by J G Jerome
26 - Debrief
(Peynirli, Eastern Turkey - home of Emin and Emele Yavuz)
Emele shakes my shoulder and says something I don’t understand. Slowly my brain figures out she’s talking in Turkish. Something about...get up...food… ‘Oh shit!’
I sit up and respond in the same language. “Thank you, Emele.”
“We have indoor plumbing. Next door between the bedrooms,” she explains.
“Thank you, Emele.”
I get up and hurry down the hall. Little Jack drains for what feels like hours. I wash my hands and my face. I step out, and Ismael squeezes past me with a gasped “Allah be praised.”
I chuckle and pick up my weapons and put them on. The Elven blade, Eventide, and Morningstar clear their scabbards easily. I clear, swab, function check, and load both pistols. I screw the silencer onto my pistol and put Trina’s into the belt holster on my left hip. The Elven blade goes on my right hip. Once my weapons are in order. I nearly run over Ismael on my way to the kitchen.
As we sit at the places Emele designates, I ask Ismael, “Would you like a pistol and a knife? I thought you might like to be armed to meet Farouk.”
“Definitely,” Ismael agrees. I pull the holster from my hip and the Elven blade from my other hip, placing each on the table next to Ismael.
He clips on the blade first, then the holster. He says, “Excuse me” in Turkish as he rises from the table and walks outside. I hear him working the action of the pistol, and then he returns to the table with empty hands.
Emele pulls a sheet from the stove and fills four plates with lahmacun, an Armenian crispy, flatbread, covered in minced meat and vegetables. The food smells delicious, and it tastes even better. I’ve run into variants of this dish all over the Middle East, but few tasted as good as Emele’s offering.
After we eat, Emele serves coffee. As I take my first taste, L’liana speaks in my mind.
*Hello, Beloved Husband. I thought you might like to know how things went in Kuwait.*
*Yes, please!* I respond.
She reports, *We captured the entire compound. Three wolves were hurt, but are recovering with assists from Selene and Sera. We only killed one of the boys for breathing the grey smoke. There are five others with the ability or that are starting to show the ability - surprisingly one is female. Since they never used it within anyone’s site, we kept them alive. We’ll figure out how to neutralize it later. For now we are treating them with kindness. It seems to be a novel experience to them.*
*Lili, I wanted them dead,* I admonish her.
*I know you, Husband. I know you would regret killing children that did no harm. Trina is almost inconsolable for killing the one that attacked her. He was only fourteen. I told them we wouldn’t kill them as long as they didn’t show their powers. We’ll discuss that later, Husband.*
It’s amazing she can convey a tone of voice that brooks no argument via telepathy.
She continues, *Abu’s wife was nearly dead from her medical condition compounded by repeated rape and torture. Christie came through the portal and assessed her health with Sera and Selene. Those lovely Verdic ladies of yours pumped her full of healing energy. Selene actually thinks she found the root cause of her illness, but wants to wait to address it until she can consult with you and Christie at the same time. Abu’s daughter is an emotional mess after being raped in every possible way since she arrived.*
L’liana pauses a moment to collect her thoughts as I say, *Jeez! Those bastards.*
She adds, *Although Farouk and Hakim brutalized her, most of her abusers were Sidhe and Human. Most of the male Sidhe were guards and were either killed or wounded. Selene and Sera gave the wounded a little boost to help them heal. We’ll figure out which were rapists once we get everyone settled. They will be culled.*
*Sounds reasonable,* I respond.
She continues, *We also found a little boy in the cells. He’s ten years old and appears completely Verdic - no ‘grey breather’ influence as far as we can tell. His mother was very happy to see him again. We’re taking blood samples from all of Farouk’s children to see if we can find a genetic link to the ‘grey breathing’ in the hopes of being able to neutralize it.*
*I suspect that it may be more of an issue of raising. When I accepted the nanobots into my body, they eventually changed into Living Shadows,* I tell her.
*Oh wow! Okay, I’ll pass that on to my people in the lab. The last bit of news is from Ariana. The Dread Lord got quite upset about being delayed. He laid waste to the customs station at the Georgian border. She asked that you heal the wounded guards as you chase Farouk. Cernunnos is bringing Sera and Selene along on the Hunt, so you don’t drain yourself doing too much healing. They both want to watch their sire die. It’s funny because they’re so loving, yet they both turn completely cold whenever we mention Farouk. The change is especially dramatic in Sera as she’s such a bubbly girl most of the time.*
*I think she needs closure, just like the rest of his children,* I opine.
*You’re probably right, Jack. Anyway, we’re staying here to occupy the hotel. We are helping man the desk as we aren’t sure that some of the staff weren’t more involved than we think. We have two Sidhe females from the seraglio coaching Georgia, Charli, and Sowie on desk procedures. We rescued the concierge on duty as well. We have the Verdic females sitting with the Djinn males. We told the Djinn your plan, but told them it was a secret and not to share it. It’s fun to watch them flirt with the Verdic women - they are so starved for attention that they are likely all going to take a Djinn lover as long as you don’t sweep them off their feet. (Giggles)*
*Thank you for the update, my darling Lili. I love you. I can’t wait to hold all of you in my arms again,* I tell her in parting.
*I love you too, Jack. Love from all the girls here. They’re all jealous of Sera and Solange getting to hunt with you. Bye, my Lord Husband!* Then I feel her leave my mind.
27 - The Wild Hunt
I update Ismael on what I learn.
Afterward I ask him, “Did you ever rape that girl?”
Ismael looks at me angrily. “No, Jack. I would never rape a woman.” His expression softens as he says, “Dalia has had my heart since we were in school together. I’m not sure my organ would work with anyone else.”
I nod. Then I ask, “Anyone from the rest of the crew?”
Ismael shrugs. “I think Ali took a turn. Azeem spent time with her, but everyone has been teasing him about getting soft around her. I think he tried to comfort her rather than rape her. I know he beat the shit out of Kazeem for brutalizing her. Kazeem is his older brother.”
I tell him, “Kazeem will die if he isn‘t dead already.”
“No loss,” responds Ismael. “He is scum of the earth.”
We hear a hoot from outside, and so we thank our hosts, grab our gear, and walk out the back door to meet our Rock Troll sentry.
The huge Rock Troll beckons us around the corner of the house and through the woods to the main road. Across the road I see an incredible menagerie.
It’s hard to get a count as everyone is milling about, but there are roughly twenty large dog-like creatures that look like a wooly hybrid between a hyena and a bear. I learned these are what are called ‘Hellhounds.’ There are an equivalent number of large hounds that look like green-furred Irish Wolfhounds. I’m guessing these are ‘Cu-Sith’ - faerie hounds. There are also eight creatures which are covered in tentacles and are about the size of a horse. I see six Naga, one of which is my father-in-law. He waves. There are a dozen Night Hags - Esmi, Penny, Mara, and Flora are all there with their tags to help me identify them. There are roughly twenty thin stick-like humanoids carrying bear spears or boar spears like they weigh nothing at all. I see nine...no ten...uh...make that fourteen large boars about the same size as the tentacled creatures. The boars have long tusks and hands like a monkey on their front feet with ‘normal’ spayed back feet. The boars also have tails that are about four-to-five feet long en
ding in a spiked nob like a morningstar mace. Then there are the ‘horses.’
All are solid black and difficult to focus on. They look to be built like a cross between a Clydesdale and a Fresian - tall, strong limbs, strong torso, and luxurious manes and tails. Some have visible tusks or fangs. All have swirling red eyes. Smoke blows from their nostrils and rises where their feet strike the ground. They carry a variety of riders - three with deer horns on their heads, four with wolf ears and muzzles, two with rabbit ears and light fur, and two beauties from my harem.
I smile at Selene and Sera as I hear the large gent riding a ‘horse’ at the front of the pack call, “Hello, Jack!”
I call back, “Hello, Harald! I’m glad I’m able to take you up on your offer!” I look both ways and cross the street.
I look up at Harald. Harald is a hulking human-like man in quilted leathers and draped in a leather cape. I know from meeting him previously, that he is easily 6’6” tall, but he also has an impressive rack of antlers sprouting from his head, which extends at least another 18” above that. He’s managed to get a jaunty ‘Robin Hood’ cap on his head, and the antlers protrude from it.
Harald sees me scrutinizing the cap and laughs loudly, as he is wont to do. He chuckles, “Velcro, Jack. It’s a wonder of the modern world.”
I join in his laughter before I introduce my companion. “Harald, please allow me to introduce Ismael, formerly of the Dread Lord’s court. Ismael, this is Harald, Lord Cernunnos, Lord of the Wild Hunt.”
Ismael gasps before he collects himself. “It is my honor to meet you, Lord Cernunnos.”
I tell Harald. “I think he’s impressed. He calls me ‘cheeky Yank.’ Hey Ismael, don’t ever play poker with Harald or Ralph. They take ‘poker face’ to a whole new level.”
Harald laughs while Ismael responds, “Noted, you cheeky Yank.”
One of the Hellhounds sits next to Haralds ‘horse’ and growls, “Sounds like-a good name-for-you, Jack!”
I walk up and take the dog’s hand in a shake. I say with a chuckle, “Careful, Ralph. I might have to find a cute puppy name for you.” He grins back at me.
As I release Ralph’s paw, Selene flies into my arms and devours my face. She gasps for breath before saying. “Hello, Fiancé.”
I grin and peck her lips one more time before responding. “Hello, Fiancé. It’s lovely to see you.”
Sera pushes in for a kiss, too. She says, “Jack, can I be a Fiancé too?”
I tell her, “Of course, Sweetheart. If you’re ready.”
She winks at Selene and then flashes me a brilliant smile. “I’ve been ready since you cut my hand off, Jack.”
I brush my lips against hers, “I think Lili started something.”
“Thank the Goddess,” says Selene.
The Night Hags all rush over for hugs and kisses. Flora even manages to not get clingy.
I look up to Harald. “We need to get moving to Camili. I would rather deal with him before he has a Dragon enthralled. There is supposed to be one Sidhe woman with him who is to influence the Dragon that supposedly nests there.”
Harald says, “We’ll keep them entertained. You need to take your ladies to the border station. Farouk hurt the guards stationed at the border crossing when they tried to detain him. They may be closer to his destination than you wish. I’ve got Nightmares for you and Ismael to ride. Ralph and two of his cousins are going with you. They’ll help you find us. We’re going to go directly to Camili to interdict Farouk. See you there.”
“Sounds good,” I respond as I watch Sera and Selene’s firm tushies run back to their mounts. The Nightmares don’t shy at the quick approach. Esmi gives me a wet kiss and a wink before taking to the air with her sisters.
One of the ‘Thinmen’ leads two mounts to Ismael and myself. I mount up, and the Thinman adjusts my stirrups. I see Ismael adjusting his own before he mounts. Apparently he rides enough to know what to do. The Thinman steps back with a small bow, which I return as I take my reins.
I look to Ralph, “Do you know where we’re going?””
He growls, “You betcha, Jack.”
Then Ralph lets loose an unearthly howl and dashes off down the main road. I give my mount a gentle tap in the ribs and a “tchk-tchk,” and we’re off. Ismael, Sera, and Selene all join us. Ralph and his cousins suddenly start to run up into the air and my mount follows smoothly. As I watch Ralph running ahead of us, I notice a glowing, wispy path that seems to appear below my mount’s hooves and runs off in the direction of the Georgian border crossing at Sarpi.
I think to myself, *Hmm. It’s like the path to the prey is lit.*
I hear an unfamiliar voice in my mind. *Exactly. Since our prey is the border station, the trail leads us there. When our prey becomes Farouk, the trail will lead us there. Ralph helps to make the trail visible, but all of us can follow the trail even without his help. By the way, I am ‘Flash’*
*Hello, Flash. I’m assuming you are who is carrying me.*
*Right in one, Jack.*
*I appreciate the ride and the information, Flash.*
Flash snorts audibly and picks up the pace. We’re running a little above the treetops at an amazing pace. Sarpi is just about fifty kilometers or thirty miles from Peynirli if you don’t have to take the roads. We don’t.
When the path turns to valleys, I notice we don’t contour very much. The longer we ride, the faster we go, and the flatter the path stays. The ride is shorter than the ride to the airport from my condo in Phoenix. I see the smoking ruin of the border station as we start to descend to the ground.
A wounded soldier is tending to eight wounded comrades. He has them laid out on the ground near the ruin where an emergency light is casting light on them. The soldier startles and raises a weapon toward Ralph. Ralph stops in front of him and sits with his tongue lolled out like a wolf after a hard run. I pull up my mount about ten meters away from the soldier and dismount.
I walk toward the soldier, and he raises his weapon - I make him sleep with my will.
Sera, Selene, and I triage the wounded. One has died from fluid in his lungs, and another is close. The dead one is a Sidhe. All of them have burns and scarring on their skin, in their lungs, and a couple have their eyes burned out. I start with the one close to death and ‘remove’ the fluid from his lungs as I heal his lungs. I don’t sense any nanobots. When he is breathing easier, I restore his eyes and start his burned sinuses and skin to repair. His left arm is broken, so I set and knit it together.
Sera, Selene, and I work our way through the wounded rapidly. The ladies do most of the healing of injuries after that first one. I confirm their diagnoses and give a little boost to those that could use it. The ladies do a great job, but they are just coming into their abilities. They were healing in Kuwait earlier today and haven’t had any rest. They are probably getting close to having headaches. I coach them to just start the healing and let the patient’s bodies do the rest of the work. I check on the guy who was nursing them. I restore his missing left eye and heal his sprained knee. He didn’t get many burns, but his jaw is cracked. I ensure it’s properly aligned and give him enough energy to knit the crack closed and dull the pain. Then I wake them all up.
The ‘nurse’ speaks Turkish, so we tell him what we have done. I tell him to report that they were attacked by Farouk bin Jaber Al-Sabah, and some travelers coming through the checkpoint rendered first aid. I tell him to ensure that all of the injured will rest for two weeks before resuming normal duties. He agrees to pass on the instructions.
Then we all mount up and pick up the trail to Camili.
Based upon my map recon earlier, I think the ride to Camili should be about half of the ride to the Sarpi border station from Peynrili. Ralph leads us over the foothills and into a river valley as we barrel towards our prey. We stay at a pretty low altitude and rush over the river running about ten feet below our mounts‘ feet. After about a fifteen minute ride past Camili, we run up to the side of a mountain which appe
ars to be the second highest peak in the area. We slow as we reach the summit to find the hunt surrounding a beautiful woman, a Dragon in its hybrid form, and a tall thin semitic man spewing miasma into a cloud that he directs into the hunt.
The various beasts of the Hunt circle Farouk and nip at him. A Thinman stabs him with a boar spear and lets it hang from his flesh. Farouk forms the nanobot miasma into a longsword and cuts through the haft of the spear and into the shoulder of one of the Hellhounds as one of the Tentacled beasts smacks him with a tentacle. Farouk whips his blade around and severs the tip of the tentacle. It appears he knows how to use a blade.
The woman has the Dragon’s attention, so I pull Morningstar and direct my mount to rush her. I try to make her sleep but I see a bracelet on her wrist glow and smoke wisps circle around her head. I direct Flash to run behind her as she faces the Dragon. The Dragon roars and launches into the air just before I reach the Sidhe woman. She turns to face me and raises her hands in front of her face. I lean down and cut off her head in passing.
I hear a voice scream, “Yasmine!”
My mount wheels to face the Dragon who hovers, but it lands again and raises its hands into a namaste posture, bowing from the waist. I dismount and rush over to the crowd surrounding Farouk.
The Dread Lord is wielding the nanobot miasma as a sword in his right hand and a whip in his left. I think to myself ‘That fucker is ambidextrous!’ I’m pretty adept with both hands in combat, but I’m nowhere near as facile as Farouk is. ‘This will be fun.’
It’s time to face the Dread Lord.
28 - Battle with the Dread Lord
I pull my taser flashlight and a fully charged taser from the portfolio. I clip the taser to my left hip and hold the flashlight in my left. I draw Morningstar in my right hand and summon Durec, Jacob, Eliana, and Yoren as I walk up toward the battle.
