A Girl and Her Monster (Rune Breaker) (23 page)

A horrible possibility shot through Kaiel's mind, but he fought it down. “I always assumed that the thing was named that since its creation.”

“No name could have survived from the destruction of the world to the coming of your gods.” Ru emphasized 'your'.

The possibility condensed into a hollow weight at the pit of Kaiel's stomach. He drew together the other clues by speaking them aloud. “Ru Brakar: worse than a demon; an ancient monster. You've said these about yourself. You've complained of Taylin refusing to 'wield' you, and she herself has mentioned a bargain that resulted in the link.”

His expression went blank as more implications hit him. “That's why a mere 'weapon' is so powerful. It isn't an object at all. It's a man; an ancient wizard bound by... something extraordinary... to serve whoever is willing to bargain with it.”

Mentioning the bargain stoked a sudden concern. “Is the other part true? About how the Rune Breaker corrupts whoever uses it?” He didn't know exactly where Taylin was, as Ru did, but he cast a worried glance down at the caravan nonetheless.

“As if I would have to if I wanted to.” said Ru with a disapproving sneer. “People are inherently terrible. There have been one hundred and seven masters of the Rune Breaker and each one of them was a natural monster who had no reservations against turning on allies, friends, families; even those they profess to 'love' if it served their purposes.”

“But not Taylin.” Kaiel pointed out.

Ru growled deep in his throat. “It has to be an act.”

“To what end? And can't you read her emotions in any event?”

Another growl. “A substantially well-orchestrated act.” Which, if his claim was correct, was aided by powerful magic to fool the link's telepathy. He didn't have to admit that however.

“My training says otherwise.” said Kaiel. “My first impressions are usually right when they're positive.”

“Then you must meet very few people.” Ru countered. “And even if Miss Taylin is genuine in her considerations, the matter remains that I am not her friend; I am her weapon. That was the bargain she struck; to wield me as she will.”

“'As she will'.” Kaiel quoted, finding his nerve returning. There was no clear proof that Ru was who and what he said he was, and even then, the legends were incomplete and conflicting. Besides that, he'd already had nearly a month to observe the man and found that though he was rude and violent, he wasn't mindlessly so. If he were to turn on Kaiel or the clan, there would be a reason.

“It seems to me,” He said carefully making sure Ru could hear in his tone that he wasn't afraid of the Rune Breaker, “that how she treats you is Taylin's choice then. It doesn't sound as if you have a great deal of choice in the matter.”

Ru stood, or rather straightened while floating, weapon still over his shoulder. “This has never happened before.” He confessed, more to the afternoon sun than Kaiel. “I understand orders and distrust. I cannot comprehend what is wrong with this girl, who is handed power on a leash and chooses so vehemently to not use it. She continually asks me what I want, what I think. Just now, when my spell failed, she contacted me to ask after my injuries; knowing I am effectively immortal. This is an entire new kind of madness I've never encountered.”

Feigning a sudden failure of interest, the chronicler set about straightening out his books. “It stands to reason that, if you are what you say you are, you've spent the vast, vast majority of your life in the company of the power-mad and genocidal. Forgive me for not giving you much credence as an unbiased judge of the mortal psyche.” He ignored the glare and pointed to the west. “In two days time, we will be in the Principality of Torm Dondaire and at the gates of Daire City. I spent many days there in my childhood and I know the people.”

“You 
know
 the women, I'm certain.”

Kaiel ignored him outwardly while inwardly gritting his teeth. “They aren't perfect paragons of truth and right, but the breed of kindness Taylin shows isn't alien there. I will let them prove that it's not a madness she possesses, but the opposite.”

Turning in air, Ru looked to the west. Hills limited visibility in that direction, looking as if a giant hand had wrinkled the landscape. When he focused, however, he could sense it faintly: permanent spell structures more powerful, and far more numerous than the ones in the haflings' stone house. There had been nothing like it to his knowledge when last he traveled Ere. It reminded him of a time long past.

He didn't have time to dwell on it in thought, as he sensed Taylin moving. Turning once again, he looked just in time to see her clear the tree cover, wings outstretched and shining like fire in the sun as she rose, hauling the empty metal tub with her.

Even without it, she would have been a bit wobbly. Having been out of practice for years, she'd only had less than a month to relearn all that she'd forgotten. As he watched, she had to flap overly much to correct for a stray breeze.

The one hundred and eighth master of the Rune Breaker. Was it all an act? Did it matter if it was or wasn't?

He grunted an approximation of a goodbye to Kaiel and teleported. Not to her, but to the wagon. She was usually insufferably cheerful immediately after a bath and he wanted to have some spellwork to attend to so she wouldn't direct it at him. The link already subjected him to enough of it.

Landon Porter is a proud geek who enjoys comic books, roleplaying, and gaming. He knows a d20 from 2d10, the Konami Code and why Pi Day is March 14. A fan of all things Fantasy and Sci-Fi, he's been writing about them on the web since 2002 and has been telling stories since before he could write at all.

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