Beta Chapter

PAVEL THREW THE WOMAN out of the window. The wood-and-glass frame broke under her weight, dropping her from the second-story room. As she fell, her flimsy nightdress caught on the wooden shard and ripped it off. The thing the man saw was a pale, nude female shrieking as she disappeared out of sight. The Azat stood up, dressed only in his trousers, and immediately grabbed his two swords. The damned armor could wait. The door to his room opened with a bang, and Pavel quickly turned to face the intruder. It was the bard. Sheqer took in the man’s state of undress and whistled.

“I didn’t know you loved to play rough. That was one noisy romp,” chortled the bard.

“Oh, shut your mouth, Sheqer. She entered my room. The blasted female was a bloodsucker.”

“That gracious, beautiful owner of this small inn was a vampire? Never expected it. I thought she just wanted a taste of a real man. Those are rare in these woods,” replied the bard casually.

Pavel didn’t answer and rushed to the window. The moonlight didn’t reveal the woman on the ground. What greeted him instead were scores of dark forms with glowing crimson eyes.

Shit, the Azat thought. This is what we get for taking the backroads.

***

Right after leaving the Stones of Muraybet, the pair quickly moved in the direction of the independent Duchy of Namir. But the moment Sheqer sensed soldiers ahead of them, they had to backtrack and use a forest track which diverged from the main road. Pavel could have tried forcing his way through the waiting guards, but a stealthy examination revealed a company of armed men with a sizeable complement of archers and crossbowmen.

Pavel doubted if they’d wait for him to reach striking distance, and he didn’t want a messenger bird informing the entire Kingdom that the duo was, in fact, retracting its steps, a move which would leave no doubt as to their final destination. Right now, he preferred them guessing. The last story he told was they were headed towards the township of Hasuna. Their retreat from what remained of the governor’s armed force would indicate a course either towards the border or the vicinity of the town of Mersin. Some troops would also be posted along the boundaries of the Duchy of Namir, but he guessed they would be on the roads.

It was the next day when they came across a woodcutter and his son traveling along the trail. They had two wagons hauling cordwood and a lot of small game back to Mersin. The two fugitives declared they were lost, having opted for a shortcut to avoid paying any more tolls. The older man laughed and said he understood their concern. The guards were chronic extortionists. He himself expected to be taxed some sort of made-up fee when he reached the main road. Asking for directions to the City of Constance, they were directed towards another trail overlooking a lake, a crossroads from which numerous paths could be seen. On the far side of the water was the city, though the woodsman told them that several narrow ways could lead them to it.

Pavel idly asked about the trails around and was gladly obliged, the man pointing out where they led. The Azat didn’t recognize the places enumerated by the woodcutter. However, one was a trail that led to a point just before the border of Namir. A few hunters and enterprising smugglers used the path as it bypassed a lot of guard posts and was actually a shorter route to Hasuna and Constance. The pair made a show of leaving for Constance, and when the man and his son disappeared from sight, immediately took the way going to Namir.

The trail was visible enough. Even though the twisting and turning route vanished from time to time, the bard or at least the marks from heavy wagons led them on their way. Smuggling must be a brisk business, observed Pavel. The depth of some of the furrows left by apparently heavily laden carts left no doubt about it.

On the third day, the bard warned him about people ahead. The two hid behind some trees and watched a column of five transports hauled by oxen pass by. The rear of the column was guarded by three men. Pavel knew they were smugglers, not bandits, and their gear showed it. They wore proper light armor and looked confident. Suddenly, the leader halted in front of them and looked at their hiding place.

“Come out, the two of you. We don’t mean any harm, unless you’re spies. But I doubt if spies would hide as bad as you,” said the man.

The pair came out but remained near the trees. Pavel saw the rest of the group had continued on their way.

“A mercenary and a bard, if I am not mistaken,” remarked the man. “I guess you’re headed for Namir?”

The Azat merely nodded. Their destination was obvious. But at least, he was facing men doing something illegal, though what they were doing wasn’t as bad as slicing the throat of the governor of the region. Theirs was an illicit and obviously profitable enterprise. In a way, he could even call them merchants of a dubious repute.

“No names then. But we adventurous types do have to stick together. If this is your first time, there’s a small inn further down the trail. Living in the forest while on the run isn’t the proper way to travel,” grinned the man as he steered his mount towards the caravan. “Best of luck to both of you!”

As he and his men disappeared, the bard glanced at Pavel.

“I really can’t understand the ways of mortals. We find a better welcome among those who live outside the law, and we’re forced to kill those who make them. Color me confused, Master,” said Sheqer.

“Don’t you worry. More confusion is coming up in your future,” replied the Azat.

***

The small inn was nicely tucked in the woods about fifty yards from the path. A dab of white paint on a tree trunk was their first indication of the place. It was actually a mid-sized dwelling, converted into an inn, and the pair found the prices were double that of Mihai’s establishment.

Pavel didn’t haggle and left the payment details to the bard. Finding himself a table near the window, the bard soon followed the Azat with tankards of ale.

“You didn’t see the owner. Quite a looker,” said Sheqer.

“Not interested,” replied Pavel idly. His eyes busy examining the place and looking outside the window.

“Come on. You need the relief. Isn’t that what humans do?” insisted the demon.

“Not for now, and knowing you, I’d probably see a spectator hidden in the room,” he remarked as he raised his drink.

Sheqer merely chuckled. It was a reaction that meant the demon would probably do it. The owner came out in a while, bringing their food. The Azat had to admit she was gorgeous. The woman was at an age not too young to make lovemaking a lesson to be taught, or at an age where the man would feel intimidated or uninterested. Wild nights of sexual abandon and experimentation beckoned in her amused and interested eyes. There was something else about her that stirred a warm stirring in his loins, but he was able to control it. Her name was Aduca and was, according to her, a widow. Her husband was a huntsman, and when he died, she decided to open the inn since traffic became more or less regular due to the increased taxes imposed by the Kingdom of Farel.

When she left with a thinly hidden disappointed look, the lustful vibrations Pavel felt abruptly disappeared. The Azat thought about it and immediately suspected something supernatural, but he didn’t sense anything. If there was magic which he couldn’t detect, he trusted the bard to warn him. But nothing of the sort occurred. Everything was as ordinary as it could be up to the time they got up to their rooms.

***

But the creature he threw out the window was definitely not human. She came in as Aduca, dressed in a tempting nightgown that barely concealed her sensuous curves and ample breasts. The thin material visibly displayed an inviting, shaved mound flanked by smooth hips and supported by desirable mounds of flesh at the rear, just begging to be squeezed.

The door didn’t even creak as it opened, but her approaching presence and intent to enter the Azat’s room woke up Pavel. Aduca came in with the man already waiting for her. Pavel had sat up on the bed, the blanket covering the lower part of his body. With the comfort of clean sheets, he had gone to bed barechested, retaining only trousers. The woman came in quietly, and when she saw the occupant waiting for her, smiled and slowly turned around, displaying to the fullest her alluring form as lit by the moonlight coming from the window.

“Do you like what you see?” said the woman in a soft, breathless voice.

“Maybe. I don’t know,” replied Pavel. His answer was honest enough. He could feel his loins stirring, but his mind was detached from the wanton display. The man knew he was being seduced, yet his perception wasn’t clouded by any feeling of desire.

The woman came closer and sat on the edge of the bed, extending her hand to touch and roam all over Pavel’s bare chest. A few seconds after she laid her hand on the Azat, the man saw a sudden, shocked expression come over her. Her face immediately changed into a hideous, fanged face, more a bat than human. Saliva dripped all over her hooked incisors and fell on the blanket.

The man quickly gripped both her arms and threw her out the window with all his strength. His intense disgust at what he saw added more force to the action. Pavel recognized the kind of vampire he encountered. An ancient creature. Older than many demons. An alukah.

***

“’ Tis an unfamiliar creature, I must admit. My world doesn’t have them,” remarked the demon who walked to the window and peered outside.

“But it does have a powerful illusion spell at its command,” he added.

“What illusion?”

“Those eyes and creatures outside. They’re not real,” replied Sheqer with amusement. “You want me to dispel the deception?”

“Yes.”

Pavel sensed a rush of power break out from the bard, radiating from where he stood. The man was startled when he saw Sheqer flinch for a few seconds. A clinched expression came over the demon whose eyes were focused on something he only could see.

“There. Quite powerful, I should say. Even with the energy I had gained, it still took some effort. I didn’t expect that,” smiled the demon, wanly. “I don’t know what that vampire was, but she could be more than a match for a demon of high rank. That illusion spell wasn’t at its full strength.”

Suddenly, the entire room darkened. Looking out the window, the Azat saw a rising black cloud outside, totally blocking out the moon. In a few seconds, the pair stood in a blacked-out room, bereft of any light, though the man could see the disconcerting sight of the bard’s eyes glowing, crimson eyes. A small ball of light flashed into existence between the two, springing from the demon’s raised right hand. Yet even the illumination it gave out struggled against the encompassing darkness.

“Chaos spawn.” A voice echoed out from a corner of the room. The space was shrouded in complete darkness, and not even the faintest glimmer from Sheqer’s glowing ball pierced it. Pavel immediately faced the threat and moved to the demon’s side.

“Alukah,” said the Azat slowly.

His knowledge of the creature surprisingly lacked any mention of how to kill one, through the listing of its abilities was impressive. His companion merely looked at the phenomena. A quick glance revealed a Sheqer who seemed merely interested in the unfolding situation. The man didn’t see any change in the stance of the demon, an observation which only gave him the conclusion that the bard expected him to engage first. Pavel swore silently. He still didn’t have a grasp of the way the demon perceived matters. The man had believed that Sheqer would be interested in fighting the creature. Apparently, he was mistaken.

“You hid yourself well, Chaos spawn. My apologies,” said the vampire, now in Aduca’s voice.

“Huh?” remarked a suddenly confused Azat. A statement of regret was the last thing he expected.

“Ignorance? Yet I could tell that you know my kind. Don’t tell me you have no idea about the ancient bargain made and the assurance of the Powers that rule this reality?” asked Aduca in a disbelieving voice.

When no reply came from the bewildered Azat, the alukah sighed and then stepped out of the shadows. She was now wearing her human form, and the aura of lust that surrounded her was absent. Aduca stared at Pavel and then spoke.

“Let me refresh a Chaos spawn’s memory –

Neither Chaos nor Order
shall raise a hand against the ancient terror
Born out of the Abyss,
And to this count shall be added her daughters five.

Nor shall the Alukah give birth to more
And upon such pledge shall her future be bound;
Until the end of time
Or her vow broken, sayeth the rule.”

Upon the recitation of the words, the Azat suddenly felt a cold calmness descend upon him. It was an incomprehensible sensation. Now, he didn’t feel that the vampire was a threat, and worse, Pavel knew his body won’t follow any decision to attack the creature. Then the alukah looked at the grinning bard.

“And you brought with a demon as your companion. Odd decision for one such as you,” said Aduca. “Though I could see he doesn’t belong in this world. But whatever the reason, that is none of my concern.”

“Are you the Alukah?” Pavel had finally found his voice, though his hands still gripped the swords.

“Mother won’t stoop to being an innkeeper,” laughed Aduca, quite amused. “But I admit being surprised to seeing a Chaos spawn in these times. I could barely remember the last era I saw one of your breed, and that was but a messenger.”

“What bargain are you talking about?” continued the Azat, though he had little faith that his question would be answered. Whatever motive Chaos and Order had in making such a pact with the ancient vampire was beyond him, and he suspected, also unknown to Aduca. If such Powers dealt with the demon, then the original creature must also be formidable. But the real reason may even have nothing to do with the power of Aduca’s Mother. What was clear was that he wasn’t allowed to kill Aduca, and the vampire was also forbidden to take his life.

I might have gotten the better of the situation, thought Pavel as he remembered the bard’s impression that the level of Aduca’s power was alarming.

“Take your rest in peace then, Chaos spawn. Your night won’t be disturbed. But I don’t expect you back in my humble inn. Ever. I would see to your travel needs tomorrow though I won’t be around until you depart from these woods,” said Aduca. The vampire slowly vanished, and with her disappearance, a return of the moonlight to the room.

“Again, an interesting encounter! So many questions,” remarked Sheqer. “I guess fornication is out of the question for my Master.”

“Shut up and let me sleep. Oh, and you’re on guard duty tonight. In my room.”

Smiling, the Azat got ready for bed, and at his back, he could hear the complaints of the annoyed bard. It was music to his ears.

***

The following morning found them talking to an elderly woman. A human, the bard whispered. She was the caretaker of the inn when the owner wasn’t around. Her name was Saya, and after a quick breakfast, she gave each a sack of provisions for the road together with a full water flask. Pavel also saw a pair of males at the back. As far as he could tell, none of the workers had an idea that their employer was a vampire. But then who would? The Azat’s memory told him the alukah could walk in the sun. Most bloodsuckers feared the daylight and were night creatures. Aduca wouldn’t be suspected.

“You know, Master. That creature’s presence in these woods makes me wonder how come the smuggler’s trail isn’t shunned?” commented the bard as the two made their way down the winding trail.

“It’s obvious, Sheqer. She chooses her victims well. Those who travel by themselves or won’t be missed if they disappear. That fits many of the people who use this route, though I guess the smugglers and traders would be safe. Aduca wouldn’t want to raise suspicions or allow the passage of victims through this place to dry up. Not that she needed to fed that often,” answered Pavel.

“You mean we passed through when she was hungry? Or feeling a bit peckish?” snickered the bard loudly.

“We’re both ignorant dolts in this world, Sheqer. Don’t forget that,” admonished the man.

Pavel reflected that sometimes, the demon doesn’t act like he was in an unfamiliar world. The bard felt supremely confident for some reason the Azat couldn’t fathom. Though demons, from what he remembered, always acted as if they knew what they were doing. Pavel just had to note that peculiar little fact. Otherwise, he could blunder into a deadly situation brought about by the bard’s attitude.

***

They continued through the forest, sometimes meeting small caravans on their way to Farel. Though people seemed friendly enough, they kept their distance and weapons at the ready. The presence of such travelers reassured the Azat they were going in the right direction and that no soldiers were in the area.

Yet two nights of sleeping in trees made him surly. Aching muscles all day served to give rise to the irritable disposition. Fortunately, that was the extent of their problems. It appeared large predators also avoided the main trail. Pavel didn’t have a problem with such an absence. But it was hard going due to the nature of the land and the reality that he had to walk the entire way. Sheqer also had to use his legs, but his abominable resistance to fatigue made Pavel’s misery a lonely one.

As they crested yet another wooded hill, the sight of the waiting lowlands greeted them. It was a considerable distance away, but they were nearing the border. Pavel paused as he took in the view with relief. The damned forest seemed endless. Then he noticed a large eagle watching him from a nearby tree.

Once it saw that it had gotten the attention of the Azat, it took off and circled the duo. It then sped off to the north. The man merely watched as it disappeared. Pavel sat down to rest just as a loud cry caught his attention. It was the eagle. It had come back. The raptor flew around them again and went north. Pavel looked at the bard. Sheqer was also observing the peculiar actions of the bird.

“If it does that again, then I suggest we follow it,” suggested the bard casually.

Pavel nodded just as he saw the bird approaching them once more. He stood up and walked in the direction indicated by the eagle. The bard followed. The graceful creature circled and watched when it saw the pair heading north. It gave a loud cry and settled on top of a tree some distance away.

Trust Sunor to greet us in the body of a bird. Probably couldn’t find a mad alchemist, groaned Pavel as he recalled the mage’s spell of transference. The way north looked worse than the route they had taken. Though it is a handy trick. Dangerous though to the body left behind.