AN: I don't own Skulduggery, Tanith, Ghastly or Valkyrie. Land's Sake, yes, Val is still 24. Story is in her point of view. Thanks go out to mysteryHuntress for the review.
We slept at the Sanctuary that night, or rather I paced up and down in my assigned room, bored out of my skull. Ghastly had agreed to see how long I could leave the armour on so I didn't need to sleep or eat, or do any of the other things I was used to filling up my time with. Skulduggery was up as well. We'd been assigned rooms on different levels by a rather prudish Sanctuary official, but it had taken Skulduggery about five minutes to come rapping on my window in boredom.
I let him in, amused to see him perched outside and he returned my smile with a tip of his hat before climbing in. "Well, well! Aren't you the improper young lady, letting in gentleman callers at this time of night?" He teased.
"I felt sorry for you, you looked cold." I said, sitting in one of the wingback chairs by the fireplace. Skulduggery took the other at my gesture.
"Indeed. Any further thoughts on the case?"
I was surprised he was asking my opinion. It wasn't the first time, but it was rare for his to just ask with no preamble.
"I feel like we're missing something, Skulduggery. He's alive, so he has to be living somewhere. Even if he is a survivalist there has to be traces of him. I have a feeling he's close, and laughing at us."
"I thought so too. We have as many detectives searching for him as possible. I have contacts looking, but so far, nothing. He has no friends..."
"Yes?"
"What if he does, Valkyrie? What if he has assimilated into the normal world? Plastic surgery and I wouldn't know him from Adam. Or even in the magical world. We've seen it before. The mundane person used as a hiding place."
"Then he could be anywhere, Skulduggery. Even in the Sanctuary. Did the crime scenes tell you anything? Did he leave some sort of message for you?" I asked.
Skulduggery stared at me hard. "What makes you ask that?" He asked warily.
"Because he's obsessed with you, Skulduggery!" I said, feeling frustrated. Why was he fighting me so hard on this case? "If he were a certain type of serial killer everything he was doing would be in its own way a deranged love letter to you."
Skulduggery was quiet. "No, I almost wished there was. I don't even remember what he looked like or what his name was, and I can hardly ask Ghastly if he remembers who Lord Vile was hunting. The symbols, even our best linguists can't make out anything. They're gibberish."
"The body parts?"
"Again no. Lord Vile did a lot of things, but worshiping gods and ritualistic slaughter weren't two of them. I have no idea what they mean."
"They might mean nothing, he is insane."
"Yes, but he remembers Lord Vile hunting him. Wanting him dead because he was a god."
"Because if all the gods were dead the world might make sense again."
Skulduggery blinked at me. "Yes, how did you know?"
"It's what anyone would do, Skulduggery. All the loss you went through. Lord Vile needed to make sense of that too."
"No one's ever said that before. No one ever considered that Lord Vile even had feelings. I told you once I was falling and couldn't stop. I thought, and this made sense at the time, that if Lord Vile just killed enough people the hollowness inside would go away. That maybe somehow it would restore the world to what it was, that I'd have my family back. When I realized it wouldn't work I just killed to prove I could. War became my life, was all I was. I was nothing, just an empty armoured shell fueled by endless rage. You know, you have a way of bringing up the most cheerful topics of conversation." He smiled.
I laughed. "But you aren't that way now, Skulduggery. You put away Lord Vile. You don't deserve this nutcase being after you. Nobody deserves that. When I felt the anger, when I feel anger as I am now, I have to remember what it is I'm fighting for. I can't be held responsible for my actions if he-"
"Don't even say that, Valkyrie! Don't even THINK it. Swear to me, that no matter what, you do not give into that anger. If you do everything I've ever taught you will have been for nothing."
I sighed. "All right, but when I don't get revenge I don't want you sitting on some cloud in Heaven miffed at me. Don't you dare come back and haunt me, Skulduggery Pleasant."
"Haunt you, perish the thought! If I did manage to come back, and for you I would, our partnership would pick up where it left off. I would of course be even more handsome and dashing than I am now, and you'd have to beat off the women with the stick I got for you, but you'd adjust."
I sighed and rubbed my skull. It was going to be a long night.
Skulduggery was kind enough to teach me to meditate however, so it wasn't long before the sun shining through the window awoke me. Skulduggery was already up, admiring himself in the mirror. He was wearing a pin-striped suit, almost the twin of the one from yesterday and a matching hat he tilted rakishly down over one eye socket. His other suit was folded on the bed, neatly pressed, the matching hat on top. No doubt the Sanctuary official was having fits over him having roamed during the night.
Skulduggery turned and beamed at me. "Good morning, Valkyrie! Good to see you up. Feels wonderful doesn't it, to meditate like that? Now you're all ready to go have tea and crumpets with Madam Lovegate, and won't that be fun?" He teased.
"It's going to be training, Skulduggery, and I doubt she'll be gentle. Try not to get your teeth knocked out by Ghastly." He laughed and we left for our respective appointments. I was sure he was going to enjoy himself, but I dreaded facing Madam Lovegate.
She was waiting for me in a training room, the exact double to the one Tanith and I had been in. Any mats had been cleaned out, the hardwood floors left bare. She stood regally, her hand resting on the pommel of a broadsword, and I knew this lesson had nothing to do with cotillion. "Good morning, my dear!" She said warmly as I approached. "Are you ready for your lesson?"
I nodded. "Excellent, I thought we could do some sword training. I know from your armour you should have all the skills both your great grandmother and Skulduggery possess, but I'm not exaggerating when I say I can surpass them."
"Madam Lovegate?"
"Yes, my dear?"
"In the armour if my emotions aren't right, I'm useless. How do I hold on to the right ones?"
"That, my dear child, is today's lesson. Now take a fighting stance please, and draw your sword."
I shifted, turning the side of my body to her, and held my sword in one hand. I suppose it was a way of laughing at her, as the broadsword was as light as a feather in my armoured hand. She nodded in approval. "Good, excellent, but can you relax just a bit? Nicely done. Sword-fighting was your great grandmother's pride and joy, and Skulduggery is highly skilled as well. This should be interesting."
She came at me so fast I hardly had time to raise my sword. She pushed back with her own blade forcing me to retreat. My emotions weren't quite in the right place and she was taking advantage. Her sword became a blur, tapping me teasingly on both shoulders, then flipping my hat off my head. Madam Lovegate laughed merrily but I didn't see what was so funny about it. "Find your center child, find the love you have for him, quickly now." She said as she danced in, her sword rapping me up and down both legs. It hurt. I retreated, telling myself she was the enemy, and a formidable one at that.
I saw her as being between me and Skulduggery, and my love and dead senses kicked in. I rushed at her, and she brought her blade up to meet my own, the metal singing and sparks flying. She whirled, her sword aimed low and I leapt straight up, avoiding the blow. But her return sweep forced me to keep my distance. We kept at it, me unable to break through her defenses, her toying with me, and I knew it. But I couldn't falter, I had to fight on and hope my skeletal form could outlast her flesh and blood one.
"Come on my dear," she encouraged. "Don't look so downcast, you're holding steady."
Our blades met, we were fighting two-handed now. I grunted. "Because you're letting me. You were the Grey Angel of the battlefield. Even without magocal armour you wiped out entire battalions of men."
"True!" Our swords clashed. She whirled, and I ducked, just managing to avoid decapitation. "But you are forgetting something, aren't you? How would I know about the armour so well?" She came in hard, and I managed to block all her blows. I was improving, ever so slightly.
"Because it is legendary?" I took advantage of an opening, touched her shoulder lightly. She beamed at me.
"Close! I fought along side your great grandmother!" At that she launched a flurry of swipes and jabs, but somehow the armour knew what to do and I was fighting her on a level not my own. We were dancing around the floor, our feints, strikes, guards and blows passing too fast for the living eyes to see.
I was dimly aware of the door opening, and she pressed her attack once more. But I met her, pressed back and our blades were hitting so hard the sounds of the blows echoed off the wall. Sparks flew, and still we fought. Just when I thought I had an opening she flipped forward over me. I spun, lifting my sword to block her blow, twisting my arm down to try and sweep under her defenses her as she landed. She spun, and kicked me hard in the chest. I leapt back, unwilling to fall, I knew if I did it would mean my head.
She stopped and nodded, pleased. "Well done my dear! You controlled yourself, retreated when you needed to, avoided the obvious distractions. That's all for now, even your skeletal arms must be aching."
"I can't even feel them, to be honest."
"Nor should you. You fought at a level few living could match. You know through your armour how to fight at your great grandmother's level and she was almost my equal. I do hope you will get a healing bath now. Your body, while protected and supplanted by the armour, will be feeling that. But if you can, come to my office later and we'll have a lovely tea. You did well child, I'm proud of you." She patted my skeletal cheek in affection and breezed past me.
I turned to see Tanith, Ghastly, and Skulduggery had entered. Tanith looked gobsmacked. "WHERE did you learn to fight like that?" She bounced forward, highly excited as usual. I winced, trying to convince my arms to move so I could sheath my sword. I barely managed before she slapped me on the shoulder. "Well done, that!"
"Ow! My entire body aches. I just had the best swordswoman in history bat me around like a catnip toy, don't hit me." I growled.
"Oh, it isn't that bad. I get sore lots. But where did you learn to fight like that?"
"I didn't. This is magical armour. I have at least two sources, well three, including me, for any skill set I need. Somehow her mentioning my great grandmother unlocked one of those skills, lucky for me it did."
"But it was awesome, you were both moving so fast I couldn't see your swords. Do you want to have a go at training later, after your bath?"
"Tanith, I don't want to even see a sword for a week. Have Madam Lovegate spar with you. She's a delightful woman when she isn't trying to take your head from your body." I muttered.
"Please?" She begged.
"You're worse than a puppy, you know that?" I said, unable to keep from smiling.
"And she is still on rest, doctor's orders." Ghastly put in firmly. Tanith bowed her head in disappointment, and I managed not to laugh.
"Well train sometime soon, Tanith, I promise. Come keep me company so I don't have those creepy matrons hanging around the mud bath." She smiled and we left. I noticed Skulduggery was silent, and he averted his gaze quickly when I caught him staring. Strange.
The bath was heavenly, taking all the pain out of my body. I still wasn't sure how I felt it, but I assumed since I was still me the armour let my body feel where it had been hit when removed. We were both enjoying the mud, and taking full advantage of Tanith's status as a woman on the mend. "We want tea, and now!" She called loudly to a passing matron. The woman smiled and nodded.
"Tanith! This is a healing bath, not a spa." I scolded.
"I don't care, I want tea. So do you. When's the last time you ate?"
"Yesterday, but I don't need to eat or drink in the armour. Still... Well, I'm sure Ghastly's having fun looking it over. I think he said something about taking it to the shop. Any idea why?" I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.
"The wee little boots he'll be making, remember? What was that all about with Skulduggery? He wouldn't even look at you." Out tea came, we thanked the matron and waited until she withdrew.
"I have no idea. He's been acting weird lately, even for him." I said then too a grateful sip.
"Weird how?"
I shrugged helplessly. "He's, and I have no other word for it, doting on me."
"Aw. Poor thing!"
"I'm hardly complaining, but it isn't like him."
"Have you asked him why?"
"No, I get the idea he'll jump out of his suit if I do."
"So he's paying extra attention but doesn't want you to notice? That's interesting." She mused.
"Oh he wants me to notice, but not say anything about it."
"How do you two do that? Communicate with no words?"
"We just picked it up over time. I can read him, he can read me. You can do it with Ghastly, right?" She nodded. "While there you go then. I hate to change the subject, but would you like to come with me to tea? I'm sure Madam Lovegate wouldn't mind." I said, setting my empty cup aside.
"Oh no. I'm going back to Ghastly's office and having a lie down." I nodded and we reluctantly got up to meet the matrons as they came forward. I only hoped the tea would be enjoyable.
Madam Lovegate was out of her office when I called on her, so I wandered around aimlessly around my room. According to Tanith Skulduggery had went with Ghastly and wouldn't be back for me until later. I was debating having lunch, even though the prisoners had better food than Sanctuary guests because they weren't forced to eat anything cooked there when my mobile rang. It was Skulduggery. He sounded annoyingly chipper. "Hello, Valkyrie! Ghastly asked me to ask you for a favor."
"What is it?"
"Could you move that delightful mess of bolts you call a car back to Gordon's house? Which is your house, by the way. It's starting to annoy people."
"That's a classic car, Skulduggery." I growled.
"Yes, classic in that they don't make anything that ugly anymore, thank God. But you will move it?"
I counted to ten. "Yes Skulduggery, I will move it." I hissed through gritted teeth. "This works out better since I can get some sleep at Gordon's. Then something to eat. I'll see you tomorrow for training?"
"Well I had thought I'd come by later and pick you up for dinner, but if you insist-"
"I make it a policy not to turn down a free meal, even from you. What time?"
"Seven-ish?"
"That works for me. See you later then." I rang off and pocketed my mobile. During the drive home to Gordon's mansion I had to wonder again at Skulduggery's behavior and figured he was bored. Not that his reasons mattered, but I liked to know.
I ate quickly, then slept for several hours, the alarm getting me up at six. My phone rang almost the instant I was up. It was Skulduggery again. "Are you up?"
"Yes, Skulduggery, I'm up."
"Good, I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."
"What? I'm an absolute mess."
"Fifteen minutes is plenty of time to dress and run a brush through your hair. Be ready." He hung up abruptly. I sighed. There was no end to his strangeness lately. I managed to dress and brush my hair in five minutes. I was headed downstairs to wait when my mobile rang again.
"Yes, Skulduggery?"
"Would you open the door please?"
"I'm coming now." But I heard a click and he swung the door open before I reached the landing, pocketing his picks. He stood, head tilted up at me, looking rather pleased with himself.
"You're worse than Tanith when it comes to patience, you know that?" I grumbled. I'd reached the ground floor and he came forward to envelop me in a hug.
"I missed you." He said softly.
"I know, I missed you too. Tanith isn't as much fun as you are." He laughed.
"Nor is Ghastly anywhere near as fun as you are. He got so fixated on those boots he barely spoke to me the whole afternoon. The armour is in the boot by the way. Ready?" I nodded and followed him out to the Bentley. This was going to be a strange dinner. I was sure of it.
