The Fragile Fall At Tallow Bridge (The White Blood Chronicles Book 1) (30 page)

Thaindire yelled and lashed out at another imp, which was nearest to him, the blade cut into its side causing it to fall to the ground writhing in pain. He stepped forward and chopped at it again, this time the imp slumped to the road turning into merely dust. Thaindire righted himself as the remaining seventeen imps encircled him. They were just out of reach of the arc of his sword but there was no doubting that they wished to tear him apart, talons exposed and ready. Reznik sauntered forward, casually swinging his sword by his side, making a tutting noise.

“ Witch Finder Thaindire, fancy trying to leave us behind and after we have been so hospitable to you,” he announced.

“ Damn you Reznik,” spat Thaindire.

“ Too late for that,” laughed the soldier. “ Lower your sword and surrender to me or I will release my underlings and we both know you will not survive, notwithstanding your ability.”

As if to underline Reznik’s instruction, an imp moved forward slightly, drool spilling from its open mouth, a determined hiss accompanying its threatening stance.

“ And if I surrender?” asked Thaindire keeping his long sword high and readied.

“ Then we return to Aftlain and you can do as you please, within reason.”

“ Why are you so determined to keep me in this wretched place?” demanded Thaindire.

“ I’ve told you this already, I want you by my side, you are far too great an asset to have torn to shreds on this road, but if you insist on trying to depart then that is what will happen, great shame that it will be.”

“ You know that I will never submit to stand side by side with you Reznik.”

Reznik sighed and gave a shrug.

“ You say that now Thaindire but no man has unlimited resilience, everyone submits in the end, either that or they perish.”

Thaindire eyed the menacing horde of imps. He knew they would be upon him in seconds and their numbers remained such that he would be overwhelmed, he was no fool having witnessed their method of attacking. He had no intention of being slain out here on the road, savagely killed like the horse he had been riding. He remained duty bound to reach the Order and report on this outpost of sin and report he would, he would find some way of escaping Aftlain and its clutches. An imp snarled, causing Thaindire to return from his thoughts. He looked back at the expectant Captain who had his sabre pointed down to the ground, his nonchalance most apparent.

“ If I do surrender rather than drive this blade through you Reznik, I want information about this village.”

Reznik shook his head.

“ You are in no position to strike any bargain Witch Finder. Agree to join me and take an oath to protect Aftlain and you shall be privy to everything there is to know about Aftlain.”

Thaindire raised his eyebrows. Could he falsely take such an oath to garner more information about the village? He was uncertain. Given the way the village sought to wrap its insidious tendrils about him, he suspected that uttering such an oath would have deep-rooted consequences for him, ones which he would be unable to renege upon. No, he had to remain true to the Order

“ You know I am forbidden to take any oath other than that to my Order.” Thaindire replied.

“ That is a matter for your conscience,” responded Reznik.

“ And my conscience remains most firm on the subject.”

“ For the time being,” answered Reznik.

“ You seem very confident that I will yield to whatever hold it is that this village has over its inhabitants.”

“ That is because everyone does yield, most do so willingly having sought our sanctuary. A handful need longer to, shall we say, appreciate what Aftlain has to offer its inhabitants. That’s why I want you to surrender so you can stay and truly get to know the village.”

The imps continued to wait albeit displaying obvious signs of impatience, their bodies swaying. Thaindire wondered how Reznik controlled the beasts and assumed it was by exercising some dark art. He suspected he would need to find some way of breaking this control if he were to manage to depart from Aftlain, as Reznik and his underlings were certainly the guardians of the village and its boundary. Thaindire looked to the soldier once again who was regarding him impassively, as if he was staring out of a window admiring the view.

“ Very well,” declared Thaindire as he placed his blade in its scabbard, “ we return to the village.”

“ An excellent choice,” smiled Reznik. The semi-circle of savage imps moved back from Thaindire.

“ Lead on,” offered Reznik with a wave of his sabre in the direction of the village. Thaindire paused and then began to walk towards the village, the imps remaining motionless allowing him to pass. He followed the sloping road back to the village, occasionally looking over his shoulder to find Reznik sauntering along the road, the imps ambling before him like a pack of dogs being taken for a walk. Thaindire kept walking, the trees leaning over the road, forming a canopy of empty branches; the coloured leaves collecting by the wayside of the road.

He emerged into the square and saw that a group of villagers was stood around the well, engaged in animated discussion, but the low murmur of conversation died once Thaindire came into view. He could see Dromgoole stood to the right, with Ansell Redway the smith towering over his neighbours. Priestcote was there, as was Metylda Meverel, clearly his attempted escape proving sufficient salacious gossip to cause them to leave their home together. He expected to be met by the brother knights high on their horses but there was nothing to be seen of the Pennant brothers.

“ Has he taken an oath?” cried a voice and Thaindire observed that it came from Thorne who stepped from between two farmers, her long petal dress coloured a flaming orange.

“ No, he has not,” shouted Reznik causing Thaindire to turn to look at him. The soldier was alone, the imps having vanished once again. A loud cheer went up from the congregated villagers at this announcement and Thaindire frowned at their reaction. He carefully regarded the soldier. Reznik had sheathed his sabre and was barely a few yards from Thaindire. Could he strike him down before he could summon the imps? He had no way of knowing how the assembly of villagers would react, but he saw no evidence of arms and besides they were further away from him than Reznik. If he struck fast and true, he could bring down the Captain and head away up the road once more, it would be on foot, but he would have to take that chance once he had dispatched the village’s guardian.

“ Samael,” cried a familiar voice and Kathryn came running from the crowd towards him as Reznik veered away to the left, out of the arc of Thaindire’s long sword now he had been distracted by the landlord’s daughter. She caught up with him, wrapping her arms about his neck and placing a firm kiss on his lips as he tried to back away. Kathryn moved her face away from his, the usual tidal wave of scent enveloping him.

“ You haven’t taken an oath to Reznik have you?” she asked furtively.

“ No, didn’t you hear him so say so?” he responded in irritation, pulling the girl’s arms down from around his neck.

“ Yes, yes I did, but I would not put it beyond Captain Reznik to play games with us. He does like to toy,” she answered, eyes gazing into his.

“ Well this time he told the truth, besides, I am not swearing an oath to anyone in this village,” he protested.

“ Sure, sure,” she smiled slipping her arm through his. Thaindire looked over to Priestcote and saw her watching him carefully. Was she concerned that he had made reference to her complicity in assisting his escape attempt. He gave a quick shake of his head as if to reassure her and she responded with a curt nod, before gathering up her skirt and making back towards her residence. The remainder of the villagers stayed stood chattering to one another, occasionally casting a glance in Thaindire’s direction as Kathryn and he walked towards the Last One Inn.

“ I am so pleased you came back,” confessed Kathryn.

“ Really? I’m not,” admitted Thaindire.

“ You should be, you know, you are well-liked within the village.”

“ Hmmm, well there does seem to be a number of people intent on wanting me to stay here, that I have to concede.”

“ You see. That is because we like you Samael, me more than anyone. In fact, I want you to stay with me, here in Aftlain. This village needs you, I need you,” implored the landlord’s daughter as she grabbed at Thaindire’s arm.

“ Let go of me,” said Thaindire jerking his arm away. Kathryn pulled a hurt expression.

“ I am grateful for your assistance in my recovery but I cannot remain in this village, with you or anyone else,” he continued.

“ Of course you can. Everything you could ever want is here in Aftlain. I will care for you, do your bidding, anything,” the enthusiasm flared again in Kathryn’s optimistic eyes.

“ It is not going to happen,” said Thaindire firmly.

“ I don’t understand, I thought you liked me Samael?”

“ I have never given you such an impression. That is in your mind and in your mind alone.”

“ Come now, there is no need to hide how you truly feel about me,” coaxed Kathryn making towards the witch hunter once again.

“ You are deluded, woman,” said Thaindire raising his voice.

“ I am just trying to get you to express what is really in your heart.”

“ Only the One True God is in my heart and a shield of ice lies around it. All the better for resisting the wiles of people such as you, “ replied Thaindire. He was pleased. Her hold seemed far diminished now. The confusing thoughts and images that once plagued him whenever Kathryn came near him had been banished. He was keeping her at bay.

“ Hmm, well it seems there is certainly no room in your heart for my brother after you laid him out cold in the stable.”

“ I did what was necessary. I spared his life,” remarked Thaindire.

“ You did although he has a rather sore head as a consequence,” she replied as the pair entered the tavern.

“ You head up to your room and I shall bring the ointment, you are still walking somewhat stiffly,” she suggested.

“ No, I can manage,” he answered.

“ Nonsense, I can see that you struggle as you walk. Please, all I want to do is help you, Samael,” smiled Kathryn. Thaindire hesitated regarding the girl. He needed the aching to recede so he was able to make good his escape from the village. If it kept her happy then he saw little disadvantage to it.

“ Very well, you may administer this ointment and that is all. Commence any talk of loving me or me staying with you in Aftlain and I shall throw you from the window of my room,” warned Thaindire. Kathryn grinned and gave a solemn nod before skipping away to collect her materials.

              Thaindire lay on his bed, stripped to the waist as Kathryn sat next to him and opened up the pot of ointment.

“ I don’t suppose you can tell me what this ointment is?” asked Thaindire.

“ I can actually, it is called Braban’s Touch.”

“ And from what is it made?”

“ Ah, well, that I don’t know. I am sure Alyssia would tell you herself but I fear that she has an eye for you herself, Samael, so better I attend to your needs than her.”

Kathryn gently ran her hands over the lump on his lower back. She caressed the lump, like a mother would with a swollen, pregnant stomach.

“ Nearly time,” she whispered softly.

“ What did you say?”asked Thaindire.

“ Oh nothing, just time to smear on some of this ointment, it looks sore still.”

Thaindire shuddered as she applied the first layer of the ointment, the cooling effect of the concoction sending a chill across his naked torso. The white ointment streaked across the shell until it vanished, rubbed into the flesh by her fingers. Carefully Kathryn continued to smooth the ointment over and around the protrusion on his back, the aching receding as the numbing property took its effect.

“ Is it shrinking?” asked Thaindire.

“ Hard to tell. But it will go down if you keep having this ointment applied. Alyssia assures me it really is the best thing for your back. You will need some more tincture too. I shall bob and collect some for you later.”

Thaindire was concerned by the size of the lump that had sprouted from his lower back and wished to look on it for himself.

“ Haven’t you a mirror in your room?” asked Thaindire, “ I could see it in that. “

“ If you wish,” agreed Kathryn. She stood up and waited for Thaindire to rise from the bed before leading him down to her room, his tunic loose about his shoulders as he walked down the stairs. As he reached the lower landing, the door to Lancaster’s room opened and the man of means emerged, dressed ostentatiously as usual.

“ Ah good morning,” he greeted looking the duo up and down. Thaindire turned, hiding his back from the gaze of the wealthy man.

“ Hello Master Lancaster,” replied Kathryn courteously.

“ I wonder if you might collect some more essence of Carpathia for me please, Miss Kathryn, I am having some friends attend this evening. “

“ By all means, I need to visit the apothecary anyway.”

“ Excellent.” Lancaster reached to his purse and counted out ten gold marks handing the glinting coins to the landlord’s daughter. He held her hands closed over the coins,

“ Make sure it is a large vial,” he added.

“ Of course.”

“ Marvellous. Just leave it in my room. Good day to you both,” he gave a wide smile and headed off downstairs.

Kathryn entered her room and Thaindire followed, immediately assailed by the fragrances and scents, his head swimming under the effect of so many smells. He walked over to the mirror in the corner of the room as Kathryn looked on. Thaindire turned his back to the long mirror and twisted over his shoulder to look at his affliction. There was an almost perfectly spherical lump, which was a large as his head protruding from his lower back, just above where his belt ran. He moved a hand to it and pressed. It felt hard and rigid, almost like an eggshell. He prodded it but there was no give in the flesh. He stared at it for a few further moments intrigued yet slightly disgusted by whatever it was that had attached to him.

“ What do you think it is?” he turned away from the mirror to address Kathryn.

“ It must be some reaction to the wolf bite I guess,” she answered, “ But of course I am no physician. Alyssia knows what she is doing though. As soon as I explained to her what had happened to you, she knew precisely what you needed.”

“ So you say,” muttered Thaindire quietly. He pulled on his tunic, noticing that Kathryn was looking at him with a lascivious expression on her face. Oddly, he felt compelled to want to go and kiss her, the strange warmth again rising as he looked at her admittedly beautiful face. His eyes wandered to the top of her breasts, the soft skin on display, an inviting place for him to place his head and savour her caress. Swallowing he fought the sensation and made for the open doorway and the less intoxicating atmosphere of the landing.

“ Where are you going Samael?” asked Kathryn moving to the door after him.

“ My room. I need some time to reflect. I will speak with you anon,” he replied.

“ Of course you will.,”answered Kathryn with a smile. Thaindire marched up the stairs and retreated to his room. Once there, he began reciting a prayer asking the One True God for guidance.