XXXVI
Imoen woke from the dream with a start. Gingerly, she reached and rubbed her eyes. It had been so real. Taking a shaky breath, she steadied herself, trying to hold onto the vision. Everything was murky, but then it had been clear…
In her mind, she stared at him, tracing his slender elfin features. His arms had since enfolded her, his thumb stroking south of her throat, his fingers the side. A single blink, and her cupped chin could be wrenched, her neck snapped. How long had she lain there staring at him? In the dream, she didn't know. Somehow, she dissolved into tears and buried her face against him. He hadn't made any move to claim her, but ran his fingertip over some of her scars. It made her shiver. She had already decided to give Nara to him, a blonde girl with one elven great-grandparent… she might even watch, if it pleased her.
He face contorted as he shot her a nasty look, wondering aloud if they're were to make a baby; 'black widow', he named her. Pulling a face, she retorted he was 'all buffleheaded'; any child would grow up to kill them. Leaning forward, and smiling darkly, she purred, 'trust me, brother.'
Slipping around her neck, his hand drew her close…
"Mistress?" Nara appeared at the doorway, eyes downcast. Imoen's were flinty, her composure instantly recovering. "They – they're ready. You said to–"
"Stop yer yammering," The pink haired young woman smiled without feeling it, "Bring me me shirt; the black one."
"They're all black…" Nara moved to obey.
Imoen went through the motions of a short laugh. There was something altogether too real about the dream for her liking; it left a foul taste in her mouth. Something in his voice…
—
"Where is he?" The fey-ri demanded, no longer anything but a mask of calm fury. She brought the katana down on her foe's bracer; Balthazar deflected it effortlessly. All around them, the two forces clashed; monks clothed in simple dirtied cloth and gold mailed mercenaries against the elven-demonic host. Blood, screams and the scent of bodily fluids and excrement filled the air. The dying; the taste of steel. The sands were awash with red. There was nothing glorious about the slaughter, nothing graceful about the severed limbs and trailing entrails, crushed bodies and armour. No quarter was given. None was asked.
"You'll meet him when I return you to the hells," Balthazar promised. In the midst of the fighting, the kensai had led the charge, springing the ambush. From the ruins of his town, Balthazar pushed to the gates of the monastery. Whether here, or at Valaris' enclave, the monk's ambition was to destroy all trace of his foe. At the enclave, he had been cheated. Here, he made his stand; the town's sacrifice was worth it. Any price was worth it, to destroy his sire's tainted spawn.
The coal-haired elf fought like a wild cat, her porcelain complexion splattered with gore, her daggers singing a hymn of death. The host chanted their master's name, seemingly coming alive as they did. It should not have been possible, but their faith gave them strength. Even the demons believed. The mercenaries' square began to waver. A thousand individual skirmishes broke out, the horde throwing themselves against the monks, three to one. Scales, claws and blades met human fist and foot; sinew snapped, flesh rent, bodies torn asunder.
Imoen stepped out of her impromptu portal, unseen by all. Sensing her, Balthazar twisted; blocking the katana with his forearm. The kensai unleashed a frenzy of blows; where most would abandon technique for sheer fury, she kept hers, unrelenting as she drove down. It was all he could do to hold his ground; trying to sidestep the fey-ri, his eyes widened as Imoen's dagger slid neatly through his back.
"Give my regards to Daddy," she whispered, her cheek pressing against his. Then she tugged the blade free and stepped backwards; the kensai gave chase through an eruption of golden dust. The portal closed.
The host devoured the few remaining monks. The mercenaries had already broken; the dark haired elf gave chase. With her were Valaris' faithful. The massacre of Amkethran wasn't over yet.