Frank-SPrinces

by The Shadowed Princes [lit]

  The healer sagged in his bonds.

  Alarmed, Ossian lurched from his chair and touched Sheradyn's neck. He saw Pandeena and Gavin standing in the doorway. He's dead."

  Ossian walked out, trapped between a dawning suspicion of Sheradyn's innocence and the facts as he had discovered them so far. He let himself into Gillivray's cell; uncertain of what he intended to do.

  Sheradyn's young lover sat in a chair, his wrists manacled to the arms, and his ankles fastened to the legs. Gillivray had been flogged; his fingers had been crushed with the thumbscrews. He raised his head and looked at Ossian.

  "I did it, Gillivray said. I gave Belgair the poison. Sheradyn is innocent. Let him go. Please let him go."

  Ossian averted his eyes, feeling deeply troubled, recalling his earlier conversation with Gavin. I can't. He's dead."

  Gillivray unleashed a long howl of grief and desolation.

  "Well, at least we got our confession, said Ultan, stepping into the room with Gavin and Pandeena following.

  Ossian gestured for Ultan to be quiet. Gillivray, if you were only confessing to spare your lover, you may recant and I will accept it."

  "Why? Gillivray's voice, choked up with emotion, accused Ossian. You'll still think we were guilty."

  "The evidence..."

  "You killed him. Gillivray unleashed another howl. His eyes went empty, lost. What's life without him? No. I won't recant. The healer spat in Ossian's face. Send me to join him."

  Ossian wiped the spittle from his cheek and nodded, saying without anger. Hang him."

  He walked from the dungeons and climbed the stairs feeling as if there had been no victory there.

  * * * *

  Malthus watched Gillivray Ashby mount the scaffolds with his wrists secured behind him. The nancidawg showed more courage than Malthus had thought Gillivray possessed. He had expected that the two healers would have to be carried screaming and weeping onto the platform. Sheradyn's naked corpse hung like withered fruit from the next place down. Malthus felt safer now.

  The lawgivers were not as smart as they thought they were.

  Ultan O'Reilly brought Gillivray Ashby to his place over the trapdoor. Waid knelt, fastening the healer's ankles together. Gillivray stood with his back straight and his head high, despite the tears squeezing past his closed eyelids. Ultan fastened weights to Gillivray's ankles, tightened the noose around his neck, and stepped back.

  Gavin Ellis kept his hand on the lever as Ossian read Gillivray's sentence to the gathered crowd.

  A familiar voice drew Malthus attention to the side.

  Cahira stood with Todd's arms around her shoulders. I can't believe they did it. I've known Sheradyn since I was a girl. He would never do something like this."

  Todd, gazing over Cahira's shoulder, spied him. Your time is coming, Malthus."

  "Or yours. Malthus inclined his head at Todd with a sneer and moved farther from them.

  Ossian nodded. Gavin pulled the lever. Gillivray dropped as the trap door opened beneath him.

  The weights failed to provide the hard drop that Ultan had hoped for, which would have broken Gillivray's neck. The healer jerked and twisted, choking.

  Cahira pressed her face into Todd's shoulder, unable to watch it.

  Satisfied, Malthus skirted the edges and walked off. When he reached the street, he heard footsteps behind him.

  "Hello, Malthus."

  He paused and turned. Zinzi."

  She strolled up to him. You know, Malthus... she rolled his name off her tongue in a saucy manner, Hoon is very unhappy with you."

  "Why?"

  "You sent him the wrong child."

  "I-I did?"

  "Don't play games with me, Malthus. That boy is not the last descendant of Dawnhand. How could you be so stupid? Hoon knew instantly that child was not of his blood."

  "Dawnhand? Isranon Dawnhand?"

  "Brandrahoon, Isranon, and Waejonan. You know the story."

  "Are you warning me?"

  "I just want to watch you squirm before we kill you."

  Malthus reached for his powers. Before he could strike, Zinzi ran off laughing. He sucked in a sharp breath, glancing back at Cahira. Damnit. I'm getting jumpy. That mage would have recognized my power.

  Feeling trapped between Cahira and Zinzi, Malthus tried to pick the lesser of two dangers and turned again toward the scaffolds. He drifted closer, shaking. No one double-crosses Brandrahoon and lives to speak of it."

  I might be the exception. I have never tested my powers ... not since riting all those sa'necari ... stealing those legacies to make me strong. Maybe I'm as strong as Brandrahoon now. Maybe.

  He stopped in front of the dangling bodies of the executed healers. Gillivray no longer moved.

  The three brothers always breed true . Malthus had heard that said a thousand times over the years. Had he realized that Isranon's name was not the whim of a Dark Brother's reverence for one of their iconic figures, he would have chosen the child he sent Brandrahoon more carefully.

  "Having another look? Vayle Stewart lounged on the steps to the scaffold.

  "It's good they caught the traitors."

  Ossian stepped out of the shadows, gestured for Malthus to follow, and led him up onto the scaffold. I'm still watching you. One more questionable death and.... Ossian dropped a noose over Malthus head. Do we understand each other?"

  "Yes. Malthus flung the noose off and stalked away.

  CHAPTER TEN

  ALWAYS FAITHFUL

  Preparations for the four myn's trip to the Striped Dog began in the late afternoon. Jenny and Regina joined Darcy and StealsThunder at the Maguire Place. They sat at the table in Darcy's suite. Six strands of hair had been clipped from each of their heads.

  Jenny leaned in, watching in fascination as Thunder braided three strands from each together. I always wondered how Channadar did that trick."

  Thunder grinned and nodded. When I lay that on the table, we'll have five minutes to get clear of the tavern."

  After that she braided four bracelets from the remaining hair and handed one to each of them. Don't put those on until just before we enter the Striped Dog. It should hold for half an hour, but we don't want to waste them."

  In the yard of the mansion, Fychan the stablemaster waited with the wagon and four saddled horses. A long wooden object shaped like a coffin lay in the wagon with a tarp thrown over it and some smaller crates around it. Fychan tied Darcy's horse to the back of the wagon, and Darcy climbed up into the driver's seat. Her three companions mounted up and they set out for Wolffgard.

  They dropped off their horses at Cahira's Potions and Notions, where they picked up Darcy's cousins, Artair and Tobrytan. Darcy drove and the rest of them sat in the back on the crates. Drawing rein in front of the Striped Dog, Artair climbed down and poked his head into the tavern. He returned with a broad grin. He's in there."

  The four females climbed down, walked to the door, and put the bracelets on. A flash of silver light flowed over them and four red-haired bitches stood there arrayed in nice dresses instead of the trousers and tunics they had arrived in. Illusion was one of the most finely honed skills of the Fae.

  The Striped Dog Tavern was a rough place. Bitches rarely came there without a male companion. So it was with some surprise that the regulars saw four pretty bitches enter and take a table. A nibari came instantly with a tray of mead and set out the tankards in front of them. Darcy paid.

  They had not sat there long, before some of the bolder dogs sauntered over and offered to buy them drinks.

  Gorgarty spotted Darcy. She winked and smiled at him suggestively. He sat straight up with an excited look of anticipation, and nudged Eamon sitting beside him. Oh, ohohoh, I'm gonna get my bone wet tonight."

  Eamon's gaze strayed to Darcy's companions. They're pretty."

  "She wants me."

  "You're always saying that. I hear the last bitch you thought wanted you, kicked you in the grapes."

  "You just watch. Gor
garty rose from the table.

  "One of these days, your stupidity is going to get you killed."

  Gorgarty bristled. You'll see who's stupid."

  He swaggered to the table and sat down beside Darcy, pulling her onto his lap. They exchanged whispers, and then Gorgarty, his face flush with eagerness, followed her out the back door that led to the alley.

  Thunder laid the braided hair on the table. Now."

  Regina, Thunder, and Jenny rose from the table and headed for the back door. Regina glanced over her shoulder and gasped. The four of them appeared to be still sitting at the table flirting with the customers. Jenny grabbed her arm. Keep walking."

  Gorgarty pressed Darcy against the side of a building, fumbling with the lacings to his trousers. You're gonna like this. You're gonna really like this."

  The three myn fanned out behind them, unnoticed by Gorgarty.

  "So will you. Darcy's voice took on a darker edge. Her hand seemed to disappear as it dipped beneath the illusion and came out with her long knife. A short, hard thrust popped the finely honed steel into Gorgarty's belly.

  Gorgarty stiffened in shock, his eyes bulging, as he glanced down at the knife protruding from him. Bloody ... slut."

  Jenny snapped a gag into his mouth before he could say anything more, while Thunder fetched Artair and Tobrytan.

  Gorgarty raised his arms to hit Darcy. Regina shifted into her hybrid form, slammed her fists into Gorgarty's kidneys, and brought her knee up hard between his legs to take the fight out of him. He shuddered and looked ready to topple over. Then she and Jenny grabbed his wrists, jerked them behind his back, and fastened them together.

  "This is for Erskine. Darcy worked the knife higher in his gut. His knees buckled.

  The wagon trundled down the alley, and stopped. Artair and Tobrytan jumped off and lifted Gorgarty between them. Thunder threw back the tarp and opened the coffin.

  The two brothers dumped Gorgarty into it. Darcy slapped a note to Gorgarty's chest that read Rapist, and was signed Always Faithful. Then they all climbed aboard the wagon and headed back to the shop where Artair nailed the coffin shut. They concealed the coffin in a deep drift of snow near a thicket of evergreens a short drive beyond Wolffgard.

  It would take many hours, and possibly days, for Gorgarty to die; and he would suffer as his victims had.

  The four horsemyn drew rein before the front gate of the Maguire Estate.

  "Why did you sign it Always Faithful'? Regina asked.

  "Before his crippling, Kynyr took on a vicious gang that were raping bitches for sport. His wife had been one of their victims. One by one, he hunted them down and killed them, leaving a note on their bodies signed Always Faithful.

  "I'm beginning to like our prince. Regina reined off and rode home with Jenny.

  * * * *

  Qaseem arrived, as he did each day, with his satchel over his shoulder. Another mon walked at his heels carrying a pair of crutches. He sat them near the bed and left. Kynyr's trousers came off and the ritual with the tape measure seemed to take forever.

  "I do not know what caused this miracle. Qaseem wrote a series of notations down. All previous signs of atrophy have vanished."

  He gripped Kynyr's wrist, closing his eyes as he Read the prince. All the spinal lesions are gone. The nerve connections have grown back. It is as if there were never any damage at all."

  Only Kady and Todd knew what Stone had done. Kynyr debated and then decided against telling Qaseem about it.

  "Lycans heal better and faster than humans, and you can take more damage. But you do not regenerate. Your people are not trolls. Yet this, Master Kynyr ... this is regeneration."

  "I'm an exception to the rules, I guess. Kynyr shrugged.

  "An exception, most definitely. Now we test it further."

  "The crutches?"

  "Yes."

  Kynyr's stomach churned as he gripped the crutches, torn between hope and dread. Qaseem stood with his hands ready to grab the prince if he fell. Kynyr levered himself up and paused, got his balance, and took the first tentative step. His legs trembled and then steadied. Step by halting step, Kynyr crossed his bedroom.

  "Do you wish to try for the kitchen, Master Kynyr? Qaseem's patient, encouraging voice reassured Kynyr.

  "Yeah."

  "We can take it in stages. There are plenty of chairs in the hallway."

  "I'd better get dressed first."

  Kynyr went to the closet. Leaning on one crutch, he picked out something to wear and tossed it onto the bed. Just that much filled him with joy. Qaseem offered to help, but Kynyr savored his independence after being so long without it. Pulling on a warm woolen shirt and trousers, Kynyr decided he wanted to wear something that would bring a smile to Kady's face that went beyond everything. So he topped his black clothing with a bright holiday tunic, crimson with dark green trim. Kynyr had meant to wear it when he took her to the Autumn Faire, but trouble had come between them and she went with Todd and Cahira instead.

  Kynyr maneuvered into the hallway, and stopped dead in his tracks.

  "What is wrong? Qaseem hovered about him. I will move the chairs."

  "No. That's what's wrong. Kynyr pointed at Russa talking to Trevor. The Dreaded Horde."

  Qaseem's gaze followed Kynyr's pointing. Your sister?"

  "Ayup."

  Russa's eyes lit up when she saw him and rushed over, her arms open to hug him. Kynyr! You're walking."

  "Stop. Stop. If you hug me I'll lose my balance. Kynyr swallowed, his eyes going wide.

  Trevor lunged for Russa and wrapped his arms around her, but Kynyr was already in motion to avoid his oncoming sibling. The edge of the crutch caught on a chair leg and Kynyr toppled into a table. He sank to the floor, glaring and muttering ominously in six languages.

  Russa whistled innocently, looking at Trevor's arms. You can let me go, Uncle Trevor. I didn't touch him. She snickered. Brubs did it all by himself."

  Qaseem extended his hands to Kynyr. I will help you up."

  Kynyr's lips tightened. I'll manage."

  Grabbing the edge of the chair, Kynyr pulled himself up, got the crutches in place, and set off at a fast angry pace.

  Russa lifted her head to an airy tilt. He always tries harder when he's upset with me."

  Then she followed with Trevor in tow while explaining to Qaseem. You see, it's perfectly all right for us to pick on him. The Dreaded Horde has special privileges. But it isn't at all permissible for others to do so. Except for Kady. She has special privileges too. We've decided to make her an honorary member of the Dreaded Horde."

  Qaseem scratched at the back of his head, listening with a dubious expression.

  Kynyr snarled all the way to the kitchen, slammed the door open, and stepped through.

  Kady glanced to see who came in. Excitement flushed her face. Oh my gods, Kynyr! You're walking!"

  * * * *

  Lokynen had put off going to the manor for several days after talking to Dyna. He was slow to anger, but once there he generally broke something or someone. The big yuwenghau had liked the Redhands, and felt tempted to go barreling in and start breaking things over their deaths. His temper still simmered over Malthus trying to kiss Sugar.

  When he walked up to the house that day, he saw Darmyk sitting on the steps watching the other children throwing snowballs at each other. Cooley and the Scott cubs rushed about playing with the Badree Nym. Kerry nestled in the boy's lap. There was a listless light in his eyes and a bruised appearance to the skin beneath them that worried Lokynen. He turned aside and went to check on him.

  "What's wrong, Little Bear? Lokynen asked. Why aren't you playing with the others?"

  Darmyk shook his head. Don't feel like playing."

  "What's wrong?"

  Darmyk shook his head again. I'm tired."

  Lokynen felt the boy's forehead. No fever. Are you sleeping all right?"

  Darmyk shook his head again.

  Lokynen frowned. Talk to me, Darmyk. What ails y
ou?"

  Darmyk lowered his head with a sad shake. I'm not supposed to talk about it. My stepfather gets angry. I want to go inside now."

  Lokynen resisted cursing Malthus to his stepson and lifted Darmyk into his arms. You know you can talk to me? Doesn't matter what it's about, Little Bear. I'll always listen."

  "Just don't feel good."

  Lokynen knocked on the door.

  A male nibari that Lokynen did not know answered. He handed Darmyk into the nibari's arms. He doesn't seem well."

  Kissie stepped from the kitchen to see who had come to the door. He's sick. Has been for a while."

  "Is Stone around?"

  Kissie gestured for the nibari to take Darmyk to his room, and turned back to Lokynen. Master Stone is in his study."

  She opened the door wider for him to enter.

  Lokynen had to edge slightly to get through. Small door."

  Kissie laughed. It's big enough for everyone else."

  She led Lokynen through the manor. As they neared the door to Stone's study, he spotted Malthus in the corridor. He instantly swerved aside and stomped to Malthus. His big hand shot out and he jabbed his finger into Malthus chest.

  Malthus staggered backwards. What's wrong with you? Lummox!"

  "You stay away from Sugar. Lokynen poked Malthus in the chest again.

  "Why? Malthus schooled his face into a look of utter innocence.

  "Keep your lips off her! Lokynen poked him a third time with such force that Malthus sailed into the wall, struck hard and slumped to the floor. Grabbing Malthus by the collar, Lokynen jerked him to his feet. You hear me?"

  "Let him go, Loky. The noise had drawn Stone from his study. Humans break easily."

  Lokynen released Malthus and the sa'necari slumped to the floor, shaking his head dazedly. The big yuwenghau swaggered over to Stone, grinning. Hi. I'm glad to see you again."

  Stone shook his head in bemusement. You too, Loky."

  "I got something for you. Mischief shone in Lokynen's eyes.

  "What?"

  Lokynen's fist shot out and hit Stone square in the chest, knocking him halfway down the hallway and into a wall.

  Myn shouted and swords came out. Jocelyn, who had been barely missed by Stone flying past her, shrieked. A crowd of curious folk had gathered, watching them both.