Lycenea

by Rory D Nelson

  He resumes his journey with a comfortable pace, being careful not to over-exert himself. He is confident in his sense of direction. He has no doubt that he will pass Primera Docturna. A smile breaks out on his face. He feels like a fool but is helpless to prevent it.

  After only a few hours of walking, Dante is surprised to hear the sound of hoof beats. It is unmistakable and perplexing. His acute senses have not detected the presence of any nearby recruit. He knows that one of the Brotherhood would be around to check on the recruits, but there are none in his vicinity. The sound of the hoof beats slowly become louder, not fainter. They are clearly approaching him and Dante becomes giddy with excitement. It is Merlin come to check on him or perhaps Dottore or even Atticus.

  Dante will have some company after all. He would never have expected it. He knows that it certainly violates protocol, but none will be the wiser. Dante stops and waits for one of his soon-to-be Brethren approach him.

  The smile on his face that had just erupted slowly turns to a look of consternation. There are more than one set of hoof beats. There are several. It isn’t Merlin, Dottore, Atticus or any of the other Brethren. They are messengers of the Falcon.

  Dante does not need an invitation. He takes off running at full speed while thinking for an escape route. Unfortunately, the desert steppe does not offer very many. Few trees are present and the few remaining are spindly, sparse, malformed and lacking many leaves.

  Dante is fast, but he is no match for the speed of Herod’s finest stock of thoroughbreds. They soon close the distance. Pelibus pulls out his bulla whip and snaps it violently. It lashes out and catches Dante around the lower legs, sending him crashing to the ground. Dante prudently puts his hands up to avoid a head injury. He grabs up a couple of large rocks and stuffs them into his pockets.

  The horses stop and several men, led by Pelibus jump off their horses and approach Dante. His first instinct is to unravel himself from the coils that have embedded themselves into his skin, causing painful minute lacerations. Instead, he feigns unconsciousness.

  Pelibus approaches him and unwraps the whip from around his legs. He bends down to Dante and turns him around to his front. His eyes are closed. He bends down further, trying to listen for a heartbeat. When he does, Dante opens his eyes, grabs the rock from his pocket and smashes it against Pelibus’ mouth, eliciting a cry of agony from him.

  Dante jumps up on his haunches and swings his elbow, connecting with Pelibus’ jaw. He hears a distinct snapping sound and more agonizing wails from Pelibus. He goes for a kill shot. He shoots out with a powerful jab straight for the Adam's apple with maximum force. Pelibus tries to gasp for air from a broken windpipe and writhes painfully, trying to suck air in through his broken windpipe.

  Dante takes off running. He is quite swift for a boy his own age, but it’s not quite enough to outpace Johann. Johann grabs onto him and tries to throw him to the ground. Dante counters, using his momentum against him and when he is swung around, he lashes out with a fierce uppercut, bludgeoning him in the face. Johann emits a cry of shock and pain.

  It’s a smart move but is not enough to escape the clutches of the other men. They descend on him all at once, knocking him to the ground.

  “All right now, Lad!” yells one man. Dante punches him in the face with a lightning quick jab. Another man tries to punch him, but Dante deflects it. He kicks violently, smashing one man in the groin.

  Tenaman, another man who received a sharp blow, ends Dante’s fight for good when he takes the butt of his rifle and slams it into Dante’s temple, knocking him unconsciousness and causing a small laceration to appear.

  Johann looks at his crew disdainfully. He is ashamed himself. “Not a word any of you that the boy managed to get such a piece of us, do you ken?”

  They all nod, ashamed and surprised at his resilience.

  Chapter 44: Taking down the Beast

  Filmore, the new guard at arms, approaches Herod. “Lord Herod-Sai. I have word. Felinius Balcut has just arrived.” For a split second, Morgana’s eyes light up in a girlish giddiness at the news, but before the smile can completely light up her face, she restrains herself and feigns a perfunctory nod.

  Herod nods himself, while looking at Morgana curiously. “Ai. Please send our man in. I should like to congratulate him properly.”

  He turns to Filmore. “We will meet him in my receiving chamber as soon as we finish our meal.”

  Filmore nods. “Ai, Lord Herod-Sai.”

  He looks at Morgana. “He shall receive proper homecoming. You ken?”

  Morgana nods. “Ai. He has accomplished much. He is indispensable beyond measure and he should be rewarded as such.”

  “Ai.”

  Felinius walks into Herod’s chamber. Herod stands at the table, waiting for him. Morgana gives him a conspiratorial wink and he returns it with a very subtle, almost unnoticeable nod. They are to have their rendezvous later.

  Herod gets out from the table and goes to meet Felinius. Morgana accompanies him. “We are well met, young Felinius. You have fared better than I would have expected.” He clasps Felinius on the back.

  He doesn’t return the smile. “Well met, Herod-Sai.”

  “So, our little ruse worked. The Orachai have been assured of our resolve with their fight against the Visi-Gauls after we killed the prince. A masterful plan.”

  “If your intent was to make enemy and traitor of yourself to countrymen and any other enemy of the Orachai, then Ai, you have completed the task.”

  Herod looks at Felinius scornfully. “You find fault with my plan?”

  “You made a promise to me that I would be defended once the deed was done. I had no reinforcements you spoke of. Saved by the Orachai, the historical enemy of all mankind. And yet they came to my rescue,” responds Felinius indignantly.

  “And yet they came to your aid,” replies Herod curtly, clearly hurt by Felinius’ insinuation. “As to be expected. As I have foreseen.”

  “I survived by the slightest of margins, Herod-Sai. Am I really so dispensable? Or do you believe me to be some god? Set watch and warrant, I am neither,” decries Felinius scornfully.

  “I had absolute faith in you. I knew you could escape. You are a knight, capable of the impossible, like the Brethren you try to emulate. You are a man true to purpose, molded by a god, god-like in action and deed. Only you could accomplish this impossible deed.”

  Felinius still looks hurt. “Should your deed ever be discovered, they will crucify you for treason and I, your crossmate. You have invited the snake into bedchamber and hope that you won’t awake to discover that you have been bitten.”

  “Do not speak to me as if you are a co-conspirator. You’re a hired gun. Nothing else. Do not forget your place. Only I am privy to master plan. I do not deign to share such with you.”

  “I know well my place. I may be hired gun, but I am not dispensable. Do not forget such,” remarks Felinius through clenched teeth.

  “I do not forget your value to me, Sai. You are indispensable. Set and watch and warrant it so. I knew you would not fail in this.”

  Felinius cools. “Well, Sai, you certainly have more faith in me than I can muster. I have performed all tasks you sent me.”

  “Even ones you may have found less than savory?” asks Herod.

  Felinius recalls such ‘less than savory’ tasks.

  “We are well-met Sai. Many times during this mission, I doubted that we would live another hour. But you have come through as an able-bodied knight. Set watch and warrant, you are a friend to Jaden from this day on.”

  “Ai, Sai. I doubted you in the beginning, but you have come through as well. Your disposition and integrity beyond reproach. You have performed as an able-bodied knight as well. We are well met.”

  Jaden turns around to leave. He gathers his things. The hairs suddenly stand up on his arms and a cold shiver goes down his spine, as if he can envision his own gravesite. He turns his back to Felinius, hoping he won’t choose the coward’
s way and shoot him in the back. Jaden knows he will try to defend himself, but even he is no match for his preternatural speed.

  Felinius flexes his fingers and knows what it is he is supposed to do. He hesitates.

  Jaden senses his hesitation. “You once said that Herod-Sai was like a father to you. But he has nearly sent you to a most assured death. Do you really trust him, Sai? I have been true to you. Warrant it so. Perhaps you should grant life to one person in this world you can trust. I ken that I would need the same as well.”

  Felinius relents. “Godspeed, brother,” replies Felinius. Jaden walks off and breathes a sigh of relief.

  Felinius looks Herod straight in the eye and does not flinch in the slightest. He nods. “Ai, Herod-Sai. All deeds accomplished. Set watch and warrant them so.”

  Morgana briefly breaches his mind, detecting the lie. She will make no mention of it to Herod.

  Herod grabs a medium sized satchel, filled with gold-pence. It is more gold than even a man of some means would likely see in a lifetime. He tosses it at Felinius, who catches it. “More coin for your troubles. There will be more once coup has come to fruition. Would appear your arrival is portentous and fortuitous? Right now, the boy’s Primera Docturna is taking place.” Herod pulls out his watch and looks at it. “The boy has been abducted and will meet his end. In consecrated ground.”

  Felinius looks away with a pained expression and uncomfortably sighs. “Make his death quick and merciful. That is all I ask, Herod-Sai.” He says in a pleading manner.

  Morgana and Herod exchange a knowing look. “Felinius, the fates are clear in this regard. The boy must be buried alive in consecrated ground, in order for his spirit to be fully extinguished. His spirit could wreak havoc long after death if it is not put to proper rest.”

  Felinius looks dour and underneath, the germinating seed of discontent rears its ugly head. Felinius tries his best to contain it. Herod senses it and steps forward. “Do you have a problem, Sai? The means always justifies the end. Memories of such abhorrent deeds are short-lived. We shall be glorious in the end.”

  Felinius ponders and reluctantly cools. He unclenches his fists, unaware he had clenched them.

  “When you are with me, you commit fully. For me or against me. There is no partial commitment. Do you not ken?”

  Felinius nods. “Ai, Herod-Sai.”

  Herod seems satisfied. He continues. “My son will take possession of the boy and bury him in the consecrated ground near Lake Ager abutting Colter Pass. You know this area?”

  Felinius nods. “Ai.”

  “You will see deed done and with it, your fortunes rise beyond imagining.”

  Felinius nods. “Ai, Herod-Sai. Set watch and warrant it so.”

  He walks out. Morgana aches at the sight of him. She feels herself getting wet at the thought of their rendezvous to come.

  (2)

  Talbot was a Captain in the Visi-Gaul army, but a failure on his part to successfully capture a Terra-Gaul stronghold in the Gaulian wars was enough for Jason to send him into exile. He was lucky to find work with the most powerful Councilman in Gilleon. Many of the deeds he had to perform were unsavory at the least, but this one is just peculiar.

  Though he is an expert hunter and tracker and can subdue any prey, Herod wants this one alive. The tranquilizer darts that Herod had obtained was considered too powerful for the boy, and the possibility of death is not something they can risk. The darts, however, are perfect for the massive wolf.

  Herod is clear in his instructions. The beast is to be given two shots. Anything less and there is the possibility she will wake up prematurely en route. Anything more and they will risk killing her and it will be his head on the chopping block.

  Talbot had seen numerous wolves in the area looking for their human counterparts like Cammilia and from his vantage they are virtually indistinguishable from each other, having a mottled grey, brown and white mix of hues. Luckily, she is all white and will be easy to find.

  Talbot stares hard into the deadpan and shrubbery and almost jumps when she nearly seems to materialize out of thin air. Even from this distance, he can tell that she is lithe, nimble and powerfully built. Even for a wolf, she is massive, outweighing other wolves by forty pounds or more.

  No wonder Herod wants her for his own. She will make a great wolf companion, assuming she can be domesticated. Talbot had much experience with wolves and knows how temperamental they are; they also tend to be fiercely loyal and quite partial to one owner.

  Though vengeance is not innate in the animal kingdom, wolves seem to be the exception. There is no telling what the wolf will do if she believes that she was robbed of her boy. Talbot intones that if it were him in Herod’s place, he would choose to put her down rather than risk it-but he is not.

  Talbot lines up the wolf in his sights, makes adjustments for wind velocity and range and then holds his breath. He is about to press the trigger, but something spooks her. Her ears perk up and she bolts. He follows her with his sights and pulls the trigger a split second before she can hide behind a mulberry patch. Talbot’s aim is perfect, but she is extremely fast. Rather than embedding the dart in her torso, the first shot penetrates her leg, barely, unbeknownst to Talbot.

  She yelps out in surprise and pain; and as she does, Talbot fires another shot. This one hits her directly in the midsection. She tries to run away, but the fast-acting sedatives floods her bloodstream and she is powerless to stop them. She tries to walk, becomes disoriented for several steps and then drops.

  Chapter 45: Final Resting Place

  Dante began to emerge into consciousness. At first, the voices are like a far away dream and he is only able to pick up fragments of conversation. His grip on consciousness is tenuous at best, but something urges him on. Their conversation seems distant and muffled but his ears focus in on certain words like ‘graveside’ and ‘coffin’ and force him to emerge from his stupor.

  He opens his eyes and the first thing he is aware of is the excruciating pain that courses throughout his body with even the slightest of gestures. His body is a wave of all consuming pain. He tries to move but is stopped because his feet and arms are bound.

  His first instinct is to give in to all out panic, screaming at the top of his lungs and crying relentlessly, but he stops himself. It will do little good. His enemies have taken great pains to abduct him, under the nose of the Brotherhood and a little ruckus from him will not deter them in the slightest.

  He knows one thing. If they wanted him dead immediately, he would be. He is alive for a purpose, but what? The words ‘graveside’ and ‘coffin’ only add to his terror. If they wanted him dead, why didn’t they just kill him outright?

  He can get out of the restraints. He knows he can. He feigns unconsciousness and begins to manipulate the ropes, but is stopped short. Johann, still seething with anger, places the butt of his long rifle against his throat. “Easy now, lad. You are a wily one. And you are not going anywhere. Do you ken? You feel the pain throbbing fierce in your temples?”

  Dante nods.

  “Well, keep fidgetin’ and it’s gonna get much worse. You ken?”

  Dante nods.

  After a few more agonizing minutes, he hears hoof beats. Several riders are approaching. “Looks like they’re here,” remarks Johann.

  “Is it Joh-” Teneman smacks the man hard in the mouth before he can get the name out.

  “No names. You stupid or just deaf?” admonishes Johann.

  “I don’t see what difference it makes. Lad’ll be dead as soon as not.”

  Johann smacks Teneman hard in the face. “Shut your piehole! Not another word.”

  Teneman looks ready to retaliate, either verbally or physically, but he is much smaller than Johann. He restrains himself.

  Dante had held on to the hope; however, slight that he might just live through this, but those hopes are extinguished. A cold chill runs up his spine and a single tear rolls down his cheek. For several minutes, he was in denial abo
ut his imminent death. He now knows now beyond any doubt- he will be buried alive.

  Caius approaches with his entourage and dismounts his horse. He approaches Johann, looks at him and laughs sardonically. “Are your injuries recently sustained, Sai? I do hope you will recover from bout with twelve-year-old boy. All ten of your men.”

  “It was nothing. Caught us by surprise, so he did. That’s all.”

  Caius looks at the boy, partly in admiration, jealousy, and wonder. He is an attractive boy, surely, but nothing extraordinary about him. He is blind, average size for his age, though, with his training regimen, he is more muscular than boys his age; but he is certainly not god-like. He is still just a boy. Nothing more.

  He looks at one of his men. “Tillman, take the boy and let’s be off.”

  He nods. “Ai, Sai.”

  Caius looks at Johann. “You have completed the task, Johann. We are well met but not yet completed the task. I need four of your men, who will accompany me to the final site. They will secure the area. You and the rest of the men will serve as lookouts. Anyone venturing into territory is to be summarily shot. Do you ken?”

  Johann nods. “Ai, Sai. Set watch and warrant it so.” Cassius mounts and gallops off, along with his men.

  (2)

  Talbot and his men approach Cammilia. He can see, even from some distance, that she is breathing. He confirms it when he approaches closer. Her chest heaves up and down in shallow but palpable breaths. For a minute, he admires her. She is massive, even for a wolf. Her fur is stark white, fluffy and soft and makes her look even larger than she really is. She has a strong, muscular midsection and long legs, aiding in her agility. He opens her mouth and discovers a row of teeth gleaming white. They are razor sharp and look to be chiseled down to a point. He knows the power of these beasts. They have an iron tenacity and the strength to match, with jaws that produce a bone breaking fifteen hundred pounds of pressure. If they lock onto one of your appendages, they will take it, come hell or high water.