The Fae Hunter Ch. 05

The inn had the same smell and feel that I remembered. Homey and comfortable. This evening it was half full and quiet. I spied Klum the same time he saw me. He was talking somberly to a customer as he poured the man a pint of ale. He finished serving his customer, eyes never leaving mine. Klum reached down below the bar and came up with a spiked club. Everyone around him cleared away quickly.

"Mikal," a high pitched voice screamed out as a body launched itself at me. I looked down to see Klum's daughter jumping at me. I caught her in my arms. I looked up to see Klum stop. He had immediately started advancing on me, club held ready to smash my face. "Mommy died!" the girl cried. She started sobbing into my chest. I stared over her head at Klum.

"I'm sorry," I soothed her as I matched stares with Klum.

"Marge," Klum ordered his daughter. "Get away from him." She burrowed herself deeper into my chest.

"Don't worry little one," I said. "I will hold you in a little bit. Your father and I need to talk."

"You wouldn't hurt Mommy," Marge was muffled against me.

"I wouldn't," I agreed. "But I need to explain that to your father." I pried the girl off me and pushed her gently away.

"Don't hurt him Daddy," she cried, looking at her furious father.

Just then the front doors to the inn flew open and two people rushed in. The man was big and tall and armored in a chain shirt and shield. In his right hand was a sturdy, thick blade about two feet in length. Beside him was a tall, lanky woman dressed in casual, comfortable clothes. In her hand, instead of sword, was a book that I think she didn't even realize she was still holding. She didn't need armor or a weapon to radiate authority. She emitted authority in the way she stood, in the way she spoke.

"Klum," she warned, voice filled with compassion and strength. "Put down the club." She stepped closer to me. She shot a glance in my direction. "You Mikal?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"Let's all stay calm," she ordered. The guard moved quickly to stand in front of Klum. Klum took a step to the side. "Klum," the woman said. "Don't." Klum lowered the club and stopped moving. He glared at me with hatred.

"Mikal," the woman said. "Why don't you step outside with me."

"Sure," I said. "I got the information I wanted anyway." I looked over at Klum. "I'm sorry-"

"Mikal," the woman snapped, interrupting me. "Out...Side." I shrugged and went back outside. She followed me out. She looked me over as I took a closer look at her. She had the lean, hard muscles of a person who could fight in a battle for hours. She walked and stood slightly off balanced, as if her body was used to compensating for a blade that wasn't currently there. Her hair reached down just past her shoulders in messy waves as if it had just recently been taken out of a tight bun or ponytail. Small, pert breasts hung free behind a soft, loose shirt. Tight pants and riding boots accentuated the muscles and shape of her long legs.

"My name is Teresa," the woman told me with a smile as she watched me catalog her. She was tall and barely had to look up at me to meet my eyes. Without her boots she would be about three inches shy of six feet. Her eyes, when I got there, were a warm brown. They were the same color as Grace's eyes. She had the same high cheek bones as well.

"You're related to Grace," I told her.

"I was," she admitted. "But more importantly, for you, I'm also the constable of Bynton."

"This town is a real family affair," I snorted. She eyed me.

"I suppose," she said. Behind me, the guard stood impatiently, sword at the ready. "You didn't know Grace had died?"

"No," I shook my head. "I was afraid she had, but I didn't know."

She tried to fiddle with the sword hilt that wasn't strapped to her side. She looked down at the book in her hand in surprise. Just then Marge came racing around from the back of the inn.

"Teresa," the girl panted. "He wouldn't hurt Mommy. He helped her." She stood in front of me, protecting me from the book wielding constable.

"Thank you," Teresa was formal and grave with the little girl. Just the tinge of a smile on her face giving her away. "I will be fair with Mikal. I promise."

"Okay," Marge said. Nodding at the female constable. She looked back and up at me, still standing behind her. "I will talk to Daddy. We both know you weren't the one who hurt Mommy."

"I appreciate that," I told her. I watched her walk back into the inn before turning to look at Teresa. She was also looking after the little girl, her face drawn, not with tiredness, but grief. The look of grief was swept away when she realized I was watching her. "Lead on Constable," I told her.

"I've got it from here," she told the man. He started to object, but she cut him off. "Go on back to the night watch. Thanks for getting me. I've got it from here." He sighed, nodded, and walked away.

I was expecting to be led to the local jail cell and was surprised when we stopped in front of a small, sturdily built house. A trail of smoke was rising from the chimney and lanterns were lit and shining through the windows.

"Come on in," she said, opening the front door and waving me into the house. The doorway led to a large living room with a lit fireplace and three lanterns. Two comfortable, cushioned chairs and a long couch sat in front of the fire. The room was warm and cheery. Leaning against the wall nearest the front door was Teresa's long sword. It was longer and heavier looking than I would have expected from a female warrior. She was stronger even than she looked. Next to the couch was an end table with a mug on it. She placed her book next to the mug. "Have a seat," she said, nodding to the two chairs. I sat down in the chair closest to the couch. "Want something to drink?"

"Maybe later," I said. "I admit I was expecting a more formal interrogation."

"We can go to the guard house," she smiled at me, sitting down on the couch.

"No," I laughed. "This is good."

"So let's start with why my sister cried out your name, begging you not to kill her, right before she died."

****

Eldric and I had retired upstairs to more comfortable chairs and a bottle of decanted red wine to discuss who and what I was. We left Aberdeen sprawled on the ground on the first floor.

"He'll be okay?" Eldric asked as we looked down at the unconscious crown prince.

"No idea," I shrugged. "I wouldn't be heart broken if he dies."

"Except he's the crown prince," Eldric pointed out just in case I had forgotten that fact. "And his father won't rest until his son's killer is brought to justice. I know the king. Your death will not be fast or easy if you kill Aberdeen."

"I think I stopped before eating all of his life energy," I sighed.

"What does that mean?" Eldric asked. He wasn't horrified or disgusted or afraid. He was Interested. Curious and interested. He and Aberdeen were similar in their outlook on life it seemed. But he didn't have Aberdeen's penchant for cruelty, rape, and murder. He, at least, had that going for him.

"You seem pretty calm about this whole thing," I commented.

"Yes," Eldric acknowledged. "It's a byproduct of magic." I sensed another lecture coming. "Come upstairs and we can talk and drink wine." He gave another look down at Aberdeen. "While we wait for the prince to wake up."

"After you," I said. I walked over to Aberdeen and kicked him hard in the ribs. He flopped over onto his back. I hoped that I had broken a rib or two.

"What was that for?" Eldric asked.

"I hate the fucker," I said, grinning slightly at him. He nodded, unconcerned, and then led me upstairs.

"Have you met many of your fae kindred?" Eldric asked once we were comfortable in our chairs and sipping wine.

"No," I said, shaking my head. "Not one." I tilted my head to one side in thought. Cynthia looking down at me dispassionately. Are you dead, yet? "Well, one, I guess. But I didn't know she was fae."

"Ah," Eldric said, nodding his head. "Well the fae do not have empathy in the way that humans do. They look at other creatures in the same way that we would look at an ant. Even other fae. No personal connection. At least not in any way that humans can understand."

"Okay," I said. I paused. "What are we talking about?" He laughed gently.

"You asked why I was so dispassionate. And I'm sure you have noticed Aberdeen's lack of..." he searched for the right word. "Lack of humanity."

"Oh," I nodded, back on track with his conversation. "So you two are fae? Or fae like?"

"I think that the more magic you have, the less human you are." He paused. Thought about it. "No. Ummm." He shook his head. "I've never tried to articulate this before. I think that magic and humanity are mutually exclusive. The more you have of one, the less you have of the other."

"That's fucked up," I said.

"Yeah." He nodded and grinned in agreement. I sat back and thought about that. About Aberdeen. Cynthia. I sipped the wine Eldric had poured me.

"So this thing that is in my body? This Heart. What is the point? What does it do?"

"To be honest," Eldric mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "No one alive knows. Or at least no human that I'm aware of. Who knows what the fae know?"

"You must have a guess."

"Yes," he nodded with a smile. "It is said that Drak used The Heart to create his progeny...the vampires."

"What are they?" I asked. Something was vaguely familiar about the name. But it was just out of reach.

"They are very ancient," Elrdic said. "It is said that when Drak was imprisoned, no other vampires could be created. Like Drak, they are immortal. They hunt and live off humans and other fae."

"Uh," I grimaced in disgust. "Like cannibals?"

"I suppose," Eldric shrugged, clearly not disturbed by the idea. "Some stories say that they don't eat the flesh of humans and fae - just drink their blood."

"Oh, well," I said sarcastically. "That's not so bad." I calmed myself down. "Anything else?"

"Like fae hounds they can transform into other things. But instead of a wolf, they can turn into smoke or bats. Some stories say anything they want."

"I meant about The Heart," I said. "How do I get it out of me?"

"I'm sorry," Eldric said. "I really don't know." He got up. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to my chest. I nodded and took off my shirt. He prodded and poked at my chest. His eyes blinked and started glowing faintly. Watching him transition from normal vision to...fae vision, I realized that I could do the same thing. "I've never seen a purple aura before," he said. "Is that from The Heart or your natural magic life force?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "I didn't even know I was fae." I blinked my fae vision on. There was a shimmering yellow aura around Eldric. Below that was a deep pool of life energy that woke up The Heart within me. It hungered. I blinked again. I fought down The Heart. Closed it off.

"There is a fae that I deal with on occasion," Eldric said, moving away from me and sitting back down, oblivious to my internal battle to eat him alive. I put my shirt back on. "Her name is Eilish. Even if she doesn't know what you are seeking, she can probably direct you to another fae that might. But you must have something she is willing to trade for."

"Do you know a fae called Galin?" I asked.

"No," Eldric said. "But if he is known among the fae, Eilish will know of him." Just then we both heard someone walking slowly and heavily up the stairs. We turned and watched Aberdeen slowly come into view. His eyes were dark and hurt. Haunted. He limped painfully, grimacing with each step.

"What did you do to me?" he demanded.

"I didn't do anything," I shrugged. "It was The Heart. It ate your magic."

"No!" he screamed, lurching awkwardly at me. "Give me back my powers!" I moved effortlessly faster than him. I hit him in the solar plexus and he collapsed to the floor with a grunt of pain.

"I stopped it at the magic in you. It wanted to eat your life as well," I said, leaning over him. "You come after me again and I will let it."

"Fuck you," he wheezed, trying to breathe. "I will kill you." I hit him in the temple, knocking him unconscious again. I looked down at Aberdeen. It would be so easy to kill him. But I suspected that leaving him alive without magic was a more terrible punishment.

"So," I said, looking over at Eldric. "Aberdeen," I paused to kick the prone body. "He thinks that we were both used by someone. Giving him The Heart and getting me to chase after him."

"And eventually having it lodged inside of you," Eldric finished. "Makes sense. But who?"

"A fae lord named Galin is my guess," I said.

"A fae lord?" Eldric asked sharply, looking at me carefully. "Are you sure that Galin is a fae lord?"

"No," I said, shaking my head. "But that's what I was told. Why?"

"Because there are very few fae lords here in humanland. They are extremely powerful and deadly. If a fae lord is behind this, I recommend running in the opposite direction."

"I don't think that's an option," I said, tapping my chest. "Drak wants out."

"Drak wants out?" Elrdic questioned. "What does -"

"Where can I find Eilish?" I interrupted. "And what kind of fey is she?"

"She is an elf," Eldric said after a pregnant pause. He was eyeing me with great curiosity. He was aching to ask me more questions. "There is a fae compound on the northern outskirts of Trepple," he continued. "She abides there when she isn't wandering the lands or going home to faeland. There is never a guarantee that she will be there. But eventually she always comes back."

"So if you know so little about The Heart, why was Aberdeen so anxious to visit you?"

"I'm not sure," Eldric said with a shrug. "You'll have to ask him that." He thought about the question some more. I waited. "Probably because I'm a divinator."

"What's that?"

"I have concentrated my studies to knowledge. I have the ability to view all the ley lines, not just the ones that I can manipulate." He waved his arm around to encompass the room. Maybe the entire house. "It's why I built this tower here. It's at a crossroads of all the ley lines."

"So?"

"Well if you are looking for knowledge..." he spread his hands apart and gave an exaggerated shrug. "Makes sense to go to an expert. I'm sorry I don't know more. I have some questions for you though," he added.

"What do these ley lines do exactly?" I asked, ignoring his last comment.

"The more we can access the ley lines, the more powerful our magic." His eyes started glowing again. "Can you turn on your mage sight? It allows you to see magic and ley lines."

"I was calling it fae sight," I said, blinking and watching his yellow aura shimmer to life. I hungered for his life energy. I tamped it down. "It's called mage sight?"

"Yes," he agreed. "But in the old texts it was referred to fae sight." He looked at me, trying to figure me out. He gave up and pointed up. "Look with your fae sight. Up beyond the ceiling. Don't strain. Look without looking." I peered up. "Relax your eyes," he said. "Soften." The ceiling faded away. Above the tower were large bands of different colors that lay parallel to the earth. Each band was coming from a different direction. All seven of them crisscrossed directly overhead.

Eldric murmured quietly to himself, reached up toward the bands with one hand and a little bit, a very little bit, of the yellow band fell towards him. The yellow energy hovered over the palm of his hand and then absorbed into his skin. His aura flared momentarily and then a ball of light winked into existence just over his head.

"You see," he said. "I used the yellow ley line to help create this magic light." He moved his hand back and forth and the ball of light moved with his hand.

"I don't see how that will help me with The Heart," I said.

"It won't," he shrugged. He closed his hand into a fist and the light vanished. "But it explains how ley lines can help human wizards."

"Okay," I sighed. "Thank you." I paused. I looked him in the eyes. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"What loss is that?" he asked.

"I'm pretty sure The Heart killed Grace."

"Grace?" he asked, looking at me with confusion.

"Your cousin," I said. "Don't you have a cousin named Grace?"

"Oh, right," he said. "The one without magic." He waved the thought away. "It happens."

****

Teresa said little as I talked. Just watching me and sipping her wine. Keeping it simple, I explained about Aberdeen - his real name and the name on the bounty sheets. I handed them over and she looked at the portrait carefully.

"That's Aberdeen all right," she said. "This picture makes him look a little more likeable than in real life though."

"That's what I thought!" I exclaimed with a laugh. "You've met the crown prince?"

"My cousin is one of the counselors to the King," she said with an arched eyebrow. "And I trained in the capital," she admitted. I nodded and continued my story. I explained how the orb started eating away at the life energy of the people I had been in contact with. And it only stopped when I had shoved the orb into my chest.

"So I came here to see if Grace had been killed like Aberdeen's guard. And from my reception at the inn, I'm guessing she did. I'm very sorry for your loss."

"Hmmm," Teresa hummed thoughtfully. I couldn't tell whether she believed me or not. "There is much that you are leaving out, but you speak with the truth." I nodded solemnly at her. "Or," she continued with a wry smile, "you are a very good liar."

"Teresa," I said, looking fully into her grey eyes. "I swear that I did not purposely harm your sister in any way. If I had, why would I come back?"

"Mikal," she said, raising her hands placatingly. "I believe you." She stood up. "It's late. I have a spare room. Why don't you stay the night and we can talk more in the morning."

"Thank you," I said, standing up as well. "I appreciate that."

Once left to myself in the spare room, I took off my clothes and crawled under the blankets. The soft bed lulled me instantly to sleep.

A hand on my shoulder woke me abruptly. Teresa was standing over me with her deadly sword in one hand. She was looking down at me but most of her attention was outside. Seeing I was awake she put a finger to her lips in the universal sign for quiet. Whatever was out there was so disturbing that she hadn't bothered to dress before waking me up. Like me, she slept in the nude. Naked, she was innumerably more attractive than clothed. There wasn't an ounce of fat on her body. Her stomach muscles rippled with each movement she made. Her arms and legs were long and slim without sacrificing the clear muscle definition that emphasized her clear strength. Her breasts were small and impossibly high and firm on her chest. Her nipples were extended and hard - either from the cold night air or the adrenalin of imminent battle. She either trimmed on a regular basis or had very thin pussy hair as her lips were clearly defined and tightly pressed together. I had only to lift my head and turn my face and I could part them with my tongue. I started to grow hard. Oblivious to my arousal, she leaned down to whisper in my ear.

"Four or five outside. Very skilled." I nodded and slipped out of the bed. She bent down and picked up a short sword that she had obviously placed there. She handed it to me. I looked down at it, shrugged and took it from her. She grimaced as she watched me hold the blade. She sighed and leaned in toward me again to whisper. "Stay behind me. Keep out of my way." I nodded again and stepped back. And almost stumbled as my vision splintered.

I was seeing myself from another point of view. I was in the mind of one of the attackers. I threw my sword at the attacker. The attacker stepped to the side and into my attack as I had rushed after the thrown sword. And just as suddenly I was back in my body. I looked down at the sword in my hand. I was not trained to fight with a sword. But throwing one at my opponent to distract him was what I was planning to do. I gasped in realization. Whatever was out there had haünnted me. So that's what it felt like. I didn't like it.