stare at me.
“Really, milord?” Beri asked. “But there’s, um, a lot of gold here.
Enough to buy a whole village full of girls prettier than us.”
“I don’t care about that, Beri,” I told her. “You girls have stuck with
me through everything, and as far as I’m concerned you’re both worth your
weight in gold. So stay sharp, keep the men between you and danger, and don’t
hesitate to drop everything if you need to.”
Avilla straightened her borrowed dress, and smiled at them. “You
see, girls? I could have told you he isn’t planning to trade up. Besides, I
suspect he could make you as pretty as he likes. Couldn’t you, Daniel?”
Could I? I was no artist. But beauty is mostly just good health, and that
was easy. Clear skin, healthy hair, symmetrical features…
“I suppose I could,” I agreed. “But that’s not exactly a priority right
now, is it?”
“It’s very reassuring, milord,” Beri said, her eyes suddenly bright
with unshed tears. “I’ve been so worried about the future. I know I can’t hold a
candle to your apprentices, and most men wouldn’t hesitate to replace me the
moment they found someone better. But if you… you’d really…?”
I sighed. “Yes. Beri, what you look like doesn’t matter to me. What
counts is who you are, and so far you’ve impressed me there. You’re clever,
sensible, loyal, determined and brave enough to cope with situations that
would send most girls into a blind panic. Keep that up and you’re welcome to
stay with me as long as you want.”
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She choked, and threw herself into my arms. “Thank you, milord!”
I patted her back awkwardly. Avilla and Tina both seemed pleased,
so I suppose I’d count this as a step forward.
Daria stuck her head in the room. “The men are ready in the kitchen,
milord.”
“Good. Let’s get moving, then.”
Oscar, Hroldir and Gronir listened in growing concern as I explained
the situation.
“We can’t fight giants,” Oscar said heavily. “Even counting your
people we’ve only got forty men, and barely half of us have proper weapons.”
“The 5 Margold’s got maybe half that,” Gronir said.
Hroldir frowned. “They’re better armed, and they won’t be caught
napping this time. I reckon we could fight off a giant or two if we were all
together. But I don’t know about these demon things.”
“They’re a problem,” I agreed. “If we get into a fight with them we’ll
lose a lot of good men, and I’m not sure normal weapons will even hurt them.”
“Not easily,” Avilla put in. “Their hide is tougher than plate armor,
and they’re demons. But their bodies are material, so enough solid blows might
drive one off.”
The men all started and looked at her oddly. After a moment I realized
they were surprised that she’d spoken up, and were wondering if I was going
to chastise her.
Well, I didn’t have time for an extended lecture on their society’s
screwed up view of gender roles right now. But I needed to address the issue
somehow.
“Avilla knows more than I do about monsters,” I told them. “If she can
tell us anything useful we’re going to listen.”
Hroldir looked a little uncertain at that, but Oscar and Gronir just
nodded.
“As you say, milord. So what do we do?” Oscar asked.
“I suspect the ungols will be hunting again right now. What do you
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think, Avilla?”
She nodded. “Probably. In the old stories they’d claim a territory and
hunt down everyone in it over a period of days, or perhaps a week or two for a
major city. A pack can devour hundreds of men in a single day, and the more
they eat the stronger they get. I imagine they’ll try to get in as much feasting as
they can before the giants come.”
The men blanched at her casual explanation.
“In that case anyone who goes outside right now is at risk of becoming
a meal for the things. Our best strategy is to stay put for an hour or so, until
they’ve had a chance to gorge themselves. Go ahead and get everyone packed
and ready to move, but try not to make noise. They’ve got keen senses, and too
much activity might draw their attention.”
“Make sure you concentrate on essential supplies. Weapons, warm
clothing and food come first. Tools and valuables get second priority, and
anything else is just extra weight. Ty to plan out an inconspicuous route to the
granary, and make sure everyone knows where you’re going.”
“Are you still going to rescue Cerise?” Oscar asked.
“Yeah. If I’m not back in an hour I want you to leave without me. I’ll
meet you at the granary, and we can plan our next move there.”
“I’m coming with you,” Avilla said firmly.
“Damn right you are,” I agreed. “Are you armed?”
“I… um… yes. You’re not going to argue?” She pulled a heavy
butcher knife from her sleeve, and reluctantly handed it over when I reached
for it.
I had no intention of letting her out of my sight until we were out of this
mess. Two or three ungols would go through Oscar’s men like a hot knife
through butter, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the one we’d talked to made a
point of trying to kill her. But I wasn’t going to say that.
“I’m not going to tell you that you can’t help rescue the woman you
love,” I told her.
“Daniel!” She gasped, glancing nervously at the men.
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I shrugged. “Time to stop hiding, Avilla. I don’t mind, and if anyone
who works for me has a problem with it they’ll just have to learn to keep their
mouths shut.”
Oscar shrugged. “I had a cousin who was like that. It happens.”
Gronir grinned. “I reckon us survivors knew it already, milord. It’s
obvious just seein them look at each other.”
I chuckled. “It is, isn’t it? Anyway, I might need you. You know how to
handle yourself, and there will probably be magic to deal with. So yes, you’re
with me. Hang on a minute.”
I focused my attention on the knife, layering a simple blade of force
along the edge. I didn’t have time for a real enchantment, but this would last a
few hours.
“There,” I handed it back to her. “That edge will cut stone and steel
now, so be careful with it. Do you need anything else?”
She waved vaguely at the kitchen. “I’ve already gathered what I could
that might be useful. I’m ready.”
“Good work. Questions, anyone?”
“You sure you don’t want a few of the boys to come with you?” Oscar
asked.
I reluctantly shook my head. “No, the more people we have involved
the more things can go wrong. We need to get to Cerise before they get any
bright ideas about using her as a hostage, and that means we need to be
stealthy.”
“Anything else? No? Then let’s move.”
The street was pitch black when we crept out the smithy’s back door.
I stood still for a moment, waiting for my eyes to adjust, and wondered if I
could manage infrared vision.
Sadly, the answer was no. Maybe low-light vision, like a cat, but that
could take hours and it probably wouldn’t work right for Avilla.
“I can’t see a thing,” she whispered. “Can you?”
I drew Grinder and activated it, illuminating the street with its harsh
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violet glare. Was that a long, sinuous shape easing back out of sight on that
rooftop down the street? Or was it just my imagination?
“We’re going to have to use lights,” I reluctantly concluded. “Damn,