Chapter 2

            Shustim hummed to himself as he walked through the streets. He liked the idea of living here with all the other races; avains, mustalines, rodents, and canines... the list went on and on. He reached his destination only a few blocks from the inn, the blacksmith of Dover Street’s shop. Metal rang on metal as a canine with a chest like a steel drum pounded away on his latest work. He cooled the pick head then set it aside for sharpening later. Shustim stood very still admiring the craftsman’s work upon his walls. Tools and weapons of every design could be seen hanging up.

            The smith turned to Shustim and smiled, “Welcome, lad. What can I do for ya this fine day?” Shustim snapped back to reality and smiled up at the canine. He looked like a wolf but his coloring was more bronze and brown than gray and his fur was too short.

            “I wanted to know if I had enough for a sword yet,” he said holding open his pouch of coins for the smithy to inspect. The smithy nodded slowly and picked up the coins in one massive hand.

            “Well steel’s not cheap this year I’m afraid but tell ya what. You help me around here while I make the sword and that will pay for my labor. The coin can cover the costs of the metal.” Shustim smiled and nodded as fast as he could. The smith directed him to blow the billows. Shustim also shoveled the coal and brought the smithy anything else he needed. By the time they were done Shustim held a beautifully done blade in the typical long sword style. Although plain looking the new weapon was more than platinum to the young panther. He thanked the smith and promised to not use the sword unless absolutely necessary before he could leave. When he got back to the inn however Tamaila nearly flew into a rage. Kilee just shook her head and smiled.

            The arguments from Tamaila ranged from the family needing the money to Shustim’s lack of need for a sword. Finally in the end Kilee stepped up just as Tamaila was sucking in breath for another round.

            “It is his money Tamaila and anyway a young man bearing a sword will ward off anyone looking for trouble. Provided that young man acts like a guard and keeps out of tree hopping, mind you.” Tamaila nodded seeing the elder’s ploy for good behavior out of the little monster but Shustim just agreed to everything Kilee said since it meant keeping his sword with him. They arranged for the new stone to be delivered then thanked Kilee for the night since she refused their money. Talking to their father was thanks enough according to her. Shustim was a model guard the entire trip and Tamaila was beginning to think that Kilee would be perfect for keeping him under control, maybe even civilized.

            Neither expected to see a dark figure dash out of the cottage when they arrived. Tamaila wasn’t quick enough to see more than a blur but Shustim gasped at the details. The masked figure’s back had a red silhouette of a clawed hand on it. The invader was gone before either could pursue but neither Shustim nor Tamaila cared much about him. The door to the cottage was hanging in shambles.

            Shustim rushed on all fours like he always did in a sprint but Tamaila still beat him running upright. She pressed a hand to the doorframe to keep her upright in spite of the shock. Shustim skidded on the stone frozen in place by the nightmare inside. Their father lay unblinking amidst the shattered furniture; the only mark on him was a tiny cut on his cheek.

 

            Next morning Shustim woke curled up with his sister in the only bed to survive the attack last night. He buried his face into her neck again and hugged her tight, waking Tamaila. Out back under the old apple tree, near the swing, a fresh plod of dirt sat next to an old one, marked only by a wooden stake with a name carved in just under two dates. Tamaila felt her eyes water as she stroked Shustim’s hair to comfort him. She couldn’t think of anything worse than this, before there was a chance father would return. But now, she didn’t want to think on it. Shustim finally looked up scrubbing his eyes with the back of his paw.

            “We gotta find him Tam.” Tamaila gave him a puzzled look prompting him for more.

            “I saw his back, it had the hand shape just like in papa’s stories. He was a Fallen. I know if papa were here he’d go find out where the Fallen are coming from this time. They caused the war remember?” Tamaila thought it over for a long moment. In a way he was right, the Fallen only grew in number as they killed more and more. No one knew much else besides that and it had been a miracle the kingdom had fought off the last assault in the war. Shustim got up and began redressing himself for travel. Tamaila did the same though once dressed she went upstairs. Shustim followed, the current problems not enough to keep his curiosity down for long. Tamaila opened the trunk in the attic Shustim had rolled the other day.

            “What are you doing Tam?” Tamaila sifted through old clothes of her mother’s and father’s being careful to not let them become too disturbed.

            “Father’s old army sword is in here Shustim. If you’re going to hunt a Fallen to its home so am I and I’ll need a sword.” Shustim nodded as she came up with a long thin sword. She fastened it to her belt, drawing it once to inspect the blade before putting it away. The two silently left the house behind and started down the road to the city. Shustim had seen the Fallen leave in that direction the night before.

 

            Kilee sat on the rug in front of her common room’s hearth reading a book. Tamaila and Shustim were still playing through her thoughts with the idea of them all being a family in the inn. Their father was more than handsome in the equine’s eyes and charming to boot. She set the book down and lay back letting the fire warm her from the evening’s early chill. Thinking about that man made any reading impossible and thinking about how obvious they had been in sending the children out of the inn made her giggle. She sat up hearing a knock at the door. Straightening her green dress, Kilee walked to the door. Perhaps her luck was finally changing. When she opened the door however Tamaila and Shustim stood on the steps outside looking like a couple of convicts for the gallows. She ushered them in directing everyone to the fire to get warm and relax. Nothing seemed to lighten the mood. It was a combination of one sibling filling in where the other couldn’t that related the events of last night to Kilee.

            “So now we’re here. The Fallen might still be around, have you heard anything Kilee? Kilee?” Tamaila frowned her questions having no effect. Shustim went as far as to wave a hand in font of her eyes while Kilee stared striate ahead. There was a small whine until Shustim took his hand back but as soon it was moving in front of her the whine started again. About the third time she finally broke into a wail that sent Shustim scrambling behind his sister. Tamaila was there in an instant helping Kilee off to kitchen. Shustim sat crouched in a chair watching them go. He’d never seen Kilee cry, even when he ruined her best festival dress with soot. He followed the other two and saw Kilee drying her eyes with her sleeve while Tamaila set a kettle out for tea over the fire.

            “Well you are both welcome to stay here as long as you like, pranks and all Shustim. I can see about getting your personal items brought here from the cottage tomorrow, it won’t be any trouble.” Tamaila poured tea for three letting Shustim do the last bit of explaining.

            “We have to find that Fallen and see where it came from Kilee. Who knows what its buddies are up to.” Kilee took a sip of tea before arguing.

            “I refuse to let you both go out for revenge. It kills both killers in the end and you know it.”

            Tamaila took her turn at Kilee, “It’s not for revenge, the Fallen could be starting more trouble and anyway we only repealed them last time. I don’t think this kingdom could withstand a war like that again. When we have something solid to prove the king we’re not lying and have something else to help eliminate the Fallen forever then we’ll return.” Kilee sighed and they all drank their tea in silence. They also went to bed in silence; there was nothing to be said. Shustim and Tamaila were going on a hunt, the kind hardly anyone would want to volunteer for.

 

            After a good night of sleep, Tamaila and Shustim hit the streets for the latest rumors. The Fallen was leaving already, a traveler had been found last night a mile from the city and the only wound was a shallow gash. They both went back to the Lonely Wanderer since Kilee made them promise to stop back for goodbyes.

            “We’re back,” Tamaila called out as they stepped into the inn.

            “Come to the kitchen, I have a few things for you both.” Kilee put a tidy paper package into the last of two knapsacks before fastening it shut. She handed one each to Tamaila and Shustim then looked them over.

            “Well you both seem ready enough. I suppose you found something on where to go next then?” Shustim nodded adjusting his pack so he could reach his sword easier. Tamaila readjusted her divided fighting skirt. She plainly wasn’t used to showing off her calves.

            “It went towards the swamp in the north,” Shustim offered, trying not to laugh at Tamaila’s display of discomfort. Kilee didn’t object to the route, there was no way around it. She did however walk the other two to the north gate. Goodbyes were long and hugs a dime a dozen, no one wanted to admit this might be goodbye forever. Tamaila and Shustim managed to get on the road anyway and even made some good time.

            The terrain was the same forest Shustim had grown up with his whole life, broad leaf trees, low hills and shade to relieve them of the noon sun. A few birds sang in the distance cheering up the otherwise silent journey Tamaila and Shustim were on. Tamaila was deep in thought remembering her parents. Shustim on the other hand couldn’t stop thinking about being on an adventure into the swamp. His father had told all sorts of tails about its mysteries and creatures so alien as to be beyond description. Ruins older than the mage’s conclave itself. True they were there to follow the Fallen but Shustim saw no harm in having a little fun along the way. Papa had always said happiness was what made life worth living.

            The land began to change gradually at first but the farther they went the more twisted the trees became. Mossy vines grew in frequency and the ground went from dry dust to damp dirt. Presently they came to a sign just off the road. In very official lettering it read “Northern Swamp. All entry prohibited for your protection.” Tamaila shook herself and Shustim gulped. Papa’s stories were a lot better about twenty miles from the real place.

 

            A figure dressed in black watched Tamaila and Shustim head into the swamp. The creature reflected on the wisdom of doubling back through the trees then began to plan. These two were well armed but one hit would not suffice to strike it down while they could die from the simplest scratch. The figure moves silently ahead of them far enough away to keep from notice. It fell to the ground and scrambled ahead on all fours letting the red claw on its back show.

 

            Tamaila screamed and flailed about. She was already chest deep in the ground, was it ground? Shustim tried to pull her out as the watery ground pulled Tam under. She would have pulled him in too if Shustim hadn’t let go.

            “Hang on Tam, I’ll think of something.” Shustim looked around desperately while Tamaila held still, trying to float in the gunk. An idea occurred to Shustim and he drew his sword. Scrambling up the nearest tree he moved over a branch and began hacking at it with his sword. The wood cracked then fell into the problem area with a splash. The wood didn’t float like Shustim had planned on but it did touch the bottom. Tamaila used it as a ladder to pull herself out. Shustim jumped down as she lay panting, covered in sandy mud. Shustim crawled on his stomach to the edge of the thing and dipped his hand in. It was mostly sand like the rest of the ground here but very wet. In fact it was almost like a liquid. Tamaila jerked Shustim back suddenly and hugged him.

            “Just because you’re my hero doesn’t mean you can play with the traps we find.” Shustim hugged back then looked down at the muck she had gotten on him and giggled.

            “Ok brother, it’s getting late. You set up camp while I check for something to change into. And stay away from that trap!” Shustim pulled his hand back.

            Tamaila smiled and walked behind a tree. Years of bucket jokes had prepared her for the harshness of wet clothing. She dug through the pack Kilee had given her and came up with a plain sky blue fighting dress, made especially for quick, fluid grace. Stripping off her old clothes she set them aside and was ready to be dry again when something leaped out of the bush. It swung fast for her head but Tamaila ducked, her own chopped hair falling in a crimson shower. The thing was a furry, dressed in all black with a cloth mask, but it stank of death. Before she could react the thing was on her again trying to grapple Tamaila with its talon tipped hands. Tamaila screamed then kicked with both her legs catching the thing in the gut. It didn’t even slow down but it did grab Tamaila by her throat and lift her off the ground. She kicked at its chest franticly while her hands tried to pry the iron grip off her neck. Spots danced before her eyes just as Shustim leaped up from behind the monster and grabbed it by the head covering its eyes. The thing howled trying to grab for Shustim, Tamaila now forgotten and dropped. She gasped for air while her little brother and the thing moved away. Shustim cried out as it snagged him in one hand and threw him into a tree with a thump. It turned to seek Tamaila but she was already on it slashing close with her sword. An unholy howl filled the swamp as her sword bit deep into the thing’s abdomen and cut straight through. Something was wrong though. Tam’s sword felt like it was cutting thick cloth and gray dust was the only thing to spill from the wound. Tamaila backed up trying to figure out how reality had turned upside down while the thing turned and bounded off. Both of the siblings could see the red claw on its back as the Fallen yanked its sword out of the tree and fled. The Fallen crouched once then shot up into the canopy of the trees, an incredible feat for anyone especially with their abdomen cut out. Shustim sat up rubbing his head with a groan while Tamaila watched it leave.

            “Are you ok Shustim?” Tamaila asked turning to him. He nodded, slowly getting up.

            “It was a Fallen wasn’t it sis? Can they be destroyed at all?” Tamaila wasn’t sure how to answer that just then. She looked up from her thoughts when Shustim began stifling giggles. Tamaila looked down then made a mad dash to her pack, trying to cover herself. One glare at Shustim told him his hero’s welcome was overstayed so he went to the other side of the tree.

 

            The Fallen cursed its bad tactics silently. That ambush had caused it to lose more time than simply pressing on. Still it needed to kill with its sword. Those were its orders plain and simple. Kill what it could without drawing too much attention to the killing. The Fallen growled low lifting up its torn shirt to expose the gray dead flesh, a large gash from the girl’s sword made its dusty interior very clear. The Fallen looked around among the trees quietly until it spotted a small bird sitting in the branches. Time might have been lost but its body would be repaired soon. With a little luck it could regain the time and maybe something more valuable.

 

            Shustim led their way through the swamp in the dying sunlight though the difference between the swamp’s day and night was hardly noteworthy. In one hand he held a walking stick and used it to test every step for more of the sinking sands. He had joked with Tamaila about needing the stick so she wouldn’t run out of clothes and have to wear leaves instead. Tamaila walked directly behind Shustim in her dry outfit watching for any signs of sinking sands or the Fallen that had nearly claimed her. She couldn’t help but wonder how it was still able to move after a blow like that. The memory made her shiver inwardly.

            “Hey sis? Tamaila!” Tamaila started at Shustim’s demands, “I think we should set up our camp here now. I don’t think the Fallen was following us. You really sent him packing.” Tamaila nodded as they cleared out leaves and sticks before rolling out blankets, Kilee had been thorough in her packing.

            The last bit of setup was in Tamaila’s bag, a Traveler’s Cloak. It was a small deep blue sphere that hung from a chain that was in turn hung from the bottom of a six-inch high silver tripod. The sphere rang once setting out an invisible parameter. Anyone inside would appear invisible to anyone outside and if something got too close the sphere would glow red and scream its warning.

            :”Good night, Shustim.”

            “Good night Tamaila, warrior nudist.” She hit him with her pack full of clothes.

 

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