One winged angel
Deakon awoke slowly to the rocking of the boat beneath him. He felt rested but there was a strange dry taste to his mouth and his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. There were two bodies that shared the pallet with him, one of either side, both of which were much taller than him, and both of which had heartbeats. He opened on eye cautiously to survey his surroundings as what felt like an ice lance ran through his one opened eye. He hissed and pushed his head back down as a woman laughed. "Welcome to the world of the living," she said with some amusement. "Do you want some water? Kir maybe?"
Deakon's stomach chose that moment to remind him that he had barely eaten in days but that he also felt quite nauseous and the room was spinning, and closing his eyes just seemed to make it worse. "I think I'm dead." He said quietly.
"No," the woman said with a winning smile, "just hung over." She offered him a hand, it was one of the lady Emithi's servant girls, "come on lets get up out of there, though I think there are women that would pay a pretty penny to be where you are now." Deakon looked around for a moment to see what she meant, on his left, curled up towards him was Josian sleeping the peaceful sleep of the very drunk, and on the other was Devlin, looking for all the world like he had died in the night. Deakon took her hand and let her help him up without waking the other two.
"I'll trade them for this headache." Deakon said with a faint smile. "What happened? The last thing I remember is sitting with Lord Devlin and Josian and him telling this story."
"Absinthe." The girl said with a bright smile, "Lord Josian's absinthe is renowned, the Cadacus will have words with him later regarding how drunk you were."
"How drunk?" Deakon asked, testing the curve of his neck. "I know a few things about the ladies of Dathyl I didn't before, and I think everyone on the boat heard you calling Sir Tobin a bastard."
"Dastard," Devlin said from his side of the bed, "he called him a dastard and a cur." He stretched out and then licked his lips, "Lil, I do believe something took residence in my mouth to die."
"Yes, my lord," she said with a smile, she seemed to be enjoying this. "You ate a fish." Devlin looked confused, "one of the captain's prized ornamental fish that he keeps in a glass box in his cabin, Sir Josian said you couldn't and you did."
"I don't remember that," Devlin said sitting up, "I hope I never remember that."
"What's the last thing you remember?" Deakon asked, "the night is a blank after Josian sat down."
"Telling Josian that absinthe makes the tart grow fonder." Devlin said, "Which he thought was very funny. "
"So you don't remember sending Deakon to steal all the maids underwear?" Lil asked with a smile, "Or Lord Josian parading about with Miss Miho's on his head singing "when you loved me." Deakon lowered his head in his hands, Miho was not going to let them forget that any time soon, "Or Sir Tobin's snit because you didn't include him, or the Cadacus telling you to be quiet, before Ana and me put the three of you to bed." Devlin and Deakon shook their heads almost in unison. "Then you certainly won't remember painting Sir Joshoa's feet purple or Lord Devlin, you don't remember climbing the rigging."
"How much did we drink?"
"A lot." Lil said with a smug smile, despite how much they were talking there was no sign of Josian waking any time soon. "Come, follow me, I'll get some food into you." Deakon smiled at the offer, but Devlin went distinctly grey. "There is only one cure for a hangover," she smiled sweetly at them, she was apple cheeked and rosy, her eyes bright with mischief and her mouth small and tart. Soft brown curls were escaping a cloth cap she wore, and she took Deakon by the hand, "and that's lots of food." Devlin stopped long enough to make sure he was wearing clothes before he ran out of the room and down the corridor to the side of the boat. "Well, that'll probably stop this happening again tomorrow." Her smile was wicked, "are you really hungry?" Deakon nodded brightly. "Why I never."
The Cadacus looked ominous when Deakon saw him, Deakon knew with calm certainty that he was in trouble. He just wasn't sure why yet. He sat at the captain's table in the largest cabin of them all, the one that Emithi had sequestered, and tried not to meet the Cadacus' gaze which despite the warmth of coffee brown eyes managed to be quite icy. "Morning, Cadacus," he said not brightly but elegantly or so he thought. He heaped the sliced ham and cheese onto his plate and began eating with gusto. Everyone turned to look at him.
"Good morning, Deakon," Tobin's voice sounded like metal grinding on stone. "Was last night fun?"
"I don't remember." Deakon said, folding up a slice of the ham and stuffing it full of grapes and chutney before eating it whole, then picked up a slice of the roast chicken, dipping it liberally in the chutney before swallowing it and washing it down with a glass of milk that someone had poured for him. Everyone was staring at him.
"You're eating." Miho said shocked.
"I'm ravenous." Deakon said pulling over the loaf of bread and cutting himself a thick slab of it. "I swear I could eat a whole horse, hair and all."
"Pray tell where is Devlin?" Emithi asked; she was daintily nibbling on a large round biscuit covered in butter.
Deakon lifted one of the biscuits and slathered it in butter and marmalade, "Josian's not awake yet, and Devlin was feeling slightly unwell this morning." He smirked to himself, "I have no memory of what happened, so don't ask," he took a bite of the biscuit, "can someone pass me the milk?" Joshoa reached over and moved the jug to where Deakon could reach it. He filled his beaker to the brim again as everyone watched him. "It hasn't been that long since I ate voluntarily." He protested. "And you are always feeding me."
"A little over six weeks." The Cadacus said quietly. "Not since we left Meirin, in fact."
Emithi blinked at that she couldn't imagine anyone not eating for that length of time. "At your age," she began, "My boys nearly ate me out of Amitre."
"Really?" Deakon asked, "they're so thin, can you pass me the chutney?" Emithi moved the chutney, which he spooned liberally unto his plate and began dipping grapes into
“That's vile," Kyo said seeing what Deakon was eating, plump green grapes dipped into ginger chutney thick with onions and other pickles. "No, it's really nice actually, try." He offered the grape to Kyo as everyone turned to look at him.
Kyo not backing down from the gazes took the grape and ate it whole. He chewed for a moment, and then swallowed, carefully. Then he laughed. "That's actually really good." He laughed. "Maybe you're on to something, lad." He said, taking the bowl of grapes.
"So," the Cadacus said, "now that we've gotten past the initial shock of you eating," Deakon nodded cramming more food into his mouth. "What happened last night?"
"I had a nightmare," Deakon said, "and I went on deck to be sick," the Cadacus nodded, "and Lord Devlin was there, and we talked, and then Josian said I shouldn't be unchaperoned and shared his hip flask and told us about all these adventures he had had in Jiono, and I don't remember any more than that."
"Josian will remember when he gets up," Tobin said, "he always remembers."
"Lil said that you were angry because you weren't invited to join in," Deakon said, "and you were missing when I woke, Cadacus, or I would have stayed with you. I don't really remember but Lil said we had stolen underwear, that Lord Devlin had eaten one of the captain's ornamental fish, and that Josian was singing something called "because you loved me."
"That sounds normal." Tobin agreed. "And now you're trying to eat everything that comes your way."
"I'm starving," Deakon said, "I have a bit of a headache and the room's a bit swirly, but other than that and the gaping hole of last night, I'm fine." He cleared his plate again and reached for the platter of meat, "is anybody else hungry?" he asked, they all shook their heads dumbstruck, Deakon switched the platter for his own and began clearing it with surprising efficiency.
"By the Lady's wings." Joshoa swore watching Deakon eat. Emithi cuffed him about the back of the head with a murmur to watch his language, but it was too late, Deakon had heard the curse even if he didn't know what it meant.
Devlin was sat on the deck with his legs hanging through the railing when Deakon found him with a pitcher of honeyed kir. "Here," he said, "there's nothing worse than dry heaving, it's better to part with something than nothing." He handed Devlin a cup. "I should also warn you we're in a little bit of trouble for last night and I don't think that your hangover is going to save you from a grilling from Tobin, the Cadacus and your mother." Devlin groaned.
"Why do you put up with me, Deakon?" he asked, suddenly, "you know nothing about me but you're kind."
Deakon smiled, it was the warmest grin he had given since he had left Shiro. "I don't know." He said, "but I feel safe around you. I know you would protect me and you have no ulterior motive, Tobin and Josian feel guilty, the Cadacus owes me his oath, Miho and Kyo look on me like some little brother, and you, well you're Devlin." He took a sip of the kir then handed it to Deakon, "it's really sweet." He said pulling a face. "The Cadacus also said he wanted a word with you about something else, rather than getting a child completely smashed and teaching him bawds." Devlin groaned again, he could see where that was going even if Deakon couldn't. "Because, well, Josian's mostly to blame for that, and you were just a victim of circumstance."
Devlin's laugh was low and throaty. It sounded genuinely amused. "I extended the offer of Amitre to the Cadacus as a swordsman, I offer it now to you," his smile was not at all bitter, if anything it seemed warm and his dark eyes inviting. "As a friend."
"You barely know me." Deakon said, though he was no less happy than Devlin was. Then he saddened, "you don't know what I'm capable of."
"You are the cousin of the crown prince, you are the lord of Meirin, you have terrible nightmares and the most cutting sense of humour." He touched Deakon's hair fondly. "You are also the most genuine person I have ever met, and you have the most beautiful eyes." Devlin stopped himself. "You act so grown up it's easy to forget you're so young." He paled for a moment, but caught himself, "and I would swap you for my brother in a heartbeat."
Deakon stopped for a whole moment, thinking, and then wrapped his arms about Devlin as tight as he possibly could. "You make me feel safe," Deakon said, then he pulled back and straightened the jerkin he was wearing, "it means a lot to me." Then as quick as he had appeared he was gone, back into the cabin where they were eating.
"I want to have a word with you about that." The Cadacus said from behind Devlin causing him to jump. He hadn’t seen him approach.
"Deakon and I," Devlin began, "it's innocent, I think of him like a brother."
"No," the Cadacus repeated. "It's something else, are you up to talking with me, it will be a long discussion and you may not like what we will say, but I promise no harm will come to you."
Deakon stood next to Tobin at the railing of the ship staring into the dark haunted Termigent forest, there were dark shadows twisting through the trees, occasionally he would see a flash of muzzle or eyes, they were watching them closely. Tobin seemed very tall and calm, he was wearing black and his thoughts were his own, but the scar on his face seemed angry. "What are they?" he asked suddenly.
"Monsters I suppose." Tobin said calmly, "they won't attack the boat, they used to, but they know better now."
"I dreamt of this forest," Deakon said, "I dreamt of a lost city in it."
"There are a few of them." Tobin answered calmly, "I wouldn't worry about it, and you will never have occasion to go into the Forest, those that do, die."
"Do the monsters kill them?" Deakon asked; the shadows were large and quite menacing
.
"Sometimes," Tobin turned his back to the trees, "and sometimes the trees do. The Termigent is not like other forests." He put his arm around Deakon's shoulder, "they call is the Dread Termigent for a reason, those it lets live are mad beyond redemption."
"Why?" Deakon asked.
"I don't know." Tobin replied. "It's just always been like that." The way he said it suggested he knew perfectly well why, but he had no reason to reveal that information. "The wolves have come to see you, Deakon." he said, the wolves, if that's what they were, were ignoring Tobin and the boat, as each of them tried to catch Deakon's eye.
"is it because I am smaller than the rest of you?" Deakon asked, clutching Tobin's arm, it would be no effort for one of those large dark shadows to gobble him down in a single bite.
"No, because you are like them." Tobin said, "they are no more natural than Miho or Kyo, they are creatures of magic, just as you are, but they fear you, can't you feel it?" The air was crackling with something, Deakon assumed it was his own terror.
"I couldn't hurt them." Deakon protested.
"You could," Tobin corrected, "but you wouldn't, and they know that." The wolves had started to yip, and howl filling the air between the boat and the forest with noise, the sailors started to ring a bell and there was a lot of scurrying to and fro over the deck. "They fear you, but they will bring no harm to you."
"How do you know that?" Deakon asked.
"They are creatures of the Forest," Tobin said and looked Deakon clear in the eye, his poison green eyes were shining in the light from the sun above the river through the dark forest, "just like me."
Deakon awoke with a start and looked at the Cadacus where he sat on the edge of the bunk reading from an open book he held in his hands "Nightmare?" He asked. Deakon lay back down, "No," he said, "just a strange dream." The forest monsters were howling outside the window and the sailors were ringing the bell to action. The Cadacus stroked his cool forehead and it calmed him. "I dream so much, and sometimes the most horrific ones are the ones that scare me the least." Deakon sighed, a strange animal sound in the night. "I even think I might be getting to like them and that's what scares me most of all."
"Do you want to tell me about the dream?" the Cadacus asked.
"No," Deakon answered, "I don't." He rolled unto his side, determined to get back to sleep.
Sleep was not forthcoming that night, or the next night, or the night after that. Deakon did not sleep on the boat again. The Cadacus actually looked relieved when Sidi loomed large on the horizon, five giant black towers that seemed to clutch at the sun. The city was large and bustled as boats slipped in and out of the harbour, their masts seeming to rival the towers. No one but the Cadacus seemed happy to come to Sidi, but the look of exhaustion of Deakon's face seemed to tire them all.
Sidi was a city in every sense of the word, hawkers from every nation bustled them as they led their horses through the streets to the inn Tobin had recommended, women called out from windows offering them all manner of indignities that caused Kyo to blush as red as Miho's hair. Devlin walked alongside them, his hood low about his shoulders, the Cadacus had agreed to be his teacher and that meant that he travelled with them, and would for several more years and surprisingly Devlin's mother had agreed to it. The overall tone of the group was sombre despite the riot of colours and voices that erupted around them.
A woman appeared out of the crowd brandished a brightly feathered bird so close to Deakon’s face shrieking “parrot for the lad” Deakon jumped back, colliding with Kyo in a way that made Kyo growl. The Cadacus drew his sword to send her on her way. She scuttled off to a large stall on the street side with many cages; in each of them were animals, large animals such as wolves and panthers prowled. They were each of them sick. Death lingered heavily on most of them, even the brightly coloured birds hung close to the brink, all but one, in a small wicker basket, but he couldn’t see what it was. “Cadacus” Deakon said, “I want what’s in that basket. Can I have some money?”
“Why that one?” Kyo asked as he reached to the bag on his waist to give Deakon several coins that Tobin had given him.
“The rest of them won’t live out the month, they’re all dying, but that one’s new.” Deakon said reaching out for the coins.
“I’ll do it.” Devlin said loosening the sword in his sheathe. He walked to the woman and handed her several small coins and lifted the basket in his arms, when he brought it back to Deakon it made a small whimpering noise. Then Deakon smiled, it was a cold and slightly sad smile, he looked the woman in the eye, and then the animals in the cages began to die, together. The animals in the tiny rank cages lay down and died, the birds huddled together on their foul perches and died, the fish in their green bowl died floating to the top like flotsam.
Deakon ignored it as he opened the wicker basket Devlin held open for him, and then his smile became warm, he ignored the dead animals no more than ten paces away from him and lifted out a small fox cub nuzzling its face against his. “I will call you Ayan,” he said, “and no harm will come to you, little one.”
Deakon lay on the rug of the inn teasing the fox cub with a piece of string, it had gobbled up the fish he had given it, and Devlin assured him that it was old enough to be away from it’s mother, but that it was very young and poorly cared for. The Cadacus had given it a flea bath before he had let Deakon lift it because its basket was so rank. The cub, Ayan, having fed and drank the milk they had given it was now quite content to play, he was jumping at the piece of coloured string like it was prey and growling at Deakon with indignation every time he moved it just out of reach. Deakon was laughing at the tiny cub wrinkle its nose at him, and lift the edges of its black muzzle to show tiny white teeth, the effect wasn’t menacing at all; it was just too cute. Ayan had eyes like his own.
Devlin sat on the floor in the inglenook of the fire, the Cadacus insisted for some reason that he share a room with Deakon and himself, and more often than not they shared a bed. Devlin’s presence stopped the nightmares. He was watching Deakon playing with the cub and the boy’s laughter. The Cadacus was polishing his sword, he called it Ran and spoke of it like it was a person. Apart from Deakon’s laughter, Ayan’s growls and the crackle of the fire, the room was silent.
It was strangely calming watching the boy play with his new pet, even if he had only bought it for him because the woman was killing them. The cub was a blot of bright red fur, the same colour as Deakon’s hair, and a small black muzzle and feet. He was trying to be menacing but was too little, and Devlin half expected Deakon to sweep him up into his arms for a hug like Devlin’s sister would have done.
The knocking on the door surprised them all, Tobin and Josian were staying in another inn that they always patronised in Sidi that the Cadacus hadn’t approved of, and Miho and Kyo never interrupted them. Devlin got to his feet as Deakon picked up the fox cub and put him into the curve of his jacket. Devlin opened the door to three huge men in white armour, each with a golden pair of wings emblazoned on their chests. Deakon swallowed uncomfortably, these men were Seraphim. They were all heavily armed, and one of them had a long curved blade under his forearm. Deakon knew what it was, it was called a greave and it was designed to ease the opening of the ribcage to remove the heart. It was what Seraphim did, they cut out the hearts of witches.
The three men were massive, each stood nearly half a head taller than Deakon and twice again as wide, the hand of one of them was easily the size of Deakon’s head. They all wore their hair short, clipped close to the head, and one of them had a scar on his mouth. They were all heavily armed. Deakon’s stance tensed when he saw them. “Is there a reason for this intrusion, Sir Jacurutu?” Devlin said facing down the largest of them, the one with the greave, he recognised him.
“Just checking out a rumour, your grace.” Just as Devlin had recognised him, the Seraphim recognised Devlin. There was no deference in the Seraphim at all but the others took a step back when they heard Devlin referred to as that. It was a title, but it didn’t say just how much power the young man had. “That the boy there bought the last animal at a stall before all of the other animals died.”
“I bought the last animal,” Devlin said, “for the boy. It was a fox cub, if the other animals died I imagine it was because they were in such poor states. I only chose the one I did because it seemed the healthiest.”
“And can I ask the identity of the boy?” Sir Jacurutu asked.
“Certainly, he is the son my sword master, I asked him to accompany me to Muchine where I intend to pay court to Mistress Saaraphine of Melc,” Sir Jacurutu’s face curled at that, “and he goes nowhere without his son, his name, to help with your investigation is Takehito Deakon,” Devlin smoothly lied giving Deakon the clan name of the Cadacus, “and this is his father Takehito Mamoru.” The Cadacus gave a slight bow of his head and continued polishing Ran with long slow squeals. He hadn’t even stood but he gave a sense of cold menace that was like a stink in the room. Deakon was frozen on the spot, terrified, but Ayan was wriggling at his belly, his red head poking through the opening of his jacket to where the Seraphim could see it. Deakon scratched the head absently.
“Couldn’t you have bought the boy a cat?” One of the other Seraphim asked.
“He wanted a parrot,” the Cadacus said, “but the ones at the stall were in such poor health.” He left it open, “and I can’t imagine that you will impound his pet simply because we bought the last live animal at the stall.”
The Seraphim frowned, it was clear that he had every intention of doing just that. “We have to make sure that there was no preternatural cause for the animal’s death.” He said firmly. “So if you could hand over the animal for dissection.”
“No.” Deakon answered firmly, putting his hands over the cub. “I paid for him and he’s mine.”
“You will be suitably compensated for your loss.” One of the other Seraphim said.
“No,” Deakon protested standing his ground although he felt his knees turn to water. These men were here to kill him for the animals, he shouldn’t have killed them together, but they were so weak.
“I’ll even buy you a kitten.” One of the other Seraphim said angrily, “we just have to have him checked by the angels.”
“No.” Deakon said again, feeling the golden ball well in his stomach in front of these men. He could kill them, as easily as he had killed the animals, he could kill them all.
“Get out.” Devlin said taking the door. “Now.”
“I beg your pardon.” Sir Jacurutu said, astounded that anyone would talk to him in that manner.
“I said, get out.” Devlin repeated. “Or will I fetch the Garvem, I am sure that they would be pleased to hear about how the Seraphim are harassing me.”
“Your grace.” One of the others protested, “the animal may have a disease, all the animals died, we have to check for such possibilities.”
“I assumed the Seraphim protected the world from terrible magics.” Devlin said, “at least that is what you teach my brother, not fox cubs and children. Now get out, before I fetch the Garvem Redbands that police this area. I am sure that they would take my complaint seriously.” The Seraphim all tensed.
“Don’t think your mother can save you if we discover that you had anything to do with the animals.” Sir Jacurutu said in a very threatening manner.
“Yes, I’m sure that buying my page a pet is one of the foulest of black rituals.” It sounded heavily sarcastic. “If you wish to check the identity of my companions, my mother’s factor will be more than happy to do so. Now, good day, gentlemen. I am sure that you can find your own way to the main door.”
“Why are you staying here and not in the factor’s house?” The seraphim asked.
“My whims are my own.” Devlin answered coldly, “and I did not wish to come here in ceremony, I am incognito, me, a guard and my page. Now as I said, good day.”
“You aren’t bishop yet,” One of the other Seraphim said.
“You must be Sir Coresc.” Devlin growled, “your reputation precedes you like a stink,” the man looked shocked, “and I must question why three higher ranked Seraphim would come to investigate animal deaths, especially in Sidi.” They were all shocked speechless. “You have tried my patience, sirs, leave.” That was a distinct order.
“We won’t forget this, D’Aino.” Sir Jacurutu said.
“I would be disappointed if you did, Aaron,” he said meeting the man’s hard gaze easily, “but this is nothing to do with the Seraphim, I bought the boy a fox and believed that three gentlemen of the greater houses would have better amusements than taking a pet from a boy.”
“You won’t always have your title to hide behind,” Sir Coresc said.
“I know, I know,” Devlin said, “when the war comes all the first born sons will be cast low, and I won’t be bishop.” He laughed, “and the Garvem will wipe the seraphim stain from the world and the only hearts you will guard will be your own. Now, begone, my patience is at an end, Takehito-san.” The Cadacus stood up, slipping Ran into its sheathe with a steely hiss. “Would you escort the kind gentlemen to the door.” The Cadacus seemed almost pleased to do so, and when it was done, and only when the door closed behind them Deakon wilted and he thought he might cry.
“They terrify you, don’t they?” Devlin asked quietly. There were no words so Deakon only nodded as Ayan nuzzled at his hand. “They’re only men,” Devlin said, “They’re only natural. They’re just bitter and twisted.” It was meant to soothe him but it didn’t.
Deakon choked back a sob. “They,” he didn’t know where to begin, “they told me for so long, they all said it.” He lowered his head, “even Mama, she said the Seraphim would cut out my heart and chop off my head.”
“Do you think the Cadacus or I would let them?” Devlin said quietly. “That had nothing to do with you and everything to do with needling me.” He stroked Deakon’s hair like he was the fox cub. “I told you before there would be war, the three Seraphim that came here were all second sons given to the Seraphim, each one of them had an older brother that inherited or will inherit the states they are named for as Seraphim, they are all members of high ranked houses. The jealousy that I am first born and they are not is what that was about. They struck at you to get to me. I was seen buying Ayan, that’s all.”
“But I did kill the animals.” Deakon protested.
“They don’t know that, and they can’t prove that. Don’t worry, and if they could we’d kill them.” He pulled Deakon into a light hug. “We promised to keep you safe, didn’t we?” Deakon nodded, “and Ayan too.”
Deakon awoke in the bed when the weight settled at the end causing the mattress to buck under him. He opened his eyes wearily thinking it was Devlin or the Cadacus, no one else ever disturbed him when he slept. It was Maerian. She wore a robe for sleeping and the feathers were gone from her hair. Curled on the pillow by Deakon’s head Ayan awoke, raising his tiny muzzle to look at her. “Kawaii,” she enthused, “a kit.” She reached across the bed to lift him.
“Don’t touch him.” Deakon said, picking up the kit and sitting up, nuzzling Ayan’s head with his finger. “He’s mine.”
“I didn’t come to see hi.” She said sitting back and crossing her arms across her chest. “I came to see you, Aniki.” She was rocking back on her heels, her wing folded behind her.
“You’re not my sister.” He said.
“I am,” she answered, “but I am the dead come to answer your call, my Lord of Meirin.” The venom dripped for her tone as she said those words.
“My mother only had me.” He protested.
“Never said she didn’t.” Maerian answered calmly, she was wearing a faint smile. “I was never born. Father killed me, but I am you, and you are me, Aniki.”
“Don’t call me that.” Deakon protested.
“Why not?” She laughed. She looked across at Devlin, at how peacefully he slept. “You chose a champion?” She asked, then reached across and touched him, “exactly who I would choose. I thoroughly approve, Aniki.”
“Stop calling me that.” He protested.
“You stole everything from me,” Maerian hissed then, leaning across to him, her body pressed against his chest and her breath hot in his ear, “you stole everything, and now you parade with my power with my title.” There was a sharp pain in his ear, “and my Senshisha, have you no shame, Aniki?”
Ayan started to bark at her, but he was so small it wasn’t in anyway threatening and she clapped her hands together and laughed in glee. “Kawaii,” she said. “I’ll let you go now, Aniki, but remember me.” She kissed him on the forehead, her lips burning his skin and then he was awake and she was gone. Ayan was nipping at his ear, never having risen from the pillow. Deakon stroked the kit back to sleep and then moved him to the other side of the pillow before he spooned up against where Devlin lay in the bed. It was only then he started to cry.
His sobbing woke Devlin who rolled over with a sleepy grunt, but didn’t say anything, just put his arms around Deakon and pulled him tight to the curve of his chest, nestling the boy’s head under his chin where he could sleep. Beneath the towers of Sidi Deakon slept in Devlin’s arms and felt safe.
When he awoke Devlin was gone, and the Cadacus had arranged some breakfast for him, but he felt nauseous and pushed it away. Ayan however was more than happy to tuck into the steamed fish that the Cadacus had fetched. The Cadacus looked tired. Deakon sat down at the table facing the fireplace, although there was no need for a fire as the summer bled into autumn it was still quite warm. It was late morning and the Cadacus’ handsome face looked less grey in the light than usual. He looked almost alive. Ayan stalked across the table to the bowl of milk that the Cadacus had poured for him. “Where’s Devlin?” Deakon asked. “you didn’t kill him, did you?”
The Cadacus looked a little shocked for a moment, and then he laughed. “No, I didn’t kill him.” He said calming running his cold hand down Ayan’s back. “He went to see his factor here, to find out who told the Seraphim where we were and to arrange some more money, he’ll be back later. He said he wanted to take you to the tower later.” That calmed Deakon a touch.
“She was in my dreams last night.” Deakon said quietly, sipping the cup of kir that was on the table for him, “she said that she was dead, and that my power was hers before she died.” He lowered his eyes from the Cadacus, “she said Devlin was my Senshisha.”
“He is,” the Cadacus replied calmly, “I was Mina’s, but Devlin is yours, that is why you sleep when he is near, why you can tell him anything, the magic chose him. I don’t know why.”
“Why aren’t you my Senshisha?” Deakon asked.
“There are many answers to that, chibi,” the Cadacus said quietly, “my oath was to Mina, to the lady of Meirin so I will protect you, I am still Senshisha, but I am not the other side of your gift, and he is.” He reached out and touched Deakon’s hand in a gesture of comfort. “Death must be balanced by life, not death, Deakon, I am your guardian, I will let nothing happen to you, Devlin plays another role, only he can assuage the death visions.”
“That’s why you brought him along?” Deakon asked, suddenly realising, the Cadacus nodded, “and why you encouraged him to share my bed?” the Cadacus nodded again. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought you’d prefer the idea that he was your friend.” The Cadacus answered. “Mina and I were unhappy because I was her Senshisha and she was my lady, I would rather that you were friends that bound together by the oath I betrayed.”
Deakon emptied the cup thinking. “Thank you.” He said, “You have my best interests at heart. But I’m not a child, I can deal with these things.”
“You are so small its easy to forget that the weight of the dead ages you. I should know that better than any, I beg your forgiveness, Deakon, for underestimating you.”
“It’s nothing.” Deakon said, “I know how careful you are of your oath, and sometimes that means you try to overprotect me.” He got up and put his arms around the Cadacus in a tight hug. “But we’ll have to be careful that Tobin doesn’t see us like this or we’ll never hear the end of it.”
Deakon spent the next few days in Sidi in terror whilst Tobin and Josian did their business in the city. The Seraphim seemed intent to keep an eye on him and so whenever Deakon left the sanctuary of the inn he saw them in the crowd. Devlin told him to ignore them, but it was hard to see the huge armoured men without a twinge of terror every time he saw them. Both the Cadacus and Josian called them "bloody Seraphim" and each had tales of Seraphim ignorance. No one in the world knew more about magic than the Seraphim because it paid to know what you hunt, but knowing it and being able to put that knowledge into practise seemed to be alien ideas to the Seraphim.
Deakon was glad to leave the city behind. It had a terrible sense of unease, the giant black tower that loomed over it looking like nothing more than a giant hand determined to snatch the sun out the sky, with four black towers grouped together, and one smaller one apart. He didn't look at it as they rode away. All he knew about Sidi was that Tobin hated it and that there were too many Seraphim for him to be comfortable there. One of the few advantages it had was that he had had no death visions in the time he was there. Instead Maerian haunted his every dream. He had stopped sleeping.
Ayan was asleep in his basket, tied on the back of Deakon's saddle. It calmed the boy knowing that the fox was there. He had never had a pet before and was unsure how to treat one, and despite his affinity for chewing on Devlin's shirts everyone adored the kit.
"I hate to say this," Tobin said looking over his shoulder, "but we're being followed."
"We haven't done anything wrong," Josian said, "let them follow."
"It’s an entire Seraphim squadron." Tobin replied, "Maybe we should go a bit faster. There are fifty of them and seven of us, eight if we include Ayan and unless he wants to pee on them I think there might be a problem.”
"We have the law on our side this time," Josian said quietly, "and even if we don't, three of you are the among the greatest swordsmen alive, I can hold my own more than a Seraphim devoted and those pair," he flicked his eyes to Miho and Kyo, have ways to defend themselves."
"Stop in the name of the Goddess!" A man called riding ahead. They stopped. So did the single Seraphim, sitting about a hundred yards away from them.
"Is there something wrong?" Josian asked; he certainly looked innocent.
"We can't allow you to leave the city," the man said, "we have word of pestilence and there needs to be quarantine." He sounded official, but there was a wildness about his face that suggested that it was all a lie, a ruse on the part of the Seraphim.
"Really?" Josian asked, "well as we are all well I see no point in returning to the city just in case." He lifted the reins of his horse.
"We must insist." The Seraphim replied, "We don't want the contagion to spread."
Devlin whispered something in the Cadacus' ear, and the Cadacus nodded. "I'm coming closer." Devlin shouted, "so we can discuss this like civilised members of the court."
"Your grace, I must protest." the man said.
Devlin jerked back, his face suddenly white and a trickle of blood running from the corner of his mouth, sticking from his chest was a crossbow bolt. The Cadacus caught him as he fell.
The world went black.
The sky darkened and the earth started to roil under their feet, channels of mud thrown into the air as if by unseen currents. Deakon's eyes were shimmering gold. "Run," he said and his voice was a harsh whisper. "Now."
The seraphim drew his sword as his horse danced around him.
The golden ball within Deakon had turned black, it was like a whirlpool sucking in power from all around him, from the air, from the ground, from Miho, from Kyo.
The Seraphim was thrown from his horse as the golden threads became clear all about him, he had snapped Kennichi's, that had been a painless death, but these men had killed Devlin. They had killed his Senshisha.
"Please no," the Seraphim said raising his hands over his face. His arms exploded at the same time as his throat as a nugget of solid ice formed under them. The droplets froze before they hit the ground.
"Draima!" one of the other Seraphim yelled.
"Angharad!" The rest yelled diving forward.
"K'so," Tobin swore drawing his sword. The Cadacus held him back.
A wall of fire at least ten feet high closed in around the Seraphim, boxing them in place. Deakon said nothing, he made no outward show of moving but he sucked the power into him like a siphon. Then the Seraphim started to die, one by ones their heads and their chests exploded in a shower of gore.
"Deakon," Josian said, shaking him, "Deakon, you're killing them."
It was all happening outside of him, happening slowly as if he was watching someone else perform this atrocity, all the golden threads were snaking away from them and the air was rank with the stench of meat. They weren't people, they weren't Seraphim- they were meat.
"Deakon, stop, you're killing them."
He looked at Josian with utter disdain in a way that suggested that killing them was the idea all along. They had killed Devlin.
"Not the Seraphim," Josian said, turning his head with his hand under Deakon's chin. "Them." He looked at Miho and Kyo, they were standing like dolls, Deakon didn't even know when they had dismounted, Miho's head was cast back and her hair was frozen together in clumps of ice. The inside of her trousered legs was stained red with blood, and despite the honey colour of her skin she was pale, a trickle of blood ran from her nose. Kyo stood beside her, whatever force held him standing it put no strength in his muscles and the sides of his neck were red with blood that oozed from his ears. They looked like wooden marionettes hanging from a hook. The only thing that kept them standing was Deakon's power.
"It's too late." Deakon said in that terrible whisper, "their threads are gone." there was no emotion in his voice, "they are already dead." There was nothing human left in him, just the power he sucked from the air and the ground.
"Deakon," The Cadacus said, "It's in his shoulder, the bolt’s in his shoulder, he bit his mouth, Devlin's fine." It had no effect. Tobin was more practical, he lifted Ayan from the basket on the back on Deakon's horse and unceremoniously dumped him on Deakon's lap. Deakon blinked away the darkness looking at the tiny kit on his knee.
"Devlin's going to be fine," The Cadacus said but Miho and Kyo slumped to the floor like puppets with their strings cut. Miho's cherry red hair looking like a bloodstain as their horses moved away skittishly from the meat. The inside of Miho's legs were sticky with blood, as were Kyo's shoulders.
"Oh, sweet goddess," Deakon swore seeing them, "what have I done?"
There was nothing human left of the Seraphim, they looked like meat left out to spoil, here and there were fragments of armour and the sharp white edge of bone. The meat was in places seared with fire, or frozen with ice. The road was stained red with blood. Deakon seeing it screamed, the earth roiled again, swallowing the terror that he had made, it rolled over folding the gore underneath it but Deakon's eyes were wild enough that it was plain to everyone that he had no control of what he had done.
"I killed them." He said, "I killed them all."
"You thought that they had killed Devlin," The Cadacus said softly, "you lost control."
"I killed them," Deakon repeated, he was crying and screaming now, "I had the option of just snapping their threads, they would have just dropped down dead like Kennichi, but I didn't. They would cut off my head and cut out my heart so I did that instead. Look at them." No one could now, only the disturbed earth where the ground had literally swallowed them. "I did that."
"Miho and Kyo boxed them in." The Cadacus argued, "and they killed more than you did, they died to protect you." Josian seemed sceptical, as if he knew something the others didn't. None of it consoled Deakon.
"Deakon," Devlin said, holding his shoulder, "are you alright?" He seemed weary, and poking through his fingers was the crossbow bolt. "Did they hurt you?"
"I am unharmed," Deakon answered, sobbing, "they didn't hurt me."
"I would make a lousy Senshisha if I couldn't protect you." he said with a faint smile, "I think I fainted, did they run off?"
"No," Deakon answered, "They're all dead."
"Bloody Seraphim." Devlin said in a fair imitation of Tobin, "they always find the worst possible solution to a problem." His smile was tired but it was obvious he was being brave for Deakon, "the things they'll do rather than admit they're wrong. Now if no one minds, Cadacus can you look after Deakon for me I think I'm going to pass out again."
Again the Cadacus caught him.
"I'll patch him up while he's out." the Cadacus said pulling him from his horse, "Deakon, do you want to help me, can you," he flicked his eyes to Miho and Kyo, where they lay so still and quiet, where they had been filled with such fire.
"Certainly," Josian said, "we can say the rites." He grabbed Tobin by the shoulder to pull him away. Deakon allowed himself to be led like a lamb, Ayan curled up in the curve of his jacket. "You might want to get him something warm to drink," Josian said looking at Deakon, "it looks like he's going into shock." Tobin went paler, if that was possible. It looked as if he had seen a ghost. Or something that scared him as much.
Devlin's skin was mottled and pink around the wound where the black bolt stuck out. The Cadacus wrapped Deakon's cloak tight about the boy and sat him down, if not for the wound he would have built a fire. Devlin slipped in and out of consciousness with the pain rousing him before it caused him to pass out again. Deakon was rocking himself back and forward. The Cadacus was unsure who to treat first, Devlin's wound was painful and nasty but didn't threaten his life and without control on his powers Deakon could easily kill them all as violently as he had exenterated the Seraphim. "Deakon," the Cadacus said, "I need you to talk to me, while I help Devlin, I need you to tell me about your Mama."
"Why?" Deakon asked, his golden eyes were downcast and fixed on the sleeping kit in his jacket.
"Because I'm worried about you, because of what you saw, I need you to tell me about something else so we can make you better." He wiped his knife down with alcohol. "I don't know your mother, tell me about her."
"Her name was Aeris." Deakon said woodenly, the Cadacus started to carve into Devlin's shoulder to cut out the head of the bolt. "And," He pressed.
"She was my mama."
"What colour was her hair?"
"Black," he answered.
"And her eyes,"
"Grey."
"Did she tell you stories?"
"No." Devlin screamed as the Cadacus removed the bolt and poured raw alcohol over the wound. "She didn't tell me stories, she rarely spoke to me except to warn me about the Seraphim, to tell me what they would do, that they would cut out my heart and cut off my head, and keep my head on a pike and my heart in a jar. She kept me safe from the clan, she used to hold my wrist so hard it hurt so I couldn't run away, so the clan wouldn't hurt me, my mama loved me."
"I never said she didn't, Deakon," the Cadacus said fondly, "I just want you to tell me all about her. She loved you very much to keep you so safe."
"I think she was mad," Deakon sniffed sadly, "she used to cry in the night, and scream at the wind. she said everyone would hurt me, she burned me so I would know what happens to witches. She took me to an execution so I would understand." He raised his eyes but they were shadowed. "She took care of me."
"She was your mama," Devlin said quietly, "of course she kept you safe, it’s what mama's do." It was forced but Deakon assumed it was from the care with which the Cadacus stitched the wound tightly shut.
"She was a princess, and she gave everything up to look after me." Deakon protested.
"That was a brave thing to do," The Cadacus said, "she must be worried about you, you've been gone form Shiro for a few months now."
"Maerian says she thinks I am dead." Deakon said sadly. "It is better for her without me to look after, Draima watches over her, but she has settled. If she thought i was alive she would cross the country to find me and then she'd get hurt. "
"So would my Mama." Devlin said smiling as the Cadacus closed his jacket over the wound, "so would the Cadacus' mama, how about when we get to Muchine we write to your mama and tell her where you are and that you're safe so she doesn't have to worry about you, and then we can write to my mama and reassure her that we're both safe in Muchine, how does that sound?"
"No," Deakon said firmly, "I want to write to Draima, I want to tell her that I'm alright, she's looking after Mama, she'll tell her."
"Don't trust anything Maerian says," the Cadacus said kneeling in front of Deakon, "she has her own agenda and it’s best to mistrust it than make a fool of yourself for a blessed ghost."
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