Beneath Catseye Sedition

Beneath CatsEye
Table of Content

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Sedition
by Patricia I. Williams

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Sedition

Mason was the last of the dispirited band to ride through the gates of Haven.  The men rushed their mounts to the barns behind the house. He knew their panicked report would insure many empty places at the table tonight. Though where the fools could go, he had not one idea.

His heart swelled with contempt of the huddled crowd of Fredric’s supporters. They still dressed warm yet were disgruntled over the lack of meat. Not one of the so called elite had lowered themselves to hunt for food. He was no one’s servant. How dare they look at him demanding he provide. The idiots were fit for nothing less than practice dummies on the training field. He spat at the feet of one of the most corpulent and dismounted before the door of his home while the man blustered in outrage. For once the sight of an underfed servant held his eye as the boy rushed with lowered head to care for the exhausted horse. The hay racks were still full even if there was no grain. Though Mason wondered how long before mold would be a problem in the coming winter.

“What is this? Where is Roddy? What the hell are you doing back? Where is that fool?”

Mason ignored the tirade. He grabbed his father by the arm and practically dragged him through the hall to the private office near the back of the house.

“What the hell is the matter with you Mason? Have you gone mad? Get your . . . ”

He was stuck speechless as his slighter body was pitched into the chair behind his desk. Mason loomed over him, filthy and red faced and screaming.

“Roddy is dead. His men are dead. There is no meat to be had in the forest. Tagudal rules there. A huge one, big enough to drive everything away. There is not one dearhart, one serpent or one of those coiled horrors hanging from the trees. There is no food old man. Do you hear me? There is no food to be had. The caches are full of spoiled food because no one is alive to empty them. We searched the forest for days. The damn Samaritans have disappeared. The forest is empty of anything living.

Do you hear old man? Do . . . you . . . hear . . . me?”

Fredric was pressed back into his seat by a screaming red faced stranger. For only a moment fear skittered about the older man’s gut. Then, Fredric took a deep breath. His expression passed from surprise and fear to resolve.

“So you come in here screaming like a woman and expect what? Do you think I will pat you on the back and say oh poor baby?”

Mason was again left footed. He stared in consternation at this old man. Determination shown in Fredric’s eyes. His chin lifted and the light of fanaticism lit his face like a beacon in the pitch.

The slap turned Mason’s head sharply, compromising his balance. Shocked, he could not remember the last time his father struck him. He collapsed against the wall and leaned there struggling for control against rage and fear.

“Pull yourself together boy! You are becoming like that scum that scurries around our door, always whining. Where are your balls man? Where is the son I raised? Where is the general of my army? Hard times are upon us and you turn coward on me, you of all people?”

“I am no coward father. Well you know. I have killed more than you ever thought to put to the sword. I speak not from fear but from truth. You cannot feed these so called nobles of pure blood and the scum that waters their pants everytime I say we must ride out. The forest are as clean as our courtyard. There is nothing father, nothing at all. Unless you expect us to feed this rabble pine nuts and branches.”

Mason stare was still a bit crazed. Somewhere inside, swimming with all his other frustrations, was the fact the old man hit him. Resentment, ever present, began to fill him up. So he was of no more worth than these fools who hovered and flattered. No more worth than his brother who died fighting and was never acknowledged for that. No more worth than Cleatus and Farrell who were said to be unnatural for reasons Mason had never seen. He had never seen, only believed. Before rage could make Mason blind once more, Fredric spoke.

“Clean yourself up and get going to Eustace. Dying or not he owes us. Pick up the supplies he agreed to send and get back here. We can still recoup and take our place as masters over all these unnatural creatures. You must have patience Mason. Patience is the mark of a mature individual. When things look their worst that is when our blood will prove true. We will persevere. We will triumph in the end. You will see and then you will have to admit that your father had not steered you wrong. I will leave behind my legacy and, you my son, will be master of this world!”

Fredric had approached as he lectured and at the end grabbed his son by both shoulders and shook him in fond exasperation.

“Yes father. Yes, you are right. For, forgive me for doubting. I am, I am just tired of beating these cowards that serve us into shape. It seems a hopeless task.”

Inexplicably Mason suddenly felt overcome with a real sense of utter failure. His entire life had been spent believing his father had the right of it. Now here he was after thirty five summers, standing in his father’s office feeling like an overwhelmed little boy.

Squaring his shoulders Mason shook off his father’s grasp.

“Thank you for reminding me all is not lost. I will not lose faith again father. I promise.”

He met his father’s eyes with a smile stretching his mouth.

Fredric laughed and clapped his son solidly on the back.

“There now boy. All you needed was a little reminder of what we are fighting for. You have the right of it. Never lose faith. You will see it all will pay off in the end. Now, now no more of this downcast attitude. Off you go. Eustace maybe a little reluctant to part with his share, but be sure to remind him of the consequences if you need to. Take what men you may need to haul the goods. Bring me word back if Cherish has gotten herself pregnant yet. I am telling you that girl is proving she is more like her mother every day. It is a woman’s place to bear the fighting men. Perhaps Eustace is less of a man than he seemed.”

The door closing behind Mason went unnoticed during Fredric’s vocal concerns about Cherish and her inability to provide grandchildren for the great cause. In a state he would never be able to describe, Mason made it to his bedroom on the second floor and stripped off his filthy clothes. Hot water was already waiting. The servant girl shied away from him like always and hurried from the room. She had laid out his clothes. He could not remember when he last had a woman. Mason scowled at the thought of taking some frightened female to his bed. Father said it was their right and slept where he willed, unwilling or not. Men protesting died. If they did not protest, they were cowards. His father was insane.

Mason sat in the water until it cooled. Josef entered the room, bowed and waited to empty the dirty water. Mason knew he was standing naked and staring overlong at the older man.

“Josef, I have a task for you. The most important task of your life. Sit here and pay close attention.”

Josef allowed himself to sit at the very edge of Mason’s bed. He kept a wary eye as the young man toweled himself off. Gradually Josef’s eyes grew wider and wider still. Eventually his mouth hung open. He believed he was dreaming as words continued to flow from the mouth of this man he had loathed his entire life. Josef and Mason shared a birth date, but you could not have guessed by sight. Josef was stoop shouldered and thin. Dark shadows and gaunt features made him appear well into his winter rotations. He was trembling when ordered to get up from the bed.

“This is not for me understand. If there is anyone here you care about do what I say. There is little time. If, if my mother is still alive, plead with her to flee this place with you. But do not delay. Anyone who will not go may well be food for the tagudal. I must go and see if my sister still lives and take her to the FreeSouls. They will at least take care of you all since you have no training with weapons and you have children. Go quickly Josef otherwise some of the scum will steal the horses and run off. You will be helpless if that happens.”

He handed over the little pouch of pydru into the trembling hands of his manservant.

“I know you do not wish to do this thing. But I am one man and I cannot kill all of them. Just one pinch with the sleeping draught in their dinner stew and they will be too ill this dawn to run off. An extra pinch and they will not awaken at all. It is your choice. But be gone before dawn whatever you decide. If you leave any horses they will come after you to steal what food you have. I will see my father distracted.”

He turned his back to the man to dress and gave him no further mind. Josef had the chance to save his family and the other servants. If they were smart the word would spread to those who wanted out. Mason did not believe any of them would report this to Fredric or any of the other ‘lords’. It was every man for himself and the demons take the rest. He ate the coarse bread and dish of cold stew he had ignored when he came in.

He paid little attention to damp skin as he dressed in long johns and his personal vest, beneath his heaviest sweater. He exchanged the indoor slacks for the heavier muskie lined leathers and stomped into his boots. He packed a saddlebag with tightly rolled change of clothes and extra blew. Then he cleared his weapons cabinet, secreting small knives on his person and strapping his short sword to his waist. He carried his hunting bow and supply of arrows over his shoulders before he left the room.

Mason’s arrival in the kitchens caused a stir, but he did not hesitate going through the cupboards and shoving two loaves of hard bread in his saddlebag. He snared a canteen off the wall by the rear door and filled it from the pump. He never acknowledged anyone as he went about his tasks. He walked out without a word to advise his father he was leaving for Eustace estate as ordered. A grim twitch of his lips was the only indication he saw the sacks of vittles piled up near the rear door. The hot stew that would be carried over to the men’s barracks was covered and waiting on the table. It took two men to haul that cauldron there and back three times a day. Soldiers should not have to fetch and carry their own food since they were risking death for a noble cause. Just more nonsense his father spouted and he, a blind fool, had believed every word.

Mason had nothing but a dim memory of a gentle woman he had not seen in rotations. He had nothing but Cherish’s looks of fear and disdain. He had nothing but the bruised and battered faces of his younger brothers as the rotations dragged by and they were never strong enough, never smart enough always wanting. And, he remembered the day he had beat and kicked an underfed tiny little boy who shared his blood. The cries of that blond boy had not been given a thought in all these long rotations. Now Mason remembered every single plea. Please please please no no no . . .

Fredric acknowledged the knock on his office door with a grunt. He looked up to see his fresh washed son, outfitted for his journey, in the doorway.

“The rain has stopped. If you keep to the open plains you should be there before morning and back here before nightfall.”

Mason made no comment about riding out in the pitch or the futility of getting anything from Eustace. He just stalked across the room and poured some of the ale they distilled here into two tankards. He would never drink this buckwheat piss again. He turned to his father and saluted him before handing him one of the tankards.

“A toast father to my renewed resolve. As I was bathing it came to me that you are right. Why should I take the word of any man who spins such tales and dares not lift a weapon in his own defense. I feel like a fool.”

“Be at ease son. Doubts are the burden of a man, but we must hold true to our ideals. If we do not, lesser beings would attempt to overcome us. See how the demons wage war against us with unnatural creatures in their armies? True men should be allowed to live free and acknowledge their betters without the curse of this natural world tainting our existence. We will win through Mason. We will win through.”

He dipped the cup back and swallowed.  One day Fredric reassured himself, one day.

Mason gave a curt nod in return and emptied his cup. It would warm him for a minute if nothing else.

“Father if Eustace has died. Do you wish Cherish returned home?”

“Ah yes, well if he has died she will need a new husband. I have been giving it some thought.

We will send a few of the men next time so she can pick. Only send the most loyal Mason. Cherish has a soft heart, but she needs a man who will take charge of the estate and be loyal to me. Besides she needs babies to keep her busy until we can bring them into training. Do not speak of it for now.”

“As you will it father. I should go while the weather holds. See you tomorrow night.”

“Yes, yes. Go quickly.” Fredric went back to the maps and charts on his desk planning.  Always plans, plans and more plans.

When Mason entered the stables he went straight to the big brute at the rear. As dark as the pitch outside, Fredric had personally bred the stallion for the day he would march in triumph into the streets of Daear. Tonight he would take Mason away from here and neither of them would return.

If he died on the plains or fighting the demons Mason could accept that. To be eaten by a slimy monstrosity, no. If any of the FreeSouls are the bloody praised Cadre went after the creature then he would put his body and sword in their hands. If they allowed and had not killed him first.

“Boy, what do they call you?”

“I am Daniel, sire.”

“Stop with the sire. If you had food and your father was a insane killer, you would be me. When I die my blood will spill as red as your own. Take one of the heavier mounts and saddle it. Grab whatever blew or cloak you got. You are coming with me. Josef will be moving slower with his people. They may travel north anyway. I did not want to know what he would do other than leave. We ride south to Eustace estate to get my sister. If you want the FreeSouls may take you or the Rovers. I just know I can get you there if you want to live.”

Daniel said nothing, although his wide grey eyes spoke volumes. He hurried to the sorrel that he had pretty much raised and threw blew and saddle on quickly. He ran and climbed the ladder to the loft and dug his sweater and cloak out of the hay. The sweater had been tossed in a bin after llyncas had got to it. He picked off the slimy little larvae and watched them die in a pool of horse piss behind the barn. He had to wash the sweater three times before he could wear it. He slipped the knife he pilfered into his boots. No one wanted the thing as the tip was snapped off. Did not matter to him it was still sharp. The last thing was the heel of stale bread he had been hoarding.

Mason kept an ear out for anyone coming his way and disrupting his plans. He was aware of the arguments going quiet in the barracks after hot food arrived. Soon those men would be dead, or stinking the place up and wishing they were.

When he climbed into the saddle, Brute reared up and pawed the air. The boy had already wrapped his legs to protect him from coils because Fredric demanded it a constant.  But at this point they might not even run in to any. Mason did not look back as he walked the horse from the barn. Daniel followed, the sorrel tossing his head about, enjoying being out even if it was dark and cold. The boy asked no questions, but moved quickly when ordered. He never got that kind of compliance from the scum army without fear of his fist and the edge of his blades.

Once they left the estate walls, Mason intended to attach a lead to the other horse if the weather went wrong. He had traveled so often to Eustace’s estate he could find his way easily even in the pitch. He turned away from the rough road to the forest trails and headed further east before turning and going at a fast mile eating canter across the empty plain. Daniel settled into the saddle and fought to keep the big smile on his face from giving way to explosive laughter.

Josef slipped inside the Fredric’s office. Their master lay sprawled across his maps and charts. Josef did not think Mason could kill him. A gargled snore confirmed it. Something stopped every man from killing a parent, unless they were a true monster he supposed. The great leader of men was drooling on his plans. Josef backed out of the room. The house servants had all packed what foodstuffs that would not spoil and rushed to gather their families. Josef really needed to blow his nose, but there was no time. He rushed from the house to the barn. He would not look where most of those men would wake up deadly ill in the morning. He would not look at the barracks, where some would be dead in their beds because their bodies were weaker and pydru was unpredictable at best. He did not want to think what Mason had originally planned for that small bag.

The barn doors swung open and Josef’s sons rolled the hay wagon out into the courtyard. It was pulled by the draft animals. The cattle’s great horns would be formidable weapons if they were attacked on the way, but they would be much slower going. Too many of their people were weak and could not make the journey on foot or horse. The irony did not escape Josef that the animals were healthier than any one servant on the estate.

He was relieved to see the wheels were wrapped in rags and the axles greased before being pushed outside. Josef would follow Mason south toward the Eustace estate. He himself had been there before to get supplies the past season. If the tagudal was headed north and very close to this place, they needed to be as far away south as possible. He knew where the pass was into FreeSoul territory and he would dare take it. His sons drove the cattle forward and as they rolled along the courtyard, people slipped from the shadows. Some were lifted into the wagon. Others rushed into the barn and came out riding and trailing horses behind them with hastily wrapped hooves and fetlocks. Luck was with them. Most of the men had not appeared for guard duty. It was easy to dispatch the nervous duo that did show up. At the courtyard gate the wagon stopped and more people rushed out and climbed in. In all he thought he had almost thirty people, counting a surprising number of teens and children. They were orphaned and worked for a roof and what scraps got tossed their way.

Josef recalled the days when everyone believed their destiny would be living in Daear, replacing the demons and ruling the planet. After much consideration he thought perhaps Nadredd rules everyone. Nothing that ever touched this cursed rock was ever the same. The people, the animals, the damn snakes. But as corrupt as the others were, they were not starving. They were not fleeing their only home in the night because monsters were coming to eat them. He had seen the demons on the battlefield, heard that awful joy filled laughter as blood rained around them. Never had he known fear such as that and he ran with the rest.

But now there was a tagudal, a giant one who ate men and horse all at once so the FreeSoul said. Mason had acknowledged those people had never been caught in a lie, even if some of them were foolish enough to think Fredric would honor any deals made to end the demons. Mason had said the man’s voice was full of fear. Terror made a honest man of everyone. You knew at that moment if you were man or coward. In this Josef would gladly accept coward. He would flee and pray to whatever ruled this cursed land that the tagudal passed his poor deluded souls by.

Mason stopped on the rise and gaped at the dark edifice that should have been lit. Where were the guards on the walls? Where were the lights? He dismounted and hung the short sword and scabbard on to his saddle. He passed off the reins to the silent Daniel. When Mason pointed at his feet Daniel nodded quickly. Once again the man wondered why this untrained boy was able to obey orders like he had been a soldier all his life. It still amazed him. No use putting it off. He needed to slip down to the estate and discover where his sister was. If the tagudal had been here, there would be plenty of sign. He grit his teeth to quell rising nausea and move swiftly down to the gate.

There was no sounds except his own breathing and the stirring of the chill breeze. CatsEye illuminated the landscape for a moment. The wide gates of the estate stood open. They were not broken apart. It looked as if the entire household had departed. Mason slipped along the wall. He did not hear the snuffling of any animals. Eustace still had horses and a few cattle but they were not in evidence. Certainly the scent was too faint. Perhaps Cherish had abandoned the estate and fled to the FreeSouls on her own?

Mason eased into the dark house. He took a moment to orientate himself and proceed up the stairs to the second floor. He had never been up here before. Cautiously he felt along the wall and decided a lit candle or lamp would be of use.  Maybe he could discover what happened. He did not want to think that there was men still out here that could have invaded the estate. If they had, they would have held the place for winter quarters not abandoned it. Mason realized he was panicked. The only decent thought that had ever crossed his mind may be to no purpose. Cherish could still be dead.

He fished his strike box out of his pants and got a spark on his first try. He disregarded the effort it took to steady the flame to catch the wick of the brace of candles.  One by one the candles guttered and then the flame caught. Mason paid no mind to pictures on the wall or the worn rug he trod upon. The first door he opened had the look of his father’s office. He took a look at the desk to see scribbled notes and much splattered ink. It looked like someone’s crude effort to parcel out food stores.

He continued to look into doors he passed to find dusty unused bedrooms for guest or children that never arrived. It was when he opened the double doors at the end, the scent burst onto his senses. A body lay on the wide bed, clothed for sleep in gown and robe. It was Eustace with arms crossed over his chest, his face mottled in the first stages of decay. Mason did not linger. He made is way downstairs until he found the kitchen. It had been cleared of everything. Even the flour barrels were empty. Perhaps they had time to use it to take extra bread on their journey. Josef would have had no time for such as that.

Mason moved off the estate and returned to find Daniel astride, prepared to flee if necessary. He thought he might come to like this boy. They returned to shelter in one of the outbuildings for the remainder of the night. After he spent some time imagining all kinds of horrors, Mason drifted into his first sleep in days. Nightmares plagued him. Coils take him if he developed a conscience at this late stage in his life.

Cherish looked around her at the scorched earth and black ruined trees. Even the dirt seemed to be scorched for life, a deep black ash that was too heavy to stir much in the wind. She felt some regret, but there were no snakes and no mathru. Any pods would have burned. That could mean they would not breed again in the new growth forest for a few seasons. Fires were rare in the forests on Nadredd. Even lightening was the least of their worries compared to the windstorms. She prayed the forest would return, rather ashamed her desperation led to this devastation. Her people were damp and cold, but buried under all the blew and sharing body heat made that a minor distraction. The odor of burned snakes still lingered though, caustic and eye watering at times.

The night Eustace gave his men at arms instruction to flee with the women and children, Cherish and been terrified. He had only just spoken to Joseph and the others before falling into this deep and final sleep. She had wept as she ushered the men from the room. The sleeping draught had been strong. He would not wake at dawning.

Eustace had been kind to her all these rotations, his pretense of intense jealousy had shielded her from her father’s badgering and condemnations. She would miss him, she realized. He had never been affectionate, but always displayed a distant courtesy. He had loved his first wife, rare though that was in her experience. He accepted her because to reject her as wife probably would have gotten him killed and his all his people conscripted. As it was, he and his men had fought in that last battle. A large number remained to rot on open ground for predators to feed on. No one dared return to bury the dead when they feared Fredric would just come in and take over. Not that they had numbers to defend it.

She feared the men would flee or worse, report to her father. She could not expect clemency from Fredric. Even her brothers had become people to fear. Mason was a cold distant figure. He never seem to realize she was there at all. The others were nasty drinking horrors, that brutalized everyone they supposedly ruled over. Though Cleatus was treated horribly by them, he rejected her efforts to comfort him. He became an evil tempered child. Father had him disciplined more than once for abusing the horses. She suspected he would spend time with Farrell when he could sneak about. That could not have been good at all.

She nearly fainted with relief when Joseph came to her and spoke with such deference. They would take everything and do as Master ordered. If nothing else they could scratch out some type of life in the caves if the FreeSouls would allow them that until summer claimed the plains again. He was loath to lower himself to asking for such mercy, but understood the children had to survive. Perhaps one day a real leader would rise up and take back their world from the demons. Contrary to everything her father preached this man was showing her respect and treating her with care.

The men at arms had surprised her further by organizing the animals and making any repairs to the wagons so everyone would not have to walk. To not have to sneak around in fear left her almost giddy. The men scoured the estate for every scrap of material that would be of some use. Cherish had them empty all her cloth and blew stores for possible barter. Eustace previous wife had very expensive materials preserved for dresses she never got to have made. They should be able to trade for food if they took them.

The women used every kitchen on the estate to bake bread for the journey. Though there would not have been enough for winter, it should get them through the pass. All the dried meats she had stored for a lean winter ration was packed for the journey. No one knew what they would find on the other side, but to die slowly here was not an option. If nothing else the FreeSoul’s might allow them to shelter the children in the pass until they could return home.

The men wanted to move quickly having no desire to fight against the demons weakened from hunger. They cleared a trail through the forest, during the days everyone else packed, cooked and gathered fodder for the animals. Cherish looked back once, to thank the husband she left asleep in his bed these past three dawnings.

***

Strike and Shadow sat astride their Pegasors. The rain was gone for the moment and the twins enjoyed the weary light of the sun breaking through the clouds. Their coils danced together twining and parting, stroking and teasing in the air around them. Sometimes a few would lift higher, seeking the scent of any enemy approaching. Their eyes glowed sparkling topaz in the dawn light. Their mutual joy was not just an internal experience.

Below them, on a wide ledge tucking into thick travelers stew and biscuits, sat QuickStep and Shatter. They giggled and snorted as they shared poor jokes. QuickStep rested against the side of her Pegasor as it slumbered. Shatter had been sent out when there had been increased hostilities against the FreeSouls. BareBlade did not want any of his Cadre short changed of support if things escalated. QuickStep would protect her Chosen and someone needed to watch her back, especially if there was serious contact. Raze, as was her inclination, prowled the smaller passes and hovered over the cliffs in the dark.

As a squire, Shatter had excelled in hand to hand combat training. He won his Pegasor by punching it in the nose when it snarled at him. It lost a tooth in that round. Shatter was so ashamed, he spent all the rotations since, pampering the creature like a baby to make up for it. Even now that big head lay across Shatter’s lap. In between bites and sips of water, the man’s big gnarled hands scratched and plucked, removing shed feathers before they knotted in the fur. The Pegasor rumbled in pleasure.

The trio had arrived in time to question some errant spy Raze had detained. The man knew little of Fredric’s plans, but was hoping to hear about any Samaritans going out to deliver food. After the twins lent their expertise to the interrogation, which involved little more than walking in the room, word was sent back about the true situation on Fredric’s estate. The man knew of gossip indicating Fredric’s daughter, had an estate further south also full of hungry people and only a few healthy men at arms. Perhaps they would be going home soon after all. Starving men had no fight in them after a certain point.

Then messenger hawks flew in from the FreeSoul outpost guarding the entry to the pass. A giant tagudal was reported northeast of the pass. The first report was speculated on and disregarded by the FreeSouls. Surely the descriptions were exaggerated. The twins were more believing because in their world nothing was impossible. Did they not exist when natural order would have suggested humans were all dead long ago? Were their own parents not human?

Then just eight dawns later a second hawk arrived advising it was confirmed by a party of Samaritans who actually had a visual sighting. They believed it had taken at least five dawns to move away from it’s location and circle back to the pass. Animals had fled the forest before them which proved the creature was on the move. The first victim was still unable to be returned up the pass to Stara, but the second group of Samaritans had come and gone still shaken by their close call.

The team leader and his men stopped to rest and relate their misadventure over tea and breakfast with their fellows before they moved on. More Cadre members in attendance surprised them. Admittedly they were extremely unnerved by the twins. They had never seen an obvious demon before and were repelled, but could not keep their eyes averted at the unusual sight. The man and the young woman who attended them appeared very comfortable. The twins had sat, eagerness practically visible, their hair drifting around the woman. She did not have the face of a killer.

A report came in the following dawns, hesitant and cautiously worded permission was granted by the Senate for Cadre to cross the pass and bolster the guardians outposts near the border. The FreeSoul border guards were ill equipped to handle something so large and dangerous. Daear was put on alert and messenger birds went out to Rovers and Searchers of its existence. Although not immediately threatened, the possibility of tagudal growing so large would be a concern to all.

Raze had made the run west to drop off more Cadre blasters for the FreeSoul guardians to have access to. Reaper and Scout were comfortable enough as this outpost had the largest number of men since the forest and its denizens began at the bottom of the pass.

Queen BrightLance had offered Daear’s weapon of choice against such creatures if it intruded on FreeSoul territory. Now everyone was awaiting the Senate’s decision. It could mean more Cadre on their land to weld the weapon unless the creature turned its attention to Haven lands. The twins really wanted to go hunt this giant creature. They had killed small ones, no less dangerous as they hunted by heat and sound vibration. This would not be a pleasure hunt regrettably, as this monster was large enough to consume horses and men with ease. The Cadre would need the gun if that was true.

Even so their enthusiasm was infectious and their joy being out of doors, so QuickStep continued giggling and Shatter remained bemused and meditative.

Far above the cry of a messenger bird caused the Pegasors ears to perk up. The twins had already been watching it approach, noting it must have come from the outpost near the end of the pass. Curiosity had them twitching with impatience. The bird flew into the portal above their heads to deliver its message to the FreeSouls who monitored this station. QuickStep and Shatter cleaned up their mess in anticipation of action and stood next to their Pegasors ready to ride out. An irritated growl herald the approach of Raze and her Pegasor. The mare had a serpent in her mouth and was surely annoyed at having her snack interrupted.

Gravel rolled from beneath someone’s feet as they climb down the steps from the camouflaged cave. Hai approached the odd twins cautiously. He stopped a few feet away avoiding their eyes.

The twins shared a glance and grinned. They would not frighten the little man. BareBlade would make them pay for too much for misbehavior with the FreeSouls. Avoiding being beaten bloody in a sparring match just made sense. Were they not beautiful and bruises would look horrid? They exchanged a glance and grinned wider. BareBlade would make them work very hard for it too.

“Sirs, a dispatch from the forward outpost. The daughter of the mad Fredric has arrived and ask permission to shelter in the pass, or be permitted to ask for succor from us or the Rovers. We must send a new message to the Senate to advise this. Perhaps an escort to be sure they do not stray if all is not honest?”

“Would your Senate not take offense if the Cadre escorted these people onto your lands?

This woman would be of interest to our Queen. As you are not at war with Fredric we may not say what you should do with these people. But we would be wary in your place. Taking them inside Stara or any of your villages could be very dangerous. Giving us custody may spare your people trouble. See what your Senate says to this. We will escort them here as you request. It is only a matter of a few miles to take them to our outpost if your Senate decides.”

Hai bowed again.

“I, I am asking this of you, for escort I mean. There are now mines in the pass and the report says there are children. I would not see them harmed, but I fear the tagudal may come and my friends left two fighters short, if your Cadre brothers journey with the refugees.”

Before Strike could comment, QuickStep piped up from the ledge.

“Children? Strike we must go. It is not safe for children. Besides the FreeSouls would have to go on foot and that would take hours. We could have them all back in time for evening meal. They are probably very poorly if the reports are true. Hungry and probably ill too.”

Strike gave QuickStep at long look, which she returned with just a touch of irritation in her face. He rolled his eyes and turned back to Hai.

“We go to escort refugees. Warn the outpost. We will not be shot by nervous

guardians. We will do no harm to anyone unless they are less than honest about their intent.”

“That is well enough and I thank you, for the children.” Hai bowed once more and rushed off to send his messages.

Strike dismounted and secured his saddle. He rubbed the ears of his Pegasor. It was better to do than remain still. We are bored and whenever we are bored, well. He sighed and his brother’s laughter echoed within his head. Strike graced him with a scowl which amused Shadow further.

Shadow’s Pegasor padded down the trail, Shatter and QuickStep’s already ahead of him, just as relieved to have something to do. Behind him Strike queried Raze as to her intentions and got a snort in reply. Shadow’s eyes lit with mirth. Raze would probably trail along at a distance hoping for some misadventure to occur. However he was sure there would be no killing for the little mad one today.

She needs wait until they entered Haven to end Fredric.

The twelve lost to the battlefield called for vengeance. Overwhelmed by sheer numbers they had killed all their foes and honored the Cadre. The empty spaces inside ached from the loss. MeekBlade was trainer before King. First to allow union, to welcome them. Like mind, Cadre. Acceptance. Home. Full.

***

At first Casper believed he was seeing things. He even rubbed his eyes after adjusting the magnifier to maximum. People were coming out of the forest in wagons and headed for the pass. He waited, and counted two wagons cramped with dusty ill looking women and children. A third wagon appeared full of household goods. Six men, armed with swords and bows rode horses, driving about ten head of shorthorns before them. Two calfs paced beside one of the big horned oxen pulling the wagons. Jumping to his feet Casper rushed out to tell everyone about the party. The Cadre were immediately suspicious of so many mounted men, but held themselves in check. This was the FreeSoul’s business and they needed to stay out of it. Scout and Reaper withdrew into the rocks across the pass indicating their neutrality. This end of the canyon was all FreeSoul territory.

***

Cherish lay on the rocky ground beneath a wagon wrapped in blew. The FreeSoul outpost was not equipped with extra rations to feed all her people. However, the men did offer strong cups of hot tea and meat pies for the children. Permission was granted to rest while they secured permission for the refugees to proceed along the pass. The FreeSoul called Casper had inquired of their business.  Regardless of the submissive stance that had been trained into her, Cherish knew she must speak up for her people. She explained who she was and what they had left behind. She was willing to barter for a cave in the pass for the winter or a place among the FreeSoul themselves, until it was safe to return to her estate.

Caspar and the other guardians had withdrew to discuss it. This was news that must be shared right away. It was further proof that Fredric’s plans were all awry. It was possible to end the debate of whether arms should be taken up against him. Emrah remained too weak from his wounds to be moved back to Stara. It would just take time Healer Kameko had insisted. So they kept him warm and waited.

Now the daughter of this mad man was asking for sanctuary. Caspar knew the Cadre would be most upset at this turn of events. But he went off to send the messenger bird to the next post. Hai was nearly an elder. He would know what to do.

Cherish was startled by Joseph’s shout. She scrambled out to see what was wrong and froze in surprise.  Her men at arms were visibly shocked and frightened.

She stared, fascinated, as two black armored individuals sat astride giant feathered creatures, the like of which she had never imagined. Their mounts were very white, a brilliant color that stood out against the grey brown mountain. She wondered why they were so when everything else on Nadredd could hide itself. Even most horses and cattle were brown or black. The wind stirred what appeared to be feathers of the creatures mane and tail. Cherish thought they were meant to be horses, but something went wrong. She had never seen faces like these. The wide golden eyes looked like messenger birds. Large round furry ears were disarming. Then one of them yawned. Long fangs and very sharp teeth startled everyone. She quailed to think what it must eat as big as it was. There were shades of grey stripped in its coat. Every time the creatures growled or hissed her men would twitch in agitation. But kept their hands up, far from the swords they wore. These were Pegasors, the creatures that defied logic. Seasons ago men were branded liar or demented when attempting to describe them.

The man and woman intrigued her. Their eyes were hard, their faces partially obscured by the odd helms they wore. Hands remained resting on their weapons. The blasters looked new. Caspar rushed down from the building above them waving his hands in a calming gesture toward her group. He did not attempt to get closer to the pair. He explained what was happening.

The riders stirred when they heard Fredric was her father and the creatures grumbled. She had begged at minimum succor for the children through the winter.

So now they waited for the messenger bird to return with an answer. Caspar questioned her further, about the tagudal. She advised that she had not seen anything, but that the snake population had increased near her estate so much they had to burn them out. That with the information that the forest to the north was bare of any game at all set an ominous tone. The guardians admitted among themselves to be glad the Cadre was there with the more formidable blasters.

Eventually things settled down and the Cadre woman climbed up to the cave. Cherish went back to her blankets. So much could still go wrong.

She fell asleep.

Was awake in the first moment Joseph shook her shoulder. The messenger bird had returned with instructions for them to wait for a Cadre escort to take them to the next outpost. Joseph was very upset. They were being put in the hands of demons. The FreeSoul’s did not know if their government would allow the refugees to stay. He was very frightened they would be imprisoned or worse. Cherish assured him that she would stand up for everyone’s desire to remain together. Maybe they could be confined to the pass for the winter if the FreeSouls would not allow the group to live with them.

Joseph turned away, practically wringing his hands in agitation. He was startled out of his revery by the Cadre female.  

“I am Reaper. Your escort will be Cadre, however your party will be handed over to the FreeSouls. We have no interest in having adults in our territory who hate and fear us as much as you do. Mind your manners and all will be well.”

Joseph found himself only able to nod. The woman was of a height and the armor was dark as the pitch. Such a horrible name. It still amazed him that the Cadre allowed women proud of welding a sword and killing. Demons indeed to breed such females.

Reaper looked over his shoulder at the blonde woman who said she was Fredric’s daughter. From the look of her, life with father had been as hellish as it was for the retainers that huddled in the wagons. She had passed along some of her own rations to the FreeSouls, figuring this lot would not accept food directly from her. Scout and tossed in some of his precious quinoa biscuits for the children.

They were made with a thick sharp cheese from one of Baron Meinrad’s farms. Scout hoarded the things like precious metals whenever they appeared in the mess.

Reaper stepped around the man. He tensed up but the blonde waved him back.

Close up it was hard to remember this was a woman. Cherish wondered if the armor was padded. She could not remember ever seeing a woman built like this.

“It is possible my Queen would wish to speak to you. I do not know for certain. But if you accept a place with the FreeSouls, we will not force the issue.”

“I cannot tell you much of his plans. I have been away from home since my sixteenth summer. My husband thought me safer never to visit again. I know his servants are worse off than my own people. I know his criminals have taken everything. Many fled to the wastelands. They preferred death there than to remain and watch their women violated and sons and husbands killed in this senseless war.”

Cherish was held under that sharp gaze for a long moment before the woman gave her a curt nod and walked away.

Scout rode out for a while, concerned of what kind of reception the twins would get. He did not want these people to panic. They were on the ragged edge. Reaper considered the refugees needed to remain cowed. She had no desire to be putting panicked men to the sword in front of their children. The idea was disgusting. So she paced. Frightened adults and fascinated children watched.

Mason pushed them hard the morning after finding the estate empty. It was easy to see their passage. He was sure they were headed for the pass and hoped to catch them. They were closing in when Mason consider his reception. He had pretty much never gave Cherish a thought other than the day she was handed off to Eustace. One less mouth to feed. There was rabble to be trained and supplies to be collected. He would send men or he would come with them, get what he needed and leave. Sometimes he would see her. She looked fed and clean. Nothing else was of interest.

The men at arms of Eustace had placed his body in a wagon and took him home. In retrospect Mason could acknowledge their loyalty to their master, even admire it. He suspected no one stopped to see if Luthor was alive.

His useless attempts to rally the men still drove him nearly mad with rage, yet at the same time, he had been as frightened as they. Two demons stood back to back and laughed as they cut his men down. That infernal hair of theirs actually snatched men off their feet and held them for the slaughter. Manson would not admit to cowardice. But those images remained through the pitch, smothering him, unable to wake.

Now he was attempting, what? A reconciliation? No. No he truly could not see that happening even if she was the only family left alive. There was no reason for Cherish to even acknowledge him. Well standing here staring at the mountainside was accomplishing nothing. Mason looked over his shoulder at Daniel, quiet yet attentive, his eyes unwavering on Mason. Make the FreeSouls understand Daniel was not a soldier, just a boy half-starved and in need of food and rest like all the other servants on their way to this pass.

Mason checked his saddle and tightened the cinch. Brute was tossing his head, anxious to be moving. Sword in easy reach the man and the silent boy proceeded into the pass.

Joseph and Cherish stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the wagons loaded once again with their people. She felt unattached to what was happening. She never imagined, not even when she saw the strange Pegasors and a woman who was a soldier. Not even when she understood the FreeSouls feared Cadre as much as her people did. She never imagined.

Cherish never imagined they would be . . . beautiful. Reaper’s companion returned. Directly after him, another female and a really big man had ridden into view. Alert eyes scanned the cliff sides and the positions of their compatriots. The woman was especially vigilant, it seemed, because she rode within a few feet of everyone at the wagons to look them over. She took particular note of Joseph and the other men.

The FreeSouls had demanded their weapons before the new party arrived. Joseph wanted to argue, but Casper explained they wanted nothing to put the Cadre on edge. If her people were no threat their weapons would be unnecessary.

And then another shock, leaving everyone gaping. Twins, as if one looked into a glass at himself. Their eyes were large and gold as CatsEye on a clear night. Long red brown hair actually sparkled with fiery highlights. But it was their faces that arrested her. Their features seemed to blend into some level of perfection she could not describe. Strange, but beyond handsome. Cherish had never seen a man of Haven who could come near to this in appearance. But, some instinct raised the fine hairs on her body. Her heart was attempting to run away from her breast. Dangerous did not come close to describing them.

Ignoring everyone, the men went directly to Reaper. Cherish heard the startled consternation behind her when that beautiful hip length hair leapt into the air, curled around Reaper’s head and threaded beneath her helm. A few moments of tense silence and the two slipped away from her riding toward the refugees. One of them addressed Cherish.

“We are Strike and Shadow. We will escort you to the next outpost. The Senate of the FreeSouls should have advised what is to be done with you.  The pass is mined with explosive all along its length. That is why we are sent. FreeSouls fear injury to your young who are naturally without caution. We go now.”

The Gifted turned and headed away without looking back.

“I am QuickStep. You will follow me. Keep to the very center of the pass. Understand this. If I believe that anyone of you has intent to harm the Gifted. I will cut you down without hesitation.”

Just as QuickStep wheeled her mount away from Cherish a shout went up from the lookout.

In seconds Reaper’s Pegasor had leapt into the rocks and the unknown rider was shadowed in the lee of the cliff side with the other woman.

Every head turned in startled bewilderment, too disconcerted by the last few minutes. It was not long before Casper was once again on the ground with three of the other guardians at his back.

Cherish could not help her gasp of surprise to see her father’s prized stallion gallop into the passage, pawing the air as he came to a stop before the FreeSouls.

“Mason!”

How was this possible? Had someone betrayed them all? Cherish felt faint with fear.

He sat astride with all the arrogance she had come to associate with him. He was heavily armed. When her mind began to stagger back into motion, she wondered what the Cadre would do. Here was the man who lead the attack on Daear. Surely the Cadre would kill him.

“What are you, you doing?”

“I came looking for you sister mine.”

“No, no no. I will not stay in Haven and starve to death. I will not let these people be stripped of what little is left by father’s madness! You!”

Cherish felt the tears fall and flushed with anger. How he dare come to return her home like a sack of potatoes.

“I did not come to get you Cherish. I wanted to find out if you would be willing to leave for your own safety. Father intended to marry you off to one of those scum. He wanted your estate stripped of whatever food you had to feed them. Roddy is dead and all the men who rode with him. A tagudal, one of your people said.”

Mason looked to Casper has he spoke. His eyes had taken in the sheer terror on the faces of the refugees and the guardians were shifting restlessly, eyes sliding left and right. He alone with a boy at his back could not be the reason for this fear. The men at arms were actually sweating in the cool air.

“What else has happened? Why are you so . . . ”

“We are why man of Haven. We are why.”

Mason was struck speechless as the twins appeared around the bend. Demons! He could do nothing but stare at the lifted hair stirring around their heads like a cloud.

“We know you man of Haven. We know you.” Coils caught the scent and fear from the leader of the army that fought them. Strike and Shadow would not forget him. They were assured of his identity by scent and sound.

Mason went for his sword when QuickStep, with Shatter at her back, came into view much too close to his sister. Casper’s blaster knocked him from the saddle. Daniel yelled in protest, but went quiet when the Reaper’s sword nicked his chin.

“There will be no more violence here!” Casper’s voice rose over the tumult of frightened servants and the angry bugle of Brute dancing over the body of his former rider.

“Please let me take care of Brute. Please do not hurt him. I am his handler, please let me. I have no weapons I swear!”

“Calm the beast down, so we can confine your master. Any tricks will get you killed boy.”

Daniel leaped from the saddle and his demeanor changed instantly. With soft voice and gentle movements he approached the prancing stallion. It took more than a few moments before Brute stood trembling under his hand.

“Please, please listen. Mason saved me, he drugged his father and the men. He helped us get away. The others have the Master’s horses and all the food they could take. They are coming here. Please we only want peace. Mason saved us. We were starving. Master gave all the food to the soldiers and his friends. Mason saved us. I swear it is the truth, I swear it!”

“These things will not be discussed now. Remember this is FreeSoul land. No one has authority here but me as commander of this outpost.” Casper’s voice was firm, even if his face was sweaty and eyes wide. He held the blaster firmly.

“Now, the Queen of Daear has reasonable issues with this man. He will be shackled by my people and given to you, Gifted of Daear, to be turned over to your authorities. He will not be murdered or abused in anyway. If you will not agree to this I will have him sent to the Senate for consultation with your General and the Queen. You will escort these people as agreed. When or if other refugees arrive we will notify the outposts for escort by our people. I am sure you wish to return to your city quickly with this captive.”

Casper searched the faces of the Cadre, who seemed arrested by his forceful speech. The Cadre could guess or sense what he felt, standing up to the demons that he feared more than anything.

Reaper gave the FreeSoul a very rare smile. Scout could only stare in surprise. Casper had always been tentative around them. Now he stood braced for trouble, the blaster pointedly aimed into the dirt, but easily lifted into action if needed. Impressed, Scout grinned.

Casper resented the smile on Reaper’s face. It was the smile of an approving parent. He felt himself scowl, an expression rare for him.

QuickStep kept her eye on the twins. Shatter kept his eye on the sister and her people. For too long a moment the tableau held.

“It will be as you say FreeSoul. We will take the one called Mason to our Queen. We will take the people to the outpost. We will take the leader of murderers to our Queen.”

The twins turned away once more and moved from sight. Their eerie sing-song, double speech usually signified excitement or anger. Anger was without a doubt now. The remaining Cadre looked to Casper.

“Pello, Wali bind him quickly and very secure please. We cannot afford any attempts to escape and the Cadre kill him. He must face justice for his crimes. Take him.”

Casper gestured to Scout, but it was Shatter that stepped forward and checked the bindings, then stripped the body of weapons. He lifted Mason, walked back to his Pegasor and tossed Mason’s body over the rump of the beast. The big head turned to watch as her dominant secured the body with clamps hanging from the saddle rings. The Pegasor sniffed and growled baring her fangs. Shatter thumped his baby on the shoulder and she snapped at him in irritation. Shatter climbed in the saddle and disappeared around the bend after the twins.

“Come on you lot. Follow me like before. Make no attempt to approach the prisoner. You are responsible for your own lives. Move!” QuickStep’s admonishment got the frightened souls moving.

Reaper spoke to Daniel as he stood overwhelmed by events.

“You boy. Follow behind this lot, but do not fall behind. Stay to the middle of the pass so you do not get blown up by the explosives. Keep your stallion well away from the Pegasors. He will want to challenge as you can see. They like meat too much to ignore him if he draws blood, otherwise they will give him no mind. You have nothing to fear from us child. The one you call Mason is to answer, and his father if we ever get our hands on him. You will get your chance to speak to our Queen about what happened in Haven. She is about your age. She will listen. Now get going.”

Daniel heard every word. The demon Queen would speak to him? The thought nearly gave him heart failure and he reeled with sudden dizziness. Reaper’s armored arm caught before he sagged to the ground.

“Breath child. There now, just breath. You are very underfed.”

Reaper talked Daniel back to consciousness. A FreeSoul was bending over him as well, holding a cup of hot liquid to his mouth. Daniel took a tentative sip. Spicy, some kind of flavored tea. He eventually had his own hands around the cup and experienced acute upset when it was empty. When he looked up everyone else was gone.

“Once you are set to rights I will take you to catch up with your people. Take this moment to adjust to all that has occurred. It would make anyone faint.” He heard the Cadre woman say.

Then there was a wondrous scent and a little bit of warm pastry was slipped in his mouth. What bliss, he could not remember. There was a light crust that crunched between his teeth, warm gravy and meat. He did not care what it was. For a while he just rested there, chewing when it was placed in his mouth. The world righted itself when he was able to sit unsupported and bite into the meat pie. Reaper kept him from bolting it down, then there was another cup of spicy tea.

He was feeling much more himself when he finally mounted up. Reaper lead him down the pass until they saw the back of the slow moving wagons. She allowed him to touch her Pegasor as they walked along. The creature was a marvel. The thick layer of tiny feathers mixed with soft fur, but the mane feathers were needle sharp amid the fluff. Daniel gave this woman a long stare and looked ahead to the other servants.

No one that he could remember ever treated him with such care before. And she consorted with demons, but showed them no deference and no fear. She sat in the saddle with the assurance he had only seen in others like her and Mason. Daniel thought. Looked at Reaper again as she moved ahead. Perhaps, well maybe, if he was not punished for being from Haven. Maybe he could find a place. Someone had to take care of the giant beasts and he knew from gossip around the estate that the demons had horses just like his people. Yes, there could be a place for him. He would get a life without fear, without hunger. He would get it with the demons. Squaring his shoulders, Daniel rode on.

***

Mason should be back at any moment. Fredric stood on the walkway watching the horizon for sign of his son. Together they would torture the traitorous scum into submission.

He woke this morning to find the house silent and the bedroom fire smoldering. There were no sounds of animals anxious to be milked, or his stallion’s whinny. He felt lethargic and wondered if he was coming down with something. His head ached. The sound of his own footfalls were muffled one moment, then banging in his ears like an anvil. He managed the walk to his office and grabbed the blaster from his desk drawer. Whatever the hell was going on, someone would pay for their neglect.

Then there was shouting and screaming. He rushed to the front hall. When he flung the door back, weak sunlight stabbed him in the eyes like a knife. He staggered out only to be assaulted by a hysterical crowd of supporters and soldiers.

Angry did not begin to describe it. The adrenaline wiped the fog from his mind. He fired the blaster above the heads of the mob. The blast hit one of the men who was flung back. The noise ceased.

“Now, what the hell is the meaning of this.”

Finley gulped and grit his teeth. He had been vomiting since the wee hours of the pitch. He did not think he had much time. The cramps were worse, and there was blood.

“There are dead men in the barracks. The rest of us are sick, some dying even now. The damned servants poisoned us all and ran off.”

“All of them Fredric, all of them!” ranted Lewis, still insulted that Mason had spat at his feet the day before.

“They kidnapped my Jemma. I want her back. How could this happen? We all could be dead in our beds!”

“My house is empty. All the meat and bread taken. The last of my sweet bread. The last!”

“The very blew off my bed is gone. I woke from the cold. They were gone, everyone gone!”

“The guards, where the hell are the guards?” Fredric demanded of the now doubled over gasping soldier.

“Stunned in the post house! No horses, no ox found . . . ”

Finley began to vomit right there, dropping to his knees and unable to speak again. He collapsed in the unending stream of blood and bile. A few of his other men were holding each other up. Some drooled, the others were clutching at their stomachs, sweating and trembling. They were barely standing.

“You lot get back to the barracks. This will have to run its course. There is no cure except your own strength. Now go!” Fredric ignored the expressions of shock and terror on their faces. A few staggered off hoping to make it to their beds again. Two more dropped to the ground vomiting until they lost consciousness.

Loud exclamations and questions once more assaulted his ears from the supporters that were proving themselves completely useless in a crisis.

“So the servants have poisoned us and run. None of you thought to see how I fared? You pathetic excuses did not take up arms to go get them? They were still in walking distance at dawning.  What reason do I keep you alive if you serve no purpose! Mason will meet them on the way and they will return with their tail between their legs. Then I will execute them for treason along with you! Get to the post house and untie those idiots. When they wake up they can clean up behind the others.”

Fredric shoved his way passed the crowd and hurried to the barn. He flung open the doors. The wan light did not allow him an illusion of animals in the stalls. His gaze settled on what should be the prize stallion he had spent rotations breeding. Gone. Who dared take what was his!

His walked to the barracks. Men lay in the yard. Most appeared dead. Some were crawling as blood dribbled from their mouths. Where would the scum get pydru? It was made from venoms and noxious plants. There was not a cure for it. If you survived, you were never the same afterward. He did not bother going in. They would recover or not, and he had no time for the weak willed.

Mason would make them pay for this. The men he usually took to gather supplies were few, but they were the best at arms. The idiot servants would have no chance.

Fredric walked through the barren kitchen garden and into the kitchen door of his home. There was nothing but a few scoops of flour left in the bins. No dried meat, no journey bread. Nothing.

Mason would make them pay for their temerity. He walked through the empty house and out the front door. He ignored the helpless idiots still milling around. Fools could not wipe their own asses without a servant. Perhaps he would make them clear the bodies and sweep the courtyard. The entry to his ancestral hall must continue to be pristine for the arrival of his subjects. People were not impressed by leaders appearing the least bit slovenly. Fredric remained on the walkway long after CatsEye was obscured by new rain clouds, boiling up purple and green.

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