Chapter Eleven: Getting Back Up
Eda stumbled through the dark woods, Hooty's door under her arm, her other hand holding her Owlbert-less staff. The Inquisitors had taken her palisman, and she had no idea where Luz and King had gone. She could only hope that each of them was safe for the moment. She wasn't entirely sure if she was safe yet.
That last spell had sent the Inquisitors for a loop, but it had taken a lot out of her. A handful of feathers had already sprouted from her wrists, and she could feel the telltale pinpricks of more preparing to sprout from her arms. She tried to push the cloudiness out of her mind as she staggered forwards, heading towards the one person she knew could help her right now. Hooty was asleep in his door, so he hopefully wouldn't attract any Inquisitors to her location. She didn't think she had been followed, but they might be stealthier than she knew.
She knew these woods like the back of her hand, even though her hands weren't exactly her own right now. Still, she knew how to find her way around even the furthest reaches of these trees. It had been some time since she had been into these parts, but the memories of the dark woods came flooding back. With every step, she could feel the owl beast coming closer, struggling to take control. She only hoped she could make it there before it was too late.
At long last, the sight of a familiar cave came into view. She breathed a sigh of relief; she hadn't been here in years, but she would recognize his place anywhere. Being so close to safety gave her an extra boost of energy, and she ran over to the entrance. She stopped, holding herself up against the stone. She called out to the one who was hopefully home: "Kade...Kade…" Her voice was hoarse and exhausted, but hopefully the cave's acoustics would carry it to their resident.
Continuing on through the entry cavern, Eda could make out a shape, barely illuminated by glowing lichens, approaching. She felt a palpable sense of relief as the form of Kade Murkwater came into view. "Eda?" said the centipede demon. His expression was one both of confusion and worry. "What happened to you?"
"Got into a bit of a scrap," Eda said, trying to stay jovial. "They kinda got the best of me…" She laughed weakly. "But don't worry, I gave 'em a few good hits, they had to work for it!"
"Well, are you okay?" asked Kade. "Wait, Hooty...Eda, where is everyone? What happened?" Unsure of what else to do, he reached out. "Eda…"
Eda handed him Hooty's door. "Take him for me, will ya? I've had a real...a real time gettin' here. I'm just gonna take a quick nap…"
Unable to stay awake any longer, she fell to the floor. Kade quickly placed Hooty's door against the wall and grabbed her before she hit the ground. "Eda? Eda!? Eda, are you alright!? Eda!"
When she came to, the first thing Eda thought to herself was Man, it is not comfortable sleeping on rocks. How does Kade stand this? Oh, right...ceiling.
She sat up, rubbing her eyes. The room was illuminated by glowing fungi, but there wasn't much in it to see, aside from herself and Kade, who turned to face her once she woke up. He scuttled over to her in concern.
"Thank Titan!" he exclaimed. "For a moment there, I thought I'd have to smuggle you into a hospital! You're lucky I had some of that cure potion left, otherwise I might've had to deal with your...er, worse half."
Eda stretched. "Ah, quit whinin', I'm alright." She looked around the cave. "How long was I out for?"
"Only a few hours," said Kade, sitting down beside her. "Which is more than I can say from your little friend over there." He pointed to Hooty, who was still asleep in his door, snoring.
"Yeah, getting knocked out of his frame takes a lot out of him," Eda said. "You'd be tired too if you were just…" She trailed off. "Guess I should start at the beginning, huh?"
Kade nodded. "That tends to be the best place to start, yes."
Eda took a deep breath. "Okay… So, Belos and Lilith have been after me for a while, right?"
"Mmhmm," Kade said.
"Well, I don't know how much news you get out here in this literal hole in the wall, but the two of them apparently got impatient hunting me down the old fashioned way, and sent a bunch of thugs to do the job for them. Call themselves the Inquisition."
"If they did this to you, I think they're more than just thugs," said Kade. "How many were there?"
"Nine," Eda said after a brief pause. "I didn't recognize most of 'em. One of them was Loxton. You remember him, right?"
"The rockstar?" said Kade, brow furrowed in confusion. "What's he doing running with them?"
"No idea," Eda continued, "but he's definitely on board. Only other two I recognized were some hired sword who came after me a few years back-But you'll never guess who's leading the charge: Mattias Archoman."
"No!" Kade exclaimed in disbelief. "That one thug from school!? Didn't he kill somebody?"
"I'm pretty sure he killed a few people, but that's beside the point," Eda said. "Somehow, Mattias and his band of brutes found the Owl House. They ambushed us. I did everything I could to fight 'em off, but even with Luz and Hooty helping, they got the better of me. I was only barely able to escape." She looked down sadly at her staff. "I told Luz to run as far as she could, so hopefully she's okay. They got Owlbert, though. And I have no idea what happened to King…"
Kade had never seen Eda like this. Usually, she at least tried to mask her sadness behind a mask of snark, but no such thing was there now. "I-I'm so sorry," he said, reaching up to put a hand on her shoulder; he decided against it at the last moment. "Do you have any idea where they could have gone?"
"King, it's hard to say," Eda replied. "Hopefully he didn't go back to the Owl House, I'll bet they're still there. As for Luz, I'm willing to bet she went to a friend's house."
"Should...should we go looking for them?" said Kade. "Even discounting these Inquisitors of yours, this forest isn't exactly safe. I mean, just in this area alone, you've got hellhounds, venom ivy, the Bat Queen lives barely a mile away, mad dryads…"
"The Bat Queen…" Eda said, the realization dawning on her. "Kade, my man, I think you've just given me an idea!"
"Eh?" Kade looked at her curiously. "What's she got to do with this?"
Eda got to her feet, and Kade did the same. "Nothing yet, but she might be able to help us," she said. "She owes me a favor." She held up her staff. "I don't stand much of a chance against them without Owbert, and I have serious doubts about your combat ability-no offense."
"'S all good."
"But if she's on our side, we might just stand a chance. We can free Owlbert, reunite with Luz, find King, and…" Eda trailed off. Her gaze lowered to the floor as she seemingly got lost in thought.
"Do what?" asked Kade. "Is everything okay?"
"I don't know," Eda said, leaning against the cave wall. "Once we're all back together, do we just keep running? Even if Luz's plan works, and we can beat the Inquisitors, what then? Belos won't just let us go free. I can't fight him. And I can't fight my sister-not really fight her. I mean, I could survive on the lam, but is that really any life for a kid? What's Luz gonna do? Ugh!" She slumped back down to the floor. "You see, this is exactly why I didn't want to be a mother!"
"Hey, it...it isn't that bad," Kade said, trying to comfort her. "Luz is a tough girl, isn't she?"
"Oh, it isn't, is it?" Eda snapped. "Do you have any idea what it's like to live like this, being constantly hunted down? Normally, it's thrilling! But now that I have a kid to worry about, I can't keep living my life on the edge like this!" She sighed. "Okay. We'll play it by ear. Make it up as we go, like Luz always does."
"Is that really the best idea, considering the circumstances?" asked Kade.
"No," Eda admitted. "But, considering the circumstances, it's also our only idea. We go to the Bat Queen for help, and see where that takes us."
"And Luz?" said Kade. "Should one of us head into town to look for her?"
Eda shook her head. "As much as I want to, it's too risky. The place is probably crawling with covensman by now. Although...do you think you could send her a message? Let her know we're alright, and not to come looking for us?"
"That I can!" Kade drew a spell circle, summoning a sheet of paper and a long quill. "Anything specific?"
"Just what's happening," Eda replied. "Oh, but don't tell her about our plan with the Bat Queen yet. It might give her ideas…"
The quill scratched across the paper, leaving its ink lines. "Alright… There! That should do it. Whaddya think?"
Eda glanced over his shoulder, scanning the letter. "Should do the trick. Now send it off so we can get going!"
Kade drew another spell circle, and the letter began to fold itself into a shape. Finally, the completed origami swan flapped its wings and took off, soaring towards Bonesborough. "It should be able to track her down," he said. "They're very good at recognizing faces. Staying out of sight, too."
"Good," Eda said. "Now, have you ever been to the Bat Queen's lair?"
"What? Of course not!" said Kade. "Have you?"
"Once or twice," Eda answered. "Now, let's move. No time to waste!"
Luz wished she could breathe a sigh of relief upon reading the letter, but she couldn't. Eda and Hooty were both safe with Kade, but Owlbert had been captured, and King was missing. She did sigh, but it was mostly with disappointment-not only had she been unable to fight the Inquisitors, but her carelessness had gotten Eda captured-again! She slumped back down onto the bed, considering going back to sleep.
The door creaked open, and a familiar face peered in. Luz looked up, sitting back up when she saw who it was. "Bartleby!" she said. "What are you doing here?"
Bartleby Nocturna, the kindly-looking man from earlier, cracked a small smile as he made his way down the stairs. "Well, it is my house, isn't it? How are you holding up?"
Despite the answer being quite the opposite, Luz told him "I'm fine." She sat up, leaning to the side to show her bandages. "I take it you fixed me up?"
"Sure did!" Bartleby pulled up a stool next to her bed and sat down. "Luckily, you weren't hurt too bad, just banged up a little. I did my best to patch you up, but I'm a vet, not a doctor." He looked at the floor. "And that doesn't include treatment of humans, despite what some people here would like to think…"
"Oh, trust me, I'm very familiar with those sorts of people…" Luz muttered, the image of Mattias from his manor still burned into her mind. "But I wasn't seriously hurt, then?"
"No, Titan bless," Bartleby said. "If I could ask, though...what were you doing out in the woods, hurt like that? Does Eda know you were out there?"
"Eda…" Luz shifted in her spot, taking a moment before telling Bartleby what had happened. "Do you remember when those guys from the Emperor's Coven came into town? They're called the Inquisitorius Magicus."
Bartleby thought for a moment. "The name sounds familiar," he said. "Can't say I know much about them, though.'
Luz looked down. "They...they attacked us," she said. "We got away-at least, I think. I know I did, and Eda made it to a friend's, but King's still out there somewhere. And they got Eda's palisman."
For a moment, neither of them said anything. Eventually, Bartleby spoke: "Wow. I-I had no idea this was so serious. Do you need anything, Luz? I can get you something if you-"
"No, I'm alright," she said. She slowly got to her feet, Bartleby prepared to catch her if she stumbled. She stood up with little issue. "Actually, I am a bit thirsty. Could I have something to drink?"
Bartleby stood up. "Why, sure! Just say the word, and I'll go and grab it for ya!"
"No, don't worry about it," Luz said, walking towards the door. "I can get it myself. Actually, I really need to stretch my legs anyway."
Luz walked up the steps and out of the basement door. Bartleby followed behind. The house looked familiar, despite her only having visited it once before. Stepping into the living room, she saw Tia, sitting on the couch with a worried expression, Bitey the ettercap resting on her lap. She looked up, and lit up once she saw the human was alright. "Luz!" she said, leaping to her feet. Bitey lay back down indignantly. "Hey, Mel, Luz is okay!"
A slightly older girl, looking a lot like Tia save for her white skin, entered the room. "You sound surprised," she said, grinning slightly. "I knew dad was on the case."
"So, what happened to you, anyway?" Tia said, making her way over to Luz. "I almost had a heart attack when I saw you stumbling through the forest like that!"
"Easy, easy, give her some space!" Bartleby chuckled, shooing his daughter away from Luz. "She's had a rough day. Right, Luz?"
"It's fine, Bart," she said. "But...yeah, I guess I did have a rough day. I was… No, Eda and I were attacked."
"Attacked!?" said Tia. "By what!?"
"Not what, who," Luz said. "We were ambushed by the Inquisitors. They found the Owl House, and they tried to capture us. We got away, but they got her palisman. And King could be anywhere…"
"I...I-I'm so sorry," said Tia, reaching up to place a comforting hand on Luz's shoulder, but deciding against it. "Can I do anything to help?"
"Nah, I couldn't ask you to do that," Luz said. "I don't want to put anyone else in danger."
"Danger or not, you're more than welcome to stay here as long as you need," said Bartleby. "Consider this household your safe haven!"
"Thanks, all of you," Luz said. It really meant a lot that that these people she didn't even know too well were letting her stay with them. "I could use some time to sort things out."
Mattias strolled into Belos' throne room, carrying himself with just as much dignity and ego as he had when he was first brought there as a prisoner. Briares entered behind him, holding something in his hand. "Your majesty," Mattias said, bowing slightly.
Belos sat on his throne, regarding the pair. Lilith stood by his side, glaring at them with disdain. "So, you have returned," said the emperor, sounding disinterested. "I take it you were unsuccessful in capturing Eda?"
"Unfortunately so, my emperor," Mattias said. "My forces were so close to apprehending her, but she slipped from our grasp at the very last moment. Her current whereabouts are unknown, but I assure you, they are searching for her as we speak."
"And the child?" Lilith asked before Belos could speak. "Did she evade capture as well?"
"Indeed," Mattias said, his pleasant facade faltering momentarily. "The human escaped from us as well. But we-"
"High Inquisitor, I appointed you as such because I believed you were capable of doing what Lilith was not," Belos said. "However, it seems that my judgement was incorrect. Given your lack of success thus far, I am beginning to doubt that forming the Inquisitorius Magicus was worth the trouble."
"My emperor, please, allow me to continue!" said Mattias. "We may not have captured either, but we have taken the Owl Lady's hideout! We will be ready should she make the mistake of returning. In addition...Briares, show the emperor what else we have accomplished."
Briares grunted, stepping forwards. He held up the object in his hand, pulling off a sheet of cloth to reveal a birdcage. Within was a small owl, who hooted indignantly upon seeing where he was.
"T-that's…" Lilith said, surprised.
Belos leaned forward, observing Owlbert. "A palisman," he said. "And you're certain it's hers?"
"More than certain, Emperor Belos," said Briares. "This palisman is the very same one Edalyn Clawthorne used against us. Inquisitor Caelano captured it before it could return to her."
"Without it, Eda is far less powerful," Mattias said. "If she doesn't come crawling to join us soon, we will have a far easier time bringing her here ourselves, I assure you."
"You should hope so," Belos said.
"Now then...what should be done about this pest?" Mattias asked, knocking on the side of Owlbert's cage, earning some more indignant hoots.
"Eda will have no further use for it," Belos said, holding out a hand. "Bring it to me."
Briares began to walk forward, but Lilith stepped between the two. "Wait," she said. "There is still a chance that Edalyn will try and rescue her palisman. We shouldn't waste this opportunity just for a brief boost in magic." She shot Belos a look.
"Oh, very well," Belos said, annoyed. "Take it somewhere secure. Make sure there is no chance of it escaping, but make sure it stays alive. A dead palisman is no good to either of us."
"Yes, my emperor," said Mattias, bowing. "Come along, Briares. We have many preparations to take care of." With that, the two Inquisitors stepped out of the room, leaving Belos and Lilith alone.
Lilith glared at him. "Were you actually considering consuming Edalyn's palisman?"
"Of course I was," Belos answered, as though it were obvious. "By limiting her powers, she will be that much easier to retrieve. And besides, I felt in need of a little boost." He struggled to stand. "Speaking of which…"
Lilith hurried over, helping the emperor to his feet. He let out a sharp breath once he was standing, lifting a hand to massage his chest.
"You allowed me to keep my palisman," Lilith said. "And as someone who knows what the bond between witch and palisman is like, it isn't worth jeopardizing over such a trivial matter."
"I resent your words," Belos growled. "My condition is far from trivial."
"And Edalyn's isn't?" replied Lilith.
"Of course it is," Belos said, meeting Lilith's eyes. "But then, you would know that best, wouldn't you?"
"That's not…" Lilith trailed off, averting her gaze. "They aren't the same thing."
"Belos let out a gravelly, humorless laugh. "Edalyn had her chance. You repeatedly asked and begged your sister to join us. But she refused, even knowing I could cure her. If she will not come to us willingly, we will have to drag her here by force." He made his way towards a door at the back of the throne room. "Perhaps you should consider trying to find her as well."
Lilith stared at Belos as he walked away. "Perhaps I will," she said quietly.
Belos made his way out of the room, and slowly walked through a long hallway. The hall opened into a large room containing a chair connected to a large device that reached to the ceiling. He sat down in the chair, and a pair of covensmen attached a set of tubes to his arms and chest. Glowing green liquid began to flow from the machine and into his body. He let out a contented sigh.
Another covensman approached, carrying a crystal ball. He held it up to Belos as the image of Shrike appeared. "Good afternoon, Belos," said the Inquisitor. "I take it Mattias has already given you the news?"
"Indeed he has," Belos said. "How goes progress on the potion?"
"It is nearly finished," Shrike responded. "I only need to obtain more terrorwort. I will be setting out to the Lost Marshlands soon with a group of Inquisitors to retrieve some."
"Excellent," Belos said. "Inform me as soon as the potion is completed. The Day of Unity grows near."
"I will," Shrike responded. "Be well soon." His image disappeared from the orb, and the covensman took it away.
Belos leaned back into the chair, closing his eyes as the machine pumped the fluid into his body. He clenched and unclenched his fists, feeling the energy surging through him.
"Soon...our worries will all be over…"
