Frank-KWar

by Kynyr's War [lit]

  " Don't move, Kady. You're making it worse . Kynyr glanced about for a rowan tree, knowing that a sprig of rowan held the potential for dispelling dark magics.

  He spotted a tree near the bank of the river and found a few twigs laying on the ground beneath it. Kynyr picked up the largest twig he could find and headed back.

  Kady lay staring into the night, whimpering. Kynyr brushed away the dark lines of magic, dropped the twig, and nuzzled her, licking her face. Kady ."

  Her eyes went wide and she snapped at him, her teeth tearing his shoulder and drawing blood.

  Kynyr shrank away, but did not offer to bite her back. Kady ?"

  " You killed him. You poisoned Kenly . Kady growled, crouching, head lowered to protect her throat, teeth bared. I saw you ."

  " Kady ? Kynyr licked her forehead frantically. Kady, snap out of it ."

  She sprang to her feet, shrieking and running in circles. Every time Kynyr got close to her, she tried to bite him.

  He danced around her, dodging and darting as Kady leaped at him, going for his throat. Kynyr tried to remember all the things that Cahira had told him over the years about breaking spells and trances. Whether this was vision or trance, illusion or hallucination, Kynyr had no way to know for certain as she forced him toward the cliffs.

  His grandmother's words came back to him as Kady missed his throat, and tore his wounded shoulder again. Blood spread through his golden fur. A rush of adrenaline kept Kynyr going. Touch was the greatest source of comfort to lycans, contact with each other. The more intense the physical sensation, the more aware of their bodies they would become, and the more likely it was to force clarity upon a mind lost to arcane circumstances. The greatest physical sensation that Kynyr could imagine was sex. Kynyr gambled that mating might force Kady from the grip of her visions and back into her body. He mounted her. She twisted and snapped at his face. Kynyr's teeth closed on the back of her neck and he forced her head down.

  " You killed him! You killed him ! she continued to growl and snarl, refusing to submit.

  Kynyr experienced an urge to beg her forgiveness, but if he released her, Kady would bite him again. He felt dirty and desperate as they became locked together.

  Kady relaxed abruptly, and settled beneath him, quivering; when at last they came apart, Kady lay quiet on the ground, and the panic faded from her eyes.

  Relieved, Kynyr licked her face. You had a vision, Kady."

  "A vision? Is that what you call it, Preece?"

  "It's Kynyr. Not Preece, Kady. Kady can you hear me?"

  " I hate you . Kady backed away from him. You killed him."

  Kynyr followed her. Killed who?"

  " Kynyr. You killed Kynyr ... and now you've raped me . Grief and rage warred for dominance in her voice. She threw her head back releasing a long keening howl. Then she fled toward the cliffs to throw herself off.

  " No ! Kynyr dashed in pursuit, got ahead of her, and blocked her path with his teeth bared. Get away from the cliffs. I'll bite you ."

  " You've torn my heart out. All that's left is my flesh." She retreated.

  Kynyr followed, stiff-legged and threatening. Snap out of it ."

  Kady whirled and ran for the treeline.

  Kynyr leaped over boulders, darted around trees, and plunged through bushes. He found Kady whimpering beneath the hawthorns of a dense hedgerow. He pulled at her, dug around her, whined and pleaded, and finally got her out of the hedgerow.

  The roaring of the Bonnie Draw River, descending in wild rush to join with the Eirlys, came from the left of them. Kady crept away from him on her belly. He licked her ear hopefully, wagging his tail in slow, uncertain motions.

  Kady wiggled between a parting in a thorny tangle of briars.

  " Kady ?"

  The hole was not large enough for Kynyr, yet he forced his way through it, ignoring the long cuts the clinging thorns left along his sides, chest, and belly.

  Kady lay upon a smooth boulder, staring down at the swift waters that foamed around the many jagged rocks breaking the surface.

  " Kady ?"

  She stood and glanced back at him. I hate you, Preece. I hate you every bit as much as I loved Kynyr. "

  Then Kady threw herself into the water.

  Kynyr charged to the rock, searched the water for an instant for Kady, failed to see her, and jumped in. He hit with a large splash. The current spun him about. Kynyr took a deep breath and dove.

  Kady hung lodged between two wicked looking stones, her legs moving with the current. He swam to her, grabbed Kady by the ruff and jerked her free. He got her to the bank and dragged her onto the grass.

  Don't be dead. Don't be dead .

  He nuzzled her, put his ear to her chest, and heard the beating of her heart.

  Her eyes snapped open and she snarled.

  Kynyr retreated. Kady, please ."

  She fled again.

  All the trappings of humanity faded from Kynyr as the chase continued. He became the primal essence of a wolf. Her scent drove him wild with lust and he mounted her every time he overtook her. He herded her toward the manor, cutting off her escapes with great effort, digging her out of briar patches.

  Dawn lit the sky, and Kynyr felt exhausted. Yet Kady's energy never flagged. She bolted away from the manor and Kynyr realized that she was heading toward the old McCain Estate. There were all kinds of hazards and opportunities for suicide. A fresh rush of adrenaline flooded him with a second wind and he raced after her. As he got closer, he barked at the house and Trevor emerged.

  His uncle laughed at him. If you're looking for a hot-tailed little bitch named Kady, she's waiting for you in the bedroom."

  Kynyr's nails clicked on the floor as he bolted into the house and down the hallway to their bedroom. She stood in the middle of the bed with her tail to one side in invitation and her head hanging down in shame and humiliation.

  "You have worn me out, Kady. I don't think I can do it."

  She growled at him. "Bastard. Climb the mountain or never speak to me again."

  Kynyr frowned. The did not sound like Kady at all. He sucked in a breath and mounted her. They had barely locked together when Kady collapsed beneath him unconscious. As soon as he could get loose, Kynyr changed back to human, grabbed a robe from the closet, and staggered down the hallway to the kitchen where he heard his aunt and uncle talking.

  He tried to blink the bleariness from his eyes, but could not clear either that or his head. Kynyr clutched at the door facing, stumbled, and did a crumpling pirouette.

  Mary screamed. Trevor spun around and caught Kynyr under the arms before his face would meet the floor. He wrestled his nephew to the sofa in the living room and spotted Old Henry.

  "Henry, fetch Cahira."

  "Sheradyn's closer."

  "Cahira. I have a bad feeling about this."

  That did it. Henry ran from the house and headed for the barn. Trevor's intuition was becoming something of a local legend.

  Mary came out of the kitchen with towels, a ewer of water, a basin, and smelling salts. Blood had soaked through Kynyr's robe and she opened it up. He wore nothing underneath, but it did not faze Mary. She had been a healer too many years. Look at him, Trevor. He's all torn up like he's been running through briars all night. Fetch my kit."

  She plucked a thorn from his chest and another from his arm. Well that settles that. Blackthorn. Hawthorn. Rose thorn. Pyracantha. Are there any briars she didn't drag him through? I'm not certain what this one is. Mary held up a long thin thorn.

  "I'll clean him up. Trevor moved an end table closer and spread Mary's kit over it. Check on Kady."

  * * * *

  After weeks of being directed hither and yon, zigzagging his way north from one group of Maguires to another, Brother Malcolm reached the town of Blue Rock. If he went any further north, he would find himself in the capital of Clan Red Wolf, Wolffgard.

  There he made his way to the Straw Dog Tavern across from the town common. The interior, brightly lit
by elegant chandeliers, was done in maple polished to a high degree. Booths lined the walls with round tables in the center and a long bar in the rear.

  Talbot Maguire sat at a table near the back, holding court as if he were king of all he surveyed. He was a slender mon, made large by arrogance and wit, and a celebrated painter best known for his portraits of the aristocrats and wealthy. Five people sat around the table with Talbot, breathing in his every word, transfixed. A passer-by dared to ask what the mon had painted recently.

  "The ceiling of the new temple to Tala. All day on my back with my neck turned to a challenging angle. This is the work that I shall be eternally remembered for."

  Brother Malcolm swallowed nervously and tried to compose himself as he approached Talbot's table. If I might ask a question, kind sir?"

  "Certainly, Brother?"

  "Malcolm. Brother Malcolm of St. Albans."

  Talbot grinned broadly and winked at his companions. And what does St. Albans require of me? A portrait of Bishop McIlaney?"

  "St. Albans requires nothing.... Brother Malcolm felt the silence fall around him like a blow. All eyes stared at him as if he had delivered a mortal affront to the august personage of Talbot Maguire.

  Talbot made a dismissive gesture. If you have come upon some trivial matter, I haven't time for it."

  Brother Malcolm gathered his nerve. Your sister Marsali said you could help me."

  Talbot's manner softened. How is Marsali? I haven't seen her in three years."

  "Well. She expects to be delivered of her fourth child around winter solstice. The midwife says it's a boy at last and she plans to name it for you."

  "Hah! I'll send her a birthing gift that will make eyes shine like the stars in a summer sky."

  A loud round of cheers for the coming child erupted and drowned out Malcolm's next words so completely that he had to wait for it to die down before starting over. He brought forth two letters, and handed one to Talbot. She also apologizes for not writing more often."

  Talbot put the letter to his nose and laughed. She still scents her letters with rose oil."

  "I have another matter also. I'm trying to find a Kynyr Maguire."

  "I know several Kynyr Maguires. You'll have to give me more information than that."

  Malcolm poured out the story of the letter and his travels while Talbot listened intently with few interruptions.

  An arrogant twist came to his lips. I know exactly who you want."

  Relief flooded Malcolm and lifted his spirits. Where do I find him?"

  "Wolffgard. Kynyr is the great-grandson of my Uncle Erland. He's also the grandson of Todd Sinclair, and trained by him."

  Malcolm felt a rise of excitement. No wonder Amos sent for him."

  "Aye. He's a good one. He's young, but not untried. When he was sixteen he killed the outlaw chief Greygor Traygarde in single combat. Mark my words, that young mon is going to be a legend in his own time. Kynyr's a do or die fellow. You can't beat the Maguires."

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  SETTLING IN

  Sunlight tickled Kady's eyes. Her eyelids fluttered and she gazed at the unfamiliar room through the veiling tangle of half-parted lashes. A breeze through the open window breathed across her nude body and the silken coverlet she lay upon slid sensuously beneath her as she shifted. Her eyes opened wider as she gazed first at the azure bed curtains tied back against the stout posts, and then at the midnight blue drapes framing the window. She pushed herself into a sitting position and sucked in a sharp breath as movement made her head swim and bile rose to the back of her throat in a rush of nausea.

  Broken, scattered images filled her awareness. Kady remembered leaving the shop in wolf form as twilight darkened toward nightfall. Past that, nothing she recalled could be coherently assembled. Instead, it spiraled in disjointed visuals limned in brilliant shades of hallucinatory colors, pasted together into a collage of nightmares.

  Malthus poisoned Kenly and laughed as the big cat died in violent convulsions.

  Kynyr lay dead, his shattered body twisted and rent by massive wounds.

  Grief stricken.

  Trying to throw herself off the edge of the steep shelf above the Eirlys River.

  Preece mounting her and chasing her through the briars.

  Kady swung her legs over the side of the bed and reached for her robe. It was a nightmare. It can't be real."

  Then she noticed the scratches and cuts on her arms and legs, a long scrape across her left breast. No."

  Kynyr. Please let that have been a nightmare. Tala, Holy Mother, don't let it have been real.

  She wrapped the robe around herself and tottered into the hallway heading for the kitchen. Kady put her hand to the wall to steady her trembling legs.

  The image of Kynyr dead swept through her mind again so strongly that she almost sank to her knees before she could stop herself. Kynyr."

  Cooley emerged from one of the bedrooms, and fell into step beside her, watching her face. Kady's pregnant."

  "What are you doing here, you little beast? Kady snarled, sick and frightened; and wished she could have taken the words back because Cooley looked stricken and fled.

  The serene normality of what greeted Kady in the kitchen threw her thoughts into disarray, making her wonder again what was real and what was not. She dropped into a chair at the table. A teapot in a cozy sat in the middle of it beside a pitcher of fresh cream and a bowl of sugar. Kady made herself a cup of tea and stared at it, whey-faced and trembling. Cahira and Mary sat on the other side of the table sipping tea, calm with no signs of the grief or upset.

  "Kynyr ... Where's Kynyr?"

  Mary frowned at the edge in Kady's voice. Sleeping."

  Cahira moved to sit beside her. How are you feeling, Kady?"

  "Terrible. I feel like I haven't slept. I had nightmares all night."

  Cahira looked grim as she reached for Kady's wrist. You stepped into a spell trap. It nearly tore your soul out of your body."

  Kady shivered and extended her wrist to Cahira. I saw Malthus poison Kenly."

  "Malthus is, at the very least, a mage ... at worst, he's sa'necari. You can't take a vision to court. You were still very fragile when I reached you. It took me hours to free you from the effects."

  "Kynyr ... I thought they'd killed him."

  "He's fine. He's not a mage. I suspect the trap was set for me ... except it caught you instead."

  Kady's thoughts circled around again. Killing an animal is a crime of property. I have no way to prove anything. But if he is sa'necari? Shouldn't we tell Kynyr?"

  "No, Cahira said emphatically. We don't know for certain that he is. If Kynyr so much as suspected it, he'd simply kill Malthus ... or try to ... and get himself killed."

  Cahira shivered, her eyes going distant and troubled. Kady suspected that Cahira was remembering the tragic Lycan Rebellion in which her lover, Tarrant Redhand died.

  "Sooner or later, we're going to have to fight them, Cahira."

  "Let's not talk about that. Cahira grasped Kady's wrist and Read her. A gentle smile bloomed upon Cahira's face. It's time to finish your wedding dress."

  Kady felt her distress ease as her free hand drifted to her belly. Can you tell if it's a boy or a girl?"

  "It's entirely too early. Ask again in two or three weeks."

  The nightmare image of Kynyr's torn body rushed through her again.

  "I want Kynyr. A low sob of yearning escaped her. She wanted more proof than their words that he was alive and well.

  Cahira patted her hand and turned to her daughter-in-law. Mary, see if he's awake."

  Mary left and soon returned with her disheveled nephew. Kynyr had long scratches and scabs on his face and arms.

  Kady's eyes widened with concern. What happened to you?"

  "You don't remember? Kynyr slipped into the chair on the other side of Kady with rueful dismay written large on his face.

  "No, Kady said in a very small voice.

  "You dragged me throug
h every patch of briars from here to the far side of the manor. Kynyr ran his hand through his thick mane. You nearly drowned yourself in the Bonnie Draw."

  She shook her head, trying to separate memory from nightmare. I... she frowned in concentration. Malthus and Preece chased me."

  "No. Kynyr sucked in a breath and ran his hands through his hair again. I chased you."

  Kady's cheeks colored. Oh. Well. Uhmn. I suppose it was you landed me one in the belly then?"

  Mary laughed and Cahira chuckled.

  Kynyr's face brightened. Get dressed. Let's go get married."

  "Don't. Move. An. Inch. Cahira glared at him. You're not running off to the Clerk. I've had six seamstresses, Mary, and myself stitching madly for weeks. Kady is getting a proper wedding."

  * * * *

  Kynyr straggled into the manor in the early afternoon and tried to sneak past the Great Hall without being noticed. Cahira had assured him that Kady would recover from her enchanted ordeal, but that it would take time. Exhaustion blunted his elation over the prospect of becoming a husband and father. He wanted to get upstairs to his rooms and grab another few hour's sleep; but if someone saw him, he would never get any.

  "Where have you been? Erskine appeared in the doorway to the Great Hall, grabbed Kynyr by the arm, and jerked him through the door.

  "Hey, not that arm!"

  Erskine released Kynyr and looked him up and down. You look like hell. What's wrong with your arm?"

  "Kady bit me."

  Erskine brushed his finger across Kynyr's cheek. She do that too?"

  "Yeah."

  "You must have done something to deserve it, brother. Finn joined them.

  "It's a long story. A rueful grin split Kynyr's face and he scratched at his sideburns.

  "What's got you looking like a cat that just raided a bird's nest? Finn demanded.

  "Kady's... Kynyr shifted from one foot to the other, trying to find the right words, and settled for a euphemism. Up the stick."

  Aisha reached between Finn and Erskine to take hold of Kynyr's arm, interrupting their hearty congratulations. They moved out of the way, as she drew Kynyr further into the Great Hall. The wedding will be held here. She raised one hand to fend off his protestations. Here. I'll talk to Kady and Cahira about it."