FOREVER KNIGHTS: #5 Subjugation of Beasts

Feglen Forest, Dread Country

RAESE

Raese had been tossing and turning for hours. But he felt the brief chill of a hand on his shoulder. And the sensation washed through him. Soothing his restlessness. He sighed. His breath puffing in a cloud which rose to the ceiling. His body relaxed and without even realizing it he suddenly felt his feet moving. Step covering ground. Crossing dirt and lush green grass.

He registered he and Calisto were peacefully strolling the woods.

Raese caught the sudden, overwhelming stink of Cimmerii.

Oh, no.

“Careful, Calis.” He caught her arm to still her.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know yet.” He looked around. Brown hair shining in the spirals of afternoon light seeping through the treetops. “Something evil.”

“Cimmerii?”

Yes, Cimmerii.

“Absolutely.” He nodded.

“I’ve got ground.” She crouched.

His chin went up as he scanned the tree canopy. And I’ll watch high.

Calisto dropped a hand to the ground. In the distance mud began to dry and crack. The ground under them shifted slightly.

Raese glimpsed a black wing disappearing into the dense branches of a tree near them. Then another on the other side. “There!” He pointed.

She shot to her feet. A swirling whirlpool of water raising with her. Spiraling in a small hurricane ranging from under her hand to the ground.

A Sarabi descended with pricked teeth and huge bat wings. Dropping straight down as the trees were too cloistered for it to splay.

Raese spun his wrist and made the staff appear. Waving it before them forced wind to mold into steps for Calisto.

She sent the water climbing in a layer over it, so she could run up them. Meeting the creature in the air, she pulled her long dagger and swept it several times before it reached claws to rake her in return.

Raese lifted a hand that cast another wind which pulled her from the Sarabi’s reach. No, you don’t. Not her.

Never her.

Once she was safely back on the ground, Raese spun the staff and slammed it down. The wood collapsed into itself until only a fraction of the length. He spun it expertly and hit the Sarabi in the side of the head with the heavy orb.

The other came from behind them but Calisto attacked it. Pulling the water, she’d summoned from the ground into a layer atop it. She slid on her back riding the river under the Sarabi and stuck in her dagger. Dragging it down the belly of the creature as it tried awkwardly to get spindly arms to catch her. The water carried her between the beast’s legs until she was clear of it. When it spun around, its innards plopped to the ground. But it was still driven by the demon’s will to keep up the attack.

Raese materialized aside it. Swinging his staff like a battle axe. He smashed the knee of the Sarabi. Making it collapse to one side. Desperately trying to catch itself with arms almost entirely absent muscle.

The other one returned. It’s stomach and under arm crisscrossed from Calisto’s initial attack. Between Raese smashing vital organs and necessary joints and Calisto expertly gouging with her dagger then ducking swiping claws, the Sarabi was outmatched and soon collapsed into a lifeless pile.

Both Sarabis corpses began to pinken and reduce until once again human males.

“That’s quite the plaything.” She pointed to the staff.

“As is that.” He pointed to her long, bloodstained dagger.

“This.” She held it out. “Is my best friend.”

“I thought I was your best friend.”

“This.” She pointed at the dagger again. “Is my second-best friend.”

They both laughed.

“When will you give me that plaything?” Calisto gestured to his staff.

Never, Sweetheart.

“When you give me the ability to move water.”

“I can’t do that!” She feigned a stomp.

I know!

“Then I conject it may be awhile. And you’re already quite old…”

She swatted his shoulder. Glowering at him.

He laughed and ducked away. When he returned to her side, she used his sleeve to clean her blade.

“Why my clothes?” He objected. Gesturing to her length. “Why not yours?”

They’re now destroyed!

“My clothes are too fine.” This shirt is satin she pinched the flowing blouse. “These breeches perfectly fitted.”

They are perfectly fitted. She’s right. His eyes poured over her length.

“You’re lucky you’re my Queen.” He feigned a frown.

“I’m no queen.”

“You’re mine.” He stopped to catch her hand. Pressing his lips to the back in reverence.

“I do love that staff.” She murmured as they headed back. Leaning to peer around his chest at the glowing stick in his other hand.

“If you’re impressed by that, My Queen. View this.” He held out his palm and drew energy from the staff to make a fiery green glow in his palm.

“Look!” She gasped in astonishment. Tone dry. “You’re a glow fly.” She clung to him dramatically. “I’ve never seen anything so impressive!”

Not impressed. Not at all.

He glared at her. “You’re a difficult woman, Calisto. Can’t you just allow a man to think he’s impressed you?”

“Of course!” She cried. “Just not you.” She bumped him with her hip flirtatiously.

He still held the glow. “Come. You’re a little impressed. Admit it?”

She tipped her head to look at it. Lifting a finger, she aimed a stream of water. Dousing his green glow in a puff of gray smoke.

Oh, that’s dirty…Raese made an outraged sound. “Difficult. Difficult woman!” He grunted.

She laughed and began a mad flight through the trees.

He didn’t miss a beat. Spinning his hand made the staff disappear as he laughingly took off after her.

Neither noticed the pale face nearly glowing in the dark.

Essius watched the scene carefully. Intent on that green glow Raese had held. His mind filled with greedy thoughts of what reward the demon might offer for that bit of information.

Continued in BOOK SIX:

Forever Knights: Malevolent Attentions