The Wielder: Sworn Vengeance (The Wielder Series) (34 page)

We set Hunter up with a huge amount of food water
, open toilets and made sure the kitty door was open. Working in shifts we made the drive in good time without killing ourselves.  Karen had last shift driving and pulls us into what appears to be a mansion in Houston’s Woodland area to my tired eyes.

W
e pull around to the four car garage and are greeted by a very professionally dressed Kitten running out to our car.  They must have just closed on the house - our timing is good.

We pile out of the car to her excited chirps
and Kitten crushes Karen in a huge hug – I guess she’s way past the conflict of their original meeting.  “You won’t be-leeeeve the master bathroom!” Kitten exclaims taking Karen by the hand, basically trying to drag her into the house.

Karen doesn’t fight the enthusiasm, but does shoot me a
look.

Sheyliene de-tinys herself and yells out that she wants to see too. First I cringe, because that might be hard to explain to neighbors, but all was clear
. Her ADD-like enthusiasm returning makes me smile. My fairy’s been way, way off since her realization that maybe the worlds of the multiverse aren’t as black and white as she thought.

I step into the garage and summon Vets, who prefers to travel in the white versus with us in the car and that’s kind of a blessing
, as she is a large one.  Sil is there to hand me a change of clothing for her.  Arix casts a transformation on her and she turns from bi-pedal feline beast-warrior to human warrior. Unlike some of my summonlings, Vets and Hjuul has no inherent magic abilities. I remind Arix he’s going to need to craft a new ring for Vets, so she can handle her own transformations.

“My work is never done,” is Arix’s sad sack reply.

Timing on the transformation is good as Sil’s eyes and nod indicate that someone is coming as she hoists her duffle over her shoulder and gives a little wave to whoever it is.

It’s verified when she passes
us by and says. “neighbor incoming.” very quietly.

Vets is getting out of her plate armor when we are greeted by a fine example of sugary sweet Houston housewife.  “Well hi y’all!” she manages to get out before the site of Vets stripping down from full ornate plate mail armor stops her dead in her tracks.

“Cosplay,” I say quickly. That gets a confused look from Znuul’s new neighbor. “Costume role-play” I clarify. “Didn’t want her accidentally banging up the new house you know? Armor can be kind of awkward.”

“Uh,
okaaay,” says Mrs. Nosey-Neighbor turning to Arix as he appears to be the elder one. Then she must have remembered her pageant training as the saccharin smile returns. “Well, welcome to the neighborhood! I’m Daisy Hart-Jamieson and live right across the way.  That’s so cute y’all Cuz-play or whatever that is.” Then she puts her hands on her hips taking a fake kind of authoritative attitude as she looks at Arix.  “Now y’all won’t be sword fighting in the front yard now will you?”

Before I can say a word, Znuul’s deep
euro-tinged voice interjects “I assure you not.”  His large frame strides by me with purpose. “I am Zeb, your new neighbor,” he says extending his hand to her.

“My
, aren’t you a big one,” she says shaking his hand.

“Don’t mind these hooligans
,” Znuul says looking back briefly at me “They’ve just come to visit and see the new house.  It’s so nice to know we have kind neighbors.”

Daisy’s sugarfied face breaks into concern at Vets changing out in the garage. 

Znuul noting this distraction, puts his arm around her and begins to direct her back home down the driveway. His voice trails away saying something to the effect of, “I’m sorry we had to meet this way...”

“That one pretends to be happy
,” says Vets now pulling her camo pants on.

I just nod back to her.
  Arix takes his leave, entering the house.

Vets and I follow
Arix and are greeted by a massive kitchen attached to a larger great room. I make note of the ten foot ceilings and chuckle to myself.  That’s got to be high on Znuul’s list of basic home requirements.

“Where will we
set up the scrying apparatus,” asks Arix.

Not having an answer to
that I just shrug.  Driving forever takes it out of you – even if you’re not doing all the driving.  There’s no furniture, so nowhere to sit – not that I’m in a hurry to sit.  But still, lounging would be good.  Not being able to do that I prop up on the large peninsula at the kitchen instead.

The door to the garage swings back open after a f
ew moments followed by my needs-a-tall-ceiling, brother in revenge. “That one is going to be trouble," he shares with us.

I look up at him and nod.
He pats my back gently as he strides into the great room area. “Basic furnishings are arriving in a few hours, we shopped for them yesterday.” He turns to Arix, “where’s the leprechaun? We’ll want to set up shop.”

As if on
cue, the double French doors to the backyard open and Pffif steps in.  “We be settin’ up in the little workshop in the back.  Nobody be a accidentally walkin’ in on it.  Ana it’s got a good enough lock on the door.”

Znuul looks down
at Pffif. “You want the key?”

“Bah!
Mr. Pffiferil dona be needin’ no key,” he says with a smile and a wink adding “come on finger wiggler, we’s be unpackin’ follow me.”

“How far I have fallen
,” bemoans Arix, “Lackey to a Clurichaun.”  He follows Pffiferil with a shrug and a roll of the eyes.

I hear Shey’s and Kitten’s chattering and a barefoot Kitten crushes into Znuul in the living room. “They love it!” she proclaims.

Not far after I am assaulted by a running crushing hug from Sheyliene. “They’re going to let us use the tub!  You can almost swim laps in it and it bubbles.”  She tries to pull me away from my perch at the peninsula to dance about the way she likes to.  I’m not budging.

But still, it’s good
to see Sheyliene out of her “what if I’m a monster?” funk.

Karen gives a funny look to Znuul and Kitten walks over to the other side of the peninsula from me and an affectionate Shey. “Sounds like you
two have a hot tub date,” she says to me.

That actually sounds good after almost a whole day
cooped up in a car.

“Tubbing later, shopping now.
We need supplies,” says Znuul snapping us back to the moment.  He approaches Karen and I at our kitchen perches, Kitten fully in tow having attached herself to his hip. “By the time you get back, we’ll have furniture… I hope. Kitten, get the list.”

She scampers off and my look must have given away how I feel about shopping.  Znuul snickers and puts a hand on Karen’s back, rubbing her shoulders gently - she doesn’t seem to mind the rub, but the errand is another thing.
  “Please say this doesn’t mean Wally World?”

“
The bullseye place then” is Znuul’s response to Karen’s lament, which results in her groaning and putting her head down on her arms.

“I like shopping!” is Shey’s perky response.  Karen just shakes her head.

Sil makes her way from the stairs across the great room and stops to examine us.  Her attention is broken by Arix and Pffif bringing cases in from the garage. “Ye can help wench,” says Pffiferil wheeling a piece of luggage about as large as he is.  Sil notes Shey attached to me and shoots a smile our way, then she makes her way to the garage without a word.

I stand up from my crouch on the Peninsula resolute that a trip to the store is in my future.
“Shopping it is” I announce. Kitten bounces back into the kitchen and presents me with a rather large list.

Karen moans.

I figure we’ll leave Karen behind, for her sake.  I look down at Shey.  “Good thing you like to shop.”

It was a good shop.  Food, beverages, linens, office supplies, pots/pans and other life necessities were acquired.
All paid in cash thanks to the huge wad of bills Znuul laid on me.

Good thing we bought a beast of a vehicle.  Seats down, we still crammed it full.

We get back in time to see the furniture company guys finishing up.  I pull us around to the garage and pull into one of the open doors.

Unpacking the
suburban is a group effort, with all joining in.  The only grumbling comes from Pffif  - “No beer?”

Znuul cut
s Kitten loose on the organization and putting away of things; for whatever reason Shey takes it upon herself to be the helper.  It was the itty-bitty put-away brigade.  The rest of us go to the now furniture populated great room and sit down.  A large TV faces us, blank because cable won’t be hooked up for another two days.  Still, nice to be planted.

And I'm sick of what the TV has to say anyways.

The doors to the backyard open and we are joined by Arix and Pffif.  Arix announces “He is not in Houston,” and we collectively nod a thank you for the report.  Pffif pulls out the flask and asks what’s for dinner.

“Pizza
– delivery,” is Znuul’s response.

“Pizza without the beer is a sad thing” says Pffif.

“Aww,” responds Znuul. “Now is the time for us to stay ready”

Karen, Sil and I
all nod in agreement. Pffiferil just huffs.  It was Arix’s response that surprised everyone.

“Actually tonight’s a good night for revelry. Our prey is far away and we are truly far from ready to engage him.”

Pffiferil jumps up on an ottoman.  “Ye hear my good friend the sorcerer?  He be right!  Come ‘ere wizard and get yer swig off this flask.”

Arix grumbles, steps forward and takes the flask from Pffiferil, followed by a large swig. “I will never get used to that taste.”  Then he hands it to Znuul – tag you’re it.

Znuul regards the standing Pffiferil and takes a huge pull from the flask after making sure to wipe it off. Then he seals it back up and brushes his finger along its gem and shaking it to magically refill it.  Then he pitches it to Karen, who looks at it questioningly.

“Kitten!  Beer and vodka run,
” Znuul bellows, his voice echoing through this extremely large house.  She comes, gets money turns to leave with Shey in tow. Shey reminds Kitten she’s going to need to wear more than her house uniform. In that time, the flask had made its way to me.

I pitch it back to Pffif.

“No sir,” comes Karen’s voice. “Everybody except Kitten and Shey took a swig off that vile flask, and by God you are going to too. They at least have an excuse - they're driving.”

“Haaa! Ha ha!” proclaims Pffif, pitching the flask back to me. “Drink Master Arthur!
Drink!”

So, I do - It’s really not as vile as they make it out to be.
But it is damn strong.

Another round of pass the flask almost continues, until
the doorbell interrupts us.

We all look at each other quizzically and Znuul stands.  “Why don’t you get that Arthur?”

I figure it’s got to be nosey Daisy. I stroll over to the front door and open it.  It’s not nosey Daisy – it’s Greg Inosanto, otherwise known as the sword of balance, the scale-tipper, demon-bane, and number of other names.  He’s dressed for business, Katana at his back and all sorts of other throwing weapons visible under his long leather overcoat.

“Step aside Arthur
,” he says with a serious look that turns to meet Znuul.  “The Protectorate sends it regards Ahtsag Znuul” says Greg calmly.  He reaches back for his Katana.

Then he is gone.

Panic sets in as the realization that my brother in revenge’s head is about ready to roll.  Karen had barely gets out a “No Gregory!” before he did that thing he does.  I spin around to see Greg, sword drawn with the edge at Znuul’s throat.

But strange enough, Znuul doesn’t seem to
be concerned, if anything he's a little peeved. He brushes the sword away from his neck. “Was that really necessary? I am pretty sure my dear Karen here almost peed herself.”

“What?” is Karen’s response, beating mine to the punch.

“He’s invited, an ace in the hole for us so to speak. He knows I’ve nothing to do with any of the current events,” says Znuul with a huge grin on his face. To emphasize, they knuckle bump.  Greg spins the sword in a flourish and re-sheathes it.

“Had you going
didn’t I?” says Greg.

P
ffif begins howling in laughter and rolling around in his seat – he loves a good joke.

“You
are a horse’s arse!” Karen exclaims, again beating me to the punch.  There’s a small crack sound, followed by Greg’s whelp and the smell of ozone.

“Hey!” Greg protests and positions himself behind Znuul.

Znuul is laughing, “Come on, Karen you know how he is. Me too. And you have to admit we did pull a good one.”

Karen finally relents and holds out her arms for a hug and is met warmly by Greg.

“Ye got to be catching up,” proclaims Pffif who tosses the flask to Greg.  He regards it for all of a half second and pulls the cap, followed by a long swig and a bitter face.

We all cat
ch up on personal events, the scare passed and I now realize that we do indeed have an ace in the hole. My brother in revenge did real good. Putting Greg in front of Maldgorath is a sure fire way to ensure that bastard dies.

It’s then I realize just how close Znuul and I are on the matter.  It really doesn’t matter how that bastard dies – or who does the deed – just as long as he
bites the dust.  Stack the deck – heck yes!

Pizza
is ordered in large quantities.  Shey and Kitten return with more party supplies than we could need. Good times, that is until the French doors to the rear yard open.

There
stands a masked man clad in black, katana in hand. “Gregory! You consort with the enemy. You are born to remove this blight from our world.  You disgrace yourself and our guild.”

Znuul stands
in a measured fashion.  Greg doesn’t move. But then, when he does choose to move, it’s not like anyone is going to stop him.

“Why Hiro, I thought you and I got on better than this
,” says Znuul.

Our mission is busted. Hiro, is the guild-leader of the
Shadows of light, that means without a doubt there’s a butt-load of ninjas and who knows what else of Protectorate forces outside. 

Hiro takes both hands to his sword and raises it in stance prepared to fight.  His movements are measured and light. “That was when you were on a leash, foul one
,” Hiro responds.

Znuul sniffs under his arms. “Not so foul by my nose.”  Znuul’s gaze goes past H
iro and his eyes are scanning. “Came alone. Guessing you didn’t know I would be here. So, who knows now?”

“This is chicken shit!” shouts Greg standing. He blurs then apparently bounces off of Hiro, who pivots to drop his sword on the prone Gregory.  Hiro flies back against the wall
from an unseen force.  Karen stands and with a proclamation of something like “zzzz-it!” encircles Hiro in biting static electricity.  Before Hiro can recover, Znuul moves forward in somewhat of a blur himself, having Hiro’s sword arm in one hand and his throat in another.

Hiro’s eyes bulge and he drops his sword. 
Znuul picks him up off the ground by his neck and arm, swings him around and deposits him in front of a sofa, finishing by pushing him down to a seat.

“Play nice
,” Znuul growls, “I just did.”

Greg picks himself up
and looks at Hiro, “Nice move old man.” Hiro and Greg regard one another for a moment, Greg breaks the silence. “Big guy here didn’t have anything to do with Grey’s death or any of this crap that’s going on now.  I’m here to help him take down the one responsible – the Collector.”

“Hiro” I say figuring it’s my turn
, “I’ve sat in the same room with him while the imposter Znuul did his thing. There’s no question of his innocence.”

Hiro pulls down his
ninja-like mask and looks at me.  “There is no such thing as an innocent demon.” His stare turns to Znuul. “You are free, the world of man is yours to plunder – why this charade?”

“Maybe because I loved that man as my own father
and he deserves vengeance. That’s no charade.”

“And then after your revenge
,” Hiro asks.

Znuul’s face becomes blank. He regards us all
and shrugs “Try to find some happiness, whatever that may be.”

“Whatever that may be
, indeed. That is the problem,” says Hiro.

“C
rap sticks! Enough of this bull hockey,” I shout, knowing this noise isn’t helping anything. “Who else knows you’re here and how screwed is our mission? We’ve worked hard to track him here. We have a shot - a real shot at killing him. The world is better off with that a-hole gone. Even you have to know that Hiro.”

All eyes are on Hiro now and he knows it.  “I do know that
,” he offers back “No one else knows of you. It was I alone that suspected that the sword was in league with demonkind. So, my life alone is forfeit.”

“Bullshit
,” is Znuul’s resounding response. “Your life is not forfeit. You and Grey were great friends. I thought we were too. Help us. If not that, at least don’t get in the way.” With that Znuul plops down on the sofa unceremoniously next to Hiro.

“I cannot help a demon
,” Hiro says quietly.  “But I will not interfere.” 

Znuul and Hiro
sit there silently for a moment, that is, until Pffiferil, jumps up between them. “Well then ye need to be takin’ a pull of this flask Mr. Hiro, to seal the deal.” 

Hiro
makes a face of displeasure.  He must have heard of Pffif’s flask.