by Colt, K. J.
“I’m sorry,” he said, worried he had gone too far.
She only grinned. Her neck and face were covered in the sheen of their heat; her hair had been tousled and hung about her glowing face in unruly locks.
“When I was taken from you, and I thought Fylkin meant to have me, I wished…you already had. I have been preserved by the goddess Sjofn herself, and I would give to you that which I can only give once.”
She stood and walked toward the candles burning on the stand. Facing away from him, she pulled her blouse strings loose. She lowered her arms and it fell to the floor. Another tug and her dress joined it. She turned back to him and Talon was awed by her beauty. The candlelight caused her heated body to glow with golden light; in that moment Talon thought her more beautiful than the goddess of love.
On that night no Vaka or Vald existed, no Volnoss and no coming Freista, only each other. They lay under the thick, fur blankets and talked into the small hours of the night about what life would be like in Agora. They spoke of someday having children and even argued playfully over names.
What they had done was forbidden by the Vald. If a child came of it, they would all be killed, but they planned on being far from Volnoss shortly. Somewhere they could show their love freely and without persecution.
Talon never thought that such happiness existed or that anyone would ever love him as she did. With her he was more than a runt Plagueborn; he felt big and strong and, for the first time, proud. If she loved him, then it meant there was something to love about him.
“I’m scared,” said Akkeri. “Not about returning to Timber Wolf Village or even death. Only one thing scares me now.”
She lifted her head to lay her other cheek upon his chest. Her green eyes shimmered with the candlelight as she stared into his eyes. “I’m scared to think we might never have this again.”
“We will,” he assured her. “We’re getting out of here. I promise you that.”
A pretty smile replaced her worried frown.
“And when we get to Agora, I’m going to marry you, Akkeri Brightwing.”
Her face turned bright red, illuminating her many freckles, and she bit her lip with a shy smile.
“That is, if you would have me as your husband.”
“I would have no other,” she said, kissing him.
“I love you, Akkeri.”
“I love you, Talon Windwalker, always and forever.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
A TALL TALE
KYRR IS in good hands. If ever one deserved the ring, it is he.
—Azzeal, 4996
Talon awoke while the world was still dark. He had no way to tell how far off morning was, but he hoped the sun never came. Akkeri slept beside him, their bodies entangled beneath the warm fur blankets. Her breathing came soft and steady on his chest, and for a long time he lay in the darkness listening to her. He wanted nothing more than to stay there forever. Never had he been as content as he was with her in his arms. Though they were safe for the time being, soon they would have to part once again.
His mind raced, trying to think of a way they might leave at once. The boat was waiting for them in the Timber Wolf harbor. They could slip out of Vaka Kastali under the cover of darkness and sneak down to the harbor and be gone, never to return, but they would be leaving Chief and Jahsin behind, and that was something he just couldn’t do.
Freista was only two weeks away. The beginning of the games marking the Vald celebration started in one week. The seven barbarian tribes would hold competitions of strength and endurance for the entire week, and on the last day one winner would stand victorious from each tribe—and then the real games would begin. The seven victorious Vald would begin their killing spree at sundown, and all but the Vaka would be their prey.
Talon worried about Majhree and the other friends he had made in the Skomm village. He was loath to leave her behind, but when he had mentioned her coming along as well, she had laughed the notion off as nonsense.
“What would an old hunchback like me do in Agora? They gots their own healers there; besides, I would only slow you down. No, my place is here tendin’ the sick,” she said.
Talon had tried to change her mind on a number of occasions, but she was adamant.
Shortly after the sun began to cast an orange glow upon the world, Akkeri began to stir. She moaned and stretched beneath the furs and smiled sleepily at him. Her hair was a mess of tangled curls. To Talon she had never been cuter.
“Is the day here so soon?” she asked with a small pout.
“I am afraid so.”
Someone knocked at the door and Talon leapt to put on his trousers. Hastily tying them at the waist, he shuffled to the door as it opened. Vaka Fyrfang passed another tray to him and nodded at the one on the stand. He peered over Talon’s shoulder at Akkeri in the bed and regarded him with a devilish smirk, which Talon deadpanned.
“High Vaka Moontooth will see you again at midday,” he said and left them. The door locked with a click and Talon let out a breath.
“What’s this?” Akkeri asked and bent over the edge of the bed. Talon saw the ring in her hand as she peered at it curiously.
“That’s…a long story.”
The tray consisted of bread, cheese, fruit, and another pitcher of water. He hadn’t eaten this well since he lived with his amma, and even then, breakfast always consisted of her gruel concoctions. He brought the tray to Akkeri and sat down across from her.
He considered explaining the ring away as nothing of consequence, but she would see through the facade. Skomm villagers were not allowed such treasures, and Akkeri had known him for many months. Never had he possessed the ring before. He couldn’t explain it away as an heirloom. He didn’t have to mention that the ring was possibly magical, or that he had gotten it from a shape-shifting elf, but he was unwilling to lie to her.
“I didn’t want to have to explain it to you last night; I was so glad to see you that it fell from my mind. It’s a long story.”
She gazed into the blue gem as she turned it slowly. “It is beautiful. Where did you get this?” she asked, handing the ring back to him.
Talon took the ring and laughed. “You’re going to think I’m crazy.”
“Try me,” she said, sitting up expectantly. From the tray she took the bread and twisted the loaf in half.
Talon began the tale with his sighting of the white owl and the freeing of the lynx under the bird’s watchful eye. Akkeri listened, enthralled, and when he got to the part where he met Azzeal, Ralliad Elf of Elladrindellia, she nearly choked on her bread.
“An elf?”
“I told you that you would think me crazy,” he shrugged.
“I don’t think you’re crazy, but what is he doing here?”
“He said he’s here to study our animals, and that he had been watching me. I perked his interest.”
“Well, I can see why. You are an interesting fellow,” she said with a smile.
He told her about the test of the two wines and how he had chosen the white one, which would give him the power to bring peace. He explained that the test had been a trick and that he had answered correctly. Akkeri regarded the ring with renewed wonder.
“He gave you what you said you didn’t want?” she asked.
“Yeah, he said because I didn’t want great power, I deserved it.”
“Have you used it?” she asked with apprehension.
“Nearly. Vaka Groegon came riding upon me when I left Azzeal. ’Twas he who did this,” he said, indicating his back. “I tried to get the ring on while he was whipping me; I don’t know why I was so foolish. Azzeal warned me to use it at the right time, but the whip struck my ear and I lost my head. As I tried to put the ring on, a bear erupted from the forest…It attacked Groegon and mauled him to death. I thought that was why I was summoned here last night: to answer for his death.”
“A bear? The one from Azzeal’s cave?” she asked.
“Yes, Beorn he called him.”
“I agree, though the ring might come in handy during Freista.”
“Don’t be foolish ’cause you have that ring. Lead Fylkin to the mines and get out of there.”
“I will,” said Talon.
They spent the morning talking and planning the coming weeks. They weren’t quite sure how High Vaka Moontooth planned to move Akkeri to the dock or what Jahsin’s place would be in all of this. She mentioned the possibility of putting something in Fylkin’s food or drink that would slow him on the night of Freista, but Talon was hesitant to agree with the idea. If Fylkin suspected her of anything, he might do something to her. Talon didn’t want to take the risk.
Midday arrived and Vaka Fyrfang came for both of them. They were led to High Vaka Moontooth’s room. To their surprise they found Jahsin sitting across from Moontooth with a glass of wine in his hand and a confused look on his face. His eyes screamed to Talon, “What the Feikinstafir is going on?”
“Ah, Talon and the beautiful Akkeri,” said Moontooth with open arms gesturing toward two chairs beside Jahsin. “Please, sit.”
Talon took the chair to the left of Jahsin and Akkeri took the right. Their friend regarded them with a thousand questions.
“I assume you have explained the plan to Akkeri,” said Moontooth. “But your friend here remains in the dark, so I will explain the plan once more and in greater detail. You will each have a part to play; if you play them well, you will be on your way to Agora. Understood?”
They all nodded.
“Good, let us begin,” said Moontooth.
He told Jahsin of the plan to lure Fylkin to the mines and blow him to high heaven. Jahsin’s job would be to help Talon devise a number of traps to slow down the murderous chiefson in his chase.
“How we supposed to slow him down?” Jahsin asked. “He’s, what, nine feet tall?”
“I am sure you will find a way,” said Moontooth.
“Why the mines?” Jahsin pressed. “They’re many miles from Skomm Village. That’s a long way to be chased by a Va…”
“Because that’s the plan!” said Moontooth, slamming his desk. “Do not forget your place, boy! You’re lucky you’ve not been killed for your conspiracy—the three of you.”
Moontooth laid a long gaze upon each of them in turn. His once jovial demeanor was gone and replaced by one of cold calculation.
“I will not have my plot discovered because a one-armed Skomm could not follow orders.” He leaned across the desk and stared Jahsin down. “I’ll kill you myself if you deviate from the plan in the slightest. Understand?”
“Yes, High Vaka Moontooth,” Jahsin mumbled.
Talon noticed his friend’s small slur; he was drunk. He guessed he had already put down a few glasses of Moontooth’s smooth wine. The High Vaka liked to see a man drunk before he did business with him, and Talon understood why. Jahsin’s stubborn side came out when he drank, and he became more reckless. If he could be controlled whilst drunk, then he could be controlled sober.
“Your job,” he said to Akkeri, “will be to make sure this finds Fylkin’s drink on the night of Freista.” He set a small, glass tube filled with a clear liquid on the desk. “This will slow him down.”
“If she can slip that in his drink, she can slip him poison, can’t she?” said Jahsin.
Shut up, thought Talon.
“If you are aware of a poison to be found on this desolate rock that will kill a Vald, please, let me know,” said Moontooth.
“You said you control just about all trade in Volnoss. Can’t you get a stronger poison from one of the traders?” Jahsin asked and took another drink of wine.
Moontooth nodded patiently. “I could.”
Jahsin grinned stupidly at Talon, quite pleased with himself.
“If the chiefson dies from an exotic poison and his father learns it was obtained by me, what do you think will happen?”
Jahsin’s grin died behind an embarrassed flush. “Oh,” he said with a bowed head. “What about the dragonsbreath bombs? Who will they trace that to?”
“Talon,” Moontooth said with a grin. “I’ve thought about this longer and harder than you, Skomm. Question me one more time and you will be hung.”
“Yes, High Vaka Moontooth.”
“None of you will see me until this is over, and likely not even then. Akkeri will be taken into the Vaka’s custody on the day of Freista; when the two of you have successfully lured Fylkin to the mines, you will find her waiting for you at the dock. Understood?”
They all nodded in turn.
“Any questions?”
The three shared a questioning glance, but none spoke.
“Good, say your good-byes. She is being taken back within the hour.”
They were led to the room Talon and Akkeri had shared the night before. The door closed and Jahsin whirled on them, nearly stumbling.
“Akkeri! I’m glad to see you’re all right,” he said, hugging her.
“Good to see you too, Jahsin,” she said.
“Can you believe this shyte?” he asked them both.
“It’s as good a plan as any,” said Talon.
“As good a plan as any? Our plan woulda worked just fine. And ours didn’t include havin’ a ragin’ lunatic chase you all the way to the mines.” Jahsin lowered his voice when Talon silently shushed him. Jahsin leaned in close. “I say we forget this crazy bastard’s plan and leave now!”
Talon and Akkeri shared a look.
“I’m serious; let’s get the hells outta here!” Jahsin whispered, looking at them like they were crazy to even think about it.
“What about Chief?” said Talon. “I’m not leaving without him.”
Jahsin went on cautiously. “Listen, brother. I know how much the wolf means to you, but think about what is at stake here. Akkeri has to go back for two more weeks; anythin’ might happen by then.”
“I’m right here and I can speak for myself,” said Akkeri. “If I were worried, I would’ve spoken up. We talked about leaving last night, but we couldn’t any more leave you behind than we could Chief. He’s more than some wolf; he saved Talon’s life.”
Jahsin let out a frustrated sigh. “We don’t even know if he’s himself anymore.”
“He’s the same,” said Talon.
“Is he? You said they were forcin’ him to kill, and that was weeks ago! What you think they been doin’ to him since?”
Talon grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him against the wall. “You think I don’t worry about that all the time?”
He was suddenly furious and didn’t know why; he had never snapped on his friend like that before. Talon released Jahsin’s shirt and stared at his hands as if the appendages belonged to someone else.
“I’m sorry,” he said, walking to sit on the bed. He slumped down and put his head in his hands to try to clear his mind. Too much was happening too fast, and he was terrified. What if they freed Chief only to find he’d been turned into a vicious killer? What if he was already dead? They had made many unsuccessful attempts to find him. Was Jahsin right? Was he risking too much on the hopes that Chief would be the friend he remembered?
“It’s all right, Tal; you’ve a lot on your mind. It’s your life the most at risk here. You call the shots,” said Jahsin.
“No,” said Talon. “It isn’t my place to dictate your fates. You two should leave now. I will find a way to free Chief and meet you some…”
“Not a chance,” said Jahsin. Akkeri shook her head as well.
“Us against the world, remember?” she said.
The door opened without warning and Vaka Fyrfang nodded to Talon and Jahsin. Talon felt his heart fall to his feet.
“He said ‘within the hour,’ not in five minutes,” he protested, but Akkeri wasted no time with such feeble arguments. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him long and hard.
“Only two weeks, Talon, two weeks and we’re free,” she whispered in his ear.
“I love you, Talon.”
They parted with a final kiss and Akkeri hugged Jahsin. Talon moved to the door before he lost his nerve.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
MANY TRAPS
IT COMES! THODIN’S eye. Great and terrible shall it gaze down upon us. On the night of dying, the night of storms.
—Gretzen Spiritbone, 4976
The long walk back to their hut was taken in silence. Jahsin knew Talon was upset and he gave him his space. Talon felt as though his heart was being torn from his chest with every step. He wanted to turn and run to her a hundred times and struggled to put one foot in front of the other. His surroundings became a blur and he thought only of the night they had shared. The memories helped to ease his anxiety. He reminded himself that Akkeri was a strong woman who could take care of herself. Still, he hated being so powerless.
The sky above reflected his mood: gray, with big, fat clouds hovering motionless above the Skomm village. Mud covered the ground from the recent rain, with the occasional respite of hard stone rubbed smooth by thousands of feet. The barbarians of Volnoss didn’t mind the mud. To them the mud and rain represented the end of the long winter and rebirth, and celebration. Most went around barefoot, as boots picked up too much mud and made walking harder. The village bustled with activity, many of the Skomm pulling double duties in preparation for Freista, a night dedicated to their slaughter.
The first thing Talon did when they returned to the hut was to put the ring on Akkeri’s red ribbon. He did this behind Jahsin’s back, but then he thought about it. He had to tell him.
