Stronger than Bone (9 page)

(Present Day: 237 Cycles into the Light)

Crashing through the tree line between pillars of smoke and flame, a badly burned rebel soldier stumbled and fell. He coughed uncontrollably as he struggled to get back up. He saw a cabin in the middle of a clearing up ahead. He hurried forward, ignoring the pain that clawed at him and tempted him to just stop and drop to the ground. He knew the temptation was false. There was no relief to be found in lying down or stopping. Not when you’ve been burned so badly. The soldier knew he had to find shelter and water. The cabin would have both.

As he neared the cabin, he heard a noise. It was the sound of something whining.
“Is it a hurt dog perhaps?”
It seemed to be coming from past the cabin, near the shed. He took a few steps in that direction, and suddenly a terrible feeling came over him. It was as if an ice cold blanket was dropped over his shoulders, and the cold brought with it despair. He nearly fell to his knees from the weight of emotion and fear. Unable to stop himself, he continued forward. The whining sound became a deep but faint laughter. There was no humor in it. It was evil, cold, and dark. He tried to stop walking, to throw himself to the ground in protest, but his body refused to obey. He felt excruciating pain in his limbs as he got closer to the shed. Looking down, he saw his burns oozing blood. His skin was splitting like an overcooked sausage, and blood was flowing down his extremities and dripping onto the ground as he continued forward.

The evil laughing turned to heavy lust-filled breathing. Some evil thing desired his blood, and he or it, was getting closer. As his body was compelled forward, he tried to scream again and again, but no sound came out. Then suddenly it stopped. The blanket was lifted and he could feel the control of his body returned to him. The relief was so tremendous that he collapsed to the ground. He wept.

While he lay there weeping and bleeding, subtle movements stirred beneath him in the soil. The ground he now lay upon was recently disturbed and a body had been buried there. In complete silence, cold dead fingers, long and bony, forced their way to the surface. One enormous pale hand emerged from the soil on either side of the injured man, followed by long and powerful arms. They reached high above the pitiful man who was consumed once more by pain and fear, and slowly, without mercy they closed and wrapped him in an evil embrace. Through the dirt beneath his face, sharp teeth emerged and to his horror, gnawed at his flesh. He screamed and cried, fighting to escape, but he could not.

Coming more and more alive with every drop of blood, the pale creature erupted from his grave and sunk his teeth deep into the neck of the rebel soldier. Feeling life flowing back into his body, Death smiled as he drank. Runes tattooed on the skin of his back and over his heart burned hot as the blood magic worked to revive him.

Undead and with unfinished business, he finished feeding and stood up. Death stretched his limbs and took in a deep breath. The cuts and slashes in his skin had closed, but thick scars remained to tell their story. He knew this death had left him looking even more frightening and his mouth twisted into a mockery of a smile. He would find the man he hunted, and he would finish this business by gutting him. Then, while he was still alive, he would make him watch as he tore the little girl’s neck open and drank her blood. His smile grew and the start of a maniacal laugh escaped his lips.

A dog growled and barked from the nearby shed. Death turned and looked at the shed door. He flexed his long fingers and clicked his hardened, claw-like nails together.

The barking intensified.

Death stood and walked to the shed. He opened the door with one hand and held the other ready to strike. From the darkness he caught a hint of movement before something slammed into his chest and sunk its teeth into his neck. He struck it with his enormous hand, slicing its side open with his pointed fingernails. He easily pried its teeth from his neck and threw it against the wall.

All barking and growling ceased. The mother dog lay still and bled out on the floor. The puppies were completely silent as they watched the tall man look at them for a long moment. Finally, he turned and walked out of the shed. There was no point in killing the little things. Their blood gave him no satisfaction, and they would die painfully of starvation on their own anyway.

Death smiled as he felt the wounds on his neck healing. His smile faded quickly though as he realized he was now vulnerable. If the dog had killed him, he would not be reborn. He must find a dark priest or a witch, and pay them to recharge the runes. He unconsciously rubbed the skin over his heart as he thought about it. It was a lengthy and painful process.

He couldn’t wait.

First,
there was one last piece of business to attend to. He squatted down next to the corpse and began peeling away large pieces of skin. He would need a new hat, and lucky for him, he was getting quite good at making them.

(Present Day: 237 Cycles into the Light)

A week passed since their descent out of the mountains, and Guy was feeling much like his old self again.

“Slap your sister!”
he exclaimed as he yanked his hand out of the water. “I felt something really big!”

The private next to him laughed out loud, again. He was having a good old time teaching Guy to “Hand Fish.”

“Seriously? People do this?” Guy asked. “I mean, this is so stupid! I have no idea what’s really down there!”

“That’s what makes it so fun!” said the private. “Well, that and watching you chicken out…again!” And he rolled over laughing even louder.

Guy rolled to his side and then back to his stomach. He got his good leg under him and stood up. “Fine, you get your arm bit off. I’m going to go shoot something like a civilized person.”

The private chuckled some more as he scooted the edge of the bank and stuck his own arm in the hole. A moment later he jerked back, and a big mouth fish, nearly as long as his arm was on the end of it. His hand was deep inside the fish and he gripped it tight, howling with laughter as it thrashed and splashed, trying to get free. Guy could see blood on the private’s arm where the fish’s sharp teeth were cutting him, but the private didn’t seem to care or notice. Impressed, but not about to admit it, Guy muttered, “Jack ass!” under his breath, and walked back to camp to get one of the cross bows.

“How is the fishing going brother?” asked Chase as Guy walked into camp. Chase was sharpening his sword near the smoldering ashes of the fire pit.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he said. He scooped up a crossbow and quiver of bolts from the cart that had been his ambulance. “Which way did you say to that cave?”

“Uhhh, Guy, I don’t know if hunting is a good idea. You just got back on your feet,” said Chase without getting up.

“Well it’s a hell of a lot safer than sticking my arm down holes waiting for something to try and eat me!” he snapped half-heartedly. Then he laughed, remembering the private jerking that huge fish out of the water, and his own failed attempts. He must have looked ridiculous.

“If you’re going, I’m going with you,” Chase said, leaving no room for argument. He stood up and placed his sword back in the scabbard and slung the belt across his body and over his shoulder. He met Guy at the cart and picked up a spear one of the privates had crafted.

Corvis, walked back into camp just as the two were getting ready to leave. Seeing Lynn and Charity also sitting near the fire pit, he joined them.

“Sergeant Hayes, I think we’ve run out of reasons to stay here,” he stated after watching the brothers leave camp for a hunt. “Guy has healed enough to travel, and my men are getting a bit too comfortable here.”

Lynn had to agree. It was nice finding some normalcy after the fighting up in the valley. They had agreed to travel together until Guy healed. Now the soldiers needed to return to their camp, and Lynn and his daughter had to go their own way. The problem was, he wasn’t quite sure where that might lead. He had an idea where he should start if he wanted to follow the path to his origins, but at what cost? Looking at his daughter, he considered for the thousandth time, if he shouldn’t just take her and disappear.

“I’ve been thinking the same thing,” said Lynn. “Charity and I will be heading out at first light tomorrow.”

“You are welcome to come with us to meet up with the Royal Guard. I’m sure my superiors will be interested to speak with you.”

“No offense, but I am still not sure what makes me so popular. Until I find out, I think it’s best for me and my daughter to keep a low profile.”

Corvis looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, but said no more.

An hour later, near the boar’s cave, Chase and Guy argued hotly. “I don’t care if you want to use the spear!” Guy whispered angrily. “I didn’t take off my leg for the fun of it!”

When they first spotted the boar, which was rooting around a rotten stump, he removed his wooden leg and used it as a rest to steady the crossbow. “I’ve got a clear shot and I’m going to take it!”

“How many opportunities does a man have like this in his life time? Maybe one!” whispered Chase. “I’m just saying wait a minute.” Keep your eye on him while I try to get closer. If he spooks, or starts to wander off, then go ahead and shoot him.”

“Ok fine!” Whispered Guy harshly, and he lowered the crossbow.

Chase smiled mischievously and turned to sneak around the right, in order to approach downwind from the extremely large and dangerous boar.

As soon as he was a few paces away, Guy gave his own mischievous smile and raised the crossbow again, rested it on his false leg, and sighted in on the beast. “Stay still you fat bastard,” he whispered to himself as he slowly squeezed the trigger.

A solid “thunk” sounded when the bolt hit the boar and pierced its side. But, it did not fall. Instead, it merely startled before lowering its head and charging wildly toward him.
“Slap your sister!”
Guy thought as he tried to re-cock without taking his eyes off the boar. Frantically he looked down at what he was doing and just managed to cock the bow when he heard snapping branches and pounding hooves only a few paces away. He brought the crossbow up and held it to his cheek. His heart was thundering in his ears so loudly that he wasn’t sure he heard anything else when the boar’s enormous head burst through the foliage in front of him. What he did hear, very distinctly, and quite disappointingly, to the point of leaving him momentarily heartbroken, was the sound of an empty bowstring twanging forward impotently when he pulled the trigger. He forgot to load a new bolt.

Guy clenched his teeth and braced himself for impact as his left hand pulled his knife from his belt.

Suddenly and inexplicably, the boar crashed to the side and tumbled.

Chase had heard the commotion and raced full speed back to his brother. He threw the spear on the run when he saw it burst through the bushes. He followed through by bodily tackling the boar.

“Yes!” Chase shouted as he untangled himself from the dead animal. “Did you see that? Ha-ha!”

Guy fell over backwards and tried to slow his breathing. “Slap your sister…”

The next morning, Lynn and Charity were loaded up with enough meat and supplies for the next few days, and they said their goodbyes. Lynn refused the offer of horses, saying that they would be too easy to track. He gave the crossbows to Chase and Guy. He thought it would draw attention if he and Charity were armed too well. He carried his axe in one hand and his sword across his back. Charity insisted on carrying some of the provisions, and as always, her knife was tucked into her belt.

“Best of luck to you, Sergeant Hayes,” said Chase with a firm handshake. “I can’t tell you what an honor it’s been fighting along side you.”

The rest of them gave similar goodbyes, and went about securing their own gear for travel. Guy walked over to Charity and offered his hand to shake. She smiled and shook his hand while Guy whispered, “Gretchen was my best friend. She helped me get free of the pirates who captured me.” He gave her a wink and said, “She was strong, like you.”

Charity smiled and waved at her new friends. Then she and her dad left the camp to find a man who might have some answers.

“Now there goes a man I would follow into any battle,” said Corvis. The men near him grunted in agreement. They finished their preparations and mounted their horses. Guy rode behind the private who tried to teach him to fish, and two other privates also doubled up, leaving Lieutenant Martin his own horse. Corvis gave the order and they headed south in a column, toward the nearest encampment of the King’s Royal Guard.

(Present Day: 237 Cycles into the Light)

“Of course I was careful,” said Vanessa with a smile. She snuggled into the warmth of her lover’s embrace and soaked in his tenderness. Klaus, the groomsman, was a simple, but devoted man. He worried about her and it was a comfort in these dangerous times. “I sent it hidden within a gift to the King’s Master of Swords. She doesn’t know that I know, but that is who he is, her brother.”

Klaus lay with his Love, silently. He was grateful for any of these moments they could spend together, and they didn’t come often. It was important that the Duke and his footman didn’t find out the extent of their intimacy, or both of them could be in danger.

“Have you ever met him?” he asked. “The Master of Swords I mean.”

“No,” she smiled and kissed him. “The Duchess says he is a silly man. He is incredibly talented and a bit self centered, but in a way that leaves a person smiling.” She kissed him again, more passionately. “Why?”

“I am just curious what type of man holds the future of our kingdom in his hands.” He kissed her softly while his hands caressed her.

“Your hands are the only hands that matter right now,” she whispered happily.

Across the kingdom, near the eastern border, the King’s Guards arrived at their Battalion’s installation and reported in to their Commanding Officer.

“Desertion!” the Major spit angrily. “I specifically said that no men could be spared, Lieutenant!”

“Yes Sir!” Corvis said sharply. He stood at perfect attention, staring straight ahead as the Major circled and berated him.

“I should have you and all of your men executed, but I can’t spare the manpower.” The major stopped in front of Lieutenant Brente and looked into his eyes. “You are stripped of your command and your commission. We’ll put those muscles to use, since that’s all you seem to be good for.” Sneering, as he looked up at Corvis, he said, “Report to the stables. You can shovel shit until you figure out what it means to obey your superiors, Private Brente.”

“Yes sir,” Corvis said, before smartly executing an about face and marching out of the field office.

“Lieutenant Martin!” the Major bellowed from inside. Chase was standing just outside ad heard the whole exchange. He snapped to attention and marched smartly inside. He was boiling mad after hearing the way the Major treated Corvis.

“Lieutenant, please sit down.” the Major said with a smile. He made a big show of pulling a chair out and gesturing for the young Lieutenant to take a seat.

“My back is a bit sore, sir. I’d rather stand if you don’t mind,” Chase said flatly.

“Of course! However you like,” Major Tisley said with a plaster smile. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you back safe within this camp. I’ve been considering it for quite some time, but now that you are here there is no reason to wait any longer. I am promoting you to Captain!” He said, standing in front of Chase and placing his hands on his shoulders.

“What do you think?”

Chase briefly, but seriously, considered punching the Major in his disgusting face and following it up with a knife to his gut. After taking a moment to calm himself, he replied, “Thank you sir, but I cannot accept reward or promotion when the man responsible for saving my life and making it possible for me to stand in front of you now, has been disgraced and demoted. Sir, I ask that rather than promoting me, you reinstate Lieutenant Brente. He and his men defeated an entire company of rebel soldiers to save me. That has to be worth something.”

The Major stood in shock for a moment before shaking his head, then he threw up his arms and walked behind his desk. “Fine! But he and his men will spend three nights in the pit for disobeying my orders, and YOU will execute the punishment, Captain! Now get out!”

Chase turned about and smirked as he walked out to find Corvis.

Guy was getting restless in the large military camp. For one, there were no women. That was bad enough right there. Then there was the matter of his status. He was an outsider, and a crippled one at that. He had no duties to keep him busy, and he often felt useless. He asked repeatedly where he could lend a hand, but no one really took him seriously.

So, after long deliberation, and not a little drinking, he decided to leave.

Now, he stood out in front of his tent with his bags over his shoulder. His clothes were washed, and he even tended to his wooden leg. He shaved off the burrs that had developed over the past month, and rubbed it down with oil. He was debating whether to tell his brother where he was going, or if he should just leave and send word when he got there.

“Looks like you’re going somewhere,” said Chase, ending the internal debate for Guy.

“I am,” he said. “I can’t stay here, brother. I need to do something, to be of use to someone.”

“I understand,” Chase said with a pained expression. “I was wondering how long you could hack it here. Look, I can find work for you if that’s what you want. I don’t want you to go. I mean, seriously, where will you go if you leave?”

“I thought I might visit our uncle. If he won’t give me a job, I’m sure I can find something there in the city.”

There was a long silence as both brothers tried to think of something meaningful to say. “Let me at least give you some money for your travels,” said Chase.

Guy grasped the key around his neck and said, “No thank you, little brother. I will be fine.” He smiled genuinely and gave Chase a hug. “Thank you for everything. We’ll see each other again.”

Chase embraced him firmly and patted his back. “Goodbye big brother. I’ll see you again soon.”

Guy walked with his hitched gait to the stables and loaded his bags onto the horse his brother gave him. He mounted it without much difficulty and rode to the gate. He glanced back at his brother one last time, and then headed west.