeddryn ran on, swearing. ‘I was so close … so close! I could’ve …’

  Don’t beat yourself up about it, Arenadd soothed. You did your best. But you shouldn’t have taken a risk like that. I warned you not to. You’re not invincible, Saeddryn. If something happened to you, it would tear the heart out of the resistance.

  ‘I know, I know,’ she snapped. ‘But it wouldn’t matter if I took the half-breeds with me. I shouldn’t’ve run. Should’ve just killed them. Could’ve done it.’

  No, you couldn’t. Not with Skandar there.

  ‘Not with ye in my ear, yellin’ at me t’run away,’ Saeddryn growled.

  Discretion is the better part of valour. Anyway, it would be better if their deaths were more public than that. Caedmon should do it himself, I keep telling you …

  ‘I won’t put him in danger, Arenadd. Not again.’

  He’ll never be King if he lets you fight his battles for him. I have a suggestion …

  Saeddryn slowed her pace. ‘Yes?’

  Advise Caedmon to send Laela a message. He should challenge her to single combat. Finish this once and for all.

  ‘No. I don’t trust her.’

  But it’s got to be worth a try. Better still, bring the griffins into it. That’s how griffiners duel. Laela and Skandar against Caedmon and Shar. It’s a tradition; no griffiner can refuse, and there are rules …

  ‘Shar can’t fight Skandar. She’d die.’

  Skandar’s getting old. He’s not as strong as he looks, you know. Just think about it. Ask Caedmon and see what he thinks.

  ‘No. It’s foolery, Arenadd.’

  Is it? I wouldn’t be so sure about that if I were you. Listen, you know Caedmon can’t rule just because you say so. If you killed Laela then placed him on the throne, what would that look like? He’d be the weakling who stood aside while his mother fought his battles for him. You know how our people see these things. The strongest rules. But imagine if Caedmon challenged Laela to a duel. They could fight somewhere public, and everyone would gather to watch. I started training Caedmon to fight when he was five years old. Laela’s nothing next to him. She’s a tavern brawler at best; she never mastered the sickle. And Skandar’s old. Caedmon and Shar would win, right there in front of everyone. A glorious victory! Then Laela would be dead and Caedmon would have no-one to challenge his right to rule. He could take power without resorting to open warfare again. No more cities would have to be destroyed, and no more Northern lives lost. That would be it, over and done with.

  ‘Hmm.’ Saeddryn had been listening closely. ‘An’ what about the man-griffin?’

  What, Kullervo? Don’t be ridiculous. He’s an overgrown child. A carnival freak. I heard him say himself he’d never want to rule. Besides, you don’t know what he’s just done.

  ‘Which is?’ Saeddryn prompted.

  Rejected the Night God. He went to the Temple and prayed to her just so he could tell her he’d never worship her.

  ‘He did?’

  Yes, and then he spat on her altar.

  Saeddryn’s breath hissed between her teeth. ‘He never! …’

  He did. And you can bet he won’t keep it to himself. Plus, he’s partnered with the Bastard’s old griffin. The chances of those two ever taking the throne are right up there with Gryphus himself appearing right now and turning you into a custard tart.

  Despite herself, Saeddryn chuckled. ‘It’s an interestin’ idea, now ye put it like that. I’ll talk to Caedmon about it, then. We’re goin’ t’see him now.’

  Oh, good, said Arenadd, with just the faintest hint of smugness.

  After Heath’s return, the three friends stayed up by Taranis Throne for several days. During his time with the lost tribe Heath had indeed learned plenty, and his newfound foraging skills helped them find much more food than they would have done without him. Not that Heath did much foraging himself; he went with Caedmon a few times and taught him what he knew, but once Caedmon had picked up the most important skills, Heath seemed content to let him do it alone while he stayed at camp. The trials of the last few months had slowed him down, and he spent much of his time just resting. He also took to visiting the stones, usually alone, and both Myfina and Caedmon noticed a new quietness about him, as if he had learned to enjoy stillness as much as talk and excitement.

  In spite of this, they were both more than glad to have him back. Even if he didn’t say much, he made Caedmon at least feel more
optimistic. But then, Heath had always had that gift.

  As for Echo, he seemed happy to spend his time with Garsh and Shar. The three griffins had formed a little flock of their own, and even teamed up to hunt more effectively, something wild griffins had never really been able to do.

  But they were doing more than hunting, as Caedmon soon found out.

  One day when he was up at the stones, he saw them flying overhead and stopped to watch. At first it looked as if they were just flying, looking for prey or just enjoying the wind in their wings as griffins liked to do. But then one of them suddenly broke away from the group and flew higher. The other two circled below.

  The one who had gone higher made a dive. He struck one of the others in midair, and the two plummeted, grappling viciously with each other.

  The third griffin folded his wings and dived after them, and in a moment all three of them were fighting beak and talon. As Caedmon watched in alarm, he saw them meet and break apart again, sometimes darting in to attack, sometimes fleeing to try and gain height while the others went in pursuit, but none of them letting up for a moment.

  Once, after a particularly heavy blow, a feather drifted down toward Caedmon. He watched it land in the grass by the altar, and recognised the reddish colour as Shar’s.

  ‘Shar!’ he yelled, now really frightened. ‘Shar!’

  Above him the fight continued, but as Caedmon continued to call one griffin finally broke away and flew down toward him. The others followed. They landed among the stones and continued to tussle with each other, and Caedmon saw that they were Echo and Garsh.

  Shar came toward him, sides heaving. ‘Caedmon, what is this?’ she huffed. ‘Are you in danger?’

  ‘No,’ said Caedmon, feeling unexpectedly embarrassed. ‘I just thought … What were you doing up there?’

  ‘We are preparing,’ said Shar. ‘We must be ready to fight when the time comes again; this is good practice for us.’

  ‘Oh.’ Caedmon reddened. ‘I’m sorry, I just thought … It looked real.’

  ‘We do not hurt each other,’ said Shar. ‘We cannot win if we do.’

  ‘Yes, I see. It’s a good idea.’

  ‘It is, and you should do as we do. Now I must go.’ Shar loped off to rejoin the two males, who were waiting impatiently for her.

  Caedmon headed back to the camp. Heath was there, sitting by the fire and looking rather glum. Saeddryn was sitting opposite him. She was so still and unobtrusive that for a moment Caedmon didn’t even notice her.

  ‘Mother!’ he exclaimed.

  Saeddryn nodded to him. ‘Hello, Caedmon. How are ye keeping?’

  ‘We’re doing all right,’ said Caedmon. ‘Myfina’s just off looking for food; she should be back soon. But what about you?’ He sat down beside Heath. ‘What’s the news?’

  ‘The Amorani prince has arrived in Malvern,’ said Saeddryn. ‘They had a celebration t’welcome him. Couldn’t stay in the city long, but I saw him.’

  ‘Anything else?’ Caedmon pressed.

  ‘Not really.’ Saeddryn watched him for a moment. ‘Been talkin’ to yer friend here. He’s filled me in on what’s been happenin’ to him. Interestin’ stuff.’

  ‘Very.’ Heath coughed.

  ‘I was just about t’say that it’s good t’hear ye met up with Arwydd. Been wondering how she’s been holdin’ on in Malvern.’

  Heath looked up. ‘You know her?’

  ‘Aye, I know her. She’s one of us. I met up with her in Fruitsheart just after she was chosen. Had a talk to her, offered her a reward if she came around to our point of view.’

  ‘What reward?’ Heath asked.

  Saeddryn did not smile. ‘Mastership. The old Master of Gold wasn’t about to see things my way. I haven’t just been idlin’ away my immortality, Caedmon. We’ve got a few friends in Malvern now. No tellin’ how long they’ll last, but Arwydd’s already proven herself. Saved yer hide, didn’t she, Heath?’

  Heath smiled ruefully. ‘Wish I’d had time to thank her.’

  ‘Life’s full of regrets,’ Saeddryn said, with a touch of sadness. ‘Nobody ever gets to the end without wishin’ they could go back and do some of it again. Now, Caedmon …’

  ‘Yes, Mother?’

  ‘I think it’s time we got down t’business. I’ve got a suggestion. Ye can make up yer own mind, but ye must do it quickly.’

  ‘I’m listening,’ said Caedmon.

  ‘Right, then.’ Saeddryn rubbed her dead eye and sighed. ‘I can’t get to the half-breed. She’s too well guarded. First Oeka, an’ now Skandar and Kullervo. Too much power. An’ besides, I’ve realised I’ve been goin’ about this the wrong way. How can ye claim victory if I kill the half-breed while you’re hidin’ away up here? The North won’t have a king who sends an old woman t’fight for him.’

  ‘I’m aware of that,’ Caedmon growled.

  ‘Here’s the plan, then,’ said Saeddryn. ‘We’ve got no quarrel with Malvern or the people. It’s the half-breed who’s our enemy, her an’ a few cronies. If ye can kill her in a fair fight, somewhere everyone can see it, that’ll be the whole thing over with. No need for open war.’

  ‘I see. And how do we do that, then?’

  ‘Challenge her to a duel,’ said Saeddryn. ‘A griffiner duel. Ye an’ Shar against her an’ Skandar.’

  ‘She’ll never accept,’ said Caedmon.

  ‘She will. She wants this over with too. If she won, there’d be no more nagging doubts, no alternatives left. Just her an’ her heirs when she gets them, which is why ye should do this quickly.’

  ‘Hmm.’ Caedmon stroked his beard, much as Arenadd might have done. ‘It’s a thought.’

  ‘Aye, so think about it. Talk it over with Shar.’

  ‘I think it could work,’ Heath said unexpectedly. ‘I mean, what’s to be gained from hiding out here? The longer you wait, the less people will care. They’ll start calling you a coward and a failure.’

  Caedmon’s jaw tightened. ‘Yes … you’re right. I’ll consider it.’

  ‘Go find Shar,’ Saeddryn urged. ‘She’ll help ye.’

  ‘Right.’ Caedmon stood up. ‘I’ll be back later.’

  Saeddryn watched him go, and smiled confidently to herself.

  ‘We will do it,’ said Shar.

  Caedmon stared. ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘I am,’ said Shar, who hadn’t even hesitated once she had heard Saeddryn’s suggestion. ‘We will send a message to the Mighty Skandar’s human, and he will make her accept. He cannot refuse; it would be weak.’

  ‘But Shar …’ Caedmon reached up to touch her face. ‘Shar, he’s the Mighty Skandar. How can you fight him? No griffin has ever …’

  ‘Silence!’ she hissed. ‘I will fight him, Caedmon. I am not afraid. The Mighty Skandar is growing old, and I am young and strong. I am smaller than him, but faster. I will use that to my advantage. When I defeat him, the Unpartnered will be mine, and I will own his territory.’

  ‘I’ve seen him, Shar,’ said Caedmon. ‘He hasn’t aged at all, hasn’t slowed. No-one has ever beaten him in a fight.’

  ‘No griffin can win forever. In the end, every griffin must lose. That is how the young find their territories. You and I will do as every young adult must, and take what our strength earns us.’

  It was griffish logic, but in its own way it made sense, and Caedmon knew that he couldn’t argue with her once she had made up her mind like this. And in a way, the very simplicity of it appealed to him.

  Besides, he thought, wasn’t this what he wanted too? To fight the half-breed and kill her was all he had desired, ever since he had been told about the deaths of his father and sister. And his mother, too. If he made the challenge, then it would mean finally living up to the vow he had made to his followers way back at the start of the war. He had told them that his intention was to take the throne while shedding as little Northern blood as possible. And even now, despite everything, he had been true to that promise. It had been the half-breed who had ma
ssacred her own people, not him.

  And for that, she had to die. If he could do it in the way Saeddryn had suggested, it would mean the end of the struggle at last.

  And really, what other choice did he have? Without the Unpartnered, open war would only lead to more pointless deaths.

  The thought of that finally made Caedmon come to a decision.

  ‘We’ll do it,’ he said. ‘When we’re ready. When the time is right.’

  ‘And when will that be?’ Shar demanded.

  Caedmon smiled. ‘When our training is finished. Come on.’

  He went back to the cave. Saeddryn was still there with Heath, and Myfina had joined them. All three of them looked expectantly at Caedmon.

  ‘I agree with your plan, Mother,’ he said. ‘And so does Shar. We’ll send a message to the half-breed. But not until we’re both ready.’

  Saeddryn cocked her head. ‘And when will ye be ready, Caedmon?’

  Caedmon shook his head slowly. ‘I’ve had time to think out here, plenty of time. I’m not ready yet. Not ready to rule. You saw what happened when I tried. I ruled Skenfrith, and look how long I lasted. I shouldn’t try to end this until I know that I can do it.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ asked Myfina.

  ‘I never finished my training with Arenadd,’ said Caedmon. ‘I never went through my manhood ceremony.’

  ‘Then we’ll do it tonight,’ said Saeddryn. ‘I might be dead now, but I’m still a priestess.’

  ‘No,’ said Caedmon. ‘Not yet. I know where to go now. Heath?’

  Heath raised his head. ‘Yes, Caedmon?’

  ‘We’re going to see your lost tribe. You were right, Heath. If I’m going to rule the North, then I need to learn how to be a real darkman. They’ll teach me how, and you’re going to take us to them.’

  ‘When?’

  ‘Tomorrow. Mother, you’ll come with us, and you as well, Myfina.’

  Saeddryn looked at him with open pride. ‘Agreed.’

  ‘And me?’ Shar interrupted. She did not look very pleased.

  ‘I think you can learn too,’ said Caedmon. ‘There are wild griffins on those islands.’