Eliot wheezed. “What the hell was that? Metal inside his body?”
“A cyborg.” Visor poked around. The body was mostly blood and guts like any other.
“But why attack us? Must have been the vampiric telepaths—reprogrammed him.”
“Vampires can’t do that. Neither can human telepaths. Cyborgs are agents of the Catalyst.”
“They had him chained up.”
“Yeah, I don’t know exactly what was going on, but I don’t think the other thugs were in on it.”
Eliot grunted as he moved to check Ulric. “We won’t know now.” Eliot cradled his ribs. “Shouldn’t your nymph be healing Loring before the cat?”
Raptured said, “Loring will be fine. And you will be too if you’ll stop talking.”
Eliot said, “Your assassin’s arm—she kept fighting. What is she?”
“You should probably stop talking.” Visor found some papers on Yam, but nothing that helped him figure out what was happening.
Rapture said, “Athian will be the longest to recover. Maybe half an hour to get everyone stable enough to move.”
Eliot said, “I haven’t been checked yet.”
Rapture said, “I know.”
Loring awoke and gave a spluttering cough.
Rapture said, “I don’t know why he won’t get over that cold. I keep thinking I killed the infection, but it returns.”
Visor said, “It could be what Athian has.”
Rapture said, “That upset stomach?”
Visor said, “It could be different in him. Anyway, we need to get on to Eurydice.”
Eliot said, “I don’t think we should put much stock in Mercy’s plan at this point.”
“We’ll be fine.”
They made their way back to the river before camping.
Sorana put some green wood on the fire. The smoke it generated helped ward of insects.
Visor helped apply some bitter leaf extract to Rapture’s hard-to-reach parts. She was sensitive to insects and the green, bitter extract repelled them. Unfortunately, she hated the smell, too.
With Rapture tucked in, Visor tied a hammock for himself, making sure it was far enough off the ground to avoid vermin.
Visor awoke to a shock of pain. A snake had bitten him in the leg. He grabbed Fifi and rolled over to kill the snake. In the pain and confusion, he fell out of the hammock. He got up on a knee, but his leg was already getting numb. There was another sting in his back. It wasn’t a bite, though.
Behind him, a vardal in melodic metal armor straddled a massive snake that must have weighed two thousand pounds. He held a small crossbow.
Snakes were everywhere.
Everything went dark.
Chapter 61
Eurydice
Eliot pointed as effectively as he could in shackles. “Told you so.”
Visor said, “Well, you can run the show next time.”
“I should have been running it this time.”
“Hind sight is perfect.”
Vardal infantry surrounded the captured Hand of Mercy. Giant snakes with vardal riders led the group.
Rapture was riding Gebuhrman, doubled up with a female vardal captor.
Sorana and Athian were hand-bound and leashed to Gebuhrman.
Visor said, “Besides, you’re an asshole. I’d spend all my time soothing things over with Athian and the other girls.”
Eliot said, “And you think with your dick.”
“It works.”
“You hired us. We didn’t ask to be a part of this. Taking orders from some recluse in the forest … what did you think was going to happen?”
“I thought I would get Rap out, which I did.”
“An extraction is completely different than spy games. What did you do—pay off a vardal guard and outsmart some ogres?”
“That was my original plan, but then it turned out that having Sorana made it easier to just kill everyone.”
“Sometimes, violence really is the answer. Dammit—it’s itching again.”
“Well, I’m not scratching.”
Eliot jogged to catch up with riding snake they were tied to, lifted up his leg and itched the inside of his thigh. “Ah …” The snake pulled the rope taunt and Eliot lurched forward. “You’d think they would remove the shackles while we walk—get us there faster.”
“I don’t think they care too much about your jock itch. But you know, a siren could keep down the rash, if she wanted to.”
“Well guess I’m not the lady’s man.”
“Next time we stop, just smile and tell her she’s pretty.”
“She’s a siren.”
“It still works.” Visor looked around. They’d been descending into a valley the past few hours. The rocky structure was closing in overhead, forming a cavern. “The good thing is that it looks like we’re getting into Eurydice. Mercy’s plan worked after all.”
“Ah, the old ‘get captured while camping’ plan.”
“Right, and then an opportune moment, Pixie will rescue us.”
“And the part about getting Loring eaten by a giant snake?”
“That’s all part of the deception. We appear to be incompetent to get their guard down, then when they’re not looking, whamo!” They passed a check point—a wooden mini-tower in the middle of the cavern. “See, this was the easiest way in.” They later passed a housing community. Some vardal civilians appeared to be tending a field of giant mushrooms. Some young, curious males began following the group at a distance. “Farmstead?”
“Yeah, I guess so. Mushrooms and snakes ... I wonder if they go good together.”
“I could see it, if you boiled.
“I usually like to grill.”
“I think then the meat would be pretty chewy and the mushroom would dry out. Frying would work if you use enough lard.”
“You’d be better off with a dipping butter or ketchup.”
“Hmm, I was thinking lemon.”
“Oh, is snake meat like fish?”
“I don’t know. I think it depends on whether it’s a salt water or fresh water snake.”
“Aren’t there salt water and fresh fish?”
“Yeah, I guess it would be most similar to–”. They came to a halt.
Eliot scratched. “Ahh … finally.”
There were half a dozen horsemen blocking the path of their captors. The leader was a male in brass highlighted armor with a full plate helm. His tone was smooth and assured. After some amount of conversation, he dismounted and walked among the group.
Eliot leaned in close. “Can you understand him?”
“From what I can hear, it’s mostly just posturing. It sounds like political crap.”
“Oh, you’re language, then. They’re arguing for ownership of us. I may not speak vardal, but I know a military officer’s body language.”
“And this vampire has a language all his own.”
“You know him?”
“Yeah, the last time I saw him, he was being hauled off in a cage. He still owes me.” Visor winked. “We’ll be fine.”
Armaan strolled past Gebuhrman, still speaking in vardal. “It might be healthiest for all involved to release the half-breed. Not that I have particular care for insane assassins—it’s just that I’m in the vicinity, and I’ve always had this insane fear of dying as collateral damage.”
The vardal leader lost patience. “You’re wasting time.”
Armaan ignored him and strolled past Visor. He gave Visor a sideways glance, but otherwise did not acknowledge him. “Sanity being a fleeting thing … of all the things I’ve missed, it’s been my sanity, and my sword. Ah, she was a fine one. But then, I suspect I’ll soon have my hands on Fifi again.”
Eliot whispered, “He doesn’t have fangs.”
Visor said, “Yeah—different kind of vampire.”
“Move on! Push t
hrough them!” The vardal officer turned on Armaan. “This is our capture. You cannot intervene.”
Armaan shrugged. “Oh, dear Sous-Lieutenant, it was never my intention to take them. I only meant to entertain you while we waited.”
“And you have wasted time. Move out!”
Visor said, “He’s delaying them.”
Eliot said, “I can tell. But for what?”
“I imagine the vampire queen.”
“Do you know her, too?”
“We spent some time together in Raykez.”
“You didn’t give her some pillow talk and sneak out, I hope—you know a woman scorned.”
“I’m not sure, exactly. I ended up in a coma.”
“Sounds like quite a night.”
“It might have been.”
“The troops that captured us are vardal city guard—possibly militia.” Eliot scratched. “Armaan’s mounted group looks like royal guard. You think the queen’s coming for a booty call?”
“I’ve been told I’m not that good. I imagine the queen is coming for Sorana.”
“You know, in another place and time, that might be hot.”
“She can be hot.”
“Which ‘she’?”
A sound of flapping of wings passed over the group. There was a gentle breeze. He could make out a large animal but it was too dark to identify.
The city guard discharged gasps of alarm. Some drew weapons.
The snakes and Gebuhrman shifted nervously, sensing a predator.
Armaan’s cavalry controlled their well-trained horses and formed a semi-circle in front of the confused city guard. One of Armaan’s cavalry said, “For all who have ne’er before been so blessed as to have gazed upon Reine le vampiric, you will today learn what it is to awe! Fall to your knees and behold the Wondrous Lady. Bow your heads as the Icon of Perfection graces us!”
A winged, black and silver creature glided in, flapping more vigorously and stretching out its legs to land. Its wings and front legs were integrated, like a bat’s. Its body size was close to that of a giraffe. It was sleek with a fine bone structure and tone muscles. It’s leathery, black skin was covered by small silver scales highlighted. Symphonic metal highlights provided additional protection and decoration. A row of ten horns ran from its beak-like muzzle to its shoulders, peaked by two large horns on its forehead. The six largest horns were reinforced by vardal-made symphonic metal ringlets, each encrusted with numerous gemlets. The dragon wore a metallic, gem encrusted diadem.
Eliot said, “Is that …”
Visor said, “A dragon.”
“I thought they were …”
“Extinct?”
“He’s shiny.”
“I think it’s a girl.”
“Isn’t it kind of dark to see under there?”
“Judging by the jewelry and body shape.”
The dragon landed, and Visor could see the rider. She was dressed in deep purple robes with a red cape and blue sash. Her cape and sash had a golden, frilled edge. She wore black gloves and boots. Her hood darkened her face in the underground lighting so that her skin was completely hidden.
She dismounted—deliberately and feebly—and approached the city guard officer. She was of average female vardal height to begin with, and with her limited mobility and poor posture, was anything but imposing. Armaan walked with her. He offered his arm, but she waved him off and continued.
Eliot narrowed his eyes. “How long ago did you, you know?”
“Must have been the beer goggles.”
The queen signed and Armaan translated into words. “Release her.”
The officer said, “With all due respect, we found these people near a crime scene, and—” The officer fell heavily to the ground.
The city guard’s second-in-command knelt to check her officer, hopped back up, and drew her mace.
Armaan stepped up to protect the queen.
The giant riding snakes moved aggressively, then fell hard to the ground, lying motionless. The rest of the guard tensed in nervous hesitation.
The second in command said, “Nazaire will hear—” She fell to the ground and lay motionless.
The queen spoke in a frail voice. “Release her.”
The vardal guard riding with Rapture slid off of Gebuhrman and hesitantly pushed the rhino in the direction of the dragon. Confused, Gebuhrman didn’t move. The rest of the guard picked up their leaders and cleared a path between the rhino and vampire queen.
Armaan sighed loudly and pointed his sword at Sorana. “The other ‘her’.”
The vampire queen ran her finger on the back of Armaan’s neck.
Armaan said, “The Advisor to Mourning as well.”
Eliot said, “I hope you’re up for it.”
Visor said, “Hey, did you say you wanted to run this party?”
“Next time—I’ll let you take this one.”
“Thanks, man.”
“I always got your back.”
A guard removed Visor’s bindings. He and Sorana approached the queen.
Armaan said, “The rest of you may go.”
The riding snakes were able to move again.
Visor signed to Armaan, My friends?
Armaan said, “Leave the prisoners—and their gear, particularly any jeweled swords. I never liked another man holding my jewels.”
The city guard did as instructed, leaving the Blade of Mercy’s gear.
Armaan found Fifi.
The queen signed to Sorana, Walk with me. The two started off.
Armaan and Visor flanked the girls.
Visor signed, So, are we even, then?
How many friends?
Does the siren count? She came along voluntarily.
I guess not.
Three then.
So you owe me one.
The dragon walked behind the men.
The queen’s stride became stronger as they walked, soon matching Sorana’s in perfect unison, despite carrying a spiked metal mace on her hip, among other equipment. She led them behind an abandoned fortification, blocking line of sight from Rapture’s group. They stood on the precipice of a massive cavern. Hundreds of structures lay far below.
Armaan said, “That is Eurydice proper below—the main housing district.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it. I can’t see much.” Visor felt a sudden wave of déjà-vu.
It looked like Armaan was suffering some ill effects as well.
“I have lived here for years. It is my home.” The queen spoke in a sweeter and stronger voice. “And there was always something missing. I have searched so many years … from Raykez to Jortal’s glaciers … to the Zealand Sea.” The vampire queen pulled off her gloves. Her skin was young and healthy. Her nails were painted. She wore a jeweled bracelet on her right wrist that had fine chains connecting to thumb and pinkie rings. It matched her necklace, a sizeable lattice of diamonds, amethysts and topazes. A metallic, flexible truss ran up her forearm under her robe. Her left hand had at least nine rings on it. One of them matched the description of the Ring of Uncreation. “I bribed alfanar and threatened ogres. I haggled with sirens and commissioned oracles.”
The vampire queen faced Sorana and took one of her hands. “And now, after all this time, you are here.” She pulled back her hood.
Chapter 62
The SaSade Mirror
“Do you know who I am?” The vampire queen wore earrings and a tiara to match the other jewelry. They were covered with diamonds and purple and blue gemstones.
Sorana said, “The vampire queen.”
The queen motioned to her face emphatically. “Hello! Look at me.”
“A clone.”
“As if! How would that work?”
“We would both be clones.”
The queen laughed, but stopped when she realized Sorana wasn’t. “Seriously? Holy Akem’s Razor, girly, try sister.
Twin sister, actually—mirror twin—separated at birth … yada yada yada. My name today is Europhette Zanatos but my birth name was Europhette SaSade, and you were born Fleurette SaSade.” Europhette shook her head wistfully. “It has been so long.”
“I see.” Sorana pulled her hand away and crossed her arms.
“And this is Leigh. She’s like our grandniece, or some sort of cousin, whatever.” Europhette stroked the dragon’s muzzle.
“Mother’s a dragon?”
“How would that work, you goof?”
“Then how?”
“Lynn was born vardal and she was our half-sister.” Europhette hid her mouth with her hand, as if to mute her voice. “But some evil witch turned her into a dragon.” She giggled and snorted, then straightened herself. “I’m sorry. I know that’s not funny.” She made a jazz hands motion. “Freak girl. Sorry—I’m just nervous.”
“Why?”
“Why?” Europhette furrowed her brow. “Well, duh, because you are here, my sister. Because there is no one else like us in the world. No one else I can talk to. No one I can play Archon with. I’m so stoked. Aren’t you?”
“Like us?”
“You know—totally awesome.” She studied Sorana. “You still don’t even know what I’m talking about. What’s your damage?”
Visor said, “She’s been fairly isolated.”
“Isolated? Like under a rock?” Europhette scoffed. “Haven’t you ever wondered why you still have the body of an Olympian? The strength of a man twice your size? Why you sink in salt water and don’t bleed?”
Sorana said, “I train a lot.”
“Oh, sister, my pretty sister, this is like way mind-blowing. I don’t know where to start. You—we—are totally optimized. We don’t bleed because we don’t have the plumbing. Instead, we have expanded lungs and enhanced neural processors that help us do everything from dance to generate plagues.”
Visor signed, Catalyst.
Sorana said, “Can you help me find the Catalyst?”
Europhette frowned. “The Catalyst? Can’t we just do that later? I haven’t even seen it in like forever.”
“You’ve seen the Catalyst?”
“Yeah but not recently cause Uncle Lee—well, we had a disagreement and so now I’m not allowed to go back into the asylum because he took away the veil and now the Snowman can find me if I go back.” The vampire queen sighed. “Well, okay, so it’s like Tyrion—That’s Lord Nazaire, whatever—was having trouble conceiving. I’m good at fixing people so he comes to me and says that they’ve been having trouble conceiving and he’ll give me the Fatale prediction if I fix them. So I fix one of his wives and they make a baby. Then he’s like ‘Can you fix the vardal population?’ As if!” Europhette scoffed. “I told him ‘sure’, but that I would need a rad power boost so I went back to Uncle Lee and he told me he’d let me use the Catalyst if I made trolls for him so I found some old troll bones in a cave and made new trolls for Lee but,” Europhette took a deep breath, “when I went back to Lee with the trolls, he lied, like all men do, and said he needed the Catalyst to build himself a little fort inside the asylum. So then Tyrion is like, ‘when can you fix the vardal women’ and I told him about Lee. So then Tyrion’s all mad and like ‘Then I’m going to see if the sirens can help me’ and I’m like ‘what-ever’.”