Frank-SQuest

by Serpent's Quest [lit]

  Malthus wiped his mouth on a handkerchief and returned it to his pocket. I'll make her understand. Even if I must rip her mind apart to do it."

  "You could have done that with Dyllys. Then we would still have had a wedding and parties."

  "I don't wish to speak of Dyllys. Never mention her again."

  Egidius shrugged. So be it."

  * * * *

  Granta walked into the refugee camp as Malthus came looking for Ros and Lyrri who had been playing with some of the other children. She scanned the yard, searching through the faces of each young lycan male she spotted. Her hands clutched each other at her waist, opening and closing, tightening and releasing. The old crone was so evidently disturbed that people stopped work to look at her.

  Malthus caught Ros by the shoulder. Get your sister and go home. Stay there."

  The tenor of the camp had changed since Beth's murder. The children were watched closely and the women did not venture out alone, only the males did.

  Clodagh crossed the yard, and the crowd parted, allowing her to reach Granta's side. What's wrong?"

  "Nikko. The old bitch looked at every face. Has anyone seen my son? My Nikko? He's missing. Two days."

  "I'll help you look for him, if you wish, Malthus offered. He glanced at Shalto and Oswyl. Well?"

  "Yes, Shalto said. We'll help too."

  "Wait. Two days? I'm going for Claw. Clodagh gestured at Kandaishee. Make her comfortable."

  Kandaishee took Granta to a tree round under a spreading chestnut tree, and fetched her a dipper of water.

  The females gathered close around her in a circle, murmuring words of reassurance.

  "I've looked everywhere, Granta said. It isn't like him to be gone so long without telling me. A day I could understand. He has duties. But two?"

  "That doesn't sound good, said Kandaishee.

  Malthus pulled at his mustache and stroked his oak-leaf beard. We'll find him, Granta. Don't worry. I'm certain he's okay."

  * * * *

  Cahira surveyed her packed belongings piled in the sitting room of the Lawgiver House. I never realized I had bought so many things here."

  Todd lounged on the sofa, his thick legs widespread, smiling at her with undisguised fondness. Shopping's what bitches do best."

  "And spoiling me is what you do best. Cahira joined Todd on the sofa.

  He dragged her onto his lap, brushed her braid aside, and kissed his way up her neck. Todd's big hand closed on her breast. I thought this is what I did best."

  Cahira giggled like a young girl, nestling tightly against him. That too."

  A young male voice broke over them, clearing his throat. Aren't you a bit old for this?"

  Todd jerked his hand away from Cahira and sat on it.

  Cahira flushed. Kynyr!"

  Kynyr grinned. You know what dad says? If you don't want to get caught, don't do it in the sitting room."

  Todd's eyebrow arched, glancing at Cahira. And who taught him that?"

  Cahira's blush deepened. I caught Branduff and Ulicia in the kitchen one night. I told him, if you don't want to get caught ... "

  "Don't do it in the kitchen. Kynyr and Todd chorused, and then they all laughed.

  Cahira sobered. Kynyr, are you certain you won't come home with us?"

  "Duty is where you find it, Gram. Kynyr quoted the old Creeyan proverb.

  "He's found his duty, Cahira. Best to let him be. Todd turned his steady gaze on Kynyr. I may not like it, but I respect it. I'm proud of you, Kynyr."

  The front door slammed open and Finn came staggering through the foyer into the sitting room, winded and out of breath. Kynyr! Nikko's missing."

  Kynyr's eyes went steely. Since when?"

  "Two days. Granta went to the camp looking for him and Clodagh informed Claw. They want everyone looking."

  Kynyr glanced at Cahira and Todd as silence yawned. I have to go."

  Finn and Kynyr ran out of the house, leaving Cahira and Todd sitting alone. Mary had insisted upon one last round of shopping accompanied by Trevor and Queran since Wolffgard was the closest thing to a town she was likely to visit most years.

  Todd rubbed two fingers across his chin. Gut instinct ... they won't find him alive."

  Cahira looked stricken. The war's found us, Todd."

  "That's the talk in the taverns. Todd saw that she was shaking and pulled her close again, a protective arm slipping around her thin shoulders. I didn't want to tell you. There was a massacre at Iudris Meadows."

  "That's not far from Three Stones."

  "Three units of Angus McCutcheon's battle-clan got wiped out. The attackers spoor ... some human. Mostly not."

  "I've been talking to Finn..."

  "You've been getting drunk with Finn."

  Pink crept into Cahira's cheeks and she nestled into Todd's arms. He wanted to know about Tarrant."

  "Did you tell him? Todd's voice softened and a haunted light darkened his eyes.

  "Everything I could remember. Finn needed to know ... he wants to protect Kynyr."

  "Spiritbrothers. Have been since Kynyr first crawled across the floor and smacked him with a wooden soldier."

  "I told him about Alistar's curse. Finn needed to know what he's up against."

  "Alistar. Todd growled deep in his throat. I should have put a spike in his heart ... as well as his belly."

  "Baroucha started it all. She threw Tarrant in my face in front of Finn. So I had to tell him."

  "You never paid her that visit."

  "There's time. There's a little shop for sale a block from the Commons, around the corner from the Difficult Horse. Three stories, brick, with a basement."

  Todd kissed Cahira's forehead. I thought we were going home."

  "Kynyr won't come home. I had to think ... consider what to do if he wouldn't."

  "If Branduff had had six sons instead of six daughters..."

  She shifted on the sofa, moving just far enough from Todd to look him in the eyes. Duty is where you find it. I can't leave, Todd. I'm needed here. Kynyr needs me. Wolffgard needs me."

  "I need you."

  "Want, not need. Cahira put her fingers over his lips to still his protests before he could voice them. I've always known that sooner or later, I would have to turn and face the darkness. I have to stop running away from it. Todd, I'm staying."

  Todd hugged her again. Then I am too. There was a little boy who read to me from an odd book when I was wounded after the ambush. His name, if I remember right, was Bodi. And there was a little girl named Lilac who kept patting her pouches to hear them jingle. He looked in his book and told me where to find you. Todd's eyes went distant. And he said to me, duty is where you find it, and yours is Cahira. He was right. We'll stay."

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  THE SEARCH

  Kynyr and Finn arrived at the camp the same time as Claw. The camp's overseer, Clodagh, walked beside the graying chieftain and sixty guardsmon followed them wearing boiled leather armor with swords at their shoulders and long knives at their hips.

  Ramsey spotted Kynyr and sidled over to them. I'm with you."

  Kynyr answered with a nod and gestured at Claw.

  "What's this about the lawgiver? Claw demanded.

  Voices rose in a chatter of concern and Malthus lifted his hand. Let Granta tell it."

  "Acts like he runs the place. Ramsey muttered, running his hand through his red hair. You sure he didn't arrange that little incident a month ago?"

  "That's the one thing I'm positive of. Kynyr kept his voice down, trying not to intrude on Claw. But I don't like him either."

  Claw's sharp eyes raked Malthus and then he turned to Nikko's mother. Speak, old bitch."

  Granta's face furrowed and she looked on the edge of tears. Nikko's bed has not been slept in for two days. He did not say where he was going or that he would be away."

  "All the males, come with me, Claw said. The rest stay here, in the yard together."

  Claw instituted a formal search, beg
inning in the center of the village. Increasing numbers of people joined in as the day progressed. Knocking on doors and asking if anyone had seen Nikko, they searched all the dwellings in the village, all the shops, and businesses, all the streets. Tired and exhausted by late evening, the searchers gave up and Claw told them that he would send riders to the outlying farms.

  Kynyr remained standing in the middle of the camp, his eyes distant, thinking hard as the crowds dispersed.

  "I know that look, Kynyr. Finn drifted closer to his friend with Ramsey and Eideard in tow.

  "Uhmmn. Nikko's been obsessed with Malthus for weeks. I'd lay good odds that Nikko's been stalking him."

  Eideard's pale blue eyes scanned their faces. You think Malthus killed him?"

  Kynyr shrugged, staring off into a patch of elm trees beyond the longhouses. It's a possibility. I'm the only one in Wolffgard who's better with his blades than Malthus. If there was a fight ... Nikko never had a chance."

  "So what do we do? Ramsey's feet shifted into a sturdy stance and his hands went to his knives.

  "We get our horses first. Which of you has the best nose?"

  Finn pointed at Ramsey.

  * * * *

  Merissa sat with Nikko's mother at the small table in the kitchen where Granta and Nikko had sat so often together. Her ginger hair veiled her lowered face, and her long fingers drew idle patterns on the surface. She and Nikko's sisters had been taking turns sitting with Granta. Moss climbed into Merissa's lap, and she patted the dog without looking at him.

  "Can I make you another cup of tea? Merissa asked.

  Granta shook her head, her shoulders drooping, and her white hair disheveled. No. I don't want anything. Just my Nikko. My baby."

  Nikko was the youngest of five, a change of life child for Granta, and her special baby. When Nikko was ten, his father Maldwyn died of a stroke while overseeing some new houses being built. Nikko had been at his side at the time, and it affected the boy deeply. Maldwyn's death, the Reader's said, had been swift and relatively painless, but that was small comfort.

  "I could brush your hair, Merissa suggested, looking at the disheveled white locks.

  "No."

  The sun westered toward evening, and most of the riders that Merissa's father had sent out had returned. All of them had the same thing to say: no one had seen Nikko.

  By nightfall, Granta's hopes had faded, and she launched into periodic bouts of weeping that Merissa did not know how to handle. Granta's two daughters had promised to return soon, once they had taken care of their own families. There would be comfort nesting in Granta's house tonight. Her daughters would not let her sleep alone while she was this troubled.

  "My Nikko is dead. I know it. I feel it in my heart. Granta slapped her hand over her heart for emphasis. She began to weep again.

  Merissa felt Granta's sorrow. It mirrored her own for Isranon when she learned the Beast had taken him. You mustn't give up hope, Granta."

  "I have no hope. He's dead. My little Nikko."

  Merissa swallowed. She rose from her chair and hugged Granta. Don't give up."

  "One of the newcomers killed him. I know it in my heart."

  Merissa's heart skipped a beat. There were forty newcomers, counting the children, but only one that Merissa had fallen in love with. You can't know that."

  Granta straightened and wiped her eyes. Yes, I can. He was suspicious of one of them. Tempest had been also."

  "Which one? Oh gods, don't let it be Malthus .

  "He did not say the name. That would be a violation of his ethic."

  "Then you can't go making accusations, Granta, Merissa admonished.

  Granta glared at Merissa. I can and I will. Nikko kept diaries. I'll find the name there, I'm certain."

  "Oh, Granta, don't tell anyone about the diaries. Give them to my father. If someone did harm Nikko, they'll steal them and maybe even hurt you."

  "It doesn't matter; I've had a long life. I want the murderer caught."

  "Then give them to my father."

  "I'll think about it."

  Granta's two daughters arrived and Merissa gratefully excused herself, almost fleeing into the yard.

  * * * *

  Malthus waited for Merissa in the shadows of a stand of trees growing at the edge of Granta's property. Every tragedy seemed to make her more vulnerable, lending her a sweet, defenseless innocence that made his mouth water and his cock harden. Granta's daughters arrived, and Malthus knew that Merissa would be leaving soon. He licked his fangs and drew them back into their sheaths. Soon, soon , he told himself, fighting an urge to simply drag Merissa off into the bushes the moment he got his hands on her. The door opened again. Merissa stood there, briefly illumined by the lamplight, in her tightly laced bodice that pushed up her fine breasts so that the upper curve of their mounds showed. Recently, she had begun dressing in a way that showed her charms off. Malthus suspected that it was for him. He straightened and stepped from the darkness into the light from the windows.

  "Let me walk you home? I don't think you should walk alone."

  Merissa stood swaying. Her eyes lifted to his, her lips trembled, and she rushed into his arms to be held and comforted. Granta's convinced that someone from the camp killed Nikko. I couldn't talk her out of it. She thinks she'll find it in his diaries."

  Diaries? The lawgiver was literate. I can't imagine anyone from the camp harming the young mon. Malthus felt Merissa's shivering, inhaled the fragrant aura of her fear and worry. He kissed her mouth, long and deeply. He clasped her firmly against his body, his hardening spear begging for release. If there is anything I can do to bring Nikko back, I will. I'm riding out with Shalto and Oswyl tomorrow as part of the search party."

  "Be careful. I don't want to lose you."

  She slipped her hand into his, and they walked slowly back through the village. From time to time, he would lift her hand to his lips and kiss her fingers, or stop beneath a sheltering tree to press another long, searching kiss on her mouth amid the green concealment. Lights shone in the houses they passed. The sounds in the taverns were muted. The village seemed to have folded in on itself in its concern for the missing lawgiver.

  "If something were to happen to me, Merissa, would you take care of my nieces?"

  "Oh, Malthus, you mustn't let anything happen to you. Merissa's voice caught.

  "You haven't answered my question. Malthus kissed her fingers.

  "Of course I would. They might as well be my own. They're sweet children. They adore Darmyk and he adores them. And ... and they'd be all I had left of you."

  "I love you, Merissa."

  "I don't know what I feel. Only that I don't want to lose you."

  "What do you feel this very moment? Say the words. I won't hold you to them tomorrow."

  "I love you."

  Malthus pulled her into the shadows of a huge chestnut tree, pressed her up against it, and kissed her again. His body moved along hers, with only their clothing separating them, and he kneaded her breasts. Merissa moaned, melting into him. Abruptly, Malthus pulled away, grabbed her hand, and ran toward this manor. This won't do. I must get you home before we do something you might regret."

  They reached the manor house, Malthus kissed Merissa goodnight at the door, and left her.

  He walked back through the darkening village, beneath the sprawling shadow forms of thickly planted trees that loomed blacker than the night. Lycans never bothered with street lamps, having little need of them; but neither did sa'necari need them, although they liked them. Malthus reached the middle of the village and turned onto the side street that Clodagh lived on. Despite the lateness of the hour, the lights were still lit in Clodagh's small longhouse. Malthus resentment had festered for a week over the Chieftain giving an outsider supervision of the camp. If they had given it to Shalto or one of the others who already worked there, Malthus would have felt secure. However, the chieftain had not done that. They had sent again to Shaurone for a priestwho wasn't coming, because Malt
hus agents had overtaken their messenger a day's ride beyond Hell's Widow and secretly killed him just as they had Cullen who had been the first one they sentin the meantime, Clodagh ruled the camp. Malthus intended to change that with this visit.

  He knocked on her door.

  Clodagh answered, opening the door a bare crack and peering around the edge, which suggested to him that she was nervous of the nightbut then a lot of the females were becoming cautious. She recognized him, stepped back, and swung the door wider.

  "Hello, Malthus. She swept her arm at the interior. Come in. Is there a problem at the camp?"

  Malthus noted the fact that Clodagh wore the old-fashioned lycan robe that wrapped around with a simple sash and could be easily shed to accommodate her shape changing.

  "The people in the camp are frightened, Clodagh, he said, as she showed him to a chair. Clodagh had nice furniture, but a dirt floor and the traditional half walls to separate rooms on either end. A square table sat in one corner with four chairs around it. A long folded cloth lay on the table, with a section caught in a round embroidery hoop and the brightly colored threads beside it. Instead of a firepit, she had a small hearth in the rear, with cabinets to either side of it.

  Clodagh brushed her fingers through her long sienna hair, with a troubled shake of her head. I don't know what to do about it. I've tried to reassure them."

  Malthus regarded her. She was pretty in a round faced fashion, and about the same age as Merissa. Clodagh would be a pleasant change from Kandaishee and the other sa'necari he had begun sating himself on the day after Egidius killed Beth. As have I."

  "Can I get you something? she asked. Beer? Wine? Water?"

  "Wine."

  Clodagh fetched a bottle and glasses from a cabinet. She poured for them both.

  While her attention was away from him, his fingers darted to the hollow of her throat. A spider-web of dark magic melted through her flesh and choked off her voice. Her eyes widened and she dropped the bottle. The heavy bottle struck the floor, and rolled at her feet.