White Devil

by Janina Franck

  A little later and Balthasar was forced to listen to an insulting speech from the raven. He almost wished he hadn’t let Colm cast the spell on him. This bird hated everyone and everything aside from Lilith. It reminded him a little of how Aestiva acted around Griffin.

  The cat was the only one who had refused the spell; according to Griffin she said she’d always been able to make herself understood so far, so there was no reason to change anything now.

  A week passed, and the newcomers now had a few provisional huts around Violet Cottage to themselves. The young man named Griffin had drawn up architectural plans, and they had spent their time since building them with Colm’s help. Although the huts seemed lovely and spacious, the group often ended up sleeping in the same hut or beside a campfire in the center, purely out of habit. Lilith suspected they weren’t used to being apart, since they had been traveling together on their ship for a long time. Even so, with all the huts next to Violet Cottage, the area was shaping up to be a small village.

  The Klabautermann had awoken and while he was still weak, he got involved everywhere. Lilith had spent her time talking to all of them and getting to know them a little, even though they didn’t appear to wish to talk about their recent past at all. All they told her about where they were from was “a place a long way away that we can’t ever return to.” She wasn’t certain why, but she respected it and didn’t pry further. She got along best with Zero, the shapeshifter, and Ryo, who had a wooden leg. Ayalon, the dragon, was a sweetheart and Griffin was nice, but appeared to be lost in his own little world a lot of the time. The troll Maco was perpetually miserable. He usually hung around at the edge of everything, sometimes whimpering a little. Lilith felt awful for him. She wished she could do something to cheer him up a little. She tried bringing him flowers, showing him pretty sights, reading to him, making him tea and speaking with him, but nothing she tried worked. Eventually, Ryo explained to her that it was no use.

  “He just lost someone very important to him. Very important to all of us. But it hit him the worst. He’s gonna need time,” he explained with a crooked smile.

  The old man named Robert Ference had sneaked around Lilith a lot the first day, but after Balthasar and Colm had taken him aside and exchanged some words, the man had kept his distance. Lilith wasn’t sure what had happened or what the old man wanted, but she got the impression it might be best not to follow up on it.

  Selene appeared to be doing a lot better; she didn’t blanch every time she saw Lilith anymore. However, the blonde girl still didn’t seem to enjoy being around her for lengthy periods of time, so Lilith tried to keep her visits short, but regular, hoping to get to know her better.

  Amethyst hadn’t left Lilith’s side throughout these days, and he glared at everyone who came too close or acted suspiciously. Lilith found his protective behavior utterly endearing but assured him constantly that these people were no threat, but friends.

  Colm had tried to contact Xelma to update her on these recent developments, but his attempts bore no fruit. Lilith could tell that he was worried. She knew the state of instability in Pbrecrah had worsened, but if it had gotten to the point where he couldn’t even reach Xelma, it must be terrible. Lilith didn’t even like to imagine.

  It was surprising how little of the tension in Pbecrah they felt in the Highlands. It was as though the country’s problems couldn’t reach them at all up here, despite still being the same kingdom.

  People from the villages had continued to come to the cottage to ask Colm for help and advice, ogling the strangers curiously when they did so. After a few days, some people came just to look at the foreigners and their ship and wonder what had brought them here. Often, they offered them food and clothing, even books, after Ference and Balthasar had asked about them.

  One morning, Colm finally sent out Amethyst to tell Milly she could come back to the cottage for lessons or to spend time there, if she would like, and Lilith was certain that Milly wouldn’t take long to seize upon that offer. She was excited to see her friend’s reaction to all the new people.

  It was around noon when the young girl finally arrived, followed by her concerned brother. Milly’s eyes gleamed with curiosity and joy when she saw the group of sailors by the cottage. Lilith couldn’t help but smile at her young friend’s reaction.

  “Lilithlilithlilithlilith!” the girl squeaked excitedly, half jumping, half running toward her. Her brother, James, followed cautiously.

  Milly eyed the nearby Griffin and Maco with interest.

  “Are they from the flying ship? Oh, oh! Where is it?! Is it still blue?” she whispered enthusiastically. For a moment Lilith was surprised that Milly knew about the ship, but then she realized that she must have seen it when it flew over their heads, just like the villagers had. She nodded smiling.

  “Would you like me to introduce you to them?” she asked. Milly nodded vehemently.

  Together they walked over to the group and Lilith presented one after the other. Milly was most fascinated with Ayalon, as she had never before met a dragon in person. Most tended to remain in Evarain, although a number of them had also found work in other countries.

  When they got to Ryo, the girl stared at his wooden leg. After a moment of silence, she realized, “You’re pirates.”

  “Used to be,” Ryo corrected her, smiling. Lilith was surprised. The thought hadn’t even occurred to her.

  “Pirates?” she echoed. Ryo nodded.

  “Aye. But since we left behind… that place, we don’t have to be anymore. There’s no reason to be. So now we’re… I don’t even know what we are. I guess we’re some pathetic excuses right now,” he chuckled.

  At the word “pirate,” James, who had been trotting after them the entire time, had instinctively grabbed the hilt of the dagger he carried at his side, but now he relaxed slightly, though Lilith noticed that he didn’t let go of the weapon. He also stepped a little closer to his sister.

  “So, it’s a new start for you, right?” Milly asked. Lilith could tell that the girl had some sort of plan in her head. Milly’s ideas were usually quite interesting. Ryo nodded. He, too, noticed that the little girl was thinking about something very specific and only she knew what it was. “Considering your abilities and all…” she continued. Balthasar had come out of one of the huts and stepped closer to listen in. She turned to her brother. “What do you call those people that do things for money, like catch bad people and bring them to prison or justice?”

  James frowned.

  “You mean a mercenary?”

  Milly nodded violently.

  “Yes that!” She turned back to Ryo. “You could become murcintairies!”

  “Mercenaries,” James corrected patiently.

  Balthasar now came over all the way.

  “Dat ain’t a bad idea,” he said. “What’s yer age, lil one?”

  “Nine and a half!” Milly announced proudly.

  “Well then, lil one, I’m gonna talk t’my capt’n ‘bout yer idea ‘n’ then we can see ‘bout b’comin legal pirates! Whatcha think o’ dat?”

  Milly giggled and Balthasar ruffled her hair before walking off, presumably to talk to Selene. Lilith watched after the man pensively while Ryo joked around with Milly, and James watched over them with eagle’s eyes.

  A few hours later they had made a decision. Selene, after discussing the legalities and processes with Colm, was sending Griffin, his feline companion, the Klabautermann (who had insisted), and Robert Ference to Tsoaluo, the capital of Pbecrah, to settle the particulars. She figured a small group of less suspicious-looking people – ignoring the little blue man with a mouth like a shark and equally many rows of sharp teeth – would be more likely to get things done swiftly and without complications. Not to mention most of the remaining crew weren’t exactly in a condition to travel a long way by foot.

  Colm was still anxious about Lady Xelma’s situation, so he asked James to help them with their task in Tsoaluo and che
ck up on her and the situation in Pbecrah. The young man reluctantly agreed, after both Lilith and Milly begged him for his support. They all agreed to depart as soon as possible, so they could return all the quicker. They scheduled the departure for two days’ time, so they would have time to acquire mountain horses and provisions for the journey.

  Death was watching three places with interest: The Highlands, where the shift in balance remained unchanged, the kingdom of Quintz, where the Black Dragon god so many people knew from stories and legends was conversing with the leaders of the country, and Tsoaluo, the capital of Pbecrah, where Death had a lot of work to do anyway. There, a devoted young man from the Khenoris Clan, also known as the Black Dragon Worshippers, was hanging around high places in disguise, whispering a great many ideas into a mage’s ear. Death wondered if these three places would clash in the near future. Currently three events were self-contained, but Death had been watching the world for a long time, so she knew how quickly things could turn and move, especially when gods decided to meddle. And there were two such meddlers at the present moment.

  Death walked into a blazing house in Tsoaluo where a father and his child sat clasped together in the fire. Flames licked at her as she walked through the halls, but she took no notice. Calmly, she leaned down and touched the man’s cheek. He looked up at her, fear written in his eyes.

  “Who are you?” he pressed out terrified, holding his young child tighter.

  I have come to take your pain away. The Enforcer replied, smiling.

  The man’s expression turned to one of utter relief. He smiled and a tear rolled down his cheek, but it evaporated before it could even drop.

  “Thank you,” he whispered, before Death took his, and the child’s souls by the hands to bring them where they needed to go.

  The moment Balthasar learned of Selene’s choice of envoys, he took her aside.

  “Ye sure ye dun want me to go?” he asked her. “Just to have someun t’look after’em an’ all. I mean, we are all in unknown territ’ry.”

  Selene didn’t appear to share his concerns. She looked straight back at him, her green eyes focused and calm.

  “I’m sure. I don’t know anyone who can adapt to new situations as quickly as Griffin.”

  “Dat’s true, but-”

  “And both he and Ference are the most used to actually speaking with strangers and negotiating,” she continued. “They’re more accustomed to normal people.”

  “But the Klabautermann?”

  Selene shrugged.

  “He practically begged.”

  Balthasar gave up and his shoulders sagged.

  “I do expect you to have a word with all of them and brief them on the mission, especially Griffin.”

  “Why him?”

  “He’s the most likely to follow your instructions.”

  Balthasar laughed to himself as he left Selene’s hut. The girl knew her crew well, even the newer members. Following her orders, he directed his steps toward the Bat, where Griffin was assessing the damage, making lists of items and materials they needed to repair her effectively.

  Balthasar found him and his cat taking a break on the small hill next to their landing place. He sat down beside them with a grunt.

  “Selene wants ye t’go to Tsoaluo,” he said casually.

  “What? Me?”

  Balthasar had anticipated that response.

  “Aye. Ye, Ference, n’ th’Klabautermann. Ye’re t’find out how to get the licence from th’ruler, n’ while ye’re at it, ye can see if ye can find things for her.” Balthasar nodded toward their black ship.

  “But I don’t… It’s a completely different...” Griffin’s voice trailed off. Aestiva yawned and flicked her tail in his face.

  “I’m sorry, Stiva,” he mumbled. “I know.”

  He looked up to meet Balthasar’s gaze.

  “What do I need to look out for?” he asked, his voice stronger and steadier than before. Balthasar felt a wave of satisfaction to see how the young man had grown from the frightened, naïve boy he had been when they had first met.

  “Dat’s for ye t’find out n’ report to us. Try t’get the licence if ye can, n’ keep yer ears n’ eyes open fer anythin’ else, dangers n’ benefits alike. Keep out n’ eye for Ference as well, ye hear?”

  Griffin nodded as Balthasar patted him on the shoulder and got up.

  Selene was right. The boy would do just fine.

  Lilith, Milly, Amethyst, and Zero were going for a walk. It had been a few days since James and the others had left for Tsoaluo, and it was a nice day – the air was fresh, and it was neither too cold nor too warm. It looked like it was going to rain a little later, but currently the sun was still shining from in between the clouds.

  Lilith loved days like these. They made her feel like everything was right in the world. This was her home, where she belonged, and it welcomed her.

  They walked from glade to glade, where the light only shone through in curtains and the smell of earth and sap filled the air. Lilith listened to the birds chirping, although a lot of it was composed of mere exclamations of “Food! Food! Fly! Food!”

  Amethyst shook his head at the lack of intellect his fellow aviators presented. He sighed.

  “Trying to talk to those numbnuts can be really frustrating,” he admitted to Lilith when she glanced at him.

  Their walk took the path of Milly’s whims, following whatever looked or sounded interesting. She bounced from one side of the path to the other to look at flowers, animals, or even rocks and sticks.

  Eventually they found their way to a meadow on a ascending slope, the grass juicy and green, small wildflowers strewn across it, and some wild mountain goats grazing peacefully a little way further up.

  Milly yelped in excitement at a very climbable tree and raced toward it, closely followed by Amethyst, while Lilith and Zero laid on their backs in the soft grass.

  They looked up, watching the clouds pass by, while Milly tried to climb the tree, ignoring all comments Amethyst made about her attempts.

  Lilith watched the clouds happily. She loved to see how their cottony shapes changed as they moved, and a cloud that looked like a chicken could morph into a dragon within a minute. In a way, the clouds reminded her of Zero; both were constantly changing shape.

  Lilith found that it was rare to see Zero in human form. He appeared to be more comfortable in animal shapes. Only for mealtimes and when conversation was needed did he make a point of staying in his original shape. Lilith had also noticed that the animals he turned into were usually more or less about the same size as him. They were rarely significantly smaller or larger. She wondered if it was easier to shift into something of a similar mass. But she liked the way he looked as human. His silver eyes were soothing, and his light brown hair had an ashen tint to it. He was rather thin, perhaps even scrawny, but still strong, despite his appearance.

  Laying on the grass, Zero took on the shape of a large grey cat, purring contently at Lilith’s side.

  “Is there any reason behind your name?” Lilith asked suddenly. Zero looked up at her in surprise and his pointy ears perked up. Evidently that was not a question he had been asked often.

  “Yes,” he replied quietly after a moment, before placing his head back on his paws.

  Lilith rolled onto her stomach and let her hands run through the grass.

  “I would like to know,” she said, closing her eyes. “If you do not mind.”

  “I do not.” He paused for a moment as if to find the right words. A small sigh escaped his lips before he continued speaking in a low voice. “As far as I can remember, I have no given name. I was only ever a number: Subject 3080. I had no name, no identity. I was nothing. So I became Zero.”

  “That is sad. I am truly sorry you have lived that way.”

  “Me too.”

  Death felt a powerful purple wave spread over the land, the epicenter: Pbecrah’s capital. She was not allowed
to interfere, even though she knew what would happen. Humans could be so reckless and stupid. They had no idea that their actions could have a far bigger impact than they could see.

  Death followed the wave simultaneously in all directions, just until the country’s borders and a little bit further. Work had to be done, no matter how much the Moon Goddess cried, and the Black Dragon laughed.

  Something was wrong.

  She didn’t know what it was, but Lilith felt in every fiber of her being that something was wrong. She sat up quickly, only to see Milly enveloped in a purple glow and dropping from the tree, Amethyst flapping around wildly, scared and confused. Faster than she thought she could, Lilith raced over to her young friend who was lying on the ground, surrounded by purple light, eyes darting back and forth, not focusing on anything, limbs twitching unnaturally, and choking.

  Scared to death, Lilith picked her up, trying to shield her from whatever terrible thing was happening.

  Tears ran over her cheeks from her squeezed-shut eyes. In her arms she could feel Milly’s twitching cease.

  Lilith didn’t let go. She couldn’t let go. She couldn’t even look. It was too terrible.

  It was only when she felt Zero nudge her side that she dared to open her eyes.

  “Look,” he said.

  And she looked. The glow had disappeared. Milly’s face was pallid, but she was breathing. She was unconscious – but, more importantly, alive.

  Lilith felt her panic fade. Though relieved, she didn’t dare to let go of her friend. Amethyst, who had been flapping about in terror until now, looked into the air and muttered “Something strange is going on. Let’s bring her to Colm.”