Summer of Crows

by Hans Cummings

  Banging at the citadel door interrupted her musings. She glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone else heard the sound before answering the door herself. Upon opening it, she met Tasha laden with a plethora of goods from the market, various foodstuffs, by the look of it.

  “You shouldn’t have.” Aveline held open the door, allowing her friend to enter.

  “I’m taking this back with me. I just wanted to check in with you before I turned in for the night.”

  Aveline shut the door as Tasha set her bundles on the desk. “I rather expected you sooner than now. We need a better way of communicating with each other now that you’re so important.”

  “Rather a lot has happened.” Tasha sought a place to sit.

  “Sorry, I have extra people in watching our esteemed Lord Mayor.” Aveline offered Tasha her chair, but the Crow Queen declined.

  Tasha sat on the edge of Aveline’s desk. “How is he?”

  Groaning, Aveline buried her head in her hands. “It’s like there’s at least three people in his body. It’s quite disturbing. I don’t recommend you go in there right now.” She rubbed her eyes. “I don’t suppose you learned anything useful?”

  Tasha slumped, crossing her arms. “If it’s in any way related to the chaos rift, then it could explain everything, because with chaos magic, anything is possible. If it has nothing to do with the rift, then I can explain nothing.”

  Aveline furrowed her brow. “Anything is possible?” She leaned back, covering her face again. “That is spectacularly unhelpful. Or is it?”

  “Thinking about it gives me a headache, Aveline. Infinite possibilities. Everything or nothing. Something in between.”

  Aveline felt Tasha’s hand on her shoulder. She studied her friend’s eyes.

  “I believe what’s happened to Koloman is connected to the rift and that wizard. There are similarities that are just too coincidental to be unrelated.”

  “The melted man?”

  Tasha nodded. “Remember what the wizard at the rift looked like? His flesh hung off his bones in places.”

  Aveline swigged her ale. “So, what do we do about it?”

  “We have to dig out the rift, and I have to seal it.”

  “Dig it out? That could take weeks.” Aveline pinched the bridge of her nose. “Anyone who knows how to do that kind of excavation is too old now. None of the mines around here have been active in twenty years.” Sighing, the knight-captain shook her head. “Anetha give me strength. So, what’s been keeping you so busy? Were you studying chaos magic all this time?”

  Chuckling, Tasha raised her eyebrows. “No, I came back that same day. I was coming to see you, but I came across Torben.”

  “Oh really? You two, um…” Smirking, Aveline nudged Tasha’s knee.

  “He’d been mauled by a werewolf.”

  Aveline closed her eyes, cursing. “I’m sorry.”

  Tasha took Aveline’s hand. “It’s fine. He’s alive. I’m helping him. Hopefully, he’s going to try to tame the beast.”

  “You’re joking.” Aveline pulled her hand away from Tasha’s. “You’re going to let him run around wolfed out? That’s crazy. I’m not going to have a werewolf in my town, Tasha. I don’t care if you are the Crow Queen.”

  “He actually hasn’t decided if he’s going to try to keep control or if he’ll just”—Tasha licked her lips, averting her eyes—“kill himself before the next full moon.”

  “Does he need help?”

  Tasha covered her mouth, stifling a sob. Aveline felt her heart drop into the pit of her stomach. She pulled her friend into a hug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you…”

  “I didn’t either.” Tasha squeezed Aveline, then pulled away. With her red-rimmed eyes, she met Aveline’s gaze. “I like him, Aveline. He’s kind and polite. He’s interested in me. Me. Not what I can do or what I look like. I’m not sure if things would have gone anywhere, but I don’t want him to die. He’s scared, and I fear for him. He’s been a good friend.”

  “All right.” Aveline crossed her arms. “So… help him. I just worry about this town if we let a werewolf run around unfettered.”

  “There’s already one. The huntress, Vasilisa.”

  The name was unfamiliar to Aveline. “I don’t know her.”

  “She only comes to town for festivals. She lives in the wild, keeps to the forests and hills east of town.”

  Aveline recalled hearing stories of a wild woman out that way, but since drunken men always seemed to be the sources of the stories, she’d dismissed them. “Did she attack Torben?”

  “Yes.” Tasha nodded. “She’s apologetic; it was an accident.”

  “An accident?” It sounded like an excuse if Aveline ever heard one. “If she was in control, how did she accidentally attack him?”

  “He stumbled upon her feeding. They startled each other, and, like any predator, she lashed out when she feared her meal was threatened.”

  Aveline found her head in her hands again. “There are days when I don’t want to listen to you, you know.” She peeked through her fingers at Tasha. “But you’ve yet to steer me wrong.”

  * * *

  “I’m sorry to add to your stress.” Tasha put her hand on Aveline’s shoulder. The cold steel of the knight-captain’s pauldron did not convey to Tasha the tension her friend felt.

  Aveline patted Tasha’s hand. “Don’t worry about it. I trust you’ll make the right decisions. Do you happen to have anything we can slip into Koloman’s food or drink to make him sleep more? He’s really disruptive.”

  Tasha frowned. “Are you sure we should do that?”

  “He’s getting physical. I’m concerned he might become injured if he continues throwing himself against the walls or bars. I’d rather not have to put him in shackles.” Aveline rubbed her chin. “Though that might be an option. We have some. Somewhere.”

  “I’ll see what I can find.” Tasha glanced toward the hallway leading to the cellblocks. She heard guards talking softly among themselves. “I may have to go to Muncifer. Again.”

  Aveline approached the door leading to the cellblock and pressed her ear against it. “I’m surprised you haven’t gone to more places. Can’t you go pretty much anywhere in the world in an instant?”

  “I could go running off to Hoseki or Nakambe.” Of course, Tasha spoke none of the languages in use on the northern continent. “Leave you to deal with all of this all on your own.”

  Aveline returned Tasha’s smile. “I know you’d never do that.”

  “We need a plan, Aveline.” Tasha’s smile faded. “We can’t let things get out of control. Can the city council help? What about Maxim?”

  Aveline returned to her chair, leaned back, and stared at the ceiling. “The council is doing their thing, running the city and not interfering with how I handle the guard. Which is good. Maxim has no obligation to help here, and, even if he agreed to help, what would I have him do? Guard Koloman? He’d be up my ass constantly. No, it’s better if he stays at Dawnwatch.”

  “How long until the magistrate returns for the tribunal?”

  “Too damned long.” Aveline shook her head. “How much time do you need for Torben? How long until the next full moon?”

  Tasha counted on her fingers. “Seven days, the night after Remembrance.”

  “Oh great.” Aveline pinched the bridge of her nose. “The draks will be out in force that night.”

  “It’s an important observation for them. They’re not usually trouble, are they?”

  “No, it’s the other people being afraid that’s trouble.” Upon pushing her chair back, Aveline rose and began pacing the room. “You don’t think those White-scale draks will come to town to join in the celebration, do you?”

  “The Icescale clan?” Tasha crossed her arms, eyeing Aveline. “I doubt they’ll even come to town. I probably should go out there and check on them.”

  “Take care of Torben, and try to encourage the draks, all of them, the Icescales and the clans here in tow
n, to keep things subdued this year. I have to manage Koloman and whomever they pick to succeed him.”

  Tasha grimaced. “The city forces them to live in squalor, and now you want me to tell them to keep things quiet when they observe their most sacred holiday? It’s not right, Aveline.”

  “I don’t mean it like that. Guarding Koloman around the clock is stretching us thin. I just…” Aveline rubbed her forehead. “I just want things to be calm.”

  “The draks don’t want trouble, but they don’t want the people who keep them from improving their station telling them to keep their observances quiet.” Tasha put her hand on Aveline’s shoulder. “Maybe stop by the celebration? Convince a councilor or two, maybe the one who lives in Drakton, to attend? Show the people they’ve nothing to fear. I’ll go to Muncifer first thing tomorrow if I can’t find a sleep aid for Koloman. That should take some of the pressure off. I’m not an alchemist, so what I can do is somewhat limited.”

  “Thank you, Tasha.” Aveline pulled her friend into a hug. “I’m glad I have you to count on. I’ll see if I can find some folks to go to Drakton during Remembrance and take part in the observances.”

  “You can always count on me, Aveline.” Tasha held her friend a little longer than usual. “I’ll find a way to make it easier for you to contact me. There must be a way.”

  Aveline pulled away. “We’ll figure it out.” She glanced at the pile of food on her desk. “Do you want a pack for all that? I’m sure we can find one you can borrow.”

  Tasha gathered it all in the crook of her arm, placing each item in a specific location in the stack. “I got it, thanks. I’ll try to come by here tomorrow, earlier rather than later, if that’s all right.”

  Aveline regarded the door to the cellblock. “That’d be great.”

  The Crow Queen closed her eyes, focusing her thoughts on Revan. She found him circling above the forest, then shifted her attention to Korbin. He sat on the windowsill, twitching with nervous energy, ready to go hunting but unwilling to abandon his post. She informed him she was about to return, requesting he notify Torben. As Korbin flew into the window, squawking at the Watchman, she used her free hand to snap her cloak shut while thinking of the hut.

  Torben started when she appeared. He still lay in the bed. Korbin cawed a greeting before flying through the window to hunt his dinner.

  “Damn. I thought expecting it would help.”

  Tasha dumped all the food and goods she purchased on the table. “Sorry. In the future, I’ll arrive outside and use the door.”

  “You’ve gone to too much trouble on my account already.” He fiddled with his hands while eyeing his bandages. Tasha went over to him to examine his wounds. The healing progression of such grievous injuries was far ahead of where a normal human’s would be at this point.

  She tugged at one of the looser dressings. “We can change these tonight, probably for the last time. There’s a bathing vessel in the other room. Would you like to bathe?”

  Lifting his arm, he peeked under it. “Don’t I just have to lick myself clean now?”

  Tasha chuckled. “You’re not a dog.” She pulled off his covers. “Go on, it’s through that door. It should fill itself when you enter the room.”

  His eyes widened. “That’s amazing.”

  He swung his legs off the edge of the bed, using the headboard to steady himself as he stood. Torben took a deep breath in before releasing it. Once steady on his own feet, he stretched. “I feel… pretty good, actually. Perhaps I’ll stretch my legs outside a moment before bathing.”

  Torben opened the door and disappeared down the stairs into the twilight. Tasha took the opportunity to add the food she bought to the already-full larder and tidy the rest of the main room. Then she took the remaining packages she’d brought with her from the market into the bedroom and laid them on the bed. After unwrapping them, she put her new tunics and skirts in the wardrobe.

  When she returned to the main room, she heard a cry from the forest floor.

  “Crow Queen!”

  Rushing down the stairs, she observed Torben holding himself statue-still before a great wolf. A wolf with honey-colored eyes.

  “Get behind me.” Tasha held out her hand, moving between the wolf and her injured guest. Rearing on its hind legs, its bones cracked, shifting as it transformed into a human-wolf hybrid form.

  “Fear not, Crow Queen. Do you not recognize me in this form now?”

  “Vasilisa.” Tasha clenched her jaw, unimpressed with the werewolf’s timing and theatrics.

  The huntress crept forward. “He’s healing well.” Sniffing, her nose twitched. “He will be strong.” Her canid lips and tongue formed the words with difficulty.

  Tasha glanced over her shoulder at Torben, noticing a tremble in his step as he backed away from his assailant. She took his hand to reassure him. “What do you want, Vasilisa?”

  The werewolf turned her gaze on Tasha, holding out her paw. “To keep my promise. Take what you need.”

  Korbin and Revan cawed from the branches above. The moons, still low in the sky, provided little light, but it was enough for Tasha to see with the aid of the mantle. She removed a knife from her pouch, then sliced off a clump of fur from Vasilisa’s forearm.

  The werewolf licked the nearly shaved spot. “When his time comes, I will come for him. He can decide then to hunt with me or die.”

  Torben’s breathing quickened. Tasha reached toward him again. “Perhaps it would be useful if the two of you spoke during the day before that happens.”

  “I have nothing to say to her.”

  The metal tinged odor of fresh blood wafted from Vasilisa’s maw. She snarled. “Perhaps not, but there is much you will need to hear if you choose life.”

  “Go now.” Tasha pointed toward the forest. “He needs rest.”

  Vasilisa raised her head. Tasha winced at the ear-splitting howl. Upon witnessing Torben cowering from the werewolf, her heart ached. Several answering howls drifted through the night before Vasilisa dropped to all fours, loping into the darkness.

  When they were again in the safety of the hut, Tasha shut the door. Torben slumped on the edge of the bed. He buried his face in trembling hands. “Look at me. She’s reduced me to a simpering coward.”

  Sitting alongside the Watchman, Tasha put her arm around him. “The howl of a werewolf can make even the most hardened warrior’s blood run cold. Plus, she did just try to eat you a couple of nights ago. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “I ran because I was afraid. I should have stayed. I should have let her kill me.”

  “Torben”—Tasha turned his head, studying his eyes, their grey-blue color now replaced with the amber indicative of lycanthropy—“I’m glad you’re going to live. I want you to live, although I’ll support whatever decision you make. But, please know, I am glad you’re alive.”

  A single tear ran down his cheek. Shuddering, he averted his eyes.

  “Take a bath. I’ll make you some more tea, proper wolfsbane tea this time. We’ll get your bandages changed, and you’ll feel better.” She told herself it wasn’t just an empty promise.

  Chapter 59

  The next morning, groaning, Aveline rolled out of her cot, barely getting her feet under her before standing. After Tasha left, the night generally remained quiet, even though Koloman ranted and raved well into the middle of the night.

  After pulling on her clothes from the night before, she stuffed a change of clothes in her pack. Tossing it over her shoulder, Aveline went downstairs to check on their guest. Fania sat in a chair abutting against the door leading to the cellblock. Her hair, greying at the temples, cascaded around her shoulders. Whistling a tune, she sharpened her axe. The steel blade sang as she ran the edge across the sharpening stone.

  “M’lady.” The constable moved to stand, but Aveline gestured for her to remain seated.

  “How are things?”

  “Been quiet since I took over.” She thrust her thumb over her shoulder tow
ard the door. “Jolan left some food for him before leaving. I don’t think the Right Honorable Lord Mayor is awake right now.”

  “That suits me.” Aveline hefted her pack onto her shoulder. “I’m off to the baths, then I’ll relieve you. Hopefully, things will be calm while I’m away.”

  “I’ve noticed he rants less when there’s no audience.”

  “Good, then we won’t give him one.” Poking her head into the larder, Aveline glanced at the inventory. “Is there anything we need that you know of?”

  “No, m’lady.”

  Aveline headed for the public baths. The streets of Curton bustled with the flow of people going about their day without a care for what transpired with their Lord Mayor. Small windows in the cloud cover allowed blue sky to peek upon the town. After finishing with her ablutions, she returned to the citadel, stopping at a bakery to purchase a bundle of sweet rolls. She tossed them on her desk when she entered. “Help yourself. We may as well get some reward for our suffering, right?”

  Fania hopped up to select a pastry. Aveline pulled the chair away from the door, then peeked down the hallway leading to the cellblock. So far, everything seemed quiet. She shut the door. Just then, Tasha entered through the front door of the vestibule.

  The Crow Queen held up a basket full of vials. “Enough sleeping draughts to last far beyond the magistrate’s next visit.”

  She placed them on Aveline’s desk, eyeing the sweet rolls. “Go easy on them. If you give him too much, he’ll never wake up.”

  Fania raised her eyebrows. “Really? How much is that?”

  Aveline slid the basket toward Tasha, glaring at Fania. “We’re just giving him enough to suppress the ranting and violent outbursts.”

  Tasha chose a roll with a central well of berry jelly. “They’ve been divided so one will make him groggy all day. He’ll still be able to eat and whatnot, but he’ll feel sleepy all the time.”

  “Thanks, Tasha.” Aveline pulled the basket toward her, then removed one vial to put on her desk. “I’ll lock these up, so no one is tempted to accidentally spill more than one into his gruel.”

  “Aveline, I’m going to move the hut to Mudders’ Gate. I don’t have any other way of keeping myself accessible to you right now.”