In the town square, Minoka stared at the young human, iron blade held tight in his grip, eyes narrowed in rage. Blood stained his cheek, his clothes stained with the gravy of the meat pies he had been thrown in. Yet, She knew none of that mattered, not compared to the damage she had done to the man pride. Minoka let her eyes move from Caelus, too the sideward glances cast her way by the villagers and mercenaries as they busied then themselves with their task.
A smile pulled at the corner of her lips as she thought of the Young Naguai’s threats. Mosh might have been insane, but at least he knew how to use his madness for good. The thought brought her back to the man before her. Caelus, the artificer armed with his iron blade and shield, his mere presence an afront to her people. And yet he was a genius. If not for him, they wouldn’t have had a plan to begin with. The war would be over before it began.
And yet she couldn’t believe the man to be good. He was too cold, too calculating. He saw those around him as things to be controlled and used. He saw Mosh as little more than a dog needing to be broke in. A belief she had seen shared another.
When one is faced with protecting one’s family, it is nothing to sic one’s dog on the threat. The dog might die, My love, but at the end of the day that is what a dog is for. Something to be sacrificed so its betters may live.
Malc’s words sent a shiver down her spine, as her hate doubled for the man before her. Yet, she knew instantly the hate was not for Caelus. No, her hate belonged to another. To the one she had left her scarred and broken. To the one she had betrayed all those she had loved.
To the man whose life she had sworn to take.
“We don’t have time for this.” She said, finally, “Build your little war machines. Maybe it will keep you alive long enough for me to break your neck later.”
Minoka didn’t wait for Caelus to respond. As she made her way back to the tavern, she heard a man scream “Hyah,” followed by the boneless thud of a body against the dirt road.
“I don’t even want to know.”
——————
“Surely, Mr. Whitehorn, you wouldn’t want the reputation of the Vagabond Arm’s tarnished by the activities of your mercenaries. A respectable gentleman…” The mayor drew the word out until all that rang in anyone’s ear was “Man”. “Would ensure his customers are satisfied.”
Minoka watched as Rowan’s cheeks grew a darker shade of crimson, the tips of his antlers growing an inch or two from his skull as he sat, listening to as the bloated eel of a mayor stoked the flames of hate and dissent toward the Mercenary band who they themselves had called upon for aid.
Only an hour had passed since the fight in the square followed only shortly by Mosh kicking in the door as he carried in the Unconscious Naguai girl who had joined them the night before. Rowan’s second in command had trailed behind, looking unabashed by the torn and bloody garments she wore as she sat at the bar and ordered a pitcher of ale.
Around her the crowd cheered, pumping their fists in agreement.
“So,” The mayor, continued, a toothy grin spreading like a plague over a wobbly chin, “How do you intend to satisfy us, my good man.”
All eyes turned to the large man sitting on a barstool which seemed eternally too small for its occupant. A fact that only changed, as the man stood, the floorboards creaking as Rowan’s for shifted and grew. The dark brown of his hair went gray, then silver and finally white, sprouting on his cheeks and brow. The loose tunic writhed and stretched as muscles elongated and bunched under his skin. Most noticeably of all, however, was the twisting crown of bone, scraping the wood of the low ceiling as the antlers sprouted, twisting toward the sky.
Minoka gripped the wooden handle of her violin’s bow as the room filled with gasps and startled murmurs as the crowd backed away from the massive Naguai Berserker towering over their mayor. Her hands trembled as a wave of tension washed over her, pouring out of the berserker as he showed the raw power and level of control he held over his curse. Her eyes shot to Mosh, the young Naguai trembling as red fur sprouted from his arms and claws burst from his fingertips. Brandy placed a hand, still covered in cuts and slashes from what ever happened in the village before. Mosh seemed grateful for the woman’s touch, as he emptied the contents of his ale down his throat.
So, this is the power of a Naguai berserker. Minoka thought, struggling to control the trembling in her fingers.
“Right now, Mayor,” Rowan said, his voice a deep baritone. “I don’t really give a fuck about your satisfaction. Pay us what we are owed or don’t. Just keep in mind, however, after the battle is done, after the goblins are killed, the men and women who did so will be in your gates.”
“Are you daring to threaten me, Mr.-”
“I don’t make threats, Mayor.” Rowan said, gripping a too large hand on the rotund man shoulder. “Do you feel threatened? I would not want you to think me not a gentle…man.”
Minoka released a breath she didn’t know she was holding as Rowan returned to his normal size, all to comforting smile back in place. At the bar mosh, let out a trembling laugh tinged with a little too much madness. A sound, which echoed over a crowd of villagers to terrified to make a sound.
“Now, Mayor,” Rowan said, giving the man’s cheek a gently jiggling slap. “If you don’t mind, I have some war machines to check on. A long with a scared girl who lost control of her curse. I am sure I will see you on the front lines when the battle begins.”
And without another word the Head of the Vagabond Arms walked out the door. Leaving Minoka alone in a room of scared villagers. It wasn’t long before the whispers started. What would happen when the battle was done? How could they know those Naguai beasts wouldn’t go feral, killing them just as they did the goblins? They had to be ready. There was a store of weapons in the mayor’s villa. All they had to do was get to the villa while the battle was being waged and they would be ready. All they had to do was-
“You know what I hate about men.”
Minoka, nearly jumped as the woman spoke in her ear. Brandy, sat by her side, a vial of a strange iridescent blue liquid slowly twirling between her fingers.
“What?” Minoka stammered.
“Oh, sweetheart, you’re going to want to do better than that.” She said, popping the cork off the bottle and spitting it on the floor. “If we are going to save this thing, we call a mercenary company I need you to be much more eloquent with your words.”
With a toss of her head Brandy tossed the mystery concoction down her throat, wincing as it went down. A heartbeat later and the wounds covering her body began to his, the smell of burnt ozone filling the air as they stitched themselves closed. A small burp came from the woman, as silver stream of smoke escaping her lips.
“As I was saying, what I hate about men is their strange need to solve conflicts by swinging their dicks around like Billy clubs.”
Minoka, opened her mouth to speak, stopped and simply picked up her mug to down more ale. Despite her best wishes, Brandy continued.
“It never solves anything. Look at the mayor, the weaselly prick behind the podium. Now he doesn’t have much to work with, but goddamn if he won’t talk a big game about it. Hell, talking about how much of dick he has got him that big villa overlooking the town. Hell, words were wieners he would be-”
“Please stop.” Minoka said, waving down Mosh and taking his pitcher of ale.
“What’s up.” The young man said, plopping down next to her.
“We’re talking about wieners.” Brandy said, uncaring of who was around her.
“Oh, cool.” Mosh said, resting his chin on his palm as he looked from Minoka to Brandy, “well, go on.”
“Of course.” Minoka muttered under her breath.
“Now, Don’t you think I am saying I prefer Rowans way of manhood measuring either. You think just dropping it on your opponent’s head is going to do anything to calm the masses. No, of course not. One look at that one eyed monster and the villagers are looking to grab their pitch forks and torches.”
“Is there any point to this, conversation or am I not drunk enough to understand.”
“yes, to both” Brandy said, “The point is, men are stupid. And after all that dick swinging nothing has been solved. Which is where us women have to come in and set things right.”
“And me too.” Mosh said, beaming “I want to help!”
“Of course, you do, Mosh. Because you’re a good egg.” Brandy said, pinching the young man’s cheek, “A crazy egg but a good one. You want to help too, don’t you princess.”
“I am not a princess.” Minoka muttered.
“But you sing like one.”
Minoka looked at Brandy, seeing the mischievous look in the human woman’s eyes. Humans always said her kind couldn’t be trusted. As if the gift of Magicks made them somehow any less conniving than their own kind. Yet, in all her years of life, she had never met a more conniving mind than that of a human.
“What do you want me to do.” Minoka said, “Speak plainly. No twisted words and for the life of me no talks about penises.”
“I think the plural is peni” Mosh said, taking back his pitcher and draining its contents.
Minoka got up from her seat to leave but Brandy cut her off.
“Okay, Okay.” Brandy said, “I want you to sing a song. I’ll take care of the mayor. I will make sure we get paid. I just need you to calm the villagers. Can you do that? Can you sing me a song and save the day princess?”
——————————-
The crowd of the tavern sat in tight murmuring groups as Minoka took the stage. Some talked about fleeing the town before the impending battle. Others talked about plans to turn to the mercenary band once the battle was done. Some, mercenaries of the newly formed band and the village militia spoke of deserting all together.
The small-town bar had turned into a powder keg, ready to ignite at any moment’s notice. From the stage she could see the four men she had met the night before. Deserters from the Kingdom of Spindle. Men who had abandoned their prince after he had done horrible things to a girl in a brothel without a name. Brave men who had been labeled cowards and traitors simply for following the wrong ruler.
This is what it means to lead. It means to bend those below you. You have your gifts. I have my sword. My iron blade. And the woman whose voice always guides my blade home.
Minoka gritted her teeth as she looked down at the crowd below. They were Human, mortals like the ones she had dominated. Bending them to her will with her song. Turning them into mindless drones to Malc’s cause.
Together they would overthrow the Citadel of Song. Her song would give them an army and his iron blade would tear out the Cambion rulers who claimed themselves rule of the land of man. She had loved him and because of that love thousands would die.
And so it was, until a Swan’s blade had found its way into her breast. A seed of mistletoe place into each rest, feasting off her power until she had been sapped to nothing but the dregs of her former power. But Malc would come for her. He had to come for her.
Yet he never did. He had forgotten her.
She was Cambion. A noble woman of Song who had fell in love with a man who only sought to rule. Malc had stolen everything from her. Had broken her to his will. Left her dying on a battlefield amongst the corpse she had sung to die on his blade.
He had taken everything from her. Except for this. Taken everything but her gift.
The cords of her fiddle wailed melancholy tune into the night of the dimly lit bar. She poured her heart break into each stroke of her bow. Calloused fingers pressed on cords lowering the pitch lower and lower as she parted her lips and let loose her power.
**Will you, will you raise your blade with me.
They called upon the kings and queens.
But none are to be seen.
So Here I stand blade in hand.
Will you raise your blade with me?
Those fiends did come and kill those loved.
And no kings and queens were seen.
They killed your men and skinned your sons.
And no kings and queens were seen.
So, I ask again, will you raise your blade with me.
The people cried because the royals lied.
And no kings and queens were seen.
Taxes paid and livestock claimed.
And no kings and queens were seen.
So, tell me now will you raise your blade with me.
A contract paid and a war pact made.
And no kings or queens were seen.
But Vagabond Arms did show.
But no kings and queens were seen.
Will you raise your blade with me?
Men with horns and girls with claws.
But no kings and queens were seen!
Brutes with swords and A cambion girl asks you all.
Will you raise your swords with me!**
“Will you raise your swords with me!”
The chant broke Minoka from her trance, vision doubled and spinning as she released the flow of Magick in her words. From the deserters to the villagers on the edge of betrayal, they all chanted the words. For the first time in a long time, Minoka felt a swell of pride in her chest as she looked at the change she had made.
She had used her gift and for once it felt good.
—————-
In the Villa on the hill, Mayor Laxduff woke, not sure of how he got there or with whom he shared his bed. Many a drunken afternoon had been spent in his extended term as Mayor of the village of Thimble. In truth there were more days than not he found himself passed out in his feather down bed, sleeping away the day as the people of his village toiled the day away. But what else was he expected to do, overlooking a shithole town set along every changing border of two nations.
But at the moment, that was not his greatest concern. As he blinked the sleep out of his eyes, he looked toward the woman curled next to him in bed, adorned in a too short skirt and shredded corset leaving nothing to the imagination. His alarm only increased as he felt the tight bite of ropes binding his wrists and feet to the corners of his bed.
“What is the meaning of this!” The mayor snapped, “Unbind me this instan-hmph!”
Brandy let out a sigh as she placed the apple she had been chewing on into the blabbering mouth of her victim. She arched her back as she sat up stretching her arms, she let out a yawn.
“Oh, look your finally awake. You know you should really not trust any woman who so easily agrees to come home with you.” Brandy purred, “You never know their intentions.”
The Mayor’s muffled cries continued as Brandy pulled herself out of the bed and made her way to the small desk in the corner of the room. Plucking a few papers from the basket, she began to peruse through the Mayor’s letters. Only as she picked up two letters, one bearing the insignia of Spindle, the other of harvest did his protests stop.
“How interesting.” Brandy Purred, “A oath of fealty to the Kingdom of Spindle, and another to the Nation of Harvest. My good Mayor, you should be more careful of who you let into your bed chambers. Some might see this and accuse you of treason. How is it a mayor gets paid? Through Taxes am I right. Must be quite payout when the mayor of a village being in two nations. Would be a shame though if either nation found out though. Some might call that treason.”
Brandy let the letters fall from her hand to the floor. Her dark eyes set on the pale moon like face of the mayor. It had been nothing to slip the narcotic into his drink. A bit more to get haul the bulbous man up the trail to his villa on the hill. The Narcotic was only short acting, knocking the man out for less than an hour. Still, laying in bed beside the man, listening to his guttural snores had been torture enough.
“Mayor, have you ever heard the story of how the Naguai came to be? I ask because there is a message in the tale which parallels your current predicament exactly. I hope it is a lesson you can absorb” Brandy said, walking the space between them and placing a gentle hand on the mans many cheeks. “In the time before the rise of the Summer courts, the world was ruled by the High Fae Queen of the Seelie court, Titania. Her rule expanded from every edge of the continent, her kingdom set at its Heart, the ruins of which the Kingdom of Spindle are built upon to this day.
“Surrounding her Kingdom, Were the Titania’s wood. You have heard of it, I am sure. In the woods live enormous beasts. Bear. Elk. Crows. Wolves. All manner of creature calls this place home. And all grow from to massive size. A truly magnificent sight these beasts. And a real problem to the mortals who called the woods their home.
“So, one day the humans have enough. Their villages destroyed; their livestock killed. They called upon the Royal Fae Fen for aid, hoping the Massive Fae wolf would hunt down the beast that plagued their home. But Fen said no, the woods belonged to the beasts as much as it belonged to them. Fen believed in only helping those who were strong enough to help themselves. Next the humans went to the Royal Fae, Gospel, hoping the Fae of loving Harvest would be more amicable to their cause. But not even Gospel’s mercy extended far enough, for it was her own Magicks which allowed the beast to grow to such size. Finally, the men of the woods approached Titania herself, and asked her to kill the beasts of the wood. Their plea was only met with her wrath, the very thought of the killing of her beast an afront to the Queen of Summer. All who came to her palace were left blinded and broken.
“Only when the Humans of the wood had lost hope where they greeted by a mysterious stranger. A young woman dressed in strange brightly colored clothes, who agreed to give them the strength of the beasts who hunted them. She claimed to be a great Fae magician and with his power the Dire beasts of Titania’s Wood would be made their equals. When the people asked what he wanted in return, the Magician said all her asked was the people to always remember the kindness of the Fae.
“It was that very night, when the moon set full in the sky that the curse took hold, as the spirits of the beast were forever bound to the spirits of the men and women show called Titania’s wood home. As two souls occupied one form, their minds were shattered, their bodies twisted into an amalgamation of man and beast.
“The curse broke the first generation of Naguai completely, turning them into mindless beasts. It was until a few generations later the Naguai were able to take control of their curse. To take the trickery of the Fae and turn it into a strength. Some to this day let their curse run them. Others have reclaimed their place in Titania’s woods, finally finding a way to live amongst the Dire beast they once warred against. And others, became mercenaries, who are placing their lives on the line for fat fucks like you.”
Brandy looked at the mayor still bound to shit bed by expensive sheets bought from the stolen funds of poor villagers. The Mayor stared up at her trembling cheeks with bulging eyes. This man. This man was the believed himself superior to her Rowan just because of a curse. She shook her head as she reached down and ripped the apple out of the pig man’s mouth. The mayor worked his stiff jaw open and closed for a moment before speaking, poison filling every syllable.
“What does you’re the story behind your beast man’s curse have to with me.”
“It is simple.” Brandy said taking a bite out of the apple, “You have a choice. Pay us for the work we have done or-”
“or what? You will blackmail me.” The Mayor scoffed, “Try it and I will be gone before you finish dragging your dead men off the battlefield. I have political connections from Song all the way to The tower of Oberon. You think anyone is going to believe the word of a drunken whore and feral beast like Rowan.”
Brandy paused halfway through her bite, her dark eyes, boring into the fat man tied to his bed. She chewed slowly watching as the bead of sweat began to form on the man’s balding head.
“You should learn to let others speak.” She said, “What I was going to say was pay us for the work we have done or slowly shit out your insides as the poison I slipped you takes hold.”
The bead of sweat trailed its way down to the tip of his nose where it hung shakily as the man gulped.
“You’re bluffing.”
Brandy took the final bite of the apple and tossed the core on the floor.
“Feel free to find out.” Brandy said, getting to her feet and walking out the door.
