Emily's Saga

by Travis Bughi

  They should see it all, Emily decided. She commanded the colossus to come forth, and it answered with obedience.

  Saltwater glistened as it fell from the colossus’ chiseled body, shaking free with every step as the colossus rose further and further into the air. Green algae and slime shined in the moonlight—it had had much time to grow—and some of it fell off as stone grinded on stone. Nearby, some of Mark’s men stepped further back, their limbs poised to run. Sir Mark himself, though, peered on with lips parted in complete awe.

  The colossus stopped when it was ankle deep in the water. Any closer and it risked crushing the docks. Emily heard yelling from the ships around it—those which had been rocked by the sudden wave—and she pictured a frenzy of panic aboard those vessels. As for herself, she simply turned and gave Mark a faint smile. He saw it out of the corner of his eye, but did not seem able to look away from the colossus.

  To her shock, a single tear glistened in his right eye.

  “Keep the colossus out, please,” he said to her. “It’s time I told this city the truth.”

  Chapter 27

  Emily was not present for Sir Mark’s speech. He gathered his troops about him and set up a podium near the docks. As expected, the sight of the colossus awoke Lucifan slowly, at first, then increasingly so until nearly the entire city was emptied out onto the docks, just before morning. A pegasus was summoned for Sir Mark. He was to give a quick speech before the sun could rise and then fly to shelter. Those under his command would handle the fallout, whether that be questions, rioting, or mass emigration.

  By truth, what Sir Mark meant was the truth about Ichiro Katsu’s invasion. He would not tell them about the betrayal of the angels, or much else. He would tell of Katsu’s coming, that he was being impersonated by a rakshasa, and that the city was facing its darkest hour. This didn’t bother Emily because she knew that it was all the townsfolk needed to know; they could not be trusted to come to the same conclusion as her. This city needed a leader more than the angels needed justice. As for the colossus itself, Emily asked Mark not to mention her, so Mark said he would claim the colossus had returned to defend the city of its own volition. Emily hoped that would be enough to keep her out of it. Anonymity had always been valuable to her.

  With the added weight of the colossus behind Mark’s words, it was expected everyone would take what he said to heart. Emily had no desire to hear, though. She wanted to spend more time surrounded by those closest to her, so they retreated to The Kraken’s Eye. Adelpha and Emily were welcomed with opened arms, once again, and Abe, Nicholas, Fritjof, Takeo, and Gavin were allowed entrance. Abe was teased first—asked if he could still walk straight and then intentionally knocked over when he tried to demonstrate he could. It didn’t end there, of course. Many lurid comments were passed concerning his gun and how it was most likely spent of ammunition. He turned a shade redder with each one.

  The others were not spared. Takeo was asked about his sword, and Nicholas and Fritjof were teased about their interest in each other. The amazons took joy in suggesting that the vikings should give real women a chance, suggesting viking women weren’t. Emily put a stop to it then. A viking woman, a valkyrie, had once saved her life, and she knew how harsh their lives were. They fought just as hard as any amazon, which would be proven once Jarl Valgrith returned to Lucifan. He would arrive soon, Emily was sure, considering that the colossus was standing tall for all to see.

  After that, Emily told her story once more, this time to the rest of the amazons. Her attention was mostly focused on Leda, her old friend, and Leda gave Emily warm touches when the story grew dark. Emily found herself appreciative of this and spoke aloud with equally warm thanks.

  “There’s no need to thank me,” Leda said. “After Kirke died, I realized just how important everyone I meet is. Any moment spent with someone could be the last. I treasure every moment, now, as my way of honoring my sister.”

  Emily thought that was one of the greatest things she’d ever heard, and it made her time with them all the sweeter.

  Eventually, Emily was able to single out Gavin from the others. She brought him to a table within eyesight, but hopefully beyond earshot. He was nursing his head, the inevitable hangover slowly overtaking him, with a half-empty mug of water before him.

  “What do you want?” he asked sourly.

  “Honestly, two things.” She leaned back in her chair to appear nonthreatening. “First, Mark told me some details, and I want you to tell me if they’re true. Did Mark truly wish for death? And did Ephron forgive Mark?”

  “Is that what you wanted to talk about?” Gavin sighed. “By the angels, what a relief. I thought it was something else. Yes, Mark sent me off with his blessing. And yes, Ephron forgave him. Thanks for reminding me.”

  “I figured he was being honest,” Emily replied. “Part of me hoped otherwise, though. Now, the second thing I want is to smack you several times across the face.”

  “Go ahead. Do it. Might ease the pain at this rate.”

  “Are you referring to the pain of the alcohol assaulting your head or the pain of me assaulting your heart?”

  Gavin buried his head into the nook of his elbow. His exasperated sigh seemed all the more exaggerated as it was blown into a tight space. Emily waited in silence for a bit and then took out her bow to place it on the table. It clunked lightly, and Gavin raised his head enough to glance at it with one eye.

  “This is Heliena’s bow,” she said.

  “What happened to yours?”

  “I lost it off Savara’s coast, along with a pirate friend who saved my life.”

  “Is that supposed to mean something?” he asked. “What do I care about some bow? Or is this about Heliena? About how killing her was more important than loving me?”

  Emily tensed for a moment—his words stung—but she was determined not to lash back. She had the feeling it wouldn’t help in this case. He’d already seen her resolute side, and that had done nothing. She wanted to guilt him this time because, despite what Sir Mark believed, she knew a sense of honor lingered deep within the man she’d left broken.

  Emily sighed. “I never loved you, Gavin. I didn’t know what love was. You have to realize that you did not lose me. In reality, you never had me. I’m not even convinced you know what love is, either. Like Duncan always said, you’re a hopeless romantic. I wish he were alive to say it to you now.”

  Gavin stirred and lifted his head, face stirring to life with guilty shock.

  “Yes.” Emily gazed back, unwavering. “I know about him. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I thought you wouldn’t care. What does his death have to do with Heliena?”

  Emily’s body merely twitched, but internally she screamed. It took her an immense effort not to strike Gavin this time, and through her anger, she saw the look on his face.

  “You want me to hit you, don’t you?” she said.

  He nodded. “Would you feel better about it if I reminded you I slept with more than one of your sisters?”

  “I don’t care about that,” she answered honestly, then continued when he raised an eyebrow. “I don’t. As I said before, I was never yours, and so you were never mine. You are free to warm your nights with whomever you choose. The only thing that bothers me, Gavin, is that you continue to do so while professing that you love me. If that is the way you show and express love, then I must say that I’m glad I left you on those docks.”

  “I’d kiss you again if I had the chance.”

  His words were halfway between threatening and longing, which dropped him squarely into the realm of pity. It made Emily cringe to see someone she’d once thought so highly of brought so low by his own hand. No one had dealt Gavin an unfair blow; he had willingly taken himself out of the fight when the world refused to cooperate with his wants. It hurt Emily to see such potential wasted. He’d seemed so promising, so full of life and joy, when she’d first met him.

  “What is wrong with you?” she spoke her thought
s out loud. “You’ve never spoken to me like this before. Do you realize you are intentionally sabotaging my opinion of you?”

  Gavin averted his eyes. Emily had struck a chord, and she leaned forward in her seat to pursue it.

  “Do you want me to hate you?” she stated more than asked. “Do you want me to push you away? What am I saying? Of course you do. Everything you’ve done says this is what you want. First went the angels, then Duncan, followed by the colossi. You left the knights, not because of some lifeless stone rubble, but because O’Conner hated himself too much to banish you and Ephron denied your request to avenge his siblings. That left you more broken than before; you succumbed to your hatred and need for revenge just like me, but were denied in a way I never was. So now I’m the only one left, the only link to the man you wanted to be: a shining knight of bravery and honor. If you can destroy that in my eyes, then you’ll have killed yourself off. Then you can crawl down into the bottom of that bottle without any guilt, for you’ll have finally become the scum you once were before Duncan’s father raised you up.”

  Gavin was squirming in his seat, head cowed while he stared at the water in his mug. He was gripping it with both hands now, elbows turned to touch his sides. He licked his lips, but would not look up, and Emily snorted her disgust.

  “Consider your wish granted,” she said.

  Emily stood, feeling pain in her heart, but determined not to show it in her actions. The chair skidded on the wooden floorboards, and she left it pulled out as she headed for the others. To her pleasure, she saw Adelpha seated with Takeo so she took a seat with them, and the two ended their conversation abruptly, sparking Emily’s interest.

  “Did I interrupt something?” she asked.

  Adelpha and Takeo glanced at each other, guilt in their eyes.

  “Talking about me, then?” Emily said. “Don’t worry. I won’t ask what about.”

  She forced a smile, and Adelpha smiled back. Takeo’s eyes softened.

  “Did you have any luck with him?” Adelpha asked.

  “He had more luck with me, I think,” Emily replied. “He got what he was after.”

  “That much is apparent,” Takeo whispered.

  His eyes were tracing something behind Emily, and she turned just in time to see Gavin exit the tavern. The door banged closed behind him, and Emily let loose a heavy sigh.

  “I hope he didn’t leave anything valuable,” Adelpha said.

  “Just his dignity.” Emily turned back to them. “Oh well, I suppose it was only a matter of time until I lost a fight.”

  “Many wars are over long before they begin,” Takeo said. “Katsu and my brother were both firm believers in that, though they approached it differently. Katsu would not fight a battle unless he was sure his victory was the only outcome. The only battles he ever lost were those he didn’t see coming. Okamoto, on the other hand, his view was closer to that of a viking’s: fate is inexorable. He never balked at battle because he believed his death was out of his hands. Somewhere in the future, that final battle was waiting for him, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.”

  “Is that what you believe?” Adelpha asked. “I assume so, being as it was your brother who raised you.”

  Takeo nodded. “Your assumption is correct. It’s what made my brother and me so fearless in combat. We never viewed death as something we could prevent, nor as something we should try to prevent. Such effort would be a waste. Funny, though, I don’t seem to carry that same view about others.”

  “I wonder if Chara would agree,” Adelpha mused. “What do you think Emily?”

  “Which one? If Chara would agree, or if both my first and second death were and will be beyond my control?”

  “Well, I was asking about Chara, but now you’ve made me desire the other. Tell me, sister, do you share your lover’s mind?”

  “I think the whole concept is a waste of breath.” Emily shrugged. “Whether or not we’ll die when and where is an attempt to predict the future, which is the same to me as worrying about the past. The entirety of it is a constant reiterating of the words if, could, would, and might. My mother is a great example of what happens to people who waste their time on such things. She spent the first part of her life, all the way up until I was sixteen, never asking such questions, and she was the strongest person I knew. Then I left, Abe became a gunslinger, and Nicholas ran away from home. She’s spent the last two years wallowing in those questions, and she’s as broken as Gavin. Now that Nicholas has returned, her recovery can begin, but I wonder if she’ll slide back again once he and I leave, or worse, if we die. Thankfully, my father is as patient as the dirt he farms. He is nothing but an endless well of kindness and forgiveness. As hard as my mother may crash, Father will be there to catch her and never bear a scar for it.”

  Emily felt like she should be sad or perhaps regretful about Gavin, but neither emotion came. She wasn’t really sure how she felt, though relief came closest. Although her attempts to haul Gavin out of his sorrows had been unsuccessful, she no longer felt she could be blamed for them. Everything he did, or would do, was of his own volition.

  Still though, an aura of sadness was deemed respectable, so she took a mug of ale from Margret as she passed by, as did Adelpha, and together they took a swig. Emily fought not to gag on the bitterness and somewhat enjoyed the burn in her throat and the warmth that reached her stomach. It only took a short bit to work into her system, and she relished the way her mind slowed and forgot.

  Then she realized she was acting like Gavin and pushed the mug away.

  “Your parents are very lucky to have each other,” Adelpha said, taking another drink. “If I had to select a second life, I’d pick theirs, and their child would be my companion.”

  “So would I,” Takeo said. “Though, I’m not sure I’d ever get over Abe’s beard.”

  Emily and Adelpha’s laughter turned heads, and Takeo chuckled with arms folded across his chest. Emily’s eyes lingered on his smile.

  “You know, if I have a daughter before you,” Adelpha said to Emily, “I’m naming her Chara.”

  “There are two things I don’t like about that.” Emily held up fingers to emphasize. “The first being that you assume I’m having children, and the second being that you assume I’d name her Chara.”

  “Well?” Adelpha blinked. “Wouldn’t you?”

  “Not sure,” Emily admitted. “I don’t like to predict the future, remember?”

  “You really think I believe you when you say that? Here you are, professing a shape-shifting demon with a samurai and mercenary army is coming to destroy Lucifan, and yet you claim not to predict the future?”

  Emily shrugged. “I said I didn’t like it, not that I won’t do it. Like right now, for example, I’m growing bored, and I’m tired from staying up late. I think I’ll predict that I’m going to catch some rest. I’ll also predict I won’t be doing it alone.”

  Emily took Takeo by the hand and drew him from the table. Adelpha raised an eyebrow and smirked, but for once did not tease. She took another drink from her mug, eyeing them as they retreated up the stairs. Emily searched for an unoccupied room. They would not be alone for long because The Kraken’s Eye had too few rooms and too many patrons, but Emily would buy any amount of privacy she could at the moment. She found a room, pushed Takeo inside and closed the door.

  When they slept, Emily huddled in Takeo’s arms, taking solace in the feel of his arms wrapped around her shoulders and waist. She slept peacefully, sending the colossus back into the sea so that she could avoid the endless stares, gasps, and awes from the city. The sea was quiet beneath, but not dark. The light penetrated well here, and she gazed up through stone eyes at the bottom of ships.

  Then she awoke, realizing Takeo was stirring beneath her.

  “Sorry,” he grimaced. “I didn’t want to wake you, but I couldn’t feel my arm anymore.”

  Through the room’s lone window, the sun was setting again. She’d slept the entire day away
and was both angry and happy at that. For one, she was unhappy at having missed the sun. There were only so many of those one got to see in their life, and she’d just let one slip by unnoticed. However, she was still happy, for that meant she’d spent most of the day with the one she loved.

  She gave Takeo a squeeze and breathed in deeply of his dark hair.

  “I shouldn’t have been in such a hurry to leave Khaz Mal and The North,” Emily said. “I should have enjoyed the time I spent with you more, just the two of us.”

  “Destiny is a master not easily avoided,” Takeo replied. “Also, I’m not sure I agree with you. Some of those cold nights were the hottest I’ve ever had.”

  Emily pinched Takeo, and he obliged her by wincing. She looked around and was pleasantly surprised that none of the other amazons had ventured into the room. The door was still closed, so Emily gave Takeo a long kiss.

  Then there was a knock at the door, followed by a muffled voice.

  “Emily,” Leda’s voice came through. “There’s a man named Valgrith Valgrithson looking for you.”

  Chapter 28

  Between Emily and her friends, Jarl Valgrith and his crew, and Margret and the amazons, The Kraken’s Eye was well and truly filled to the brim. There weren’t enough seats for everyone, so some had to stand while others lined the stairs and leaned against the railing. A few sat on the tables and the bar as well, to Margret’s chagrin. There wasn’t enough room to move freely, and with so many people gathered about, the place should have been incredibly loud. Instead, it was dead silent, and all watched the center of the tavern where Emily and Jarl Valgrith sat at a low table, facing each other.

  “One day?” Emily asked. “That’s all we have? You’re certain.”

  “Unless this Jabbar fancies himself a moment to rest and relax,” Valgrith said with a nod. “Even if the winds change, he won’t be delayed more than another half a day, maybe even a full one. It might be two days if he intends on making some kind of formation before he attacks, but I’d be shocked at that. Judging by what I saw, I’d say it’s pretty clear he intends to sail straight into the bay and land on the shores.”