"You stupid little—" Jan clutched his thigh.
Wild shouts echoed through the trees. It sounded like a small army approached.
"Jan!" Gert pushed Yuzu ahead of him, toward the dense undergrowth. "We better go."
Krill followed behind him, muttering.
Jan hesitated before shaking his head. "I will see you again. You have a debt to pay." He limped backward, keeping his gaze on Kit as he backed into the skeletal tangled and disappeared.
Kit growled.
Daeric galloped into view just moments after the men disappeared. He shouted wordlessly. He leapt from his saddle before his horse skid to a stop. One hand held his spear in a tight fist.
The sight struck Timothy as too similar to the men who just left.
"I heard men. What happened? Are you hurt? Where’s Moonflower?"
"I am quite well. " Kit’s voice was calm. Her ears flicked under her hood, however. "Three men attacked us. They took Yuzu…my sister."
Timothy rounded on her. "Why didn’t you let me help? Why did you get in my way?"
Kit blinked. "You are not a fighter."
"I could have helped! If I had, Yuzu wouldn’t have been taken!"
Kit took a step back.
"Who took her?" Daeric asked.
"I am not helpless, Kit."
Kit sighed. "You’re right, Timothy. I…I like protecting you, how you…I’m sorry." She shook her head and glanced up. "I’ve apologized more to you than anyone else. You should feel special." She turned to Daeric. "She was taken by bandits."
"Did they cover their faces?" Daeric asked.
"They were bandits, weren’t they?"
Daeric frowned. "Those fools. I had hoped to run across them before they found you. They couldn’t have gotten far."
"Who?" Timothy asked.
Daeric ignored him and swung back into his saddle. He started back the way they came.
"They went into the trees, there." Timothy pointed.
"I know where they went," Daeric said. "This way."
Kit climbed into the wagon. "Get up here, Timothy, before he leaves us behind. Be quiet. We don’t have time to argue."
He slipped into the seat beside her. Kit had to crack the reins three times before the mule began moving. Daeric rode well ahead of them by the time Kit convinced the mule to follow at an awkward trot. The wagon rumbled over the tracks it had made not long before. The mule’s loping trot bounced the wagon over every rock in the path. Timothy’s teeth clicked. He lurched and wrapped her arm around Kit’s waist just before he fell off the narrow seat. The wagon lurched and rattled. Pots clanked loud enough to warn people of their coming for miles around. Timothy kept silent after biting his tongue when one of the wheels bounced off a large stone. Daeric led them down paths Timothy hadn’t noticed on their first time through. Kit radiated anger like the sun radiated heat. Her back could give an oak tree lessons in stiffness.
They clattered for what seemed miles before Daeric reined to a stop. The mule dragged the wagon for several paces beyond him before Kit managed to rein in the mule.
Timothy glanced around the road. Only a large boulder with a few icicles told him they were in a different area.
"They had to act before I was ready." Daeric muttered. He turned to Kit. "You don’t need to worry. I will protect you. You can trust me."
"How do you know they are—" Timothy said.
Daeric cut him off. "Stay here." He rode into the trees.
Kit’s hood twitched. She nudged Timothy’s arm. She heard something. This feels wrong. Timothy strained his ears but heard only the rustling of limbs.
"I don’t like this." Timothy said.
"We are going after them." Kit straightened her hood and slid from the wagon. "Protect me." She grimaced. "As if I am some flower to put into his pocket." She started in the same direction Daeric went.
Timothy clambered from the wagon and hurried after her.
"Do you think the men are these Protestants of yours?" Kit asked.
"I don’t know. Maybe. They weren’t Vatican soldiers. Daeric talked as if he knew them or at least expected them."
They trudged through the woods, following the trail Daeric’s horse had cut into the tangled winter undergrowth. Timothy’s heart pounded. Just what would they do when they found Yuzu?
A stick cracked under his boot. He jumped forward, running into Kit. She stumbled into a tree with a hiss.
"Watch it, shepherd. There’s no need to be so jumpy. I will hear them if they tried to sneak on us."
"Oh. Yeah. I forgot."
It seemed like they crouched and weaved for hours. Most of the leaves and plants may have been gone, but the skeletons of nettles and thorn plants of all types grabbed at them. More than once Timothy had to stop and untangle his cloak from a needy thorn bush. Of course Kit had no problems. She barely made a sound as she walked. The nettles seemed to move out of her way. Timothy felt like a ram charging through the forest.
Kit stopped and tugged Timothy to kneel beside her. He opened his mouth. She laid a finger over his lips and pointed. A sprawling building merged with the forest. Weathered logs rested on rough gray stone, and vines spidered the walls. The entire structure looked to have been built around the aging sycamores. Their white bark contrasted against the dark gray timber. Brown grasses peeked from the snow on the roof. The building looked more like a hill of fallen stone and logs than something made by people.
That roof would make good pasture for a few sheep in spring. Timothy frowned and glanced at Kit. She caught his gaze and pointed to the building. Yellow light cut through the windows. The light wavered through the poor-quality glass. Darkness had descended quickly in the dense forest. Kit tugged his cloak and pointed beyond the building. Timothy squinted.
Off to the side, a stable crouched among the trees. Several large shapes moved in the dark interior. A few whinnies reached Timothy’s ears. Another shaped unfolded. A man rested on an old wine cask. He leaned against a rough support beam. A small flash of orange revealed a pipe. The man took a long draw.
Timothy glanced back at Kit. Her eyes glowed in the wane light. He wondered how much she could see. Each passing moment made it more difficult for Timothy. This close, he could make barely make out her expression. Her ears flicked under the fabric.
"Where would they keep her?" Timothy whispered.
"I saw windows over there." Kit’s breath tickled his ear. "I might be able to hear her if we get closer."
"Do you hear Daeric?"
Kit’s hood rustled. "No. It is too quiet. I doubt the peacock knows how to skulk, no matter what he says of being a hunter. Let’s go."
She snatched Timothy’s coat sleeve and led the way. Timothy concentrated on not tripping.
They slipped around the building toward one of the fat sycamores. Its roots spread like a hand clutching the earth. Another cloudy window, overgrown by ivy, shed yellow light. The ivy’s broad leaves wilted in the cold. Kit brushed the leaves aside with a bare hand to peek into the window.
"Kit, I think that—"
She waved him off. He sighed. If she thought fleas were bad, sumac was going to be worse. It surprised him how much she didn’t know, considering she was a fox. In the stories foxes were cunning, wise, and all-knowing. Kit was certainly cunning and wise, at times. Not that Timothy would admit that to her.
"Kit, those leaves are—"
"Shhh."
"Th-there you are," a voice said from behind them.
Kit squeaked and fell back from the window to land among the sumac. Timothy whirled. A young face grinned down at Kit from under a green bandana. Red-brown hair framed his face. Greens and browns slashed his coat in a way that made parts of him fade into the woods behind. He wore only a heavy knife at his belt.
He held up his palms. "Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Daeric is expecting you."
"Daeric?" Kit asked. Sumac rustled. She stood and shook leaves from her cloak.
The young man took a step back a
s Kit leveled her glare on him. "I—I don’t want Daeric any madder. Name’s Tell." He turned away and glanced over his shoulder. "Please, f-follow me."
Kit frowned at the boy’s back. "I didn’t hear him," she whispered.
"I didn’t either," Timothy said. "He was right behind me."
"I should have. No one should be able to sneak that quietly."
"You were distracted. What did you see?"
"Not much." She stared at Tell’s back. "I don’t like this."
Tell turned. "Please hurry. The Second Commander is waiting."
"Second Commander? Daeric?" Timothy frowned. He could barely make out the man as darkness settled.
"We had better follow him." Kit brushed at her skirts and started after Tell. Timothy rushed up beside her.
"The boy smells like Daeric." Kit’s eyes glowed.
I don’t think I will ever get used to that, Timothy thought. "He has the same scent? I thought you said everyone had a different smell?"
"It’s not exactly the same, but he has the same odd scent Daeric has. It reminds me of dog fur for some reason."
"Daeric is a hunter. Maybe it is that."
"Maybe. I don’t know."
Tell waited for them at the front of the lodge. Skeletal vines webbed across the building. The man watching the stable still sat on the barrel with his pipe. That must be Gert, Timothy thought. He swallowed. This is bad. I don’t see how we can get out of this one. He looked at Kit. She tensed beside him and chewed on her bottom lip.
"Figured the noise was them," Gert said around his pipe stem. "Krill’s none too happy with the dark-haired girl, but Daeric’s worse. The boys never listen to me, except you, Tell. Tre—the first commander is quite pleased with you."
"I, uh…thanks. If only…Jan…noticed."
"You’re a good lad no matter what he says. Accepted or no." Gert studied Timothy and Kit. "Can’t say I much like any of this anymore. We are not a bad sort. Not really. But watch yourselves. The boys aren’t listening to me anymore. Except for Tell."
"Not a bad sort except for kidnapping women," Kit said.
"Better than letting Krill kill her. We don’t normally kidnap, but Krill and Jan haven’t been listening to me." Gert shrugged and took his pipe from his teeth. He gestured at the door. "Best be on with it. Gonna be snowing soon. My leg’s telling me."
Tell pushed the front door open.
Gert gestured at Kit with his pipe. "Just don’t cause any more trouble. Jan’s fuming about you sticking him."
Kit bared her teeth at the man.
Timothy groaned. Don’t provoke them, Kit.
The door opened to a large room lined with stuffed heads of boars, deer, and even a large cat of some type. Tell closed the door behind them, remaining outside. A stone hearth dominated the far wall. Rough tables and chairs scattered throughout the room made it look like an inn’s common room. Yuzu sat at the end of a long table. She held a steaming cup, and a wolf skin wrapped her. When she saw them, she jumped to her feet.
"Sis!"
"Sit," said the man with a bruised cheek. He stood against the wall with his arms crossed.
Yuzu glanced at the man and withered.
"Be quiet, Krill." Daeric walked over and laid a hand on Yuzu’s shoulder. "You are lucky She only gave you a bruise. I apologize again for these ruffians, Moonflower. Their pranks are never gentle."
Yuzu looked at the cup she held and nodded.
Krill muttered something Timothy couldn’t make out. He glanced at another man with a bandage wrapped around his leg.
That has to be Jan.
"There she is. My sunrise!" Daeric crossed the room. He took Kit’s hand and flourished a bow.
"Something smells…good," Jan said.
"You were lucky, Jan." Daeric still held onto Kit’s hand. "She would have done more than give you that nick."
Jan muttered something that made Daeric’s face darken.
"You know your father won’t be happy about this, Daeric." Krill, with his purple cheek, leaned on the fireplace with his arms crossed. "He told us to give up on that plan."
"This time is different," Daeric said. "I found who we were looking for."
Who they were looking for? What does he mean by that? Timothy glanced at Kit. She shook her head slowly.
"You said that last time too, brother." Jan watched Kit and stroked his cheek.
"You know she is different. Just look at her."
"I just know she owes me for this cut. Krill is right. Father won’t be happy to learn you are still playing."
Daeric shook his head. "It was his idea in the first place."
Jan thrust a finger at Daeric. "He has only one goal, and chasing after the past wasn’t part of it."
"I want the same thing. What better way to get our revenge than to prove them all wrong? To prove we are not—"
The door slammed open, almost hitting Timothy. A tall man entered, his face concealed by his cloak’s hood. The figure stopped and surveyed the room, his gaze stopping on Timothy and Kit. Tell entered behind him and closed the door.
"Father!" Jan and Daeric said together.
Daeric gestured. "These are our latest guests. We—"
"I told you before, that is not our concern anymore. The past is past."
"She is the one we were looking for. I know it."
"I said the past is past. It is time for all of us to move on, son." The weight of the man’s words deflated Daeric.
I didn’t think deflating Daeric was even possible.
The man gestured at Kit and Timothy. "Do whatever you will with them, but no more of this. Jan, be sure Daeric does what is needed. We can’t have his guests interfering."
"Yes, Father," Jan said.
"We have only one business to tend to. The Vatican sent an Inquisitor with the newest batch of reinforcements. We have their attention."
"Finally," Jan said. "It won’t be long, Koto. It won’t be long." He glared at Tell.
Tell’s shoulders slumped.
"About time." Krill cracked his knuckles. "I was tired of waiting."
"A patrol returns from the south. Take care of them. I will give you more information later. We will keep to the plan." The man glared at Daeric until he wilted. "I must meet our Inquisitor." The man turned and left. Tell shut the door behind him.
Jan slapped the table and stood. "The Inquisitor is mine. Let’s see how the Vatican likes one of their own burned at the stake."
Daeric looked at Kit, his usual bluster gone. "Don’t worry. I won’t let them harm you. Father has lost sight of what we really need to do."
"And what would that happen to be?" Kit asked.
"Why does it involve her?" Timothy asked.
"It doesn’t matter." Jan crossed the room. "Father left that up to me."
"You won’t hurt any of them, Jan."
Jan shrugged. "Who said I was going to hurt them. Didn’t you hear Father? They don’t matter. We finally have an Inquisitor. An Inquisitor! We can finally start repaying them for what they’ve done. First this Inquisitor and then another." He grinned. "We all know the Church can’t stand to lose. They will keep throwing them at us, but we will show them. So I really don’t care about your playthings. But I will take care of them if they interfere."
"They won’t," Daeric said. "They will be useful. They don’t have any love for the Church either. Do you think I would bring them here if they are not going to help us?"
"As long as they earn their keep, I don’t care," Krill said. "I still need to even my cheek and wrist with Oval Eyes."
Yuzu glared at the man.
"Save it for the Church’s men," Daeric said.
Krill waved his hand. "So you say. Do you think they will really keep sending Inquisitors after we off this one?"
Jan jostled Daeric and pushed past Timothy. "They will. They had better. One Inquisitor isn’t enough. Not for Koto."
"I…I don’t think she—" Tell said.
Jan stormed up to the young m
an. "What do you know of her, boy? Nothing!"
Tell shrunk back. "I don’t think she…would want anybody hurt."
"And you can believe this after she burned? Not even the blood of the Pope is worth her." Jan grabbed Tell’s collar.
Daeric laid a hand on Jan’s arm. "He can’t remember, Jan. Let him go. We have our orders. Now let go."
Timothy frowned. Interesting. Kit tapped her lips again as she watched the exchange.
Jan shoved Tell away, thrust open the door, and stalked out. Daeric turned toward the door. "Tell, see to their needs. Whatever they want. They can take Brian’s old room. Anything they want, fetch it. Gert went to bring their wagon. He may need help unloading it. Krill, the supplies they brought are more than enough payment for a winter’s worth of lodging. Now let’s be about our business."
Tell pushed the door closed behind Daeric. The air was getting cold. "You heard the Second. I will—"
Kit rounded on the young man. "My sister and I need a hot bath."
Timothy choked. "Seriously, Kit? Now? They are going out to kill people!"
"We can’t stop that, can we? We can only focus on what is right before us. Now hush, Timmy."
"Is Jan always that mean with you, Tell?" Yuzu asked.
Tell looked at his feet and nodded.
"That is terrible." Yuzu touched his arm. "A good man like you shouldn’t have to deal with that."
"I’m not good."
"Gert said you were, and you look like a good man to me."
Tell shrugged. "I’m not a man yet either."
"Kit," Timothy whispered. "We need to get out of here."
"I’ve always wanted a sister I could trust." Kit said aloud. Beneath her breath Kit added, "Do you really think I am not thinking about getting away, Timothy?"
"Do you have a copper wash tub, Tell?" Yuzu asked.
He nodded and looked up to meet Yuzu’s gaze before quickly looking away again. "I will have to drag it into the back."
"Oh, that would be wonderful," Yuzu said. Tell blushed.
"Kit," Timothy said.
"Do you really think they just left this boy to watch us? I knew Daeric would do something, but we walked right into it. I need time to think. Daeric wants something from us. We are safe until he gets that something. I think," Kit whispered into Timothy’s ear.
Memory Hunted Page 3
