Letting out the traditional war cry, she signaled her braves to attack. The small band joined the main body of Indians in their attack, focusing on the yellow-haired man in the center of the ring. Nudging Demon away from the circling braves, she located Brave Eagle and pointed to their target. Nodding, he called to several braves to follow him and charged the outer line of defense. Jumping over the dead bodies, he guided his horse straight at Yellow Hair. Two soldiers tried to pull him off his horse, but he kicked them away and pointed his rifle at his target. Even amongst the other gunfire, Tanc could separate that one sound from the others. In slow motion, she saw Brave Eagle fall from his horse, clutching his side.
Kneeing Demon, Tanc gripped his sides with her legs as he sailed over the heads of the white men anxious to get to her fallen friend. Already, soldiers were beating on him with their rifles. Tanc wanted vengeance. Diving off Demon's back, she landed on the backs of several men and began fighting her way toward Brave Eagle's body. Several braves had followed her and were forcing their way forward.
Reaching her goal, Tanc pulled her knife from her scabbard, stabbed two of the soldiers and shoved them to the side. Grabbing another by the hair, she sliced his throat. When the others realized they were being attacked from behind, they spun around and stopped. The sight of the tall, red-haired woman caught them by surprise, giving her and her fellow braves the opportunity they needed. Within seconds, the soldiers were dead.
Kneeling, Tanc ignored the fighting around her to check on her friend, expecting to find him dead. Surprisingly he wasn't, although she knew he was seriously injured. More Indians had succeeded in breaching the front line. Now Indian and soldier struggled in hand-to-hand combat. Tanc was torn between helping Brave Eagle and going after Yellow Hair. Looking around, she was just in time to see Rain In The Face complete the task.
Satisfied, Tanc leaned down to check Brave Eagle's injuries. Neither she nor her companions noticed the Crow scout lying a few feet away, pointing a gun, until they heard the blast. Immediately, he was attacked and killed.
Tanc felt as if she had been hit in the back by a club. Falling forward, she braced herself with one arm and reached around with her other hand to feel the area that was now burning like fire. A heaviness settled in her chest and she coughed. Blood spewed from her mouth, splattering over her friend's face and chest. Feeling weak and unable to support her weight, she shifted slightly to keep from falling on Brave Eagle, and then collapsed. The sounds of fighting grew faint. Tank felt cold. She was dying and wondered how many more times Death would take her before even he grew tired of her game.
CHAPTER 16
SAIRA RELEASED that timeline and continued following the strand further backward. When she finally found the one intersecting Constance's, she switched strands and followed it forward until it again intersected with Sabnock. From there, she traced the historian's essence to the barrier protecting the Great Beyond. Two small golden orbs blocked her path.
"You don't belong here, traveler," one of them said, gently.
"I'm searching for someone," Saira replied, hunting for the strand that would lead her past them.
"We don't live in your time. You won't find who you seek here."
"Maybe not, but are you so sure? There are always strands or remnants of them lying around. It's only a matter of time before I find what I'm looking for."
The orbs flickered as if suddenly nervous and then vanished.
Unwilling to accept defeat, Saira examined the strand she had followed. After close scrutiny, she noticed it tapered slightly when it neared the barrier until it seemed to disappear. The Traveler suspected it was an illusion. If the thread ended at the barrier, it would hang loose instead of being stretched so tightly. The question now was did she really want to see where it led. The two orbs reappeared before she had an answer.
"You can't cross over. It's forbidden."
"Forbidden by whom? I don't want to enter your world, but I must locate the owner of this strand. If it means breaking your rules, then sobeit. I'm not bound by that which lies beyond your wall."
"You don't understand. Once you pass through the barrier, you can't return."
"So you say. It obviously isn't stopping you," Saira reasoned.
"We are the guardians. We're allowed to go where we want, when we want."
"Are you saying the others don't have a choice?"
"Of course they do. This isn't a prison. Those who come here may leave after their initial transition or they can stay of their own free will."
"Good. Then I see no reason why I can't enter, find the historian and return here with her if she wants."
One orb sighed. Saira smiled at the very human response.
"You don't belong here. The historian does. Please just go away," it pleaded.
"I will, but only if you tell her I need to see her. If she refuses to talk to me, then I'll leave."
One of the orbs disappeared and was immediately replaced by another. Saira was surprised that she could see a difference, but then realized that they were as individual as the essence they held.
"What do you want, traveler?" the newest orb demanded.
"You are Constance?"
"I am."
"I've traveled a great distance to speak to you. Dis asked me to find you."
"Dis? The Underlord? Why?"
"Apparently he's concerned about one of his subjects. A demon named Sabnock."
The orb's light began to shimmer. Saira recognized the reaction now as agitation.
"What about her? Is she well?"
"No. She has been hunting for you. She even threatened Dis because she thought he was holding you hostage to force her to rejoin his legions."
Constance laughed.
"That's definitely Sabnock. She isn't afraid of anything, an endearing flaw in her, I have to admit."
"True, and it will lead to her destruction unless you stop her. If she discovers where you've gone, she'll find her way here."
"She can't! No one comes here unless it's their time and even then..." Constance exclaimed, but didn't sound very convincing. Although she would have chosen life in the Underworld if it meant being with Sabnock, she was in transition and not yet allowed to choose where she would spend eternity. The reasons weren't quite clear but had something to do with the life she had led. The Great Beyond was for those who were neither exemplary nor extremely bad. Only the Chosen were allowed entry. With great sadness, she had accepted her fate and adjusted to her new existence. Transitions took a long time due to the unusual adjustments the individual had to make to adapt to their new life. Occasionally one of the inhabitants would leave, but very few journeyed beyond the barriers of the Great Beyond... unless the situation was extremely dire.
"I'm not so sure. Her love for you drives her beyond reason. She's not one to give up, once she makes up her mind about something. That's what made her such a powerful leader in the Underlord's Legions."
"And the strength of her convictions."
Constance knew she had to stop the demon from tracking her to the barrier. If she found it, she would do her best to force her way in and possibly be destroyed. The rules of the Great Beyond did not allow for exceptions.
"Take me to her."
"Now?" Saira asked, surprised.
"If you have the time."
"That's all I do have," the apparition replied. "How do we do this?"
"Hold out your hand."
Doing as she was told, Saira was surprised when the orb rested gently on her palm.
"Now, close your fingers, but don't squeeze. These vessels are delicate."
"What happens if it breaks?"
"I don't know. It's never happened before. I'm not too anxious to find out, though."
"Me neither."
The trip to the present was instantaneous.
CHAPTER 17
THE FUNERAL service was short and simple. Wrapped in a cloak provided by Yemaya, the historian's body was cradled tenderly in the demoness' ar
ms. Several wolves paced nervously at the edge of the forest, watching for anything or anyone that didn't belong.
Yemaya stood several feet away, her arms wrapped around Dakota. The journalist sobbed quietly, her head pressed against her lover's shoulder. Regina lay next to her mistress, her attention focused on the tall demoness. The old queen had never seen a demon before and was curious about her. Like Vyushir, her wolf guardian, she lacked the normal smell and noticeable heartbeat of mortals. Still, there was a difference between the demoness and spirit.
Ekimmu and Sarpe stood a few feet away watching Sabnock kneel beside the grave and lay the body on a bed of straw and herbs. Straightening the cloak, she tucked it under Constance's chin as if to protect her against the cold.
"I will find you, my love," she vowed quietly, not caring who heard. Tears slid down her cheeks. Picking up one hand, she pressed it against her lips and then placed it under the cloak. Reaching down, she tucked the garment around the body as if trying to protect her deceased lover from the cold. Afterward, she stood and turned to look at the other mourners.
"Thank you."
Stepping away from the grave, the demoness passed her hand over the opening. Flames exploded from the earth and soared skyward, temporarily blinding the mortal onlookers. Only Sabnock and Sarpe were able to watch the fire consuming Constance's body, destroying all evidence of her existence.
"It iss done," Sarpe said, nodding her approval.
"Yes," Sabnock agreed sadly and walked into the forest, alone once again.
Dakota wiped her tears away, walked over to the gravesite and peered into the dark hole. Gray ashes covered the bottom. After notifying her and Yemaya of Constance's passing, Sarpe had given them a short explanation of Sabnock's relationship with the librarian. Being an ancient spirit, she kept it short and simple.
"Goodbye," Dakota whispered and then pulled a small bundle from her jacket pocket and dropped it inside the grave.
Yemaya cocked her head slightly, curious, but didn't ask.
"I know it's ridiculous," the journalist said, looking back at her lover for reassurance. "I wanted her to have something to take with her, so I gave her one of my pens and a small notebook. She was a historian. Stupid, huh?"
Yemaya shook her head and pulled Dakota into her arms and held her for a few moments.
"No, she would appreciate the thought."
"Yeah. I hope the pen works better for her than me," Dakota joked, trying unsuccessfully to lighten the mood. "I wish we could do something for Sabnock," she whispered, forcing back the tears.
"I know. Maybe later. For now, though, I think she needs to be by herself."
Dakota nodded her head sadly. Separating, the two headed back to the estate.
Ekimmu and Sarpe followed a short distance behind. Neither spoke. There was nothing Sarpe could say to ease Ekimmu's loss.
* * *
Sabnock stood on the edge of the cliff looking at the river several hundred feet below. The moon glistened off the water, making it shine like a silver strand of light. If she had been mortal, the demoness would have thrown herself into the river, ending her misery.
"And we would have never met," a voice whispered.
Spinning around, Sabnock saw an apparition shimmering in the shadows a short distance away holding a small, golden orb in her palm.
"Who are you?" she demanded, angry at the intrusion.
"Just a traveler," Saira replied, walking up to her. "I've brought you someone"
Sabnock looked around suspiciously.
"Who?"
"Hold out your hand."
Confused, the demoness did as she was told. Saira placed the orb on the outstretched palm and stepped back.
"Be gentle with her. Don't squeeze," she ordered and disappeared.
* * *
Sabnock stood still, holding the object, not sure what to do.
"It was a nice funeral," a different voice said, almost causing the demoness to drop the orb.
"Constance?"
Heart pounding, she thought she was imagining things.
"Who else?"
"I hunted for you."
"I know. I thought... hoped we would meet in your world. It wasn't meant to be."
"But you're here now. Tell me how to find you and I'll join you."
"No! You can't. You must let me go, Lynara," Constance said, knowing how much those words would hurt.
"I can't. My life has no meaning now without you."
"Then give it meaning. This isn't forever. We've been apart before."
The demoness sighed. Once again she had found her one love and once again she was losing her.
"I've grown weary of my life, of this loneliness," she confessed, sadly.
"I know, my love, but true death comes only when the time is right."
"Demons don't die. They may go elsewhere but they don't die."
Constance could feel her lover's pain. It matched her own, knowing she too would have to let go once again.
"Are you happy where you are, Constance?" Sabnock asked, interrupting the librarian's thoughts.
"As happy as I could be without you."
"What's it like there?"
Constance laughed. Her voice seemed young and vibrant now, like when they had been lovers.
"Not much different than the mortal world. Maybe a little more peaceful and everyone gets along rather well, although we still have our squabbles."
"Do you still feel love or loneliness or all those human emotions?"
"Human emotions? You know better than that. You're not human and yet you love me. You feel sadness and pain."
"Now I do, but when I was leading Dis' Legions, I don't remember feeling anything. I think I learned them from you."
"They were always there. You only had to find the right incentive... and yes, all of the emotions exist where I'm at, even the darker ones. Sometimes I think they are stronger than ever in the Beyond."
Sabnock was surprised. She had suspected Constance's soul had gone to the Great Beyond. It was rumored to be a place for those souls too special to go to the Overworld or the Underworld.
"But I thought..."
"That it was Paradise? Far from it. Paradise would be hell for people like me. Too homogenous. No, this place is better than the mortal world, but it's far from perfect."
"Can you touch and feel? Do people make love or hold each other?"
"Yes. What you see here is only my essence. The orb keeps it together outside the barrier."
Sabnock slowly sank to her knees. Holding the small vessel close to her face, she tried to see what Constance looked like but failed.
"What do you look like?"
"I'm just like you remember. Nothing has changed, nothing will change."
"Then you're still alone."
"No."
Surprised, Sabnock didn't know whether to be happy or hurt.
"You have someone?" she whispered, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"I have many friends there, but no, no lovers. I waited thousands of years to join you in death. I can wait a while longer."
"If I could kill myself now, I would," Sabnock declared.
"And if you did, we would never be together."
"We'll never be together. I will go on, forever the warrior. It's better you find someone to love and who will love you."
"You give up too easily, Lynara. Where is that warrior spirit now?"
"Gone, I'm afraid. I'm tired, Constance. I've spent my whole life fighting battles that weren't mine to fight, trying to be something I was never meant to be. I should have known better."
Invisible hands cupped her face as tears slid down her cheek. To feel Constance's touch was almost as painful as not feeling it at all. Bowing her head, she cried softly, not caring anymore that true warriors never cried.
"True warriors feel pain, my love. They cry and hurt like everyone else. You've seen more death than I can ever imagine possible."
Sabnock couldn't think of anything to s
ay. Her sorrow and loneliness were so great, she couldn't imagine going on but knew she had no choice. Straightening her shoulders, she stared into the orb and grimaced.
"Death. I've known its touch so many times and yet never really understood its meaning. Finding you, I long for it, but know it will never really happen... and even if it did, we'd still be worlds apart. Do you think I'll ever see you again?"
Warrior Demoness - TI6 Page 11
