Chapter 16
"Bloody hell! They brought the entire army just because of me?"
I was shocked at the sight of at least ten thousand Narnians battling for the control of Asano's fort.
"They're our family. That's what happens when those bastards mess with the wrong man." San reasoned.
I shook my head. "I never wanted to put anyone else in harm's way."
San turned, and nuzzled me. "I know."
My self-control cut suddenly short, and I pulled her into a hug, burying my face into her hair, my body shaking from pent-up emotion. My time with Lucifer had been one of fear and torment, and I had missed her and their brother's more than words could ever express. Not even the Stone Table was this bad.
The two brother came into the embrace, whining and snuggling into us.
San purred comfortingly, burying her nose into my collarbone. "I suppose you'll want Lucifer to yourself?" She asked, her warm breath ghosting my neck.
I nodded. "Stick close to me. He might try to go for you, and I can better protect you if your closer-"
"I've told you before I don't need-"
"Call it 'peace of mind,' then! If we come across him, let me handle it."
San pulled away from me angrily. "Because you did so well last time?"
She had me there. "Michael's not one to make the same mistake twice."
"Oh, so we trust him now, after he abandoned you?"
I sighed and realized that I didn't trust him either anymore. I had had no word from him since being captured, and my time under Lucifer's knife had changed many things.
"I don't have any choice, not until another angel decides to get into the fight. Lucifer said he had placed up wards against Michael in that shit-hole castle, so that means that we have to flush him out."
She sighed and nodded. "Whatever happens, we're with you, every step of the way."
I smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks, little Sister. Now, let's go knock some heads!"
Taking directions from the Narnian soldiers, we eventually made our way to Peter and Edmund, who were in the midst of planning their assault.
There had been a brief fracas after Lucifer's intercession, brief because the brothers didn't care for throwing themselves at the enemy without a plan, not even with the numbers so decidedly on the side of the Narnians.
"Penny for the guy, boys?" I greeted them.
"Nice of you to finally join us, sleepyhead!" Edmund said, patting me gingerly on the shoulder.
He had grown almost to Peter's height while I was away, but his shy but dry nature stayed the same.
"I wasn't sleeping, you clod! I was unconscious." I corrected, shoving him playfully.
"And being a damsel in distress," Edmund said, smirking.
I cracked my knuckles menacingly while San frowned, and Peter laughingly explained that the phrase usually meant a lot of people coming to the aid of a distressed beautiful woman. When San heard that, she laughed, and then roared with laughter as my face went beet red.
"I swear, I'm going to get you one of these days, King Edmund," I snarled, as the wolves joined the guffaws of the rest of the group.
"Laugh it up, yeah?" I growled, as the laughter died down.
After a brief time, the seriousness of the situation reasserted itself with the arrival of news that Asano's men were massing for the defense of their castle.
I looked around at the soldiers setting up siege engines like Trebuchets, Catapults, and a battering ram. "Where's Ashitaka? I don't see him near us."
Edmund waved his hand in the general direction of the enemy fortifications. "He's leading Eboshi's forces, and they are planning to scale the cliffs from the back of the fort."
San grinned and clapped the younger Pevensies' shoulder. "It was Edmund's idea, actually."
Edmund pretended to preen, looking smug.
I nodded, noting with pleasure that the Pevensies and San seemed to be getting along well enough.
"That's a good plan, but I'll need Lucifer to come out of the castle. That sodding place is warded against angels."
Edmund raised a finger. "Well, we don't need Michael to defeat Lucifer."
I turned to him, frowning. "You want to run that by me again?"
Edmund obliged. "Look, we know he can be killed by someone who is not Michael's vessel. Susan offed him during that battle when he was trying to get to me. So, he can be killed by anybody."
I shook my head. "Lucifer will not make the same twice, and I won't expose anybody else to harm than is needed. The fact that you brought a bloody army to get me out is enough."
Edmund snorted, and rolled his eyes. "Oh, would you stop moaning about that? It would have been suicidal for us to come without some help."
"What happens if any of our soldiers dies? I have enough blood on my hands, and I sure as hell don't need any more than necessary!"
Peter, never one for subtlety, seized me by the collar, and pulled me in close.
I may have been taller, but Peter didn't seem to care at that moment, as he spoke slowly and clearly. "Listen to me, you bleeding sod! We're here, and we brought the army because they wanted to help you. Whatever happens, we're going to help, so just shut it!"
San watched with wary interest as John and Peter locked eyes.
She was beginning to respect Peter more and more with each time she was in his presence, because it was rare that somebody, besides her, would confront John like that!
"Fine. Anything you need me to do?"
Peter nodded, looking relieved. "If you could help Ashitaka assault the castle from behind, I'm sure he wouldn't mind the help, especially yours," he added, smirking at San.
She narrowed her eyes but couldn't hide the blush that spread over her cheeks. "Careful now, O Magnificent King! I wouldn't want to get blood on that pretty armor of yours!" I chuckled, and started towards Ashitaka's position, pulling her along with me.
"Do you really have to threaten the High King?" I asked, as we walked away from the laughing kings.
"I was just keeping up appearances," San smirked, and I laughingly shook my head as we continued on our way.
Back behind the lines, Susan watched Eboshi pace back and forth, with Lucy away, tending to the wounded.
The older woman was clearly used to being at the front, leading her people into battle. Ashitaka was doing that, but she could tell that Eboshi hated being kept out of the fight. She had the charisma and the mind for it, but her body was not as it once was.
Susan sighed. She didn't know what to think of the woman. After what Eboshi had come close to doing to John and the forest, she figured she couldn't trust her, but the woman of Iron Town was human, if her friendship with Lucy was anything to go by, and she did seem to care for John.
How should she approach her?
Eboshi could feel the young woman's gaze on her, and she sensed no malice behind it. She had to admit, these four monarchs weren't what she expected from children. She expected them to be arrogant and naïve, but they seemed to act more like adults, even adorable little Lucy.
Edmund, the younger brother, seemed to be around sixteen years of age, but he already showed signs of maturity, though somewhat broody and sardonic.
Susan, clearly the matriarch of the family, was everything that a mother should be: kind, loving, and ever concerned for her family's welfare. She also had the grace and powerful presence that came with being a leader.
Peter, the High King, was certainly a capable leader, and showed signs of early brilliance in being a shrewd campaigner, and more importantly, a conscientious monarch.
But Eboshi knew the real power in the household centered around Susan and respected her for it.
Maybe she could get used to these children monarchs!
"So, about John," Susan began, and Eboshi turned to her fully. "You have no need to be concerned, Gentle Queen. We have a strictly professional relationship, and as long as that damned wolf brat is around, it will stay that way."
Susan winced silently at the woman's uncouth language but continued. "Perhaps it is professional. For now, at least. Nevertheless, the fact that you and your people have undergone such a dramatic shift in such a short time is something interesting."
Eboshi snorted. "And you think I did it just to please him? Come now, Queen Susan! This is reality, not a romance novel, and the reality is that I am doing this just to bring those primitive, flea-infested Wolves to the table!"
Susan fixed her with a hard stare. "Oh, really? I was under the impression that you did so to alleviate yourself of some guilt that you justifiably feel."
Eboshi nodded. "That is true, but don't change the subject! What does that have to do with your son?"
Susan bristled at her tone but felt that she could let that go for now. "Yes, back to that subject: you gave up half of your iron in return for him. What are we supposed to believe when you make such a sacrifice?"
Eboshi decided to make things clear. "My dear young Queen, I have never cared what people believe about me or my decisions, not once. I did that for strategic reasons: I didn't need the iron, and that Assassin's services are something I have a great need for. Without him, there's nothing keeping that little witch from continuing her mother's work."
Susan smiled slyly. "That, and you are attracted to him."
Eboshi groaned. "Fine, maybe I am a little attracted to that arrogant, infuriating man! Maybe we have almost shared a bed as well-" she was interrupted by Susan's shriek.
"You what?!" The young woman's face turned an alarming pale, then an unhealthy green shade, both within two seconds of each other.
"Yes, I thought you knew that." Eboshi said, highly amused as Susan stood and paced back and forth, taking over from Eboshi in that regard.
"I should bloody well think not!" Susan replied.
"There's probably a reason he didn't tell you."
Susan nodded, now looking royally pissed. "Well, when the time is right, I'm going to have a right good chat with him!"
Eboshi laughed and changed the subject. "I am surprised you are not fighting with your brothers. I understand keeping little Lucy out of harms way, but you?"
Susan shook her head, sitting back down in a huff. "I will fight if I must, but not unless I am needed. I was never one for battles. Where I come from, women are not exactly encouraged to fight with the men, not that there's anything wrong with you doing so," She added quickly.
Eboshi smiled. "I take no offense, my dear. It is the same where I come from, but I was never one to let others do the fighting for me. I prefer a hands-on approach to ruling my people."
Susan turned to her, unable to contain her curiosity. "How did you come about doing so. It must be quite a story!"
Eboshi smiled, and began her story, and Susan responded in kind.
And just like that, Susan and Eboshi became friends.
As I made my way to Ashitaka, I saw that the Iron Town soldiers were hiding in the woods behind the castle, clearly wishing to use their diversion with as much surprise as possible, and I caught a few disgruntled looks from the Iron Town soldiers.
They gave us a wide berth and gave San the usual distrustful and hate-filled gazes, which she returned with interest. For my part, I understood their anger: they were only here because of me, and they didn't like it.
Neither did I, as I preferred to work alone with my tribe.
Ashitaka didn't seem to share their bitterness, since his greeting was slightly stiffer than usual.
After we exchanged our greetings, I cleared my throat, not liking the uncomfortable silence we had fallen into. "I heard you plan to take an alternative route into the castle. I get it that you don't want to be here."
Ashitaka nodded, testing the strength of his bow. "Well, that is true. They will not expect a surprise attack from the steepest part of the rocks."
I nodded. "Sounds good to me."
Ashitaka turned to me, seemingly unable to contain himself any longer. "I am glad that you are all right, but I wish we did not have to come here. You know how I feel about bloodshed and hatred, and I'm not ready to add to both!"
I nodded again, giving San a warning look, as she opened her mouth rebelliously. "I wish you didn't have to either. I did not mean for all this to happen," I finished, waving my hand at the general direction of the conflict. "If I had my way, I would have killed him alone, and kept others from harm's way."
Ashitaka didn't like that. "How does your killing accomplish anything, except to bring more pain and anger?"
By the passion in his voice, I could tell that he had been hiding his anger for quite a long time, and I held back my own growing anger.
I was not in the mood for this conversation, especially now!
However, if Ashitaka fancied this confrontation, who was I to let him down?
"It does, but I've killed many a man who would have killed or harmed many people if I hadn't topped him off first. Even you know that there are some people who are evil."
I gestured at the castle angrily, matching passion for passion. "Lucifer enjoys killing and suffering, while I kill because I don't know what the sodding hell else to do! Cripes, I'm no hero, I'm just a survivor!"
San watched, surprised by John's admission. She made a mental note to confront him later about it.
Ashitaka leaned forward, holding my gaze with his own. "And what if, when Lucifer is gone, you could find a better way, a different way?"
I snorted. "You don't know me, kid. How can I change everything that I have ever been? I'm sure as hell not a good man. You've got the wrong bloke-"
Ashitaka grasped my arm. "But anybody can change, even you!" With that said, He turned to San, also meaning that for her as well. She only stared back without expression.
I shrugged. I respected him more than ever now, and I would give it a running start, at least! "I might give it a go, but we've got to take of business first."
I glanced at San, who gave a short jerk of a nod, looking as doubtful as I felt, and not too pleased with me either.
I would get an earful later!
A few minutes later, we heard the Narnian siege works begin their pounding of the late Asano's fortress.
Now, it was time to put an end to Old Hiss!
Just then, San tapped me on the shoulder. "Is your head in the fight?"
I kissed her on the cheek. "Sodding right, it is!"
San nodded. "Then let's finish this. And don't give me your whining about wanting me to stay safe. I can take care of myself, and it's you I'm concerned about."
I grinned down at her, chuckling despite the situation we were about to kick off. "Come on, luv! This is me we're talking about!"
"That's the problem, numbskull!"
What the two of us didn't know was that it was Ashitaka we should have been concerned about!
