by Alex Avrio
“What will happen if we don’t?” Jaeger asked.
“It will not be the first time the world ended.”
“No pressure then,” Regina commented.
Nathaniel gave her a bitter smile. “Do not think for a moment that the old world is vanished, as it hides under the veneer of this new world, this new civilization. Scratch the surface. You will find its creatures simmering underneath.”
“What do you need us to do?” Jaeger asked.
“The first thing will be to control Mother Spider. She has been feeding her brood overmuch with human children. There’s only so many of her offspring we can allow to prowl.”
Jaeger nodded. “Anything else?”
“Avoid going through Hildenburg,” Nathaniel said. Jaeger looked like a snake had bitten him. “One more thing. You have met a man who calls himself Demetrius.”
“I have,” Regina said.
“He is dangerous and his loyalties divided. He is not who he says he is. Beware, Huntress. Other Huntresses found this out to their peril. Astrid certainly did, one of the best we ever had.”
Fidel jumped up, wings flapping furiously, and let out an ear-shattering crow. Nathaniel looked startled. “My, is it time already? I must go. I have educated you in the basics. We shall need to meet again.”
“Wait!” Jaeger shouted as Nathaniel mounted Fidel. “You haven’t told us where we are or how to get back home.”
Nathaniel gave him an ironic smile. “Have you not realized where you are yet? Not very patriotic, considering how your people are supposed to treasure the place.” He waved as he gave Fidel a nudge with his legs, breaking him into a gallop, hiss voice trailing back towards them. “You’re in Nassay-Beden.”
56 HOMECOMING
REGINA and Jaeger got back to the cave in time for the first rays of gold shimmering on the horizon. Eleven was scouting for driftwood on the beach. Briggs was outside the cave, smoking his pipe.
“Where did you two disappear to?” he asked through a puff of smoke.
“We were spoken to by a dwarf astride a giant chicken,” Jaeger said with a mischievous smile. Briggs shot him a look as if Jaeger had been the one smoking, something dubious. Regina let out a sigh.
“I’ll explain later. For the moment, gather everyone inside. We need to make plans.”
They gathered in the cave, a small fire still burning, more smoke than flame. Jaeger opened the small sack he’d carried from Nathaniel’s campsite and rationed out its contents. The team ate baked potatoes salvaged from the fire. They received the news that they were in Nassay-Beden with mixed feelings.
“At least we’re safely in Eressia now,” Morgenstern commented. Briggs coughed.
“Pardon me, sir, but I think you’ll find we’re in Merrovigia.” Morgenstern’s jaw tightened without reply. Jaeger’s mouth, Regina noticed, was a thin line; his back was stiffening. Regina found her travel bag and riffled through it. Eventually, she found her journal. She thumbed through it, trying to find anything useful from her time in the area during the war.
Jaeger came and stood looking over her shoulder. He mumbled something and walked away to root out his own journal. He meticulously studied certain pages, flipping back and forth, a deep vertical wrinkle dividing his brow. Regina finished and followed his steps to sit next to him. He was so deep into his reading that he stroked his two-week-old beard for the first time as he did so. Regina knew better than to disturb this. She looked at the journal pages Jaeger was studying. His maps were more detailed than those of the area she had. Regina winced as she remembered Hildenburg. She bit the inside of her cheek. Then he turned to a map scrawled across two pages containing the whole of Nassay-Beden. She could see the coast on it, and started to wonder aloud where they were and how they would find their way to find their way. Jaeger passed her the map, got up and walked out of the cave. He called for the Merchant Blades and Charlie to follow. Regina flipped through the last written pages of the journal. Jaeger had decent maps of the town of Korthi. He had clearly made them during their stay on the pirate ship. Regina smiled. Jaeger would map his surroundings even if hung upside down over boiling oil. She joined him and the others outside. The fresh sea air felt good there, even if it was cold enough to chill her marrow.
“Good of you to join us, Fitzwaters,” Jaeger commented.
“What’s your bright plan this time?” Regina replied.
“Firstly, I have to ask Charlie to lend us some money. The rest of us don’t have two coins to rub together.”
Charlie scratched her head. “This is on the understanding it’s a business loan,” she said lifting her skirt up and reaching for the seams at the hem. “Them pirates were slippier than eels to win at cards.”
“Promise,” Jaeger said. Charlie began to count gold coins into his palm.
“That girl has more sense than all of us,” Briggs commented.
“Thanks, grandpa.” Charlie grinned at him.
“Sufficient,” Jaeger said, after the tenth coin. “Too much money raises questions.”
“Now what?” Regina enquired.
“There should be a fishing village not far in that direction.” Jaeger handed the money to Jackson. “You and Eleven get provisions, a horse or two if you can. If they ask, tell them you’re pilgrims on your way to the Mother’s sisters’ shrine and you were robbed. That’ll get you some sympathy and account for the state you're in.”
“Which shrine?” Jackson asked, closing her palm round the coins.
“The shrine of Tender Mercy. It’s not far from here. Let Eleven do the talking, her accent’s flatter than yours,” Jaeger said. “Remember, whatever you want to call them, the people of Nassay-Beden still consider themselves Eressian.” Jackson and Eleven nodded and immediately strolled off. Jaeger turned to Briggs and Summers. “Till they get back there’s not much we can do. See if you can find some fresh water.”
He turned to Amanates. “I left the most difficult task for you. How are your hunting skills?”
“I think you’re asking about my miracle-working skills, Kapitan,” Amanates said. “I can hunt without a musket, but need some tools.” Jaeger looked disappointed.
“I’ll go round, see what I can find.”
Jaeger clapped him on the shoulder. “Good man.”
Regina crossed her arms across her chest. “So now that’s only us left.”
“And me,” Charlie piped up.
“Go back inside with the princesses and Thomas,” ordered Jaeger.
Charlie gave him a mock frown. “Like every other man, now that you got what you wanted from me.”
“Shoo!” Jaeger said, with a wave of his wrist. “Right,” he said to Regina, opening his journal to the two-paged map. “This is Nassay-Beden. This way, even though it cuts some corners, runs too close to the mountains - robbers and gangs of outlaws; we can do without losing the princesses again.” Regina nodded slowly. His finger traced another route.
“Here’s the preferred option, but it goes right past Border Town. I think we’d both rather not go too close there. Every scoundrel from the two Empires gathers at Border Town. Mr. Gold and Honesty would be keen to have a chat.” Regina pursed her lips. Though the fastest way, it was no less unsafe than the mountain road. His finger went to another route.
“Now this, though it may take us in a bigger arc, is the safest option.”
Regina’s eyes narrowed. “It goes right through Hildenburg. We’ve just been specifically told to avoid that place.”
“It circles Hildenburg. Have you got a better suggestion?”
“I’d like to say yes, but I can’t,” Regina said. “Assuming we get to Eressia, and that’s a big if, what then? We’ve signed the contract. Not to fulfil it is to die.”
“Well, if the Emperor doesn’t execute us and the conspirators don’t murder us to silence us, there might be a way of getting out of the Merchant Blades contract alive,” Jaeger said.
“I can’t wait.”
“Technically, the con
tract was for taking the princess from Eraden to the Winter Palace and keeping her safe on the way. It didn’t specify time or route, so if we get Rosamynd to the Winter Palace by the scenic route, we’re not in breach of contract.”
“And you think the Emperor will care for fine print? His sister and Rosamynd have been missing for two months!” Regina cried.
“I guess you’d better be nice to Emilia,” Jaeger parried. “It might save our skins if she speaks for us.”
“Me, be nice?” Regina said. “Maybe you should have thought of that before you grabbed her and threw her over your shoulder.”
“All part of the Merchant Blades experience, which now she seems to be handling. She’ll go back a changed princess. Hope the Emperor likes the new version!”
Regina narrowed her eyes. “Just be careful how nice you are to her, Jaeger. I suspect the girl has a crush on you.”
“It’s not my fault I’m irresistible to women.” Jaeger smiled and walked back into the cave.
Regina was trying to find a dry spot to catch some sleep for an hour, when Emilia came over.
“Now we’re finally safe,” Emilia said, “I’d like some questions answered. What were those things in the mist?”
“Any chance I can have a snooze in the corner and he can answer the questions?” Regina asked, glancing sideways at Jaeger.
“None whatsoever,” Jaeger responded. Regina shrugged and sloped towards a flat rock, leading Emilia where they could sit and make themselves comfortable. Regina’s clothes were damp. Emilia’s nose was running, her face flushed like someone running a temperature. Regina was surprised the princesses hadn’t fallen ill yet. The Merchant Blades were hardened from immeasurable hours outdoors, yet Regina could still feel a blockage at the back of her nose, heaviness on her eyelids. There was also a scratchiness in her throat that made swallowing painful, but she sensed this was more Jaeger's pain than hers.
Emilia beckoned Rosamynd. She trotted over, followed by Morgenstern and Schaefer.
“Since Korthi,” Emilia began, wiping her nose on her rag of a handkerchief, “we feel we’ve been living in a nightmare, or high on some drug. We want to know what really happened, and what was just illus–”
“You think we know?” Regina interrupted.
Morgenstern opened his mouth to reply but Emilia touched his arm.
“I’m not saying you do, but you looked less shocked than the rest of us. Like someone who knew what they were doing.”
“We’re Merchant Blades,” Jaeger said gruffly. “It’s our job to deal with what comes our way, be it outlaws or monsters.”
Emilia’s eyes glinted as though she had him cornered. “Lieutenant Adler was a professional soldier too. It was his job, he did it bravely, but from the look in his eyes he’d never seen things the like of those that killed him. You two reacted with less awe and terror. Had you seen these things before? Isn’t that why you and the rest of us are still alive?”
Regina and Jaeger were silent for a moment.
“We’re alive because we fought hard to stay that way - and got lucky,” Regina said solidly. “Morgenstern and Schaefer are also alive: you’re not accusing them of anything!”
“Yes, and look at the state of them,” Emilia said.
“No one is accusing anyone of anything,” Morgenstern stated flatly.
“Kapitan Kherr Jaeger,” Emilia said, assuming as much of her regal countenance as she could in her wet and stinking clothes, “are you going to dare hide things from me, to whom you have pledged your service and obedience?”
Jaeger took a deep breath. Regina could feel the two opposing forces in him. When the sense of loyalty instilled in Jaeger since childhood won, Regina groaned, and inwardly cursed his name so strongly she could see him flinch. She knew he’d felt it.
“We have seen strange things before,” he began, “but surely it is obvious why we don’t speak of it. Who would believe our tales? Even now that you know us well, had you not seen these things with your own eyes, felt their sting, their claws in your skin, would you believe? You would dismiss it as a mercenary's drunken bragging, or wonder if we’d taken head wounds during the war.”
Morgenstern nodded. Schaefer’s right hand unconsciously moved to touch her still swollen left arm.
“Philosophers and scientists speak of the age of enlightenment: how in these modern times we shouldn’t resort to superstition; that things can be explained by science and reason. We have seen the inexplicable, creatures of legend, and nightmare,” Jaeger continued.
“The Southern Duchies cling to the old ways; their alchemists, astrologers and magicians. Maybe now I understand why,” Emilia said thoughtfully.
“Most are charlatans,” Regina said. “Though you might want to stay away from the Chief Magician of Korthi. He really is one to watch out for.”
“But where have you come across things like these?” Morgenstern asked.
Regina and Jaeger exchanged a quick look. “Last year we took a mission that seemed straightforward. It set us on a path that led us to the South Across the Water and creatures we’d never seen the like of before,” Regina said.
“Such as?”
“Abidari.” Jaeger’s face tightened as he spoke the word.
Regina was glad he had omitted any reference to their stay in Pella.
“Abidari!” Schaefer spat, with such disbelief that all turned towards her. “A tale for children!”
“Excuse me,” Rosamynd broke in. “We’ve seen creatures in the mist with our own eyes. I don’t see how we can dismiss Abidari as ‘children’s stories’.”
Morgenstern stroked his unshaven cheeks. His shaggy beard was patchy on the left side where the scar dominated his face. “But that would make the Messari real,” he said softly.
“That’s the least of it,” Emilia said. “It’s said in our Holy Books that the Messari walked the earth before The Mother and Child revealed themselves to us.”
“I still can’t believe it,” Schaefer said.
“Well, if what we’ve all seen wasn’t real, we’ve all lost our minds. Which is it? Make your choice,” Regina said, and turned at the sound of running feet behind her. Charlie slid to a halt in front of her.
“Jackson and Eleven are coming back. And they’ve half the village with them,” she said.
57 SEAHAM
“REMEMBER, we’re pilgrims,” Jaeger hissed, “and remind Briggs and the others they’re Eressian.”
“Some a Countess, no less.” Charlie flashed him a cheeky smile and ran off to alert the rest of the team. Jaeger and Regina came out of the cave to meet the coming throng. Drizzle fell incessantly from the flint sky. Regina had to shield her eyes with her hand.
Charlie hadn’t exaggerated. A trail of men, women, and children snaked along the coastal path towards them, plus a cart drawn by a couple of old mules.
They’d brought blankets. The instant the crowd of villagers finally arrived, the elders of the village wrapped the whole team in old, worn, dry blankets.
“When we told the elders,” Eleven explained, “that we were pilgrims robbed on the way to the Mother’s sisters, they wouldn’t hear of taking our money. They insisted on coming here, to care for us.”
An old woman hobbled forward, her white hair in a bun, her eyes the color of the sea, her hands gnarled by a lifetime of fishing and rough work. She reached for Jaeger and she took his hand in hers. “Come to our village. There’s food and warmth enough for all.”
“We thank you for your offer of hospitality, mother,” Jaeger said, “but we wouldn’t wish to burden you in these difficult times. There are many of us.”
“Please, call me Lena. In this age of dishonor we must help fellow countrymen who fall on hard times. All good people are welcome, my boy,” she said, and patted his hand. Jaeger’s jaw tightened.
Half an hour later, Amanates returned empty-handed from his hunting expedition. Briggs was ushered onto a cart, gaining the prestige of an elder: he traveled alongside the inju
red Schaefer for the trip. The team were all taken to Lena’s house, the largest in the village. Regina almost fainted when the smell of warm stew and fresh bread reached her nostrils. The villagers had been friendly so far, but in these mean times a man’s life was worth less than a few copper coins and they could still turn out to be intent on killing and robbing them of their possessions. And if they got an inkling that some of the party were Merrovigian?
A young girl handed Regina a wooden spoon, a bowl full of fish stew, a thick slice of bread. Any thoughts of hostile natives left her mind. She devoured the stew, not caring that it was so hot it scalded her tongue. Even Emilia and Rosamynd abandoned their dainty ways in the presence of warm food.
“This is more like it,” Emilia laughed. Regina accepted a second helping, relieved there was no sour cabbage in sight. The second bowl of stew went down a little slower than the first, and she observed Jaeger as she ate. He too was on his second helping, but lost in thought, probably considering what story he would tell the villagers. Whatever lead he provided, Regina decided, she would follow.
The villagers had dispersed, leaving the team to the care of the elders, who politely waited for them to finish eating. Earthen cups of ale came. A stout bald man of around fifty, mightily bearded and with no front teeth, raised his cup.
“To strangers well met. To the return to our Motherland. Long live the Emperor!”
Regina didn’t begrudge the toast at all. After the dinner she’d just had, she’d toast Nephthys herself. Briggs hesitated slightly, but drank all the same.
“Now friends,” the bald man said, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand, “I am Hanz. Tell us your story.”
Emilia was about to speak first, until Charlie gave her a quick kick on the shin to settle her down. Emilia wasn’t the highest-ranking member here, just a young pilgrim. The elders’ eyes turned to Briggs. When he finally realized he was expected to speak, he took a deep breath.
