by J D Abbas
“Speak plainly, sir… Khanab. I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“You will, Elena; you will.”
With that, his image began to fade. “No, sir, please don’t leave me. I need your help,” she begged.
“I am as near as your thoughts, my dear girl. Do not fear.”
And he was gone.
Elena clung to the mirror weeping, hanging on to the thin thread of human connection. How long she stayed there, she didn’t know, but in the end she released the frame and stepped back.
“Conquer my fear,” she whispered aloud. “And how am I supposed to do that?”
Elena stared at the door for a long time. She no longer heard the children. How could she face them? How could she help them? There were too many for her. But she realized that she couldn’t stay in a room with no exit. The way out was on the other side of the children.
She took a deep breath. Removing the brace, she eased the door open. The children immediately started clamoring around her again.
“Please be quiet!” Elena yelled. She had to repeat herself several times before she got their attention. When they finally calmed down, she continued. “I want to help you. Truly I do. I just do not know how. If you let me pass, I will do my best to find answers and bring you some relief. Please… please trust me.” She gazed into each child’s face.
Elena was surprised when they stepped back and made an aisle that led to the door to the vestibule where she had started. She cautiously moved forward, troubled by the torment she felt pulsating around her. When she finally reached the door, she turned and looked back at the children. “I promise I will find a way to help you.”
Just as she was about to step into the vestibule, one of the smaller girls grasped her waist. “Please, don’t go. Stay here with me.” The girl dropped to her knees, pulling Elena along with her.
“I can’t help you if I stay here. I need the assistance of someone stronger than I.” Elena stroked the girl’s hair. “I will come back. I promise.”
The child wrapped her arms tighter. “No, please.”
Elena could not loosen the girl’s grip. The more she tried, the tighter the girl held on. Something wasn’t right; Elena could sense it. Her panic grew. She tried to step further into the vestibule, but the child moved with her. Elena pushed more strongly at the girl’s arms and had partially broken free when the child suddenly and viciously bit into her hand and would not let go. The girl transformed into a gruesome, reptilian creature, covered with oozing lesions. As the creature tore at her hand, it glared up at her from yellowed, bulbous protrusions. Elena pulled out her dagger and stabbed the creature between the eyes. It let out a hideous, high-pitched squeal as it released her hand and staggered into the corridor covering its face.
Elena, not looking back, turned and ran into the vestibule. To her right the double doors were visible again. She heard the creature roar, and the children screaming and scattering. She knew she should go to their aid, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so. Guilt devoured her as she pushed through the doors to the outside.
Glancing back one last time, she whispered, “I promise.”
Chapter 22
Braqor’s wife, Kyana, paced restlessly. Braqor was overdue, and the Guardians hadn’t returned. She hated being so far outside the village when her husband wasn’t at home. She had latched the shutters and put the wood brace on the door when the sun set, as was her practice when Braqor was out. The children were in bed and the house too quiet. She couldn’t stop the images tormenting her.
Kyana jumped when a shamar howled in the distance, sending ice shards through her veins. She’d heard so many baying in the last few hours. Their alarm echoed in her own chest, a nameless fear that would not let her rest.
Something rustled in the bushes at the side of the house. She froze. Out back, the chickens squawked and fluttered. Kyana strained to hear what might be there, but the birds’ nattering drowned out all else. She wanted to scream at them to shut up, but her voice wouldn’t work.
Kyana glanced toward the bedroom. She couldn’t let fear control her; she had children to protect. Picking up a piece of wood from beside the fireplace, she backed into the room where the boys slept, eyes locked on the front door, ready to do whatever was necessary.
A thud against the door made her jump. The brace creaked as someone pushed, but it held. Kyana’s body shook until it felt like her bones were knocking together. “My children, my children…” she whispered. Tears blurred her vision as she looked up. “Please help me be strong.”
“Kyana?”
“Braqor?” she sobbed, her voice little more than a whisper.
His fist pounded. “Kyana, open the door!” Braqor must have been worried. He never yelled.
“I’m coming.” Kyana’s legs wobbled as she moved across the living room. She dropped her makeshift weapon and lifted the brace, trembling so badly she had a difficult time pulling the latch. She threw the door open, weeping with relief.
When the lamplight flooded the doorway, Kyana saw a hairy muzzle sticking out from under a dark hood. She screamed. The creature leered at her with beady eyes, but her gaze fixed on his enormous teeth.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” He pounced forward and grabbed her with his hairy arms. “Human flesh, mmm, it has been a long time.” He licked his elongated lips as he stroked her face. Kyana’s stomach rolled.
A larger creature stepped through the door, slapping the first on the back of the head. “Paws off—for now. We have work to do. Later you can remind yourself what it’s like to lie with a woman and caress that soft, tender skin.” He sniffed at her breasts. “Maybe we all will.” His ugly mouth curled into a sneer, exposing the tips of his fangs.
He glanced around. “Where’s your husband?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“You lie!” His massive hand struck her face, long nails raking her flesh. The blow knocked her to the floor. “We saw him ride into the village over an hour ago. Is he hiding and leaving you to stand guard?”
Kyana rubbed her sore cheek and stumbled to her feet as the creatures began to sniff around the house. She had to distract them, keep them from the children. “Braqor hasn’t come home. He must be at his brother’s.”
“I don’t smell him,” the other said. “I only smell female.” He ran his nose up Kyana’s backside and pressed his body against hers from behind, grabbing her breasts with his deformed hands. “We could entertain ourselves with her until he returns.” He licked her ear with his disgustingly long tongue. His foul breath made her gag.
“We need to find the man,” the larger one said. “Kazag is waiting.” He sniffed toward the other room. “There are children here. They could bring a good price.”
The first creature released her and followed him toward the bedroom.
Without thinking, Kyana grabbed the wood she had dropped by the front door and lunged at the nearest creature, hitting his head with all the force she could muster. He fell hard. Kyana struck him over and over until blood splattered.
The larger creature turned around and lunged. He bit down on her arm and forced her to drop the wood. He tore at her limb as he shoved her onto the floor. The impact knocked the wind out of her. Placing his paws on her chest, the creature released the arm and moved his enormous jaw toward her throat. Kyana screamed and blocked his bite with her other arm. The creature snarled and shoved the arm away. He snapped at her neck again; this time his teeth made contact, but she didn’t feel them sink in. His weight collapsed on top of her, making it impossible to breathe. She struggled to get out from under him, but he was too big.
“Kyana!” Braqor pushed the beast off her then froze. His face blanched, eyes focused on her arm.
A Guardian came into view as the creature rolled away from her. He wrested his blade from the bloody torso and glanced around the room, body poised to fight. Kyana followed his gaze, trying to understand what had happened. Another Guardian joined him and they hurri
edly searched the rest of the house.
The first Guardian returned to her while the second went outside. “Are these the only two creatures?” he asked Kyana.
She didn’t respond. Her body felt boneless as Braqor broke out of his stupor and pulled her into his arms.
“Kyana.” The man knelt down and held her face. “Are there any other creatures here?” It was Mikaelin, the Guardian who had been there earlier.
She shook her head from the shelter of Braqor’s embrace.
Mikaelin’s gaze shifted to her damaged arm. He sucked in a breath. Kyana’s eyes followed his, and it took a moment to realize what she was seeing. The limb no longer looked human. It certainly couldn’t be part of her body. Crimson and white strips hung raggedly from exposed bones. Kyana gagged as blood gushed from the wounds.
“Do you see light around me, Kyana?” Mikaelin asked. “Like earlier.”
“No. Just… spots of light… dancing around.” It was so hard to talk. Her head felt heavy.
Mikaelin quickly removed his belts, then pulled off his tunic and shirt. He cinched the plain belt above the wound then used his shirt to bind the worst of the bites.
There was too much blood. She was going to die. A sob squeaked out, and she clutched for Braqor’s arm. “The children…”
“Braqor, get her onto your steed,” Mikaelin said. “Silvandir and I will get the children. We’re going back to Lavan’s so Dalgo can tend her wounds.” He rose, slid his tunic over his head, and fastened his sword belt.
The Guardians were outside with the children by the time Braqor had helped Kyana to mount the Ilqazar. The stallion had knelt down so she could climb onto it, as if it understood their need, and then he nudged Braqor.
“I agree. You need to ride,” Silvandir said. “We must move quickly.”
He and Mikaelin mounted, each carrying one of the children. Her sweet babies had somehow managed to sleep through all of the commotion. Kyana leaned her head against Braqor’s chest as the world darkened.
From somewhere in the distance she heard, “Don’t leave me, Kyana.”
~
Tragod and Joban rode the perimeter of the village as Silvandir had ordered. They informed the Guardians of the strange events with the mysterious riders and gathered reports from the sentries. When they had traveled a third of the circuit to the south and east, they found a large area with no one standing guard. They rode back to the previous man.
“Malkor, who was stationed next to you, to the east?” Tragod asked.
“Jaybul, sir.”
“And who was next to him?”
“Bandur, I believe.”
“Have you heard anything from that direction?”
“I heard Ilqazar whinnying, but I assumed it was in reaction to the shamari. My stallion’s been restless tonight as well. Too much yipping and howling out here.”
Tragod considered. “Something’s wrong.” He turned to Joban. “Ride back to the last two guards and have them join Malkor here. We need to search this field. I’ll ride on until I find the next two men. We’ll come back from that direction, and hopefully we will find out what happened to Jaybul and Bandur.”
Tragod rode away at full speed, an urgency gripping him. In half an hour, the two groups were approaching each other from opposite directions, using the heightened senses of the Ilqazar to aid in their search.
“I found something,” Malkor called.
When Tragod rode closer and saw the mass on the ground, his breath caught.
Malkor dismounted and stooped down. “It’s a shamar,” he said as he rolled the beast. “Wait, this is no shamar. This creature has… hands.” He looked up at Tragod. “I-I don’t know what it is, sir.”
“Over here,” Joban said. “It’s one of our men.” As Tragod’s trotted up, he added, “His throat’s been slit.”
“The other one’s here,” someone called. “His throat’s cut too.”
“Dammit!” Tragod dismounted and checked both bodies. He punched the ground in frustration. “Malkor, you and I will take these boys back to Lavan’s and let Silvandir know what’s happened. Joban, you and Peyton continue the circuit around the village and make sure there haven’t been any other problems. Report to Lavan’s when you’re done.” He looked around at the gruesome scene. “And be careful.”
“Make sure to warn everyone about these creatures we found,” Malkor said. “They look like shamari, so our men won’t take notice or fear them as they ought.”
“Also tell them not to trust anything that’s creeping in the fields tonight,” Tragod said as he lifted Bandur’s body onto his Ilqazar. Malkor picked up Jaybul.
The men left the field filled with grief over the loss of their comrades and dear friends.
~
Braiden heard Silvandir’s voice calling for help long before he reached Lavan’s homestead. He rose along with the others and hurried out to meet the returning group.
Silvandir and Mikaelin rode into the yard, each carrying a child. Braqor and the woman riding with him were both soaked in blood. Braiden’s eyes widened when he noted the belt cinched above her swaddled forearm.
“What happened?” Haldor asked as he helped Braqor lower the petite woman from the Ilqazar.
Silvandir answered for the dazed young man. “When we arrived at Braqor’s, two of the creatures were already inside the house. Kyana”—he nodded toward the woman Haldor carried—“was fighting with them. She had killed one and the other was on top of her when we found her.”
Silvandir handed the child he’d carried to Dalgo and dismounted. Mikaelin handed his child to Tobil and followed the others as they moved toward the house. Braiden stayed on their heels, knowing they would need his skills.
“Were they the wolf-like creatures?” Haldor asked Silvandir.
“Yes. Just like we were told. Part human, part wolf or wild dog.”
“And they have a vicious bite,” Mikaelin added.
Braqor’s wife awoke and started screaming. Braiden’s skin prickled as her fear moved into his body. He reminded himself to strengthen his wards.
“Your husband is right behind us,” Haldor assured her. “I will not hurt you.”
Braqor ran to her side and kissed her head. “I’m here, Kyana.” She quieted immediately at his touch.
When they reached the house, Lavan told Haldor to lay Kyana on their bed. Nakara showed them the way, her face pale as she gaped at Kyana’s wounds.
Dalgo handed the child he carried to Nakara and hurried to Kyana’s side.
“The creature nearly tore off her arm,” Braqor told him. “He would have had her throat too had we not arrived when we did. Mikaelin’s sword was swift and sure, sparing my wife.”
Nakara brought another lantern. Lavan got a basin and towels. Dalgo gently unwrapped Kyana’s arm, and Braiden’s heart sank. There was no repairing that. They would have to cut off the lower part of the limb to save her life.
“Braiden, bring me the cordial,” Dalgo called. “There’s no need for her to feel so much pain.”
Braiden grabbed the satchel with the supplies. He found the bottle Dalgo had requested and held it to her lips. “H-here, drink th-this.”
Kyana pushed the cordial away with her good arm and shook her head. “No, I don’t want it.” She arched in pain as Dalgo cleaned the wounds.
“It will help, Kyana,” Braqor said.
“No.” Her panicked eyes begged for her husband to understand. “You know what it does to my head. No.” She pulled her lips tight.
Braqor looked at Dalgo with a helpless shrug. “She’ll do without.”
“What do you think, Braiden?” Dalgo asked. “Can you or Mikaelin heal this, or do I need to stitch the wounds?”
Mikaelin, who’d been standing in the doorway, moved closer and knelt down. “When I asked at the house, Kyana told me she didn’t see the light around me. I’m willing to try, but I don’t think it will work.” He bit his lip, sucked in a deep breath, and touched her hand. He wait
ed, then shook his head. “Nothing.” His shoulders slumped as he rose and stepped back. “Braiden?”
Braiden sat on the side of the bed and put his hands on the arm that was less injured. Kyana pulled away, cowering into Braqor like an animal that had experienced a lifetime of beatings.
“I-I need to t-touch you in order t-to heal your wounds,” Braiden said.
She shook her head, clinging to Braqor.
“Kyana, he won’t hurt you. He’s a good man. He helped Giara.” Braqor leaned forward and whispered something in her ear. She stared at him with tear-brimmed eyes then turned to Braiden and nodded.
Braiden put his hands on her arm again and closed his eyes. He felt her body directing him to her neck. As he moved his hand across her throat, she gasped and whimpered. Her body shook so hard the bed vibrated. Braiden felt the Jhadhela move through him, and when he touched the bite marks, they were instantly gone.
Braiden’s hand moved to her face where the creature had torn her flesh with its nails. After he touched it, only slight scars remained. Then he moved to her damaged arm. Braiden gently laid the torn flesh back on the bone and held it there. The skin immediately healed, and the arm was whole again.
“The pain stopped,” Kyana said, awe in her voice.
Braiden opened his eyes and glanced at the others. “M-may I speak with K-Kyana and Braqor alone, p-please?”
Haldor looked at him, questions in his eyes, but shepherded the others out of the room.
“We will need to speak with Kyana about the creatures that attacked her when you are finished,” Haldor said before stepping out. Braiden nodded.
After the door closed, Braiden turned to the young couple. “Kyana, I-I also felt directed b-by the Jhadhela and your b-body to heal your… womb.” Kyana immediately looked away, her pale face reddening. “I-I didn’t want to embarrass y-you in front of the others, s-so I hesitated to f-follow that leading. D-do you know why I would b-be led to do so?”
Kyana wouldn’t look at him. Braqor held her hand as he replied for her. “Kyana was raped about a year ago, not long after our last son was born. It was… brutal. She bled for weeks. It was not the first time. She suffered many assaults when she was young, but things have not been right for her since last year.” Braqor’s voice was little more than a whisper as if he were disclosing a great secret. Braiden wondered if they had ever told this to anyone else.
