The Shadowed Throne (22 page)

“There's something I want to tell you. I might not have, but . . . in case something goes wrong tomorrow, and I don't survive, I thought I should tell you.”

“Yes?”

“It's important,” Kullervo said. “I've never told anyone else, not even Laela. But I feel that . . . that you . . . that I can tell you.”

“Speak, then,” Senneck said, typically brusque.

“I'm . . .” Kullervo curled his talons together, and braced himself. “I'm Arenadd's son.”

Senneck went quiet.

“I'm sure of it,” Kullervo said, words rushing out of him now. “I never knew him, but I'm sure of it. I was born in the South. A woman came to a place near Withypool. She had yellow eyes, like mine, and claws instead of fingernails. She was pregnant. But when she gave birth, she gave birth to an egg. My egg. That woman—my mother, wasn't human. She was a griffin. A griffin who took a human lover. My father. Her name was Skade. The one they called the wild woman of Withypool. And Skade only had one lover. Arenadd.”

There was a rustling, as Senneck stood up. She put her beak toward Kullervo, thrusting it into his feathers and huffing angrily. “Your scent. I knew that I knew your scent! And your eyes. You have your mother's look.”

“You knew her?”

“Yes. I was there when she was a prisoner at Malvern. I went with Erian when he took her away, to be released.
Kraeai kran ae
offered himself up in her place. We captured him, and let the female go free. We knew nothing of who she was. But when the rebels rose up and began to kill, she was there by
Kraeai kran ae
's side. The only one on their side who was not the same race as the rest. The mate of
Kraeai kran ae
.”

“The only one he loved,” said Kullervo. “He never knew that she had his son. She abandoned me and never told anyone I existed.”

“She did not want a deformed hatchling,” Senneck said.

“No.”

The sandy griffin shifted around, apparently thinking. “You did not tell the half-breed Queen that you are her brother?”

“No. I haven't told anyone.”

“But you have told me,” said Senneck.

“Yes. And I want you to keep it a secret, too. Please, can you do that?”

Senneck said nothing.

“But if I die,” said Kullervo, “then tell her. Tell Laela. Please.”

Unseen in the dark, Senneck's eyes narrowed. “I will tell no-one,” she said at last. “Unless you die. You have my word.” She came and lay down by Kullervo again, her flank pressing against his. “And I will stay with you. No human or griffin shall ever hurt you while I am alive. That is my promise.”

“Thank you, Senneck. I knew I could trust you.”

“And so you can,” she said softly. “Always.”

W
hen morning came, Kullervo and Senneck set out for Warwick. They made the short journey in silence, keeping close together, and when the walls were about to pass beneath them, Senneck went ahead and circled upward to fly just above Kullervo, ready to defend him.

When they passed over Warwick's walls, both of them saw the huge spear-launchers, some half-built, that had been set up all along the ramparts. The completed ones were manned and loaded, and one or two of them swivelled on their bases to follow the intruders. Senneck, using some trick that Kullervo had never seen done before, angled herself downward to shield his back with her body. But none of the spear-launchers fired.

Kullervo didn't relax. Ahead, he could see griffins, circling over the tower. Already, they were reacting to his presence. Some flew down to land on the tower, ready to defend it. Dozens more came straight at him, screeching challenges. Wisely, Kullervo didn't screech back. He flew slowly and carefully, keeping his talons curled in.

The other griffins were already on them. Saying nothing, they swarmed around, wings pressing in on Senneck and Kullervo. They didn't attack, but when Senneck opened her beak threateningly, one smacked her in the head with his talons. Two others came in even closer, forcing her downward.

“Land!” one called at last. “Land now!”

They had no choice. The Warwick griffins kept on, herding them toward the tower.

Kullervo's heart was pattering against his rib cage. Fear made him clumsy; he nearly fell when he landed, looking around frantically for Senneck before he had recovered. She landed, too, more gracefully, and took a step toward him.

Something huge and heavy smashed Kullervo's head into the ground. He cried out, but talons wrapped around his neck, pinning it down. Griffin beaks snapped shut around his wings, breaking the feathers.

“Hold still, or we will break your wings,” a voice rasped.

One of Kullervo's eyes was being crushed into the stone beneath him. The other swivelled desperately, catching a glimpse of Senneck fighting as she, too, was captured.

“Intruders,” the voice said. “Are you here to fight?”

“No!” Kullervo's beak couldn't open properly. “Message,” he garbled. “From the Queen!”

The talons loosened on his neck. “You come from the runt and her half-breed?”

“Yes,” said Kullervo. “They sent us. A message. For Saeddryn.”

Something tugged at the message-holder. “What is this?”

“The message. Leave it alone. It's for Saeddryn.”

“Let us go!” Senneck's voice rose out of the hubbub. “We are not here to fight, you fools.”

“Let go of his wings,” Kullervo's captor ordered. The other griffins obeyed, and the talons let go of his neck.

Kullervo dragged himself upright, and found himself looking at a huge male griffin, whose pale eyes were fixed on him. Instinctively, he bowed his head. “I am Kullervo. I am not a fighter.”

“I see that,” the big griffin mocked. “Weakling. But your companion—who is she?”

“Only an old one, Aenae,” another griffin said.

Senneck shook off the talons holding her. “I am Raak,” she lied. “I came with Kullervo to protect him. And you—” she huffed at Aenae. “You seem familiar.”

“I am the son of the Mighty Skandar,” Aenae said arrogantly. “And I am the rightful master of this land. Speak more respectfully to me, old one.”

Senneck regarded him. Then, to Kullervo's astonishment, she lowered her head. “I am humbled to meet you, Mighty Aenae.”

“Better,” said Aenae. “Now, messenger. You will give me this message, and I will take it to my human.”

Kullervo screwed up his courage. “Take me to your human, and I'll give it to her.”

“You are not here to tell me what I must do,” Aenae threatened. “This is my territory, and you will do as I say.”

“This message is only for Saeddryn,” said Kullervo. “And besides, only human hands can remove it.”

Aenae reached down and tried to snatch the little cylinder, but the straps held firm.

“Only Saeddryn can remove it,” said Kullervo.

Aenae regarded him for a moment, unblinking. “Very well, then,” he said at last. “Come with me. And I promise you—if you do one thing that I do not tell you to, I shall kill you.”

“Raak should come with me,” said Kullervo.

Aenae barely glanced at Senneck. “The old one will stay here.”

“Don't hurt her,” said Kullervo. “Please. She's no danger to any of you.”

“Go,” Senneck called. “I will wait here for you.”

Kullervo allowed himself to be led away, but he kept his eyes on her until she was out of sight. He hoped she would be safe.

Aenae went through an opening in the tower roof, forcing Kullervo to go ahead. He passed rows of other griffins, who snapped at the shape-shifter and chirped amusement when he jerked away from them in fright. Two of them followed Aenae down into the passage.

Inside the tower, away from the hissing griffins, Kullervo felt even less safe. The walls seemed to press in on him; he felt like he was in a prison whose door had been locked behind him. Down here, he wouldn't be able to fly away, or to help Senneck. He tried not to think of what they might be doing to her. And ahead was Saeddryn—and he could only guess what she might do when she read Laela's message.

Kullervo walked slowly, head low, and tried his best to be brave.

“Turn here,” Aenae rumbled behind him.

Kullervo obeyed, entering a large, round room. The two griffins who had come with Aenae used the extra space to close in on him, keeping close and ready to strike if he moved. Aenae glared a warning at them and left.

Kullervo sat on his haunches and waited. He didn't even dare groom himself. The two griffins reeked of aggression.

“Deformed weakling,” one sneered.

“What pathetic creatures they send to us,” the other said to his companion. “An ugly runt and a dried-up old hen. Humanless outcasts must have no other use.”

“Perhaps that hatchling at Malvern hoped we would dispose of them for her,” the first griffin suggested.

Or perhaps
we'll
be the ones to dispose of
you
,
Kullervo thought to make himself feel braver.

Aenae returned. With him was a woman. She was past middle age, lined and greying, and one of her eyes was covered by a round leather patch. Even though Kullervo had never seen her before, he recognised her.

“Saeddryn.”

The old woman regarded him, from her griffin's side. “Who are ye?”

“Kullervo.”

“Speak respectfully to my human,” Aenae snapped.

“I'm Kullervo,” said Kullervo, ignoring him. He stood up. “Queen Laela and Oeka sent me. I have a message for you.”

Saeddryn looked sharply at him. “Aenae says ye won't let anyone but me see it.”

“That's right. I was given detailed instructions. Only you can read the message. It's here, on my back, if you can remove it.”

“That so?” said Saeddryn, instantly suspicious.

“Do not worry,” Aenae interrupted. “I will help.” He came forward, and shoved Kullervo onto his belly. One of the two griffin guards held his hindquarters, and the other stood on one of his wings while Aenae held his head. Kullervo didn't resist. He lay as passively as he could and waited.

Saeddryn came, and, after some fumbling, she cut the straps and took the message-holder. Aenae let Kullervo up once she was at a safe distance, and all four griffins watched her open the tube and unroll the scroll.

She read it, expressionless.

“What does the hatchling's human say?” Aenae asked.

Saeddryn rolled the scroll up. “Surrender.”

“Ksha!”
Aenae tossed his head. “They think we would do that! They will die for their idiocy.”

Without even thinking about it, Kullervo made a move forward. Aenae blocked him at once, but he looked past him, to Saeddryn. “Please,” he said. “Consider it. Your family will be safe. Everyone will be safe. No-one would have to die. Laela keeps her word. She's a good person.”

Saeddryn's eye narrowed. “What griffin talks like that? Who are ye?”

“I was raised by humans,” said Kullervo, which at least was true. “Listen to me, please. Laela doesn't want war. She doesn't want to kill anyone. She only wants peace for Tara and for her family. Please, see reason. You fought to make this Kingdom. Why let it be torn apart again?”

Saeddryn's face was stone. “This Kingdom was made by Taranisäiis, and it's our duty and our right to rule it.”

“Yes, exactly,” said Kullervo.

“So ye see my point,” said Saeddryn. “The half-breed is not a Taranisäii.” She tore the scroll into pieces and threw the remains onto the floor. “Aenae—I think this one can go back to Malvern with our reply.”

“A good idea,” the big griffin said. He looked at Kullervo. “Perhaps his companion can help to carry him. I do not think the hatchling and her half-breed will need to see all of him to know our answer. Send back his ugly head.”

Saeddryn hesitated—then nodded. “They've seen too much. Kill them both.”

Kullervo flattened himself to the floor as Aenae and the two griffins closed in on him. “No! Please, don't! I haven't done anything wrong!”

Aenae's talons came for him, but Kullervo's small size saved him again. He ducked under the bigger griffin and ran, bolting blindly for the door. Too slow. The two griffins came up behind him, tearing at his hindquarters. He leapt, and fell hard onto his belly, rolling over to thrust his talons at his attackers.

The two griffins had backed off slightly to avoid his flailing tail, and he took advantage of it and used his momentum to roll forward, straight at them. His talons hooked into a flesh, making deep gashes. He pulled himself forward, dragging at the screeching griffin's skin, and aimed his beak for the throat.

He had forgotten Aenae. The huge griffin darted in, and a kick sent Kullervo tumbling into a wall.

Pain juddered in his bones. But he was not done yet. He reared up, rising onto his hind legs. Wings open wide for balance, he screamed.
“Then damn you! Damn you all!”

The three griffins ran at him. This time, Kullervo didn't try to fight back. He turned toward them, holding out his forelegs to embrace his end.

Something cracked inside him.
No,
he thought.
Not now. Not now!

Aenae and his two friends stopped in bewilderment, as Kullervo's feathers fell like autumn leaves. Sickening noises came from inside him, and his eyes rolled back into his head.

Saeddryn, sheltering behind a row of benches, pulled a horrified face. “What the—?”

Aenae had backed off, tail swishing. “Do not touch him! This is not natural!”

The other two griffins didn't need any warnings. They moved away, hissing, as Kullervo dropped onto his side and began to convulse.

Kullervo was unaware of them, or anything else. The pain had closed its jaws around him again, and there was nothing he could do. This time, he didn't struggle to make himself stay awake.