The wagon left them a few miles from the trailhead before noon. Ralph paid him as they got all their supplies out. To the left of the road was a woodland that led into Carl’s territory.
Daniel told them all about Carl. Even Alys was skeptical about the idea of a talking dungeon. According to them, various Cores were mindless seeds of corruption, sent out by the Forgotten Ones. Personally, that sounded a tad ridiculous to Daniel.
Julia and Asper believed him. They were also siblings!
Suddenly, their closeness made sense.
Edmund shivered as they threw on their packs, following Daniel’s gaze to the wagon.
“He doesn’t like it out here. It’s the border, and there’s a cold war between elves and humans right now. You remember that, right? The current kingdom affairs?”
Daniel flipped his long locks out and shook his head.
“I don’t know basically anything about the world.”
“I can’t even imagine,” Alys mumbled. “What would you do if I lost all my memories, Ralph?”
“Huh? What kind of question is that?”
“Well,” the woman smiled and looked off to the side, “would you care for me and look for a way to return my memories? Go on a quest to find a healer? How would you convince me?”
Marg snorted next to her, playfully shoving her off balance and flailing.
“What do you want, to be his little puppy? For him to rub your belly and play fetch with a woman who can’t even give him what he needs? That’s so selfish, Alys.”
“What? No, I didn’t mean it like that. Daniel isn’t a puppy. Am I being selfish?”
Ralph looked totally lost as Edmund pulled him and Daniel off to the side to escape.
“We should fill you in then!”
Daniel allowed himself to be pulled ahead as they started their march into the woodland.
Marg seemed a little bitter. No, maybe a tad malicious? Alys didn’t even register it.
He learned more about the surrounding lands, the kingdom, and local lords that ran it. A war was sparked between the elven and human nation a century ago, which Carl must have had some hand in. But Daniel was becoming more interested in the cracks within the party.
An hour in, Ralph had disappeared, scouting ahead. Edmund took up the head, Alys behind him, chatting softly. Marg was at the tail with Nich, keeping watch. Julia had crept off to the side, scouting the north side, leaving her big brother with Daniel.
Daniel stepped over roots as they climbed the slight incline of the hill they were on. The woods were eerily quiet, excluding a host of three-eyed ravens that followed them. By the slightly rotted stench and flesh, he had an idea of their purpose.
Asper leaned in, staring at the quiet birds.
“I’ve never seen this many rotting birds in one place. Omens say disaster follows them. We haven’t seen a single undead pack. These woodlands and the road are filled with them.”
Daniel shrugged.
“Carl’s welcoming us in.”
“Why?”
“He’s lonely.”
The man forced a low chuckle.
“You say the creepiest things for what you are.”
Daniel followed his gaze to the north, where his sister could barely be seen between the trees. He had to remind himself that these people weren’t immortal.
“If a big horde comes,” he whispered, “abandon me and run. He’s not interested in you.”
The man shivered.
“I’m starting to think we shouldn’t have come back. What are you thinking right now?”
“Hmm?” Daniel shifted to see Marg at the rear, mace and shield out. “I’m worried about your group’s integrity. There is a lot of unresolved conflict.”
“What?” Asper followed his focus and laughed. “Marg? Yeah, she’s prickly and has a foul mouth. Alys and her have very different values. I won’t argue that Marg has sketchy friends. Nich is a cheapskate and uses most of his money on not-so-legal activities. But they’re all dependable guys. Marg bailed us out on some big jobs with her connections.”
Daniel considered the answer as the thundering of a fast-moving river came into the foreground. And Carl’s warning about Clara bubbled up to the surface with all those three-eyed birds centered on him.
That’s a fair response to doubt. Trust is built. Questions can still be asked. About Clara and my past as much as the building stress between party members. Doubts close doors. Questions open them to explore.
Daniel looked down at the browning leaves underneath his foot, the wilderness chill of the coming winter flowing through the gnarled tree.
“Beautiful things can wither and erode without attention. Feel free to ignore me, but I merely see disharmony brewing. But seeing Julia and you interact makes me smile.”
Asper’s lined face softened as he looked her way.
“She doesn’t remember how bad we had it when the plague took our parents. She was too young. The local temple helped care for us. The donations got us through until I was old enough to dungeon crawl.”
Daniel smiled at Alys, the woman cheerily chatting with the semi-annoyed Vanguard ahead of them, trying to keep an eye out for danger. Then they fell quiet and stiffened at something ahead.
Edmund motioned back at them. When they neared, Daniel saw shimmering balls of light inside of small craters of gold.
“What is this?”
“Holy relics of some kind…” Alys breathed, clutching her staff closer. “It’s so powerful. I sense the positive energy. But where’s Ralph? He should have…”
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
“Here! Look what I’ve found…” The man came from around a set of distant trees, knife to the back of a man wearing a gambeson. “He was waiting up ahead.”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed, a lot happening as he glanced between them.
These are pieces of my wings. What happens if I collect them? Why didn’t…
He didn’t get a chance to test it. Marg and Nich came jogging up, packs jostling and eyes sparkling. The woman’s grin was as sharp as the dagger pointed at the stranger’s back.
“I bet the Temple will pay top dollar for them. We aren’t in the business of sharing—Wendel? You old rascal!”
“The Piker herself!” the man roared. Confusion ran through them as the pair jogged forward to clasp hands. “I heard your party was in the area. You see all these birds? Are they multipl— Whoa!”
Everyone dove to the ground as the flocks of dead birds descended in a frenzy.
Nich’s voice rang over the pack of screeching and wing beats.
“Blinding Light!”
The flash chased away every shadow within a dozen yards.
The birds retreated, and when the whirlwind of dead leaves and dust faded, the glowing feathers were gone. Marg cursed, looking up at the sky.
“Blasted birds and their shiny things! We have to find their nests.”
“Do undead birds have nests?” Alys mumbled.
“Oh, don’t be a smart hen, Alys,” Marg snarled. “That was probably worth more gold than I weigh! And it was stolen by a pack of flame sperging ravens?”
Alys’ hands flew to her mouth as the chestnut-haired girl vented.
“Hey, Marg, Marg! Breathe.” Wendel hurried forward, guiding her away from them to calm her down as she spat and hissed. “We’ll figure this out…”
As the bickering ensued, Nich and Julia returned to regroup, and Daniel stood off to the side. Ralph saw Edmund making sure Alys was okay and swiftly moved after the stranger, knife still out. Marg was talking to the man as if an old friend, fuming.
Away from the others, Daniel crossed his arms as one of those birds flew down to land beside him, watching the party.
“That wasn’t random timing,” Daniel muttered. “You were waiting for us to find them so you could snatch it away at the last minute. Hello, Carl.”
The bird’s middle eye swiveled to him, the voice bleeding out as if in his mind.
“You clever little wingless bird. But not clever enough. Did you miss me, friend?”
“You’ve upped your antics,” he admitted, tilting his head. He half expected Clara to come out after the Core showed up to chat. She didn’t. “Let me guess. To get my feathers back, I need to go deeper. You don’t have the ammunition to take my wife from me on the surface.”
“I could try. I have my ways,” Carl mused. The raven’s feathers ruffled, a worm sliding out the hole in its skull. “But I’m not underestimating Clara. She’ll have defenses on that little box of hers. I’m not dumb. I’m a tad disappointed in you, though, Dan.”
Daniel lifted an eyebrow at the smug bird.
“I’m just here to get some coins and cores for my wife.”
“You forgot feathers. And I know more than anyone else about that night you fell. You really should sharpen that perception, friend. All is not what it seems, with this party, and certainly not with that devious Core in your pocket.”
“Quit being a jealous boyfriend,” Daniel huffed, waving off the raven and making it take off. “I’m learning my own way.”
“I tried to warn you…”
Daniel walked back to the group as Marg returned, still fuming. Ralph and Wendel were talking behind her as the chestnut gathered them.
“I’m still miffed that slipped through our fingers. Sorry for cursing like that, Alys… Maybe we’ll find some later. But this is Wendel!”
She stepped to her side and did some strange handshake with the man.
“Wendel and I go way back. His group handles big jobs. They need a few tanks and heard I was tied up with you lot, so he came to see if he could buy me out!”
Alys’ shoulders sank.
“No, Marg, we’re already going to the thing we found. Don’t abandon us.”
Nich slid into the group like a shadow.
“I don’t think that is what Marg is saying, Alys.” He rubbed his chin and looked at Edmund. “She said tanks in the plural. This could be a mere side quest. Let’s hear him out.”
Daniel didn’t seem to have a voice in this conversation as the party chatted. Julia seemed boxed out, as well, her big brother protesting the change of plans.
In the end, it came to a vote. Alys made sure Julia and he were included. They voted no. It didn’t matter. Alys, he, and Asper were a firm no. Unsurprisingly, Marg, Edmund, and Nich, were a firm yes. That left the tie breaker to Julia and Ralph. And somehow, both were convinced by Marg to join her side, stunning the wife and big brother.
“What,” Julia mumbled, fiddling with her shirt, “Marg promised me an enchanted bow. She’s cool. We get to go on a big quest. You never let me go on the big ones.”
“Because it’s too dangerous, Juli.”
“I’m not a kid. I’m nineteen. I should be married by now,” she mumbled.
Daniel was seeing a pattern with Marg, shaming the girl to get her way.
It was done, though. And fair enough. The decision was made.
He was beginning to tilt more toward Carl’s warning as the newcomer led them north.
The night was falling, and they’d need to rest in the woodlands before reaching the manor. An hour after making the decision, they set up for camp.
Daniel sat next to Julia and Asper as the shadows grew, observing each interaction in the large campfire they made to chase away the undead.
He jumped as wings enclosed his vision, and arms closed around him, her voice hot against his ear.
“That little worm showed up again, whispering rot into your ear… I don’t like him.”
Daniel saw a hard edge in his wife’s eyes he hadn’t seen until now as he looked across the camp at the party. Her fingernails were pressed against his collarbone, and her wings were pointed like feathered spears.
“And I don’t like them. Something feels off about them, darling. You marked them correctly. Something foul is brewing. Be careful. Carl is a pathetic insect, pining for my husband, but he is no fool. He has eyes everywhere. And he will not give you to anyone, the same as me.”
I’ll take precautions. But with you by my side, love, I can survive anything.
She spun around to meet his lips, edges washing away as she held him.
“I’m almost done with your next card… I don’t know why last night you did not show. I presume it is due to the transition. You have given me too many cores, and I have not stabilized them. Give me time! I will have them done tonight. I swear.”
He drew her back to rub her cheek and sweep back her loose lock.
“Don’t be in a rush, my queen. Every day apart only heightens the anticipation to dance with you. I cannot wait to see you in the dress you design.”
She melted against him.
“Must you slay my heart? But you did not have your night. So I give you what I have left of mine…” She floated around and guided him to her lap. “Close your eyes and rest, my king.”
Clara leaned closer, her words lowering with suspicion.
“Why are Ralph and Marg sneaking away?”
Daniel leaned back into her soft thighs, letting her hands comb back his hair. The night washed over him as he activated a card.
[◈ Pet #14: Gray Kite &]
Why don’t we find out?
The bird took to the air, the flash catching a few glances his way. It didn’t last, the pairs being drawn into their own conversations and arguments before bed.
One eye opened to the failing light and shrinking woodlands as his bird’s sharp gaze tracked the pair. They split into different tasks, one for wood, the other for water. Then, they circled around to meet at the river.
Landing in a branch nearby, he heard no words as they sat. Amidst the undead zone, they slowly drew closer together, minute by minute. Shivers passed between them. Marg gripped her elbow, staring at the dark river, appearing unsure. Glances were cast, and Daniel’s breath caught.
The woman leaned in and pressed her lips to Ralph’s. His fingers pressed her armored spine closer, fingers tangling in her hair, as he guided her neck to the ground to straddle her.
Clara’s words were cold as ice, seeing the same scene unfold as armor was stripped.
“Alys is a saint. Utterly devoted to faith and heart. To be rewarded with infidelity, and with a woman that is so nasty to her. Disgusting. What other secrets hide in the dark?”
And nearby, Daniel saw the three-eyed ravens.