The point entered at the neck, and by the time the demon’s own momentum and Kate’s strength had been used up, a foot of ichor-covered blade protruded from the top of the demon’s head.
Kate pulled her sword out, slashing as she did so to destroy more of the demon’s brain. Kate wondered if she had even hit the tiny thing.
The monstrous slab of demon flesh didn’t seem to understand what had happened. Confusion clouded its eyes but then even that faded as death glazed its orbs.
Kate turned to see if Peiros needed any help, in time to see him dance around his demon commander and parry the monster’s sword with those strange crescents he used. Kate wondered how he could be so close to his opponent. The tink and clang of the crescents catching and turning the demon sword was loud, audible above the general din of battle.
Two more metallic rings and Peiros performed a complex, acrobatic move, tucking the crescents in close to his body as he spun and flipped, only to bring them out at the apex of his movement. One, two, three rapid strikes with the many sharpened surfaces of the crescents, and the demon commander’s body was twitching and scrambling around headless.
The troops didn’t run in fear this time. Two or three dozen of them swarmed Peiros and Kate. It looked they had a fight on their hands to get back to the line.
Just before the mass of demons arrived, Kate glanced through the open gates to Hell. Standing there, far enough back that no one else probably saw him, was a demon unlike any Kate had ever seen. He looked like a large human, heavily muscled, but with curved horns coming from the top and sides of his head and merging to form into a shape above his skull. It almost seemed as if hair had grown out and up, then turned solid into a long crown, spikes reaching upward more than a foot.
His coloring, as close as she could see in the darkness, looked no different than a tanned person, or maybe a slightly sunburned one. His appearance wasn’t what struck her, though.
He radiated power.
It wasn’t just that he glowed, though he did a little. It was that she felt his power from several hundred yards away. A shiver ran up her back and down again.
She was no coward, but this demon scared her.
There was no time to think about it, for the rush of demons had made it to them. The mystery of the eldritch demon beyond the gate would have to be solved another time.
Though Kate had never sparred with Peiros—she didn’t even remember ever seeing him—the two of them fought as if they had trained together all their lives. He had no shield, only his crescents, so when she saw that he might need help, she twisted and blocked an incoming blow.
The rest of the time, they fought back-to-back, inching toward the shield wall. They advanced sideways, never letting the battle stop their progress.
Demons came at them and died. They were all the regular variety, the grunts, so they weren’t much of a challenge to either warrior. Kate’s sword arm was getting tired, but they had already made it halfway. A glance at Peiros showed that he had slowed as well, not fighting as acrobatically as he had earlier. He still looked in control of the situation, though, a true professional.
When they were within ten yards of the shield wall, half a dozen demons charged at the same time, trying to keep them from safety. Kate blew out a breath and set her shield for the impact.
It never came.
Four of the demons were cut down from behind, and the other two halted mid-charge to see what had happened to their comrades. It was perfectly clear from Kate’s point of view. The other two Black had finally finished whatever it was they were doing and decided to lend a hand.
“Nice of you to join us. Finally,” Kate said.
“You wouldn’t want us to get dirty or anything,” Jurdan said. “I was busy telling Visimar here the story of when I was supposed to take two girls to a big dance back home. Have I told you about it?”
Kate sighed.
10
The demons retreated, no doubt because of the presence of four black-clothed warriors with death masks, two of whom had just killed a demon commander each. As soon as the gates clanged shut, the four made their way down the stairs back toward the city.
“I don’t think we’ve met formally before,” Kate said to Peiros. “I don’t even remember seeing you around before just now.”
“I am sorry I have not presented myself to you and introduced who I am. I have been…preoccupied of late. I am Peiros Cressa.” As he said it, he bowed slightly with his hands pressed together in front of him, as if he was praying at a temple.
Kate confirmed to herself that his accent was indeed from Salornum. His dark skin, dark curly hair, and pale hazel eyes also told her she was correct.
“Oh, no,” Kate said. “It’s no problem. I just meant I haven’t had the opportunity to meet you yet.”
“Don’t mind old Peiros,” Jurdan said. “He’s sort of odd, but the most polite person you’ll ever meet.”
Kate ignored Jurdan, as normal. “I’m pleased to meet you, Peiros. You’re quite impressive with those…weapons you have.”
“Ah, you like my khruk. It is a weapon of my country. I was forced to use sword and shield when I joined the Order, because the most important thing to a Red is the shield wall. However, when I made the Black, I was able to wield my own weapons again. I had missed using them.”
“They seem very effective,” Kate said. “Peiros, what were you doing hiding near the gate?”
“It is, ah, complicated.”
“I don’t mean to trespass on secrets or anything.”
“Oh, no,” he said. “It is not like that. Rather, it is an involved tale, but I can try to make my explanation brief. I was spying on the demons.”
“Spying on the demons?” Kate said. “But they don’t speak. They just growl and grunt. Do you mean to tell me that the sounds they make are language?”
“No, I do not mean that, although they do have a verbal language,” Peiros said, bowing to her. “True, it is not complex, but I can understand it as well. However, they normally prefer to communicate mind-to-mind.”
Kate stopped walking, staring at her Black brother. “They what?”
“It is known that the demons invade the thoughts of men—and women—and try to make them do horrible things, yes? Do you think that they could push thoughts into our heads but not speak with others of their kind in like fashion?”
“I…never really thought about it.”
“Ah, but I have.” Peiros clapped his hands. “I have taken a few trips into Hell itself, spying for the Black Command. In my time there, I have learned the demons’ language. Molara Grey says it is a talent, like magical ability, that no matter how smart I am, I should not be able to understand them when they do not wish it. Perhaps she is correct. In any case, when I am near the demons, when they do not know I am there and do not shield their thoughts from me, I can understand what they say to each other.”
“Myself,” Jurdan said, “I have always thought it was because old Peiros here was half demon. That’d explain it.”
“I am sure friend Jurdan is not casting aspersions at my mother,” Peiros said, eyeing the other man sideways and patting one of his crescents.
“No, no, not such a thing,” Jurdan said. “I merely repeat what some have said as a possible cause. No need to take offense.”
Peiros laughed and winked at Kate. She smiled to see Jurdan get a little back for all his joking.
“That’s amazing, Peiros,” she said. “So, what did you overhear? Anything interesting or important?”
“Oh yes,” the Salornumese said. “There is some grand plan afoot to destroy humankind once and for all. A demon lord has rallied disparate groups and has a plan that will mean our doom. I paraphrase, of course.”
For the second time in as many minutes, Kate’s mouth dropped open. Before she could speak again, though, Peiros continued.
“I will bring my findings to the captain. I am sure he will brief everyone else shortly. I apologize that I cannot tell yo
u my tale in more detail. Perhaps another time we shall chat?”
“Uh, oh, yes. I would like that. Thank you.”
Peiros hurried off to speak with the captain, leaving Kate with Jurdan and Visimar.
“Another day in the life of the Black Command, eh?” Jurdan said.
Later that evening, Captain Achard called the entire Black Command to a briefing. Sure enough, it was about what Peiros had discovered. Kate spotted him on the other side of the room, melting into the surroundings so well she scanned the exact spot three times before she even saw him there. He was looking directly at her.
When his eyes told her he knew she’d seen him, he put his hands together and bowed toward her. She smiled and waved back.
“We have received some information,” the captain said. “There is some sort of major plan in the works. A demon lord is planning an offensive, the likes of which we have not seen.
“Demons are generally chaotic and resist being put together in groups. Research done by Order scholars in the past says that the most successful demon commanders are ones that, through bribing and threats, gather troops and maintain a type of discipline sufficient to get them to the gates. After that, they simply turn them loose.
“Even the most successful of these, however, have not been able to gather more than a few thousand together at one time. No one really knows how many demons there are in Hell, but if they ever massed together, we would probably not be able to stop them.
“Which brings us to our problem. According to our source—” He nodded in Peiros’s direction, “A demon lord named Thozrixith is bringing many of the different groups of demons together. Our spy monitored the demons’ communication during the battle today, and the demon lord’s plan is coming to fruition. He needs only one more thing and then he will attack.”
Phrixus Achard looked out over the assembled Black and nodded.
“The Order may not survive the assault.”
“My opinion is that a small team should go into Hell itself, not only to seek more information on this grand assault, but possibly even to kill the demon lord. It is almost certainly a suicide mission for some or all who take part. I will not order anyone to go, but ask for volunteers.”
Silence pressed on everyone like a heavy blanket. For what seemed like many minutes, no one spoke and very few moved.
“I’ll go,” Kate said, holding her hand up.
“Kate?” Captain Achard said. “You just joined the Black, and already you want to die?”
“What I want is to help, Captain. Sir. I don’t know how much use I’ll be, but I want to go. I have to go to Hell sometime, right? It might as well be now.” She laughed, but it died in her throat.
“Fine,” the captain said, grimacing as if he had bitten into a rotten fruit. “Anyone else?”
The room was completely silent. Kate heard a few of the men breathing, but that was it. Not even the shuffle of a foot broke the stillness.
An era passed, or so it seemed. After two full minutes, someone finally spoke.
“I will go, Captain,” Peiros Cressa said. “If not I, then who else would there be to translate the demon speak?” He ducked his head slightly in Kate’s direction. She breathed out for the first time since she had spoken earlier.
“I suppose I should go, too,” Jurdan said. “Missy there will be lost without me to tell her what’s what.” He winked at Kate as he said it. She would forgive him this once. Having someone along she’d worked with and knew would make a world of difference.
Within the next several minutes, six had volunteered. Besides Kate, there was Peiros Cressa, Aurel Brunn, Benedict Dressen, Jurdan Vora, and Visimar Torten. Kate felt a little better that others were going with her, experienced brothers who might actually know what they were trying to accomplish.
But Captain Achard wasn’t finished.
“Very good, an even half dozen. Six is an important number to the demons. Maybe it will bring us luck.” He paused for a moment and his eyes tightened slightly, giving Kate the impression he had just decided something. “Kate, you have the command.”
11
“What?” Kate said. “I’m sorry, Captain, I thought you just said I had the command.”
“That’s right. You do have the command. You were the first to volunteer. You know we don’t have rank in the Black, other than me, of course. Any one of us may be called upon to command or to follow. It’s how things run in the Black Command. As such, you have the command.”
“But, Captain,” Kate sputtered, “I don’t know anything about going into Hell, or leading a team, or any of that. I was expecting to go and follow orders. I have never had a command before.”
“Then it’s a good thing you have seasoned men on your team. I suggest you utilize their experience and knowledge.”
Kate felt like something was trying to crawl from her stomach up her throat and out into the room. It didn’t help that massive Aurel was smiling widely at her. There must be something wrong with his brain.
No, that wasn’t nice. Aurel was always kind to her. He didn’t deserve her thinking ill of him. It was just so…frustrating. How in the Hell did one lead a team and assassinate a demon lord?
“What are your orders, ma’am?” Jurdan said, and Kate nearly drew her sword on him.
Kate’s world spun around her and she put a hand out to steady herself. If it wasn’t for the fact she was near the wall, she might have actually fallen down. Command. She would be in command of veteran Black brothers.
Nothing else the captain said registered in her mind. Before she knew it, the others had gone, and only she and Phrixus Achard remained in the room.
“Kate?” he said. “Are you well? Kate?”
Her head snapped up. The captain hovered in front of her, looking into her eyes for some clue as to what was happening.
“I...oh!” she said, finally noticing everyone else was gone. “Captain, I cannot command a team. I have just joined, and the others, they all have experience. Peiros knows Hell and can understand demons. He should lead. Or Jurdan. He knows a lot and is comfortable with addressing troops. Any of the others will do a better job than I will.”
“Kate, calm down. Breathe.”
She was breathing rapidly, making her head swim even more. Kate stopped, closed her eyes, and focused on her breaths. After three deep inhalations, she felt calmer.
“Now,” the captain said. “I have named you as the leader of this team, and I stand by that. You will do fine. The others will help you; they are all veteran soldiers and are all committed to the Black. Lean on them. It will be fine.”
“No,” she said weakly. She took another breath and repeated it, this time more forcefully. “No. I can’t do it. I’m sorry, captain, but I rescind my volunteering for this mission. I am not capable of doing this.”
Phrixus merely looked at her, calmly waiting for her to continue.
“May I leave, sir?”
A look of mild disappointment crossed the captain’s face, but he nodded.
“Thank you, sir.”
Kate left the room in a nearly stumbling trot. She tried not to appear to be fleeing, but that was exactly what she did.
Kate didn’t know what to do. She wanted to be part of the mission, but she couldn’t lead it. What was Captain Achard thinking? It would be better for her to sit this one out. If he insisted on her taking command, the mission would fail. The others would resent her, maybe even try to sabotage the mission itself.
She would be set up, and they would try to kill her like her former squad did.
No, it was better that she didn’t take part. There would be other missions, though her gut said if this one was not successful, there may not be much of the Order left to go on missions.
Why did it always turn out this way? She’d finally found a group where she belonged. Being in the Order was her dream; being in the Black was beyond her wildest fantasies. Why, when she had reached heaven, did everything fall apart around her?
She sh
ook her head at herself as she walked down the corridor. She was being melodramatic. She needed some time for it all to settle. One thing she knew, though, was that she wasn’t going to be commanding any team of Black soldiers. She had too much respect for their abilities and too real an assessment of her own.
Kate wandered the city. It was too much, the captain wanting her to lead the team. Who was she? The newest member of the Black Command, a girl barely out of her basic training, barely in the Order. He wanted her to give commands to the hardened veterans of the most elite fighting unit in the world?
Who did he think he was? Who did he think she was?
She couldn’t do this. As she had told him, she would not go on the mission. If he continued to insist, then she would stay in the city, working her assignments to protect the shield wall. That was enough. She would do that for several more years, getting experience and generating some credibility before she tried to lead others. It was only right.
Right?
Oh, she would give her shield to be able to talk to Dante about this. He would know what to tell her.
Do you respect the captain and his intelligence, his experience? Dante would ask.
Yes, of course, she would say.
Then why are you trying to second-guess his decision?
Ugh. The man was so infuriating.
“Kate?”
Kate stopped so abruptly someone slammed into her back. And then bounced off. Years of training had given her the ability to keep a strong stance, even when doing everyday things. She placed the voice—and the force of the person running into her—as she turned around.
“Wilfred, are you all right?” She bent to give him a hand up. He had, as she suspected, bounced off her and lay sprawling on the ground.
“Oof,” he said. “I’m sorry. I was running to catch you, and then you stopped.”
“Sorry about that,” she said. “You did call my name, after all.”
He took her hand and pulled himself to his feet. “True. What were you thinking of? I called out to you a couple of times, but you didn’t seem to hear me, lost in your own little world.”
Order of the Fire Box Set Page 24