Nightlord: Sunset (80 page)

“Nothing to be seen,” I reported, smiling.  “Not a sign of anything.”

She looked pensive.  “That may be well,” she said, still frowning slightly, “or any watchers may have already departed to report.”

My cheerful feeling subsided rather rapidly.

“Thanks.  I feel ever so much better, now.”

She smiled a little.  “But much more forewarned.”

“True enough.  It looks like I’ll be up all night, keeping eyes and ears open.”

She settled down and curled into the blanket.  “Then I shall sleep soundly.”

I smiled at her.  “You do that.”  I settled down to listen and be paranoid for a while.

Nothing happened for the rest of the night.  If the intent had been to follow me, the tail had come and gone.  If it had been calculated to make me wonder and worry, it was highly successful.  If someone had only set a Thing on Utai to ambush me, it was only a partial success; I lived.

It was a long night.

I got a trio of blankets from one wagon when the sky started to lighten; the tents were canvas and not all that thick.  Tamara was nice enough to warm me up beforehand.

Sunrise smote me like a flaming fist.  Then it grabbed me and squeezed.  I locked my teeth together and tried not to scream.  It was worse, far worse, than any I’d previously experienced.  In seconds, I was dripping with a foul, reeking sweat; my heart hammered slow and hard, gradually building speed.  Every inch of my skin had its own pitchfork-wielding demon—and the tines went deep, through muscle and bone. 

And my shoulder!  Some sadist with a chemistry set had been at it with his newest and most refined compounds.  I thought the whole shoulder and arm was going to come
off
.  Then I started to wish it
would.

When the sun finished its horizon-clearing, I didn’t have the strength to unroll.

That was a bad one.  Right, boss?

I couldn’t come up with a wisecrack answer, either.  “Yes,” I whispered.

Tamara hauled on a blanket edge and unrolled me.  She waved a hand in front of her face.  “Phew!  What happened?”

“I don’t know,” I croaked.  My voice was rough.  “It shouldn’t have been that bad.”

“You’re bleeding,” she noted, reaching down to touch my shoulder.  The holes from the fangs were indeed bleeding freely; they weren’t as bad as the morning after the bite, but I still needed a bandage.  She laid her hand over the ones in front and her hair did that firefall trick again; living flame poured out of her hand and into my shoulder.

There was a terrible moment of blinding pain and then blackness.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8
TH

I
woke in a bed.  Again.  This whole passing-out thing is getting
old.

The first thing I noticed was that my shoulder was stiff and aching, but otherwise fine.  The second thing I noticed was Tamara had her head on it.  Her unbound hair was spilled all over my chest and shoulder and seemed to be flickering.

Well, okay, yes.  It
was
, in fact, flickering.

She was snuggled up next to me under the covers and apparently had no qualms about being naked in bed.  Not that I could say anything; I was peeled down as well.  Maybe it was my imagination, but she seemed was a bit wider around the middle.  Her belly was hard to the touch—harder than I recalled.  I suppose it could have been from a lot of sit-ups… but it wasn’t.

A lot of incredible things have happened to me.  More than I like to really think about.  But waking up with a beautiful woman half-wrapped around me beats the hell out of all of them.  There’s nothing supernatural about it—one might say it’s
entirely
natural.  I like it better than the rush of power or the taste of blood.

Pity it happens so seldom.  I could get used to this.  Or rather, I don’t think I could ever get used to it.  Especially when I think about her having my baby—
babies!
—in her belly.  My
children
.  It makes my head spin to think about it.  Hell, it scares me, too.

Of course, there’s something not quite right about her hair being on fire—yes, all of it; eyebrows included—like that.  But if she can cope with my tendency to sprout fangs and bite people, I’ll live with it and count myself lucky.  She’s a keeper.

I wondered what time it was.  It was definitely daytime but I couldn’t place the hour; the windows were shuttered and covered.  The room was also quite small; I was willing to bet it was an inn.  I didn’t see anything for heating the room, but the place was quite toasty.

I glanced at the still-flickering hair spread over me.  Okay, so, there were no
mundane
heaters in the room.

I noticed ropes hanging from the rafters, one in each corner of the room.  I wondered what those were for.  Did we take a room in a bondage bordello?

The next question was in regard to the day—
what
day?  How long was I napping?  And
why?

Ah, well.  When she woke up, doubtless she’d tell me.  So I sighed pleasantly and settled in to nap and wait.

I woke up when she tried to get out of bed.

“Morning,” I offered, without regard for the actual time, whatever it was.

She burst into smiles and kissed me.  Hard.  I had to remember to breathe.

“You’re alive!” she whispered, once she let my mouth go.  I hugged her and she buried her face in my neck.

“Of course I’m alive,” I answered.  “I’m hard to kill.  Plus, I have you to help.”

“I am not sure what was wrong with you,” she said, muffled.  “I was afraid you would not wake.”

“I feel fine,” I replied, hugging her some more.  “I’m glad I’m awake to get kissed like that and enjoy it.  What happened?”

“I… I am not entirely sure,” she said, still holding me.  “Something in your blood reacted to the Flame… You had convulsions.  It… was difficult to keep you alive.”

“Well done,” I replied, absently.  Convulsions?  At night?  That could be bad for anyone in arm’s reach.

It was, boss.

Oh, thanks,
I thought back. 
What happened?

Raeth got a broken arm, Bouger a broken leg, and the ropes are hanging in the corners.  They bought a small shack, shored it up a bit, and they’ve been hanging you by wrists and ankles from the roof beams so you could twist and buck all you like without breaking the furniture or walls.  Just at night, of course.

No convulsions during the day?

Nope.  Not a twitch.  And Tammy’s been washing you in a firebath every morning to put you back together.  A lot of crap apparently burned out of your system that first time she flamed you.  Good thing, too, or she wouldn’t have been able to keep roasting you to life.

Tammy?
I thought, questioningly.

You know.  The redheaded piece that’s pretending to be welded to you?

Her name
, I thought carefully,
  is Tamara.

There was a long pause.

Um… right.  I shouldn’t call her “Tammy”?

Not unless she says you can.

Um.  And I’ve pissed you off.

Right.

I’m sorry, and I won’t do it again?
Firebrand ventured.

I smiled. 
I’m sure you will, but I’ll forgive you.  Probably.  Just… be nice to Tamara, okay?

Got it, boss.  She’s the one?

I don’t know.  I certainly like her a lot.  Plus, she’s growing kids.  My kids.  That’s a lot of bonus points in her favor.

Check, boss.  Can’t wait to see the hatchlings!

I ignored that and turned my attention back to Tamara.

“You are getting better,” she went on.  “This is the first day you have woken.”

“I’m pleased I did.  Especially with you.”  She blushed; I could feel the heat from her face.

“I too am glad.  Now, are you hungry?”

“Famished.”

“Then I will bring you food.  After, if you feel strong enough, there are many who wish to know that you live.”

“Many?  What do you mean, ‘many’?”

“All in our company,” she answered, rising and reaching for a gown.  “Your knights, of course, and
Hellas most especially.”

“She’s not sleeping in front of the door, is she?” I asked, concerned.

“No,” Tamara replied, eyes twinkling, “but she would if it had not snowed so.  She follows you like a lost puppy, my lord.”

I repressed a flinch.  “So she does.  Any thoughts on how to get her to stop?”

“Not really,” she replied, sitting on the bed to pull on boots.  “You are kind to her.”

“Yeah, well, I guess someone ought to be,” I muttered.  “Am I well?”

She looked me over critically.  It reminded me of being x-rayed.

“I think so.  For today, at least.  Whatever was wrong with you—or
is
wrong with you—is magical in its nature; you have no illness in your body.  There was something dark and evil that coursed in your blood; I have burned away all that can be.  What remains may well be part of you forever.”

“I see.  Or, rather, I don’t.”  I sat up in the bed, carefully.  “I recall I was bleeding again…”

“I tried to heal you.  That darkness that hid within your flesh—perhaps a venom from that demon-eater—reacted to the touch of Fire.  Most of it has burned away with the touch of the Goddess.  In your deathly state, it would have been most painful.  Since you were mortal when the Fire touched you… it nearly killed you,” she finished, whispering.

“Ah.”  I don’t like coming within a hairsbreadth of dying.  Coming that close and only finding out about it later makes it worse.  I should have kept my yap shut and not asked.  Curiosity can be a curse.  “So, what part of it is left?”

“I cannot say.  It has… the darkness in your blood seems blacker than before, but no deeper.”

“I’m not following.”

She bit her lip and rose to pace a little.

“The darkness in your blood can be seen by a priestess if she looks deep enough.  I have seen it.  I know it well.  Darkness calls to darkness, and the poison of that demon—if that is what it is—has made that darkness deeper, but has not spread it any.  It has grown more powerful with the addition of more dark force, but has not spread
farther.  Does that make any sense?”

“Sort of.  The river has gone from dark water to black paint, but it isn’t any wider, deeper, or faster?”

“That is a good way to view it.  Yes.”

“Can I get up?”

“I cannot keep you in bed,” she replied.  Then she smiled impishly.  “At least, not without exerting you unduly.  Do try to be restful.  I know not what sort of exertions may prove to be your undoing.”

“Take it easy.  Got it.”  I got up and went to the washstand; I miss taking a hot shower.  Tamara came over, kissed the back of my neck, and then slipped outside.  The glimpse I caught through the doorway showed snow.  Definitely a shack, not an inn.  Ah, well.

Once I cleaned myself up I hunted around for clothes.  They’d brought in all my stuff, including Firebrand.

I thought it would be a good thing to stick near you, boss; besides, I don’t mind it when Tamara picks me up; she understands fire
.

“Good thinking.”

I noticed my good outfit had already been replaced.  I decided on something plainer for the day; no telling when I’d get flaming bits of demon exploded all over me again.  Then I waited for Tamara.

She came back with a large tray and Raeth; he had one arm in a sling.  After she set the tray down on the foot of the bed she seated herself in the only chair.  Raeth appropriated a stool.  I sat on the bed and ate.

Between mouthfuls—scrambled eggs, toasted black bread, some sort of fish, cracker-like things, some winter vegetables, and a cereal-based broth—I apologized to Raeth about the arm.

“Think nothing of it,” he said, waving the other dismissively.  “It is an occupational hazard when one swears fealty to such as you.  Your lady is most helpful in setting and mending bones.  She tells me I will be wielding a sword again within a day or two.”

I blinked.  “What’s the holdup?  Shouldn’t you be well by now?”

“Ah, but her attentions have been summat reserved for a most special patient.  I agree with her in that regard.  Besides, bone takes much more time and effort than a bit of torn flesh.”

Which reminded me he was one of those who helped to tie me up while I was thrashing around.  I found my appetite was gone.  Then what he’d said played back in my brain: 
when one swears fealty to such as you.

“Raeth…” I began.  I stopped because I wasn’t at all sure what to follow it with.  I still don’t think there’s a good way to ask people if they know I’m an undead creature of the night.

He just nodded.

I stared at him for a minute.  “You know?”  It’s not fancy, but I guess that works.

“I know,” he agreed.

“Who else?”

“Bouger.  Hellas.  And her ladyship,” he added, nodding to Tamara.

I sighed.  A hell of a secret.  Like being a little bit pregnant.  What was that saying?  Three can keep a secret if two are dead?  I wondered who else might know or suspect.  If this kept up, the whole world would know.

“How do you feel about this, Raeth?”

He opened his mouth, closed it, and paused for thought.  Tamara snapped her fingers at me and pointed at the tray.  I let him think while I shoveled away at a breakfast I didn’t want anymore.

“I think,” he began, “that I do not know what to think.  I have seen you helpless and in pain.  I have seen you angry and full of wrath.  I have seen you laugh yourself to tears.  I have sung bawdy songs beside a campfire with you.  I have my life because you gave it to me.”  He shrugged.  “I do not know what a nightlord is; I only know what I have been told.  But I know you only as a man.  You are also a nightlord, but it does not diminish you.”

“You know the Hand wants me dead,” I pointed out.  “How is this going to go with your religious convictions?”

He shrugged.  “I have never been overfond of the Church, and my only oath is as a knight.  If I can do my duty, my place in the next world should be at least tolerable.”  He smiled slightly.  “I do not think any god will be too quick to damn me for my oath to you.  Besides, I believe the Lady will have something to say about where I go when I leave this flesh.”

“That She will,” Tamara declared.  She moved to Raeth, put her arms around his neck, and kissed him soundly.  “I say it.”

“Then my soul is well-cared-for,” Raeth finished, blushing just a little.  Tamara let him go and moved back to her chair.

“All right,” I said.  “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you sooner.”

“You are wise to keep it secret,” he answered.  “Remain wise.  Tell no one.  Speak not of it.  You are the evil that comes in the night,” he said, chuckling.  “Those people who believe in your kind will fear you.  He who forces them to face that fear will suffer for it.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“It is but how I see it.”

“Okay.  Thank you.  I mean it.”

Tamara interjected, “Are you done?”

I gulped down the last of breakfast.  “Yeah.  Thank you, too.”

She took the tray and shook her head, smiling.  “You go ahead and worry.  Men do that.”  She breezed back out in to the cold.

“So where are we?” I asked.  “I don’t remember breaking camp.”

“Well, we had a choice:  stay or press on.  Going back would have wasted a couple days’ worth of travel.  We kept on southward for a little less than a day before we reached here—Teryn, a big village that is trying hard to be a town.”