Frank-SQuest

by Serpent's Quest [lit]

"What promise is that?"

  "That I'd keep him safe. So far I ain't done very good at it."

  When the mood was on him, Finn could speak with the aplomb of a noblemon, but most of the time, he preferred to relax and not worry about it.

  "Take my tea to the study for me. We'll talk there. I don't want to be overheard."

  Finn did as Cahira asked and they were soon settled into a small room on the second floor that contained a desk, four chairs, two sofas and a small table. Books lined the walls in floor to ceiling cases.

  "Keep your promise, Cahira, Finn said with more confidence than he felt.

  Cahira took a sip from her cup, composing herself. How much do you know about the Rebellion?"

  "Just what Branduff told me when he was teaching me my letters."

  "We shall have to hope my son was thorough, because otherwise some of this will not make sense to you."

  Finn nodded encouragement.

  Cahira's voice took on the tones of a teacher as she began her story, and Finn could see where Branduff Maguire had gotten some of his airy inflections from. It could be said that Claw Redhand inherited his dream of rebellion from his father Suileahan. But it took an incident to provoke it."

  "Uh huh. I know that part. Prince Shintar ran off with Old Romney Silverpaws daughter, Bridget. No one knows what happened to her. They say she was rited though."

  Cahira shook her head. There's no record of her being rited. The sa'necari are obsessive record-keepers on those matters. Whatever her fate was, we'll probably never know. However, most scholars doubt that she was rited."

  "Okay."

  "She was promised in marriage to Tarrant Redhand, Claw's son. And he used the incident to rouse the Nine Great Clans against the sa'necari."

  "Can we cut to the chase, Cahira? I didn't ask for a history lesson."

  An angry flush spread over Cahira's features and she snapped at him with a full measure of bitterness. Like how a little nobody like me ended up with a prince's cub in her belly?"

  Finn's eyes widened and he made a fending off gesture. I didn't say that, Cahira. I didn't say that."

  Cahira's anger subsided as quickly as it had risen. I haven't talked about this in close to forty ... no. She sighed. I told Kynyr five years ago when he insisted on leaving for Wolffgard. It's a fact of life, Finn. Memory is an odd creature. Some things diminish with time and others grow stronger."

  Finn clasped his hands together and bit his lips to keep from responding.

  "I'm certain I don't remember everything any longer. There's gray patches and some of the pieces don't fit right now. I'm not entirely sure what happened first or second. If something doesn't make sense, just accept it as it is. I'm old."

  "Not as old as Aisha."

  "True. But at a certain point, it makes little difference."

  "Okay."

  "Todd would probably tell it completely different if you asked him."

  "Can I ask him?"

  "You might as well. I can't guarantee he'll answer."

  "I'll take my chances."

  Cahira drank her tea, put the cup down, and stood up. If I'm going to tell this, I need something stronger. Would you like a glass of whiskey, Finn?"

  "Sure."

  She fetched a bottle of Dragonsbreath from a drawer in the desk and a pair of glasses. Cahira poured for them both, knocked hers down like a soldier, and refilled it. Some of the tension eased from her face. It was the second year of the Rebellion. I was sixteen. The clans had put out a call for healers, physicians, surgeons, and the like to join the armies. I was young, talented ... my father was thinking of sending me to Creeya to train at the Royal Medical College in Havensword. That didn't happen."

  Finn leaned forward with his elbows propped on his knees. But that did happen."

  Cahira sipped at her second glass of whiskey, her eyes going distant. After I married Todd, yes. Todd insisted. Abruptly, she knocked the second glass into her mouth, swallowed, and poured a third. Stress began to return to her features, deepening the lines around her eyes and mouth. I ran off with a group of healers from Blue Lake who were passing through on their way to the war."

  "And that's how you met Tarrant?"

  "And Todd. She stared at her hands for a moment and lifted her head again. At that time, the front had pushed as far west as Skeleton Creek and it looked for a time as if we might drive the sa'necari from all of our ancestral lands. We sent emissaries to Shaurone and Creeya. They turned us down."

  Cahira fell silent and Finn moved closer to her. As he reached for her hands to comfort her, he saw tears in her eyes. Finn dabbed at her tears with his fingers. If it hurts too much, you could finish later."

  She shook her head. No. There isn't going to be a later. I don't ever want to talk about this again. Let's get it over with now."

  "Okay."

  "Baroucha was one of the Blue Lake healers. She was a slut. Sleeping with first this one and then that one. Often a different dog every night. She's much older than I am. How much I no longer remember. But I was very impressed with her. She seemed so knowledgeable and experienced. She took me under her wing. Cahira paused, her expression tightening. At least I thought she had."

  A long silence followed and this time Finn waited patiently for her to continue.

  "We arrived at Skeleton Creek two weeks ahead of what turned into a disaster. The sa'necari brought in divinators. They had rounded up all of the city wolves who had tried to remain neutral in four cities. A four fold rite of hecatomb was used to hit us. Four hundred lycans from the cities were sacrificed. Then they attacked. The very ground seemed to move beneath our feet. Demons and creatures out of nightmares swarmed us."

  "I know that part, Cahira. You don't have to go into it."

  "Thank you. She drank a third glass of whiskey and a fourth. Her words began to slur, yet she slogged on through her memories. Less than a quarter of our army got out alive. We were scattered, broken. Tarrant was wounded. There was only Sheradyn, Baroucha, and myself, among the healers to escape with the prince. Baroucha wanted to be the one to tend Tarrant, but Sheradyn refused her and asked me to do it.

  "Tarrant was feverish. He kept calling me Bridget. I was terrified that he might be dying ... and ... and when he pulled me into bed with him ... I didn't say no."

  "And that's when you got Branduff?"

  "Yes. Cahira began to sob brokenly.

  Finn gathered her into his arms and held her. There's more?"

  "Yes, but I can't deal with it right now. I needI need to lie down."

  Finn put Cahira to bed as if she were the young cub and he the elder. Then he found a spot in the garden, knelt down, and prayed to Willodarus that Cahira would find the strength to tell him the rest of the story.

  The sound of a horse in the courtyard interrupted Finn's prayers. He rose to his feet, and walked around the building to see who had come. A lycan cub in hybrid form sat perched on a tall black mare that seemed somehow familiar. The cub spotted Finn and turned the horse, trotting her up to him.

  "I'm looking for Kynyr Maguire. I've a message for him. The cub pulled an envelope from his shirt and waved it at Finn.

  "Need help getting down?"

  "Nah. I can do it. My Dad taught me. The cub swung his leg over and dropped to the ground grinning.

  "Not bad. Finn touched the horse's shoulder, felt a greasy residue on his fingers, and stared at them. A black smudge was smeared over his hand. She's not black?"

  The cub shook his head. It's a disguise. Larkspur's a sorrel."

  "That's Cullen's horse. Finn's stomach clenched. Only death could have separated Cullen from Larkspur.

  The cub's face crumpled and he looked ready to cry. My Dad's dead."

  "Cullen's your dad? What's your name?"

  The boy nodded and struggled to keep his voice from breaking. They call me Cooley. I'm Cullen Diomedes Blackwood ... junior. He swallowed and his budding Adam's apple bobbed. Ma says I gotta give Larkspur and this letter to Kynyr Maguire."
<
br />   Finn led Cooley around to the barns, where they turned Larkspur over to an ostler, and then he took the cub to Kynyr.

  "Who's this? Kynyr smiled at the cub as he accepted the letter. Rather young for a courier."

  "Cooley. Just open the letter."

  Kynyr caught the edge in Finn's voice. What's wrong?"

  "Cullen's dead. It's in the letter. This is his son."

  Kynyr ripped the envelope open and a ring fell out on the bed. He scooped it up and his expression went cold. It's that ring Cullen was so proud of. The one Sonden gave him."

  Dear Kynyr Maguire.

  Cullen trusted you. So I am trusting you. By now you must know, or at least suspect, that Cullen is dead. They forced me to watch him die. The sa'necari have returned to Hell's Widow. I am trusting you with our child and my secret so that you will understand why I do not dare go to the garrison with this. You know me as Silkie Faggini. I was born Silkanna Mircala de Waejonan. Get word to the garrison, but do not tell them how you know. And, I beg you. Take care of our child. Cooley is no longer safe in Hell's Widow.

  Sincerely,

  Silkie

  Kynyr raised stricken eyes to Finn. Ask Gram to give Cooley a room."

  "Uhmn. She's passed out drunk."

  "Gram?"

  "Yeah."

  "Take Cooley to Todd. Tell him Cooley's my... Kynyr's head spun at the entire concept. My ward. Don't tell anyone else but Todd about Cullen. I need time to think. And grieve.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  MESSENGERS

  Malthus walked with Merissa in the garden while the children played under the watchful eyes of two nibari and Kenly. He surreptitiously stole glances at Merissa's breasts and loins when the dress she wore shifted as she moved and revealed a bit more to his hungry eyes. He carried a satchel with the strap crossing his chest, weighted down by the three bottles of cursed wine he had brought as a gift for Merissa's father.

  Last night, Malthus had gone to Beth to slake his thirst, and found her wallowing on a cum soaked bed, sniveling about Shalto and Oswyl for always insisting that she give them their jollies together. Beth had so appalled him, that he could barely tolerate feeding on her, and made her clean herself first.

  On the other hand, Merissa smelled of fresh rosemary and honeysuckle, and beneath her perfume, the scent of clean washed flesh. He wondered what her thighs would look like when he finally parted themsooner or later Merissa would give him what he wanted, just as she had given his brother. Troyes had always set his sights on the best, and being the legitimate son, always gotten it whether he deserved it or noteven when it was something Malthus had wanted first. Except for Isranon, who had come to Prince Mephistis court at fourteen, a comely and inexperienced youth. The proud youngster hated his own kind for reasons that Malthus had not understood at the time, but looking upon Isranon made everyone at the court hungry for him. Including Troyes and Malthus. The more Isranon refused their beds and fangs, the more they had all wanted him. So Malthus had gotten a potion from his mother to allow him to pass for human for a few days at a time. He seduced Isranon. The affair lasted several weeks, before Malthus lost control and bit him. Isranon became incensed and resisted Malthus, so he had calmly raped the youth. The next day Mephistis showed up and informed Malthus that if he touched Isranon again, the prince would order Malthus rited. And that was the end of that. It had made no sense to Malthus why Mephistis would be so incensed over a mere rapeit wasn't as if he had seriously injured the young mon. Now that Isranon's secrets had come out, it made more sense to Malthus.

  "What did you do before you came here? Merissa asked him.

  Her voice shook Malthus free of his memories. I was a soldier. My father was nobly born. A high caste sa'necari. He served King Baaltrystan at court as one of his personal defenders."

  "Have you ever been to court? Merissa asked, with a trace of eagerness in her voice.

  "Yes. I served there for a time, but a sa'necari court is not the place for a human who wishes to rise in the world. So I went south and became kandoyarin. My father died beside the king, trying to shield him when the palace collapsed after the Legacy was destroyed. When I heard about the rebellion, I feared for my siblings and returned. However, I was only here two weeks before the Queen's forces destroyed my family. She's slain all of the old nobility who refused to follow her against the Sharani."

  "I am sorry. I did not mean to bring up bad memories."

  "You didn't. My father was a brave mon. My nieces and I are all that remain of my family."

  "I am sorry..."

  Malthus put a finger to her lips. Don'tDon't keep saying that. You haven't done anything wrong. I made my peace with their deaths."

  "Have you seen the new queen?"

  "From afar. She is very beautiful and powerful. But not as beautiful as you. Merissa, you would turn every head at the queen's court."

  "Don't say that."

  Malthus saw how Merissa shivered in reaction to his simple compliment. Why not?"

  "A sa'necari once said that to me. He convinced me to run away with him. I thought he was taking me to court, but instead he tied me to a bleeding table in the hills."

  It had to have been Troyes what a fool . A terrible tale. But you've nothing to fear from me, Merissa. I'm human. As for the queen, with Lord Daemon at her side, she cannot fail but win back her ancestral lands from the Sharani."

  Merissa shivered, drawing her shawl tighter. This rebellion frightens me."

  "Don't let it frighten you. Let the war pass you by here."

  "If the palace is gone..."

  "The summer palace of Waejonan at Torment Lake still stands. That is where the Queen dwells. Lord Daemon has been granted the ancient estates and titles that belonged to Waejonan's brother, Brandrahoon."

  "It's almost as if time were re-setting itself. I am afraid. How can I not be?"

  "I would protect you, if you would let me."

  Merissa dropped her head. Beth's in love with you."

  "But I am not in love with Beth. How could I be when she's had half the males in the village between her legs? I stopped touching her once I knew the truth that I was just one more male to conquer."

  "I can see that. I feel sorry for her."

  "Beth will be all right. I'll talk to her, Merissa. I'm certain that it's just a passing fancy."

  "I hope you're right."

  Malthus stopped short and slapped the satchel. I almost forgot. I brought your father a gift from Hell's Widow. Perhaps he'll think more kindly of me once he gets them."

  Merissa smiled as he placed the three bottles in her hands. She looked at the labels. Oh, they're his favorites!"

  "Wonderful!"

  * * * *

  Malthus rode into the clearing with Beth beside him. He had arranged to meet her midway between the compound and the caves. She had cleaned herself up before leaving, so at least he could stand the smell of her. Her eyes widened at the sight of the bleeding table and she began to cry, shaking her head and refusing to get off her horse. Malthus dismounted and tied his horse up to a sapling growing near the mossy entrance.

  He pointed sharply at the ground. Come on, Beth. Get down."

  She swallowed, sucked in a long breath, and left the saddle. I'm not ready to die, Malthus. Please"

  "Disrobe and lay on the table like a good girl, Malthus ordered. Legs open wide."

  Malthus gestured and the coercions in her brain tightened painfully. Beth took three tottering steps and her legs failed her. She went to her knees.

  Shaking his head in a remonstrative fashion, Malthus sauntered over and tapped Beth on the shoulder. Now, now, Beth. Do as I told you."

  Egidius and Laetus emerged from the cave and approached them. Laetus crossed his arms, a contemptuous moue on his lips, and moving with an exaggerated swagger.

  "Is this the present? Egidius asked.

  Laetus snickered. Can't you make her more cooperative?"

  Malthus scowled at them, spun, and hit Beth in the face for
embarrassing him. Up, Beth. Go to the table."

  Beth rose on wobbly legs, and her eyes teared. I love you, Malthus."

  "Then obey me. He added in the trigger phrase. Be beautiful."

  Beth staggered to the table, breathing hard. She fumbled with her dress, pulling ineffectually at the lacings for several heartbeats before managing to get it open. Her large breasts sagged through the parted middle.

  Laetus laughed and shook his head.

  She flushed, shoving the shoulders down and wiggling her arms out. Beth's belly jiggled as she pushed the dress over it, got it to her hips and then her knees. She sat on the table, dangling her legs, and kicked out of the encumbering garment. Beth wrapped her arms about her and lowered her eyes.

  "Lie down, Beth! On your back, Malthus commanded.

  "Don't hurt me. Please don't hurt me. She reclined on the slab, putting first one shoulder to the cold stone where so many of her people had perished, and then the other. Beth shivered on that chill bed of death, which not even the heat of the sun could warm, with her eyes haunted and pleading.

  Malthus strolled over to the table and slapped his hands between her thighs. Legs open. Wider, wider."

  Beth spread her legs until the basalt edge pressed into her inner thighs and her ankles bumped the fetters attached to the holed knob of stone that secured the first link in the chain. I don't want to die."

  "Yes, she's the present. However, I may need her still. I should know in an hour or two."

  Egidius secured Beth's wrists and ankles, straightened, and ran his hands over her body. An excellent catch. All I've caught so far were a handful of bitches too lean for my taste, and a handful of scrawny cubs."

  Malthus got his bow and quiver from his saddle, settling them at his side. He walked back to stroke Beth's naked body. Sweet Beth, when a sa'necari slips a blade into a bitch like you, it's like sex and strong wine. Yours will be a beautiful death. Egidius is a true artist of the rites."

  "Can we at least enjoy her while you're gone? Egidius said.

  "That you may do. Now I need to get as high up here as I can. A wind-folk courier arrived at Claw's home this morning. I expect that he'll be leaving about now."

  With his bow in his hand, Malthus climbed to the highest point atop the piled boulders marking the northern limit to Clan Red Wolf's territory as the sun began to dip over the distant snow-capped mountains. It formed a shadow patch against the red glow and spreading orange of sunset. He strung his bow as a wind-folk courier winged over the treetops.