The Monster's Caress: A Seven Kingdoms Tale 8 (The Seven Kingdoms)

by S. E. Smith

  “If you sit, we’ll be a little more at eye level,” Nali suggested.

  “Yes, thank you, Empress,” Zenma said with a sigh as she slowly lowered herself to the bench. “I’m afraid the years are finally catching up with me.”

  “How are the trolls doing? Do you need anything?” Nali politely enquired.

  Zenma smiled at her. “The trolls are doing well, thank you for asking, Empress. However, I believe your visit involves a more pressing matter. Does it have to do with Elderberry and Dew, the trolls who found the Sea Stag?” the Elder troll asked.

  Nali nodded. “Yes. I would like to speak with them, and I believe there is also a third troll. We’ve discovered another Sea Stag, a mortally wounded stallion. Pai saw troll tracks nearby,” she explained.

  “I was not aware that there was another,” Zenma replied.

  The Elder troll lifted her staff and brought it down twice in rapid succession on the hard-planked floor. A guard appeared at once.

  “Find Dew and Elderberry, and tell them I wish to speak with them. Also, find out who else has been hunting recently,” Zenma ordered.

  “Yes, Elder,” the guard said with a bow of her head.

  Zenma returned her attention to Nali. “Are my trolls in danger, Empress?” Zenma quietly asked.

  Nali reached over and laid her hand on Zenma’s. She would not lie to the Elder troll. The old troll's hand trembled under hers.

  “There is a great danger to our Isle. I believe the same kind of alien that attacked the Sea Witch and the Isle of Magic is now on the Isle of the Monsters. Your trolls were the first to encounter the creature here. It is imperative that I speak with them,” she explained.

  Zenma nodded. “The trolls will do whatever you require, Empress.”

  “Elder, Dew and Elderberry are here,” the guard announced.

  Nali transformed her skin back into the stone exterior of a gargoyle as she turned and faced the two trolls who entered. She searched their eyes for any evidence of the black swirling shadows that she had noticed in Magna’s. Twin sets of clear blue eyes watched her with a mixture of awe and nervousness, then Dew ducked his head.

  “You wished to speak with us, Elder?” Elderberry inquired.

  “Not I but Empress Nali,” Zenma replied with a wave of her hand.

  “You were the ones who discovered the first stag, correct?” Nali asked.

  “Yes, Empress. We planned to fish the cove. Dew was the first to notice the stag. It was struggling in the surf. We’ve never seen a stag this far north before and never that close to shore. Dew sensed something was wrong with it and cautioned that we should alert the palace,” Elderberry replied.

  Nali looked at Dew. He was young, and from the way he kept looking down at the floor, she sensed that he was shy. She stepped closer to him, gently reached out, and touched his chin, forcing him to make eye contact. His eyes were clear; she was certain.

  “What did you sense, Dew?” Nali gently asked.

  Dew looked at Elderberry with a pained, almost pleading expression. Nali refrained from expressing a sigh of impatience. Trolls were clannish creatures, she knew, but this was no time to be keeping secrets from outsiders, so she was grateful when Elderberry silently encouraged Dew to speak with a motion of his hand. Dew looked at her with an expression of resignation.

  “I… I… ca-ca-can sen-se th-th-things, like dan-danger. Th-the stag had a-a bl-blood re-re-red aura,” Dew stuttered.

  “Dew is one of our most gifted trolls. His ability to sense danger has saved many of us from injury or death,” Zenma added.

  Nali nodded. “There was another injured stag a bit farther north. My guard saw troll tracks leading away from it. Was there another troll with you?” she inquired.

  Elderberry frowned and shook his head. “No, it was just Dew and me,” he said.

  Dew shook his head. “I-I saw… Med-Medjuline in… in the woods earlier,” he replied.

  Nali looked at Zenma. “Where is Medjuline?” she demanded.

  Zenma started to reply when Pai and another guard entered the longhouse. Pai gave Nali a sharp look, indicating that he had found something. The guard bowed low before addressing his Empress and Zenma.

  “Empress, Elder, Medjuline is missing. Her parents have not seen her for two days,” the guard said.

  “Find her,” Zenma ordered, rising slowly to her feet.

  Nali raised a commanding hand. “No, Pai and I will search for her. It is too dangerous for anyone to be near her until we know for sure what has happened. I will have some of my gargoyle guards come to the village in case she returns. Do not allow anyone near her. I cannot stress that strongly enough,” Nali sharply instructed.

  “We will do as you command, Empress,” Zenma said.

  “We will begin our search in the morning. Zenma, do you have lodgings we can use for the night?” Nali requested.

  “It would be our honor for you to stay, Empress. Please follow me,” Zenma said.

  Chapter 3

  Asahi knelt behind a tree and watched as a troll he had come across stumbled and groaned. She was gripping her head and shaking it back and forth as if she were in pain. Then she unexpectedly twirled in a tight circle and ran head first into a nearby tree. Asahi braced his hand against the tree trunk to keep from losing his balance when the ground shook.

  He watched in disbelief as she spun in a dizzying circle before her eyes rolled back in her head. She fell backward with a bone-shaking crash. Something was definitely not right. He slowly stood but remained hidden. He was glad of his precaution when, a moment later, he saw the troll’s unconscious body suddenly bow upward, and a black, liquid mass oozed from her mouth.

  The mass coalesced, its size growing larger until it was about the size of an English Mastiff back on Earth. The liquid blob twisted and turned as if searching for another creature to inhabit. A shiver of unease swept through Asahi when the tar-like mass suddenly twisted in his direction. He remained frozen.

  Something large passing overhead cast a shadow on the ground, and he looked up. Through the thick canopy, he saw two creatures flying above. The alien blob suddenly emitted a shriek, whirled, and took off through the forest in the opposite direction.

  Asahi crouched down behind a large fan-shaped fern to conceal his presence as the unfamiliar creatures swooped down through the canopy. One, the hippogriff, landed on a thick branch with his wings spread wide to keep his balance while the winged woman landed beside the troll sprawled on the forest floor.

  His breath caught when he saw the woman’s exquisite ebony features. Her skin was like shining armor, as if she were a beautiful statue cut from the purest black marble. She landed with such grace that there wasn’t a whisper of sound.

  Asahi studied the female as she cautiously circled the unconscious troll. The woman’s eyes were the color of dark brown goldstone and held a shimmering light that made him want to gaze into her golden irises forever. Her face was heart-shaped with high cheekbones, a long, straight nose, and full luscious lips. She was lean, with small breasts, and a commanding stance that spoke of power and confidence.

  She knelt beside the troll and gingerly touched the large knot on the giant female’s brow before lifting each eyelid. Then the marble woman rose to her feet and looked around with a frown.

  “Pai, do you see anything?” she called out.

  “There looks to be some fresh damage to the ferns leading northwest,” the hippogriff replied. “What about Medjuline?”

  The troll softly moaned and the woman stepped back. Asahi stiffened when he heard the low whimper of pain. He watched as a sword materialize in the woman’s hand. The troll rolled onto her side and whimpered, lifting a large, trembling hand with thick, dirty nails to her head. The beautiful winged woman took a step toward the troll who was now struggling to sit up.

  “Medjuline,” the woman said in a soft, reassuring tone.

  “Hel-help me, please. Don’t… don’t let it take me again,” Medjuline choked out in a sha
ky voice.

  “Who took you?” the woman demanded in the same soft voice.

  Medjuline sat up and looked around her with wide, frightened eyes. She looked back at the woman standing in front of her with her sword at the ready. Medjuline raised a trembling hand to her brow again.

  “The creature that… that came out…. The stag… the stag’s side exploded and covered me. There was a black glob…,” Medjuline exclaimed, her voice growing louder as fear engulfed her again. “It was choking me, and I couldn’t get it off!”

  Compassion washed through Asahi when the troll began to cry. It was obvious now from her features and the way she spoke that she was young. She looked at her hands and rubbed them together before pushing back her dark red hair as if to make sure none of the residual goo from the black substance remained. She rocked back and forth as she sobbed.

  “Where did the alien go, Medjuline? It is important that I find it before it can harm another,” the beautiful creature said.

  Medjuline wiped her face with her grimy hands, leaving streaks of dirt across her dark tan skin. She looked back at the marble woman, and her eyes filled with tears.

  “I don’t know. It was hurting me—my head. I had to make it stop. I wanted it out of me. I… I ran into a tree. I don’t feel it inside me anymore, but my head still hurts,” Medjuline confessed.

  The woman lowered her sword and stepped forward.

  “Nali!” the hippogriff in the tree growled fearfully.

  Nali’s lips curved into a smile. It wasn’t one of amusement. It was a dangerous, anticipatory smile—as if she were daring anything to attack her. She rested her hand on the young troll’s arm and studied her closely. Several tense seconds passed before she whispered something so softly that Asahi couldn’t hear it.

  He took in a startled breath when the marble woman suddenly changed into a version of herself that was softer, warmer, and far more glorious. Her smooth, light brown skin glowed in the filtered light of the sun above the canopy, making it appear the same color as creamy milk chocolate. Her long black hair hung in tight ringlets around her face and shoulders, reminding him of the ancient Cretan women.

  “Pai, the alien has left Medjuline’s body. It is safe to come down,” she replied.

  Medjuline sniffled while silent tears continued to course down her dirty cheeks. Her eyes were now filled with wonder instead of fear. She reached out a hand to the woman.

  Asahi tamped down his unease. He had seen the liquid parasite leave Medjuline, and this powerful woman was certain that none remained. It was just the horrifying nature of what he had seen that was keeping him on edge. He would surely have nightmares about that parasite for days.

  “Nali,” Pai cautioned again, “the alien has never left a host alive—not without far more force applied than a bump on the head.”

  Nali’s expression softened as she looked at her concerned companion. “I could not say why this time is different, but the alien is gone, Pai. I am certain of it—and Medjuline is hurt and frightened. Please come down.”

  Nali firmly clasped Medjuline’s hand, meeting her eyes reassuringly.

  “Empress, I…. It wants to hurt us,” Medjuline said.

  “I will stop it. Pai, take Medjuline back to her village. Make sure that there are ample guards to secure the area in case the alien tries to circle back,” Nali ordered.

  The hippogriff landed and pawed at the ground in irritation. He shook his head. “Nali, please tell me that you aren’t planning on going after that creature alone,” Pai hissed with dismay.

  Asahi smirked in amusement when the woman named Nali rolled her eyes before she nodded her head. His amusement turned to concern when Nali helped the troll stand and Medjuline swayed. She was twice the size of the woman who was trying to support her. The hippogriff must have felt the same way because he quietly snarled and pushed up against the troll who leaned on him.

  “She cannot return alone, Pai. She’s injured and shaken by what’s happened to her. Return with her to the village. You can find me after you have made sure she is safe and the village is secure,” Nali finally replied.

  “I don’t like this,” Pai snapped.

  “I didn’t ask if you did,” she retorted with a slight bite to her tone.

  Asahi’s eyes narrowed. This woman was used to giving orders. He studied her features and froze when he suddenly put two and two together and realized who he was watching. She was Nali, Empress of the Monsters. He would never have expected her to be so young—or so beautiful.

  Nali waited until Pai and Medjuline disappeared from view before she turned and scanned the forest. She sensed that she wasn’t alone. It was unclear whether the unknown presence was an enemy or an ally. She closed her eyes and listened, but all she heard were the sounds of nature—the wind in the trees, the songs of birds, and the faint sound of rushing water from a nearby stream.

  She opened her eyes and stared off into the distance. Lifting her hand, she whispered a summoning spell. A small, oval disk made of liquid gold appeared in her hand. The surface of the material flattened and shimmered until it became a polished surface so smooth that it formed a mirror that reflected her image.

  “Goddess’s Mirror, show me the alien,” she murmured.

  Her reflection shimmered, changing to show an image of the forest in front of her. The mirror revealed the shadowy form of the alien that Medjuline had described disappearing into the mouth of a cave. Dread filled her, and she looked up. The alien had entered the den of the goblins.

  “As if goblins aren’t already difficult enough as they are,” she muttered. “Goddess’s Mirror, show me who watches me.”

  The image shimmered again. Her breath caught when she saw a man that she had never seen before. His features were obscured by the shadows, giving her only an impression of what he looked like. His eyes were dark brown and his hair short and black. He had a long slender nose, and from the angle of the image, she could see a firm jaw. A shiver of awareness ran through her. It was strange for her to have such a powerful reaction, and it left her with the uneasy feeling that somehow their destinies were connected.

  “Where is he?” she demanded.

  Nali snarled with impatience and released the mirror when it revealed only the dense forest. The mirror vanished with a sprinkling of gold dust, and she knew that even if she called for it to return, she would learn nothing new. The Goddess’s Mirror was a fickle gift, revealing only what it wanted, when it wanted.

  “That damn mirror drives me crazy,” she cursed.

  There was only one thing Nali could do—draw out the man, discover what he wanted and where he had come from. She didn’t have time for games. When—not if—the alien reached the goblins, things could become much more complicated than dealing with a single troll.

  “I know you are there. Come out,” she called.

  A movement out of the corner of her eye caused her to turn and face the man she had seen in the mirror. She took a deep breath and stiffened her shoulders. He was taller than she had expected, and the awareness that she had experienced before became much more intense.

  The man wore a pair of black pants with several pockets and a white, button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled almost to his elbows. He carried a long black bag on his back, held there by a thick strap over his shoulder. His features were clear now, and she could see the slight slant of his dark brown eyes. Those eyes held her mesmerized. Her attention moved down to his lips, and a fleeting desire to touch them pierced her consciousness.

  “Who are you?” she demanded in a harsh voice.

  “Asahi Tanaka,” he replied.

  She swallowed and remained silent as they warily studied each other. Her gaze slowly moved over him again. A frown creased her brow when she noticed the jeweled hilt of a dagger at his waist. He carried a sorcerer’s blade.

  “What are you doing on my Isle, Asahi Tanaka?” she demanded.

  “I’m searching for answers,” he replied.

  Her frown deep
ened. Visitors were not allowed to travel beyond the capital city without express permission. The rule was in place to keep them, as well as residents, as safe as possible. Trolls, goblins, and—well, there was a long list of inhabitants who potentially posed a danger to unwary travelers. What answers would a sorcerer want here?

  After a moment of thought, Nali concluded that there was only one reason a sorcerer would be this far north and this deep into the forest. He searched for the magical ore the goblins mined and forged.

  “You’ll find no ‘answers’ here,” she said to the man standing stiffly a few feet from her. She hissed in surprise when he lunged toward her, wrapping his arms around her waist, and pulling her to the ground. She started to grab his wrist before she realized that she was not the intended target of the dagger he wielded. The dagger’s blade became white hot and hummed as it sliced through the long black tentacle that stabbed at the empty air where she had been standing less than a second before.

  She rolled over until she was on top of Asahi. Her flesh hardened to stone. Her wings emerged from her back, and she spread them to cover them both as the severed tentacle dissolved around them. She raised her arms, protecting Asahi’s head, and pressed her forehead against his, sending her awareness outward to sense the alien’s next attack.

  They stared into each other’s eyes as the seconds ticked by. Their breaths mixed as the silence stretched. Under her wings, Asahi slid his hand across her hip to her lower back. She turned her head just far enough to see the flakes of ash falling around them. She looked down at Asahi with a suspicious expression.

  “How did you do that?” she demanded in a hard tone.

  “It’s all in the wrist,” another voice said with a touch of amusement.

  “What the—?” Asahi hissed, dropping the blade in surprise.

  Nali rolled off of Asahi and rose to her feet. She stood over him, her legs slightly apart and a long broadsword in her hand. After a quick look around, she fixed on the dagger. It was sticking out of the soft ground where Asahi had dropped it. Nali watched with amusement as Asahi studied the dagger, and the gold, winged lion on the hilt grinned back at him.