Demon Cycle: Messenger's Legacy Part 5

aRun where?a Elissa demanded.

aFor the spear,a Ragen said. aItas our only hope now. Iall s.h.i.+eld rush the first to come through the gap, throw it back into the others. That should distract them.a aI donat know how to use a spear,a Elissa said.

aThe point goes in the demon,a Ragen said. aItas hardly wardcraft.a The biggest of the demons shoved to the fore of the press, launching itself through the gap. Ragen set his feet, ready to stop it fast with the warded s.h.i.+eld, fully aware of the futility of it all.

A sudden roar filled the night, freezing the bog demons in place. Ragen was not rea.s.sured. It was a sound he knew well. The approaching rock demon might keep the bog demons at bay, but only so it could kill them itself.

But what was a rock demon doing in ripping Bogton of all places? They were common enough in Miln, but rock demons needed a large, natural facing of stone to rise to the surface a" not something often found in the Laktonian wetlands.

The roar came again, closer, but this time there was something a off about it. A resonance he had never before heard in the familiar cry. A reverberation not to be heard in a swamp.

He caught the orange glow of a flame demon in the fog, growing brighter. As if a knot of bog demons and an angry rock werenat enough.

The flame demon charged an active part of the circle, but the coreling was not stopped by the wards as it burst from the fog, mouth glowing with orange flame as it roared.

Ragen and Elissa froze, but the demon swept past them with a trail of choking smoke. It leapt in front of the gap, belching fire and smoke at the confused bog demons.

aThatas not a demon,a Elissa said.

Ragenas eyes widened. What he had taken at first for a flame demon was a boy not yet in his full growth, clad in mismatched rags and a thick coating of swamp muck. On his back was a round Sharumas s.h.i.+eld and in one hand he held a bundle of hogroot stalks, the end burning with an oily, pungent smoke. He swept the torch back and forth, creating a wall of fumes. In his other hand he held a sheet of bark curled into a cone. As Ragen watched, he put his lips to the small end, letting out an impressive imitation of a rock demonas roar.

The bog demons began to choke, and when the boy backed towards them, they did not immediately follow.

aCories hate hog smoke,a the boy rasped, never taking his eyes off the demons drifting through the fog and smoke. Words were awkward on his tongue, and Ragen had to strain to understand. aMakes aem cough na slosh up. Watch and follow me.a If there had been any doubt this was Relanas son, it was gone in an instant as the boy began to do the rocking dance his dalaSharum friend used to confuse corelings. Step to the right, step to the left a Half a dozen bog demons turned their heads back and forth in sync with his movements.

Ragen knew which direction the boy was headed long before he started moving. He took Elissaas hand, and like strangers joining together in the steps of a familiar dance, they matched Briaras calm, deliberate strides, four to the left, four to the right. The boy dropped the burning hogroot, obscuring them in the smoke as they walked six steps to the left, counting breaths. On the third, they broke into a run together. Ragen s.n.a.t.c.hed up his spear as they ran past, handing off the s.h.i.+eld to Elissa.

They quickly lost sight of the knot of bog demons, Briar leading them on a twisting path through the trees. The abrupt halts and sudden changes of direction seemed random at first, but Ragen was a pathfinder, and soon realized they were travelling a prepared route. A fallen tree, its roots reaching high to block out the moonlight, hid a change of direction. The shallow stream they splashed along washed away tracks and scent. Hunched, a low rise hid them almost completely for a hundred yards.

Ragen caught the scent of the dump well before it came in sight. They had come full circle. Head been a fool to follow Briar into the bog. The boy had purposely led them away from his lair and left them lost in the swamp. If theyad only just waited a aLook out!a Elissa cried, throwing up his s.h.i.+eld. There was a flare of magic and she was knocked into him by the rebound. They went down with a splash into the reeds and mud.

Upside down amidst the tumble, Ragen caught sight of the charging swamp demon, a larger, deadlier cousin to the bog. It was low to the ground, with k.n.o.bbed scales and short, stubby limbs ending in long, hooked claws perfect for climbing trees. A swamp demonas snout could bite a man from head to crotch, its tail a heavy lash that could shatter a wooden fence.

Dizzy and with mud in his eyes, Ragen struggled to get his spear up, but Elissa rolled over him, covering them with the warded s.h.i.+eld.

The swamp demon struck hard against it, but there was no telltale flare of magic, no rebound that threw the coreling back. Just a high-pitched whine as the demon clenched its talons, tearing through the steel. The wards on its surface were covered in mud a" useless. Ragen peeked over the edge at the demonas gaping maw and immediately wished he hadnat.

But then a small gourd struck the s.h.i.+eld, shattering and sending a cloud of hogroot powder right into the demonas open mouth. Ragenas eyes teared and he sneezed, but it was far worse for the demon. It fell onto its back, choking.

Briar appeared again, helping them to their feet. Twisted and useless, Elissa left the s.h.i.+eld in the mud next to the demon as it convulsed, retching a vile mix of stomach fluids and bogspit onto itself.

aCory will be up quick,a Briar said in his animal rasp. aNeed to get to the briar patch.a Ragen nodded, though he had no idea what the boy was talking about. He and Elissa followed as quickly as they were able as the boy darted into the mounds of the dump.

Behind, he heard the demon hiss and scrabble to its feet. His ankle was screaming again, his limp getting worse with each step. Elissa clutched him, taking more and more of his weight. Back to using his spear as a crutch, they ran like they meant to take a ribbon in the three-legged race at a Solstice festival.

But the demon ran faster, stub legs moving at terrifying speed. It closed, and Ragen knew they would not make it wherever the boy was leading before they were overtaken.

Briar saw it, too. He dropped back beside Ragen, pointing to a thick hogroot patch by one of the refuse mounds. aThere. Donat stop.a With that, he stopped short, giving a cry to get the approaching demonas attention. No imitation demon cry, this was the cry of a human child. Innocent. Vulnerable. For what could get a corelingas attention more than that?

The sound tore at Ragen, but he limped on. By all rights the boy should be terrified, clinging to Ragen for leaders.h.i.+p, but Briar spoke with the a.s.surance of a Messenger speaking to travellers on their first overnight, and Ragen found he trusted him.

Elissa was half-dragging him now, supporting him as he put one pained foot in front of the other towards the safety of the hogroot patch. But Ragenas eyes were not on the destination. He watched the demon spot Briar and hiss, giving chase. Focused on the prey at hand, it ran right past Ragen and Elissa, up the hill and away from them.

Ragen remembered the hill. It ended in the steep precipice where the town dumped its rot waste. If Briar didnat change course soon, he would be trapped. The swamp demon saw this, too, putting on a burst of speed.

The sight was obscured as Ragen and Elissa stumbled into the hogroot patch. They stopped, watching from between the fronds.

It was too late. Silhouetted in the moonlight, they watched as the demon crashed into Briar, taking both of them over the edge.

aBriar!a they screamed in unison.

The demon dropped away, croaking as it tumbled down the s.h.i.+t- and garbage-covered slope, but Briaras silhouette hung against the moon, then swung back to the ledge. Ragen could see the vine now, hung from a tree branch extending over the precipice. Briar had lured it there and tricked it over the edge.

aNight,a Elissa said.

Briar raced back to the safety of the hogroot patch, leading the way to a broken table leaning against the refuse mound. He pulled it aside, revealing a narrow opening. Elissa went in first, tugging Ragen along as he crawled inside. Briar came last, pulling the table back into place.

It was pitch dark in a s.p.a.ce barely long enough for Ragen to lay p.r.o.ne. With his shoulder pressed against one wall, Ragen could easily touch the other, and even on his knees he had to duck his head. This was where Briar slept all these years? In a tiny dark hole beneath a mound of garbage?

Elissa s.h.i.+vered. aColder than it is outside.a aNo flue,a the boy said. aDraughty.a An orange glow lit his face as he blew a small coal to life on a pair of rusty tongs. He cradled the tiny light in his hand as he took it to the kindling laid in the fireplace. Soon a warm fire was burning, casting a flickering light over Briaras dark hole.

They appeared to be underneath an old cart, its belly their roof. The back wheels were gone, but Briar had salvaged boards to prop the axle. The spokes of the front wheels formed little shelving nooks the boy had dug into the garbage mound. Ragged blankets lined the floor, and the walls were salvaged wood, cracks carefully filled. One wall was an old front door. The other was made of a barrel, part of a table and a dresser with mismatched drawers. There looked to be a working half-door on the far end.

More than one entrance, Ragen noted. Heas smart.

The walls were lined with little nooks. Some held a s.h.i.+ny bit of stone or gla.s.s, a bright feather or mended wooden toy. Elissa found a tiny rag doll amidst the blankets, st.i.tched together from mismatched bits of refuse. Briar growled and s.n.a.t.c.hed it from her, clutching it protectively, and Elissa stifled a sob.

Ragen s.h.i.+fted, and his arm struck the wall, causing a blast of pain. He groaned.

Elissa was holding the arm in an instant, pulling the torn sleeve aside to find a row of claw marks. The wound stank, and Ragen wondered if he would lose his arm before this was done. He reached for his herb pouch, but it was gone from his belt, lost somewhere in their desperate flight.

Briar handed Elissa a cloth, pointing to the barrel wall. aWater.a She nodded, finding a spigot and fresh water within. As she cleaned the wound, Briar reached into one of the spoke-shelves, taking out a mortar and pestle. Ragen recognized it instantly. Fine polished marble, he had bought the item in Miln, a wedding gift for Dawn.

As they watched in wonder, Briar began cutting herbs with a bent, wrap-handled knife. Ragen had the Gathereras art enough to know Dawn had taught the boy well. Briar packed the wounds with a pungent hogroot paste and produced a bent needle he pa.s.sed through the fire carefully before st.i.tching them shut.

aThank you,a Ragen said.

aNot taking me away,a the boy rasped. aWonat let you.a aWeare nota"a Elissa began.

aHeard you,a Briar cut her off, turning his glare on Ragen. aDrag, you said.a Ragen took a deep breath. He could feel the tension in the boyas fingers as he worked. If he said the wrong thing, Briar would likely be out the door in an instant, and Creator knew if theyad ever find him again.

aDo you remember me?a he said at last. aI was a friend of your father.a The boyas eyes flicked over Ragen, the whites stark in the centre of his stained and muddy face. aMessenger. Brought candy.a Ragen nodded. aI owe your father my life. Promised to look after you, if anything happened to him.a aDonat need looking after,a the boy said.

Ragen nodded. aAy, youare your own man. But I want to be your friend, if youall let me.a aDonat have friends,a the boy said. aNo one wants Mudboy. Throw rocks. Gaway, Mudboy! Getcher stinky hands off, Mudboy!a Ragen shook his head. aThatas not true, Briar. Iam your friend.a He gestured to his wife. aElissa, too. Tender Heath, and Tami Bales. They asked us to find you.a Briaras eyes widened. He said nothing, but Ragen knew he had found a c.h.i.n.k in the boyas armour. aSheas worried about you, Briar. We all are.a Briar shook, looking down to hide a choked sob. Ragen started to reach for him, but the boy glared at him, and he checked himself.

aDonat know what I done,a he said. aEveramas punis.h.i.+ng me. Donat deserve friends.a aNonsense,a Elissa said. aWhat could you possibly have done?a Briaras muddy face scrunched up, and this time he couldnat choke down his sobs. He began weeping openly, and when Ragen reached for him again, he gave only token resistance. The boy stank of filth and hogroot, but Ragen held him as gently as he did his own infant son.

aDinat share,a Briar said, when his convulsions began to fade. aDinat listen.a He began weeping again. aDinat remember to open the flue.a Ragen stared into the small fire, thinking back on the burned-out husk of the Damaj family home. In an instant he understood.

Creator.

aWasnat your fault, Briar,a he whispered. The boy gave no indication that head heard, but his sobs eased after a time, and at last he fell asleep.

Ragen woke with a start, alone in the tiny den. Panic shocked through him, fearing that Briar had run off again, gone like a wisp of dream. aElissa!a he called. aBriar!a He neednat have feared. They were waiting just outside the hogroot patch, Briar peeking into the pan as Elissa fried breakfast over a small fire. Nearby lay the portable circle they had lost in the swamp, the plates cleaned and the broken rope mended with stout cord.

aGlad to see you back among the living,a Elissa said. aBriar and I have been up for hours.a aWe have to go,a Ragen said. aThe sooner, the better.a Briar shook his head. aNo go. Home.a aMen are coming,a Ragen said. aMen like the ones your father left the desert to escape.a Briar nodded. aSharum. Seen them.a aWhere?a Ragen demanded. aHow many?a aTwo,a Briar said, holding up a pair of fingers. aIn woods, watchinga aWhen?a Ragen said.

Briar shrugged. aFirstday?a Ragen spat.

aWhat is it?a Elissa asked.

aIf they had scouts here a week ago aa The sound of galloping hoofbeats cut him off. Ragen looked up to see Derek riding hard their way. He was clad in his armour, but the helmet was missing, and there was blood in his hair.

Derek rode right up to them, pulling up hard. The horse was still rearing and kicking off its momentum when he vaulted from the saddle. aThank the Creator youare all right. We need to leave. Now.a aWhatas happened?a Ragen said.

aKrasians,a Derek said. aAdvance guard rode in this morning to sack the town before refugees could succour there.a aNight,a Ragen said. aHow many?a aA score at least, all mounted on big mustang,a Derek said. aWe tried to help the Boggers fight. Had them outnumbered three to one aa He swallowed. aThey killed Robbert and Natan. Broke Staneas leg.a Ragen nodded. The Boggers were brave, but they were no fighters. But Krasian warriors a that was all they did. The town was lost. aWhere are the others?a aHiding in the bog with some of the townies,a Derek said. aI came to find you and bring you there. If we can keep off the road for a few miles, we should be able to get them to the Hollow.a aHow did you get away?a Ragen asked.

aThey were after us but their captain blew a horn and called them back,a Derek said. aSeemed more interested in plunder and the Holy House than killing or taking prisoners.a aThe Holy House?a Elissa asked.

aKrasians are fanatics,a Ragen said. aWhat they do with the townsfolk will depend on the mood of their Kai, but Tenders are heretics a" an affront to Everam. Theyall claim the Holy House for the coming dama, and kill Heath, if they havenat already.a aCreator,a Elissa said.

aWe have to go,a Derek said again. aNow.a Ragen nodded. There was nothing else they could do. aLetas be quick about it. Last thing we want is another night in the ripping bog.a He turned to Briar. aYouall need to come with us. Itas not safe here.a But the boy was gone.

Briaras heart thudded in his chest as he raced through the bog. He saw villagers fleeing through the bog, and could guess well enough where they would gather. The Sharum would have to give up their horses to follow. Even their scouts had avoided the bog.

None of them noticed his pa.s.sing, too concerned with themselves. All the Boggers knew the mire, but none so well as Briar. There were infinite places to seek cover while moving at speed.

There were horses and men in the Holy House yard as Briar scaled the wall and dropped among the grave markers. Sharum warriors watching with hard eyes as Boggers, eyes down, piled plunder to one side of the yard a" food and livestock, mostly.

There was a crash from inside the house, and two Sharum came out, carrying the Offering table. This they hurled into a pile with other broken symbols of the Creator. They seemed intent to gut the place, save for the barrels of Heathas ale. These had been carefully set aside and tapped, warriors drinking heavily as they supervised the beaten Boggers surrendering their possessions.

One of the Sharum whipped his spear into the back of Aric Bogger. aHurry up, chin, or youall go on the fire, as well!a The other Sharum laughed. It had been many years since Briar last heard the language of his father, but he understood enough of their words to fill him with dread.

Not waiting to be noticed, Briar darted through the graveyard to the Holy House wall, climbing quickly to the roof. There was a Krasian in the horn tower, spear and s.h.i.+eld leaning against the rail as he held a slender tube to his eye, looking out over the town.

The Watcher did not see or hear Briar as he slipped over the rail behind him, but the smells that hid and protected him at night in the bog did the opposite here. The warrior sniffed, turning just in time to catch the b.u.t.t of his own spear between the eyes.

The seeing tube fell with a crack, but the warrior rolled, controlling his fall. Before he could recover himself, Briar hit him again. He swung the spear like a club, beating the man about the head until he fell still.

Briar froze, listening, but it seemed none had heard them. He took off the stained and reeking rags he wore, putting on the Sharumas blacks before creeping down the steps into the Holy House.

He wanted to pull up the veil to hide his face, but his fatheras voice came to him, recounting stories of fabled Sharum.

No warrior hides his face in the day.

He left the veil down, simply tilting his face towards the wall as a warrior stumbled past carrying an ornately carved chair. The man barely gave Briar a glance, nodding and grunting as he went about his business.

There were others, but after years of hiding from the Tender as he made for the Offering, Briar knew the halls of the Holy House as well as he knew the briar patch. He moved unseen, searching until a cry of pain led him to the vestry.

Peeking into the room, Briar saw Tender Heath tied to a chair as two Sharum stood over him. Both wore black, but one had a white veil about his neck, the other a red. Kai and Drillmaster. The leaders.

Heathas face was swollen, streaked with sweat and blood. His head lolled to the side, eyes closed, panting. His leg was still in a cast from his fall in the bog.

The Drillmaster wiped blood from his fist on the Tenderas robe. aDo we take him to the dama?a The Kai shook his head. aHe knows nothing. Kill him, and we will stake his body in the yard as a lesson to the chin.a The Drillmaster nodded, producing a curved knife, but Briar was already moving. Before the man could take two steps towards the Tender, Briar drove his stolen spear into his back.

The other warrior whirled with a shout, but Briar reached into his robe, clutching a fistful of hogroot powder and hurling it into the manas face. The powder would not affect a human the way it did corelings, but Briar knew from experience how the tiny particles could irritate the eyes.

As the Sharum clawed at his face, Briar ducked behind his s.h.i.+eld, rus.h.i.+ng forwards and knocking him into the wall. He groaned and pushed back, so Briar took a quick step back, then drove forwards again. He broke the press again, c.o.c.king back and hitting the Kai in the throat with the edge of his s.h.i.+eld. The warrior dropped to his knees, gasping, and Briar took the heavy s.h.i.+eld in both hands, bringing it down on the back of his head.

The Kai dropped to the floor and Briar s.n.a.t.c.hed up the knife, cutting the Tender free.

aWho?a Heath asked. One of his eyes was swollen shut, and he had to turn his head for a good look. aBriar?a Briar nodded. aNeed to get to the bog. Others hiding there. Krasians wonat follow.a Tender Heath allowed himself to be hauled to his feet. Briar gave him one of the warrioras spears to use as a crutch as they made for the Holy Houseas back entrance.

aWhat of the demons?a the Tender asked. aHow will we survive when night falls?a Briar smiled. aCories are easy to hide from.a aLook! The Tender!a a woman cried.

Ragen looked up, seeing Tender Heath stumbling into camp. His face was bruised and puffy and he leaned heavily on Briar. The boy was clad in Krasian black, but he had discarded the turban and his young, filthy face was unmistakable.

To Ragen.

aAnd one of them coresp.a.w.ned desert rats!a Masen Bales cried. He and his remaining brother raised their heavy peat spades, freshly inscribed by Elissa with Arlenas fighting wards.

aHeas not one of them!a Heath cried, holding out an arm and stepping in front of Briar as several Boggers, led by Masen, moved in. aThis is Briar Damaj! He rescued me from the Holy House!a aMove aside, Tender,a Masen said. aEveryone knows those mudskins were spies for the invasion.a aThey know it because youave been telling it to everyone who stands still more than a minute,a Heath said. aWithout a lick of evidence, I might add.a Ragen shoved through the press to stand with them. aBriar had nothing to do with the invasion, Masen. He was with us when it happened. He only left when he heard Heath was taken.a aThen whyas he dressed like them?a someone in the crowd demanded, the question echoed by others.

Briar was taut, ready to fight or flee. Ragen expected Masen would quickly regret it if he charged, but there were too many Boggers for them to fight, even as Derek, Elissa, and his remaining men joined them.

aStole clothes,a Briar rasped. aTo sneak.a Masen turned and raised his voice to address the crowd. aDonat be fooled by the Mudboyas lies! He and his paved the way for this. This is the Creatoras punishment for accepting that heathen Relan!a aWhat nonsense!a Heath cried.

aNonsense, is it?a Masen demanded. aWhole town went to the Core when that desert rat showed up. And now we got their kind running wild through town doing Creator knows what!a There were nods and shouts of agreement from the crowd. Ragen tightened his grip on his spear as Masen pointed the sharp edge of his peat spade at Briar.

aNow you folks get out of the way,a he said, aand let us skin the mud off that little traitor.a The men in the crowd tensed, readying to close in.

aWhat in the Creatoras name is the matter with all of you.a a high voice shouted, cutting through the din. All eyes turned to Tami Bales, striding between her father and Briar.

Masen balled a fist. aGirl, you get aa Tami ignored him, addressing the Boggers instead. aYou should be ashamed of yourselves! The Damajes never did a coresp.a.w.ned thing but right by this town, and all we gave them was spit. Now youall turn on the Messenger whoas to guide us to safety, just for a taste of desert blood?a Masenas scowl only deepened, but the other townsfolk were s.h.i.+fting and looking at their feet now, unsure. He reached out to grip her by the hair, but she stepped back smoothly, delivering a resounding slap to his face.

aNight, Da,a Tami said. aWhat would Mum say if she saw you acting like this?a Masen stood dumbfounded, and as his pa.s.sion died, the other men took the cue and backed away. Soon it was just the Bales brothers standing alone before Briar, Ragen and his men, and their enthusiasm evaporated with their support.

aEnt going anywhere with that Messenger,a Masen said at last. aBogtonas my home. Ent leaving it to the desert rats.a None of the Boggers looked ready to lift their weapons again, but there were murmurs of agreement from many.

aYou donat need to, Masen,a Heath said loudly, though his voice was dry and hoa.r.s.e. aShepherd Alin of Laktonas been putting a plan in place since Rizon was taken. Thereas a monastery by the lakesh.o.r.e with strong walls and a rocky bluff on three sides. The Tenders whoave survived the raids will be leading their flocks there. Briar and I are going there, to join the resistance.a He looked out at the Boggers. aFamilies will reunite there, and book pa.s.sage to Lakton, where the desert dwellers cannot reach. But it is a hard road through the wetland. It may be safer and easier to go with the Messenger. Itas a decision each of you must make on your own.a The Boggers made it quickly, their decision unanimous. They would make for the monastery.

Tami went with her father and uncles as they turned and rejoined the others, but glanced back at Briar as she did. The smile she flashed seemed to strike the boy as hard as the slap she gave her father.

Heall never come to Miln with us now, Ragen thought, but he found he was smiling, too.

He looked at Elissa, who nodded her a.s.sent, and turned to Heath. aI know the monastery. Been more than twenty years, but I can find it again. Weall see you there, and then take Messenger Ways north to avoid the Krasians.a Ragen looked at Briar. aThe Laktonians will need Messengers in the coming years, Briar. One who can move through the bogs at night, pa.s.s for Krasian, and understand the tongue could mean the difference to the resistance.a aFather a Messaged with you?a The words still fought with his tongue, but they were getting clearer.

aHe did,a Ragen said. aLearned the craft quickly, and could have been great, if he hadnat fallen in love with your mother.a He laid a hand on Briaras shoulder. aBut you, Briar asu Relan, will be even better.a WARD GRIMOIRE.