Fury's Mantle Read online

  “I remember, you were in the class. So you’re certain there were several of them? Were they in-body?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “They were in-body, all right. They were using lycanthropes as vehicles.”

  I let out a little groan. It was bad enough when they picked up a human vehicle. A lycanthrope vehicle could take them much farther. Lycanthropes were stronger and more resilient than humans, in every possible way.

  “Lovely. Then they have found a way to recruit the Abominations. I wonder…” I looked over at Hecate. “How could this happen? How could Fenrir figure out how to force an Abomination to work for him?”

  “You have to understand, Fenrir is chaotic. So are Abominations. It’s not out of the question that he can somehow command them. Perhaps through a bribe, or some other way. I’m just glad we know. I’ll warn the rest of the gods. This makes the coming battle even more dangerous.”

  “Shouldn’t I stay, if Abominations are helping lead the force?” The thought made me queasy, but I didn’t want to shirk my duty.

  “No, this makes it even more vital that you are protected from them. You are one of the best Abomination hunters in the country. I cannot chance losing you to a group of lycanthropes headed by an Abom. Besides, remember what I told you earlier? That stands.” Her voice was firm and I knew the subject was closed.

  “So what’s is our next step?” Jason asked.

  Damh Varias answered. “Tomorrow morning, we begin bringing those who choose to join UnderBarrow into the Barrow. We also bring in supplies and farm animals. Tomorrow night, UnderBarrow’s doors will close and lock. We cannot afford to wait any longer, even for the survivors from Verdanya. And the morning after, we shift UnderBarrow into the Shining Lands. You have twenty-four hours to gather anything you need from the outer world into the Barrow. I suggest, especially since you own a store, Jason, that you gather all of your wares. And your sister, whom I assume will be going with us, should move over her supplies from the bakery. Pots, pans, anything portable that she can bring.”

  As the discussion settled down to hammering out the timeline, my thoughts drifted off. I thought of Seattle. I had been born there, had grown up and lost my mother there. I’d found Jason, and then I’d found my true love.

  I thought about the city that had been my home and now lay in ruins—a ghost city that would never again rise from the ashes. I thought about Willow Wood and how comfortable and beautiful the village had become over the past eight years. Now, once again, we were uprooting our lives. But most of all I thought about the coming battle. Ragnarök was at hand, and I wasn’t sure whether I liked the idea of being swept away from it, or whether—in some deep part of my soul—I wanted to stay and fight.

  THE ENTIRE VILLAGE seemed to be in chaos as I walked through the central square, flanked by Elan and Zed. Evening was on the way, but the village was as busy as it usually was in the morning, with people rushing every which way and shouts going up here and there.

  Jason was at Dream Wardens, once again packing every single piece of inventory that he owned. It was early afternoon, and in twenty-four hours we would be leaving this place. As I looked around at the stalls and the shops and the homes, I felt tears well. We had worked so hard for this and now, it was all in danger.

  I dashed them away, wondering why I was so weepy lately, and turned to Elan. “How are you doing?”

  She shrugged, her expression grim. “I’ll be all right. I wish my father and I could have come to peace before his death, but if wishes were horses, everyone would ride.” She paused, then added, “I made sure that Captain Varga and the other stallions were brought into UnderBarrow this morning. They will, of course, be going with us.”

  “Thank you. I would have hated to forget him. How many so far have decided to go with us? Do we have an idea?”

  “So far we have 450 signed up. That’s not bad, given the warning just went out at noon. It’s only been a few hours. My fear is that the stragglers will truly believe it’s not as dangerous as we’re making it out to be. But there’s nothing we can do about that. We can’t force them to go with us.”

  “Can’t you make it a royal decree, Your Majesty?” Zed asked. “Then everybody would have to go.”

  “Yes, but consider this. Would you want to take people on a journey with you who didn’t want to be there? It’s neither safe nor wise. Granted it would be for their own safety, but when you come down to it, the truth is that we can’t offer safety as an absolute guarantee. We don’t know what’s going to happen when we arrive, although Tam has sent word to his parents so they are expecting us. But I have a feeling the Shining Lands won’t be easy on humans, even if they are safer.”

  He ducked his head. “Yes, Your Majesty. I see your point. And if we took people who didn’t want to be relocated, chances are they might become troublemakers. We have no need for that.”

  “Amen.” I looked around, rubbing my hands together. It was chilly, and I could almost smell snow on the horizon. Raindrops dripped off of the trees from where it gathered and pooled, the droplets icy and smelling almost like mint. Firs and cedars had a certain scent when the rain hit them, refreshing and crisp and slicing through fog like a knife through butter.

  “I still feel awkward not staying here,” I told Elan. “I never thought I’d be pulled in two different directions. I’m grateful she’s not making the choice difficult, but I almost feel cast aside. Like I’m unnecessary.”

  “The last thing you need to do is get yourself killed by a group of lycanthropes. Or by a Jötnar. Do you know how huge those giants are?” Elan asked.

  I shook my head. “Not really. I assume eight to ten feet tall, kind of like Jerako. Only a lot more dangerous.”

  “The Jötnar are nothing like the Greenlings. They’re even bigger, and while the Greenlings can be terribly dangerous and ruthless, the Jötnar are just stupid lugs who will happily go pounding things around for fun. Trust me, you do not be facing one of those.”

  “I didn’t exactly have that in mind, but I suppose we have to assume they’ll be spreading out throughout the area.”

  I sat down on one of the benches as we passed by, watching the hustle. Willow Wood had grown up to be a beautiful village, and we had done our best to make it sparkle and shine, but it was time to leave it behind and begin anew elsewhere.

  “I suppose every village has a time just like every city and every person. The Willow Wood that we created has turned out to be an interim community.” I still hated thinking what would happen to those who chose to stay, but they had been warned. I had to let it go.

  Elan seemed to sense the war within. “You have to bid this place good-bye, Your Majesty. Hecate is bound to no one realm. You will always find her if you seek her out.”

  “I know,” I said, watching people scramble to dismantle their vendor stalls and pack up their goods. “Just—some of these people who stay won’t be able to survive without us,” I said. “It’s not just our protection they cling to us for, but we give them food when they can’t afford it.”

  “Those who are meant to come with us will, Your Majesty,” Zed said, flashing me a bright smile. I could tell he was trying to make me ease my guilt, and I nodded, grateful for the reminder.

  At that moment, Shevron dashed up. She was carrying a bag of sweets, which she handed to Elan. “Here, I’m giving away most of my prepared things that won’t last more than a day or so. Anything that will last up to a week I will donate to UnderBarrow, given I’m coming with you.”

  “If you weren’t, I think Jason would hogtie you and carry you over his shoulder. But I’m glad you aren’t making us do that.” I glanced at the bag. “What do you have in there?”

  Shevron’s eyes twinkled. “Gingerbread cookies, and pumpkin muffins.”

  I held out my hands. “Fill me up, please. I’ll take a muffin and three cookies.”

  As she handed me the food, I noticed there was a commotion over at one of the check-in point
s. Somebody was arguing with the guard, and he didn’t look stable.

  “What’s going on over there?” I asked.

  Elan motioned to Zed. “I’ll go find out. Keep an eye on Her Majesty.” Elan headed over toward the fracas. I took the chance to turn back to Shevron.

  “You know about her father?” I asked.

  Shevron shook her head. “No, I haven’t had a chance to talk to anybody since the meeting and I’ve been busy getting things ready.”

  “The guard that stumbled into the village this morning? Triton? He was returning from Verdanya. You know their king is Elan’s father, right?”

  “Yes, of course.” Shevron narrowed her eyes. “I also know that he disowned her.”

  “Well, he was beheaded during the battle. The rest of her family went into hiding but nobody knows if they’re safe or not and we can’t send anybody out to look for them.”

  Shevron pressed her hand to her stomach. “Oh, how awful. How is she taking it?”

  “Like the guard she is. All official and professional on the outside, but inside, I think it’s stabbing her. I just wanted you to know because you and Jason are going to need to help her decompress. She’s not about to let down her guard in front of me, even though she’s one of my best friends. She takes her job too seriously. We need you and Jason to help her cope. Especially during this volatile time. It’s not good to carry around repressed sorrow and anger like she’s dealing with right now.”

  “I’ll do my best to help.” Shevron glanced around. The village was in a mild uproar, people running every which way, carrying bags and boxes. “So, about half the village is going?”

  “It sounds that way. I already see some heading off into the forest, though. Probably running off to hide someplace they think will be safe. But Shevron, there isn’t any place left that will be safe. Not here. This is it. Ragnarök’s going to touch every corner of this planet, because Fenrir is a god. It’s not like it was with Lyon and the Order of the Black Mist. And the Jötnar haven’t even arrived yet. But it won’t be long now.” I linked my arm with hers and turned back toward UnderBarrow. “I’d like to make certain you’re in by tonight. Do you need extra help clearing out your bakery?”

  Shevron nodded. “Yeah, actually I do. Jason’s busy taking care of his store, and I’m not about to ask Elan to help.”

  I looked over at Zed and motioned for him to come closer.

  “Yes, Your Majesty?”

  “Find someone to help Shevron get everything moved over to the Barrow. We want her out of her bakery before nightfall. I am not trusting that there won’t be trouble when it gets dark. I just have a nasty feeling about it.”

  I was uneasy, and felt that things were going to go south the moment darkness hit. Those who chose not to journey with UnderBarrow but who expected us to stay and protect them were probably more than willing to take action. I decided I needed to talk to Tam.

  “Come with us. Zed will send someone to help clear out your shop. I don’t want you running around out here by yourself. In fact, Zed? Send someone over to help Jason as well. And make certain that Aila is in the Barrow, and not helping her father. This is no time to have children running around on their own.”

  “You really are worried, aren’t you?” Shevron asked.

  I gazed into her eyes. “I fear a time bomb is ticking, and it’s about to explode.”

  WHEN WE REACHED UnderBarrow, Zed summoned Wheel and sent him out to Shevron’s bakery. He sent Fortune out to help Jason. Then he accompanied me back to my chamber, where I found Tam taking a moment to rest. He was lying on the bed, his eyes closed, but I could tell he wasn’t asleep. The Bonny Fae were able to rest by putting themselves into a light trance, which was almost as good as a night’s sleep.

  Asking Zed to go fetch Elan, I shut the door and locked it behind him.

  “You have plans?” Tam asked, startling me as he sat up.

  “Geez! Scare a woman to death, why don’t you? I didn’t realize you could hear me. I thought you were enswaugh.”

  Enswaugh was the Gaelia word for their trancelike sleep.

  Tam smiled, the corners of his lips turning up. “It does my heart good to hear you speak my language, my wife. But no, I was resting but not fully into enswaugh. What brings you back to our chambers? Did you miss me?” He flicked his tongue at me and I laughed.

  “I always miss you. But no, I wanted to talk to you about something. While I was out in Willow Wood, walking with Shevron, I had a horrible premonition that after dark there’s going to be great trouble in the village. Perhaps a riot of some sort. I tried to shake it off but it just keeps growing, and I thought I should tell you.”

  “Of course you should tell me these things. I trust your intuition. You’re a Theosian.” He slid his legs over the edge of the bed, sitting up. I sat on the bed with him, wishing it was all over. “Did you tell the guards to keep an extra watch?”

  “No, I wanted to talk to you first. I thought maybe you’d think it was overkill or that I was overreacting.” I brushed a strand of hair away from my face that had fallen down from my crown, tucking it behind my ear. Sometimes I still felt like an outlier in UnderBarrow, though it was usually me making myself feel that way. Most of the people had accepted me by now, and quite a few of them seemed to have developed an affection for me.

  “We should find out how things are going. Let’s head to the throne room for an update.” He rang the bell and Patrice popped in, unlocking the door with her key. She was one of the few who had one to our private chamber.

  “You rang, Your Majesty?” she asked, dipping into a quick curtsey.

  “Yes, help Lady Fury into her official gown. We’re heading to the throne room.”

  Tam went into his dressing room to change clothes, dismissing his valet to do so himself, whereas the outfits I was expected to wear usually required Patrice’s help.

  “So tell me, what’s the scuttlebutt? Have you heard anyone talking about the move?” One thing I had learned over the past eight years was that Patrice was extremely good at ferreting out the mood of UnderBarrow.

  Patrice had chosen one of the more ornate gowns, and she held it out as I stepped into it. Try as I might, I couldn’t get the damn thing on without her help, but the wide-skirted purple and gold gown underscored my authority, and I wore it when I needed to pull rank.

  As she began to hook up the back—there were 105 hooks and eyes—I adjusted my breasts in the built-in bra. The gown was almost like a suit of armor, and one of the few that didn’t allow me access to my whip. It had a sweetheart neckline, with three quarter–length sleeves, and it was heavily embellished in gold metallic threads over a purple and black print. It also set off my hair, and even though it was annoyingly heavy, I had to admit, I felt both regal and lovely in it.

  “Everybody in UnderBarrow is behind you and his Lordship. But rumors are filtering through the halls that a number of the townsfolk are not happy. They love the protection of UnderBarrow, but they don’t want to fully commit. That’s my take on it.” She finished the last hook and patted the back of my dress. “There, all done. Now let’s get your shoes on.”

  As she knelt with my shoes, I lifted the skirts so she could see my feet. The dress weighed at least ten pounds, and I felt every ounce of it. She held out a black ankle boot with a kitten heel and I slid my foot into it. As she zipped it up, I held onto the bedpost for balance.

  “That’s all you heard?”

  She nodded and held out the other boot. I shifted my weight and lifted my left foot.

  “Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to go walking through the village. But I am uneasy, I will tell you that. I have a feeling something is coming, something big.”

  That matched exactly what I was feeling. “Stay close to the Barrow tonight. In fact, unless it’s an emergency, I don’t want you leaving the Barrow until we move. You are not the only one sensing something in the offing.”

  Tam returned at that
moment, glancing over at me.

  “Patrice feels it too?”

  I nodded. “And apparently there are rumors that some of the townsfolk are unhappy about this. But we expected that. I don’t know, I feel this is bigger than just a riot. There’s something out there, looming. I wonder if Hecate can talk to the Oracle.” I turned to Patrice. “Will you ask Zed to send a runner over to Gudarheim, to ask Hecate if she can come to UnderBarrow? Tell her I said it’s important.”

  “Of course, milady. I’ll do that as soon as I finished your hair.”

  I sat down at the vanity and she brushed my hair back, coiling it into a chignon with curls draping down from the sides. She affixed my crown, and then stood back, eyeing my face.

  “Would you like me to do your makeup?”

  I usually did my own, but right now I felt so nervous I thought I would mess it up.

  “Please. Accentuate my eyes.”

  Patrice quickly went into action, and within ten minutes, she outlined my eyes and gave me a smoky shadow. I looked mysterious and somewhat intimidating, which was exactly how I wanted to look.

  “Good. This will do. Please run and talk to Zed now.”

  As she took off, I turned to Tam.

  “I’m not sure what’s on the move, but whatever it is, it’s big and it’s bad. And it feels like it’s waiting until after dark.”

  “The way you talk about it makes it sound like you’re talking about a monster,” Tam said.

  “Maybe I am. I don’t know.”

  As we opened our chamber door, Elan, Shawna, and two other guards were there to guide us to the throne room. Hand in hand, we headed down the hall, in full regalia.

  DAMH VARIAS HAD instructed the heralds to sort out only the most important questions, and we spent an hour before dinner answering people’s requests. They mostly had to do with foraging for supplies before we moved the Barrow, a boring but important subject.