Chapter 14
When I next woke, I was strapped to a wooden crossbeam at the center of a small stone room, my hands stretched to either side. The stench and the non-existent light was enough clues for me: I was in a dungeon.
Spiffing!
"Welcome to my vessel's palace," Lucifer said, appearing in front of me.
"Charming place! It's a shame that I won't stay for long, as I could get used to it!" I said sarcastically.
Lucifer chuckled. "True, it's not a five-star hotel, but it has it's positives."
I sighed, after a minute of futile struggling to free my hands. "So, why am I here?"
Lucifer bent over me, smiling. "I was thinking we should have a little chat."
I shook my head. "Sorry, but after what you tried with the Pevensies, I'm in no mood to listen."
Before I could move away, his fist slammed into my left cheek, then my right, rocking my head to either side.
"Well, you filthy little shit, let's fix that!"
I coughed, and spat out at least one tooth before answering. "Go ahead and have a go, Luci! Michael and my friends are going to kick your demonic arse from one side of this sodding universe to the other!"
Snarling, Lucifer sent a fist into my abdomen, and I winced as he screamed in my face. "You will be long dead by the time they find this place. I'm going to enjoy making you scream! Remember the Stone Table? That's child's play compared to what will happen now!"
I chuckled. "Bugger me! Get some breath mints, would you? It's hard to say which reeks more: you or your breath!"
Lucifer let out a sibilant hiss. He took three long dull nails and a hammer. "If sweet Christ is your God, then prepare to suffer like him."
"My soul is safe. There's nothing you can do to it. Do your worst," I said, spitting in his face.
"So mote it be. Guards!"
Back at Iron Town, an unusual scene was playing out.
Both San and Eboshi were sitting in the latter's house, and neither was trying to kill the other. Ashitaka, who was the only other person in the room, took this as a good sign. After John was taken, Asano's men had left, leaving the shocked Iron Town men to return to their own home.
San, who had seemed sick with worry and fear, had barely spoken since the confrontation.
Eboshi sighed. If it was any other time, she would have enjoyed gloating over her long-time enemy. But something stopped her: the devastated look in the girl's eyes, and the fact that this was John they were trying to save...going to save.
Eboshi spoke after a long staring match between the two women. "At any other given time, you wouldn't want to cooperate with me, and I understand."
San snorted. "Good. After what you've done, I'm not going to forgive you anytime soon. You've caused me so much trouble and misery that I can't even name them. The latest is trying to seduce my brother."
To San's rage, the older woman chuckled. "Believe what you want. The fact is that we are naturally attracted to each other. I daresay things would have gotten more serious if it wasn't for you."
San swelled with fury. "He doesn't know what you are!"
Eboshi raised her eyebrows. "On the contrary, he knows exactly who I am, although I do not know him as much as you do. I'll give you credit for holding his heart in your hand," she finished, giving her a nod.
San sighed, letting a sad smile on her face. "It doesn't matter now. He was my best hope, our best hope-"
Eboshi interrupted. "He's not dead. Asano likes to play with his food before he kills it, and so we have more time to act than you think."
San said nothing, but she hoped Eboshi was right...for once.
Eboshi sighed. "I'm not asking for your alliance, or your friendship. I do, however, know what you are going through, and I can tell you would do anything for him-"
"Why are you helping me?" San asked harshly, surprising the elder woman.
"Because our interests are aligned, currently. Also, I know what it feels like to have your family taken from you."
San held her gaze, and Eboshi saw her hands ball into fists.
San didn't seem to want to acknowledge any humanity in me, not that Eboshi cared. "And because you want him for yourself?"
Eboshi's eyes hardened. "You rabid wench! The very reason I pushed him away was because of you! I let you have him, so the least you could is thank me."
Ashitaka, sensing the dangerous turn the conversation was taking, cut in. "That's enough! Your bickering will not help John. Both of you have personal interest where he is concerned, and we leave it at that."
San sighed. She could feel that whatever choice she made would have long-standing consequences.
She wanted to tell Eboshi and Iron Town to go to hell, at the very least. But she also wasn't stupid enough to believe that she could take on Lucifer, and rescue John alone. Not even the Wolf Tribe could do that.
"What do you want me to do?"
Eboshi sighed. "I need time to prepare my forces, and I should be ready by next morning. Would you like to stay here until-"
San shook her head, not trusting her that much just yet. "No, my brothers and I will join you tomorrow. Wait, how do you know where he is?"
Eboshi smiled, relieved that her former nemesis would not be staying the night. "Asano, or Lucifer, would take him back to his home base. That bastard has nowhere else to go."
San nodded, too tired to argue.
An hour or two later, San and her brothers returned to the Den.
Once there, her two brothers lit into their sister.
"What have you done? We can't possibly trust this woman!" Tommy growled.
San rounded on him. "I don't trust that bitch, but we can't take on Lucifer ourselves. I don't see you coming up with an bloody ideas!"
Richard whined, shaking his head. "There has to be another way! What would Mother say?"
San turned to him. "Well, there doesn't seem to be, and she's not here to tell us otherwise. I don't want to work with that woman any more than you do, but I will do what I have to do to get our brother back-"
She was interrupted by a cry of pain coming from inside the cave, the three of them standing just outside the cave entrance.
A few seconds later, a young man's voice sounded, his accent reminding her vaguely of John. "Ow, bugger! Why did Aslan drop us in a bloody cave?"
Another young man's voice spoke, deeper and more mature than the first. "How should I know, Ed? Now get off my foot!"
Before either could speak more, San called. "Whoever you are, come out of our Den, before I come and drag you out!"
There was a short silence, and then two humans emerged from the darkness of the cave. They were two young males, and their were carrying swords and wearing red armor.
The first had very light-colored hair, a pleasant but firm visage, a strong body, and confident blue eyes. He carried a sizeable sword, and had a silver shield with the red picture of a lion on it. He seemed to be older than Ashitaka, but younger than Eboshi and John.
The other was dark-haired and dark-eyed, carried two swords. He seemed to be Ashitaka's age, and both men stood warily watching the snarling brothers.
San frowned. "Who are you, and how in the forest did you get in our Den without me noticing?"
The dark-haired boy snorted. "I was wondering what that stench was about-ow!" He finished, as the older boy kicked him in the shins, then spoke next.
"I'm Peter." He gestured to the younger man. "This pillock is Edmund."
Edmund glared at Peter. "Pillock? I like that (English way of saying "Oh, please!")!"
San started, suddenly remembering something. "Wait, I've heard John talk about you two. Are you those Pevensies?"
Peter bowed, smiling at San. "That's us all right. You must be San, John's adopted sister. Aslan told us that you needed our help."
San nodded. "I am San, and Aslan was right: I do need help."
San glanced at her brothers, who shrugged. They were friends, if they knew that mysterious and loving Lion.
"It's good to meet you, despite the smelly introduction," he said drily, then stepped up to San, and bowed politely. "It's good to finally meet you, San."
San returned his bow with an inclination of her head, and then she blushed as Peter kissed her hand. The latter carried himself with pride, and wasn't hard on the eyes.
Once greetings were exchanged, San began to tell them the latest, but Peter raised his hand. "No need, Lady. Aslan explained everything."
"Like I said: I told you he would do this." Edmund said to Peter, rolling his eyes.
San bristled at their seeming nonchalance. "I don't think you understand the seriousness of the situation here!"
Peter raised his hand. "Oh, we do, my Lady, truly. But, John seems to have an unfortunate tendency to get himself into...uncompromising situations. I'm sure you've realized by now that he is a notorious risk-taker." He finished.
One of the brothers snorted. "That's putting it lightly."
San knew it was true, but she was in no mood to admit it. "Are you here to help, or just make smart remarks?"
Edmund muttered something about wanting to do both, and Peter glared at him warningly before turning back to San. "Of course we're here to help!"
He whistled, and the answering roar of many voices sounded deep inside the cave. A minute later, a dozen red-clad men with hairy cloven feet and horns on their heads marched out of the cave, all carrying red banners showing a golden Lion.
They were followed by a dozen more, than another, then another.
San and her brothers watched, in complete shock, as an army of various creatures proceeded from the cave, numbering in the thousands!
"How?" San asked, and Edmund grinned. "It would have been mad of us to come by ourselves, and one of their Generals is in danger anyway!"
San nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "You are more than welcome to join us."
After all, they were going to fight in any case, and she certainly needed the numbers!
At the very end of what seemed like ten thousand soldiers positioned around them, waiting for orders, two women came last from the cave, riding on white horses.
One was tall and shapely, younger than Peter, with long black hair, soft silver-blue eyes, and carrying a bow and arrows.
The family resemblance between her and the two boys was obvious, and she knew John's description of her to know who it was: so this was Susan!
The other was younger, younger than San, but not by much. She had long, brown, almost auburn hair that, like Susan's, went to her waist.
She had brown eyes, vibrant and warm, a radiant smile, and carryed a dagger and a bottle of something.
This was Lucy.
"What the bloody deuce do you think you two are doing?" Peter spluttered, as the two dismounted their horses.
"Wasn't it you who once told us about the importance of helping family members in trouble?" Susan asked, smirking at her older brother.
She stepped up to San, and gave her a gentle hug. "Hello, San. I'm Susan, John's mother, in a way. It's so wonderful to meet you at last. Aslan has told us so much about you."
San, taken completely by surprise by the arrival, returned the hug shyly. The young woman in front of her put her at ease in a way that only Moro had done, and San couldn't help but feel safer around her.
"It's good to meet you too. John almost swears by you."
Susan beamed and stepped aside. "Prepare yourself, dear."
What seemed like half a second later, Lucy hugged San with surprising strength, almost lifting her off the ground.
"Oh, it's so wonderful to meet you at last! I'm Lucy!" The girl chirped.
San smiled, admiring the girl's bravery for approaching her so incautiously.
Usually, she would have felt threatened by such vigor, but San took a liking to the brave little thing at once. She was as energetic and genuine as John described her, and Susan was just as gentle and stunning as John had described her.
San didn't trust many people, especially not so quickly, but she couldn't help but like the Pevensies. She couldn't wait to see Eboshi's face when she saw their army!
Peter pointed at Susan and Lucy. "I could have sworn that Aslan said that war is not a pretty thing for women, and I jolly well agree. You two better not think about joining in the battle!"
San spoke up, pointing to Susan and Lucy's clothing, which featured long dresses and cloaks. "Well, they won't be going into battle. They're not dressed for it. I'd advise you not try to keep me out of battle. I'm the sodding leader of the Wolf Tribe, after all!"
Susan sighed. "Thanks for pointing out our attire, but is that really appropriate language to be using, San?"
San shrugged. "John taught me some of the words. I assumed that you used it too."
Susan huffed. "Not bloody likely. I'm going to have a word with John about this, make no mistake!"
San opened her mouth rebelliously, but Tommy interrupted, his voice slightly slurred on account of Lucy scratching behind his ears. "We'd better get going. Our Little Brother is strong, but I shudder to think what Asano has in mind for him."
San turned and stared at her brothers in complete disbelief. They were cuddling up to Lucy, whining like puppies, as she cooed and lovingly stroked them.
San turned to look at Edmund, who was also watching. "Lu's like that with every animal, trust me. She had John under her thumb in less than a bloody hour when they first met!"
San nodded, feeling awestruck of that little girl. They had only very recently began to trust John!
Shaking her head, she turned to Peter. "Whenever you are ready, Magnificent King!"
Peter gave her a wink. "You and your Tribe know the way, so you lot will be our guides!"
San nodded, smiling confidently.
Only hours ago, she had felt utterly defeated. Now, she had doubts that they would even remotely fail! "Follow us, then!"
As they rode along, Susan watched the young woman riding on her brother's back. Her movements were confident, her speech clipped, and heavily accented.
She had shoulder-length brown/black hair, dark eyes, a pretty visage, and a powerful body. She wore animal skins and a head-dress, carried a spear and dagger, and had the Sword of Heaven strapped across her back.
According to Aslan, she was raised as a wolf, and thus didn't smell all that pretty. But Susan could also tell that she was a brilliant fighter and had a harsh, passionate air about her, from the way she guided Peter and the army with an air of impatience.
But Susan was amazed most of all, by the obvious affection the girl had for John. She could see it in the girl's eyes.
That made Susan smile. Despite her rough edges, she could work with this girl.
She smirked when she saw Lucy telling her about Narnia and various other things at a breakneck pace, with Edmund adding dry and witty remarks in commentary. They also told her about the various creatures in the army.
San listened with apt attention, and then answered Lucy's countless questions about the forest with an air of bemusement, smiling at Lucy's energy and frankness.
Not even the wild girl could dislike Lucy Pevensie!
Susan's smile faded as her mind turned to her son/brother, and worried for his safety.
Hold on, John. We are coming!
Lucifer followed the guards into the courtyard as they dragged him to a wooden cross and flung him onto it.
"You know, there is nothing quite so enjoyable as torturing." The Devil said conversationally. "I invented torture, after all."
"You won't have long to enjoy it," I said, through clenched teeth. I felt no fear.
"Why? I've warded the place against Michael, and your little wolf girl doesn't stand a chance getting at me. I cannot wait to see her face when she sees you."
I laughed. "You won't live long enough-" I was cut short by my own roar of pain as my feet were nailed together. The roar became a scream as my hands followed suit.
"You will never walk again, so you'll forgive me for not being too optimistic of your chances."
I shrugged, trying to seem like I couldn't care less. "Well, if you do intend to kill me, then you won't mind answering a few of my questions."
Lucifer shrugged. "Oh, what the hell! I've got time on my hands."
"Why did you first inhabit a dwarf, the first time around?"
Lucifer shrugged. "I planned to be small, indiscreet, able to sneak up on your precious family without you noticing. I so enjoyed watching you die in agony. Unfortunately, my plan backfired. Now, I'm playing more to my strengths: ruling over the little sheeple and doing what I damn well please."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "It's not over yet."
Lucifer shrugged. "You won't leave here alive, no matter what happens. See, you Assassins are all into the freedom and liberty of humanity, and I'm doing what you preach: 'Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law!'"
I shook my head. "We save the innocent for the freedom and benefit of others. You only work for your own benefit. You are nothing like us!"
To my surprise, Lucifer suddenly stepped back. His coal-black eyes became human brown, and I realized that it was Asano.
"Enjoying yourself?" I snarled, crippled and ravaged by the unspeakable pain.
The man stared at me for a long moment, then shook his head. "I did not want this." His voice was deep and throaty, quite different from Lucifer's almost snake-like his.
"Then why did you say 'yes?'"
Asano sighed wearily. "Power, riches, fame. I wanted it all, and he gave it to me, everything that I ever wanted, but it is not worth this. I see no honor in this, and I thank you for opening my eyes."
I frowned. "What's going to happ-"
I was interrupted by a blow to my head that knocked me unconscious.
And on it goes!
