Black Wolf Rising. Chapter 4: Lairdon

The tall walls of the capital city loomed above them, casting their shadow across the few homes and into the wide fields that surrounded Lairdon. Arynn held Khali's reins in one hand, the other never straying far from the hilt of the dagger across her lower back. As the horse's hooves clacked upon the cobble stone roads leading to the western gate of the city, Arynn kept her eyes moving, looking over the tents that had been erected out here in grass and mud.

 "There's so many," Selena said quietly from where she sat in Khali's back, her hands grasping the front of the saddle tight enough that her knuckles were white. Arynn could only nod quietly as she looked at the people that had gathered here, and set up ramshackle shelters for themselves and their family. What few belongings they had shoved into packs spattered with mud. Not a one of them had much hope to their expressions. Even the play of the children seemed muted and forced.

Turning her gaze forward, Arynn noticed at least a dozen people gathered around the gate, four guards standing stood between them and the gates, gauntleted hands gripping tightly to spears. They shouted at the people to stay back, one dropping his hand to a club that hung from the belt around his hips. As the demon hunter came closer, people began to shuffle out of her way, noting the weapons, and the woman upon the horse. Even the guards frowned slightly as the saw the two women approaching them. Selena's dress certainly looked fine enough that she stood out from the commoners that had been pleading to be let in. The witch's cloak was still wrapped around the fallen succubus's sword, and hidden within the tightly strapped bedroll across Khali's rump.

One man turned, face red with anger and shouting, and seemed like he didn't want to move. Arynn ignored him, starting to walk past, though Khali took a bite at the man, making him stumble backwards.

The guards exchanged a look as Arynn stopped before them, glancing over her shoulder at what seemed to be new arrivals to the city, before turning her attention back to the guards. For their part, they couldn't decide whether to address the armed woman, or the one on horseback. One finally spoke though, looking up at Selena.

"The city is closed m'lady. No one gets in, by order of the King," the guard said. How many refugee's had they taken in already?

"Get me a priest then, from the temple proper, not a monk," Arynn said, grabbing the guard's attention. His brows furrowed slightly beneath the rim of his rounded helmet as he registered the odd request.

"No offense, but you don't look like an Order Knight. I doubt highly they will let you in," he said, but turned to shout back at someone beyond the dropped portcullis. The demon hunter noted a guard taking off at a brisk walk, deeper into the city. Seemed she had some weight to her words after all, or they did believe that Selena was a noble woman.

The pair of them waited there, facing down the guards. As time wore on, the gathered refugees began to see that there was no hope of getting in. In groups they slowly drifted away, to join all those others who had come here only to be turned away. To wait until the minions of Aalzgoth came for them all. It would be a massacre unless the gates were opened.

Looking over the many faces in their shoddy camp, Arynn didn't think she could bet on that happening. As one of the last departed the gate, Arynn reached out and firmly grasped her arm. The woman turned, her eyes showing fear and anger in equal values.

"Run south. As fast and far as you can. There will be no peace in these walls," Arynn said, and released her.

The woman stared at her a moment, frowning, before turning and rejoining the others. Watching her go, Arynn doubted it would be enough. So many of these people would die. Turning back to the guards, she tried to shut them all out of her mind. She had learned long ago not to take on the fates of too many, lest it break her spirit as well when she inevitably failed to do what she promised.

Selena watched the woman leave, and turned her gaze to Arynn, yet said nothing. The two stood in silence, alone in front of guards who became ever more fidgety as time wore on. All four trying not to look at the two women before them, or the gathering of refugees who had come to this city desperately seeking shelter.

As the sun crawled across the sky, Arynn was sure an hourglass would have emptied by now, when finally she saw the guard returning with an elderly man in tow, garbed in the dull yellow robes of the church of Ilimm. A stylized sun of bright yelled, wreathed in a ring of orange flame adorned his chest. He did not move quickly, and had to lean on a tall walking stick as he moved towards the portcullis.

Reaching into one of the saddle bags, Arynn pulled out a tube of copper, the ends turning green. Pulling out the stopper at one end, she pulled free a scroll of paper, yellow ribbons hanging from the ends. She moved to the portcullis, the guards stepped back from such an armed woman, and pushed the scroll through the opening towards the priest.

The aging man looked up at Arynn with a single raised eyebrow, before carefully opening the scroll. The ribbons dangled from the bottom of the sheet he held before him, eyes glancing first to the two seals of red wax upon the bottom, both imprinted with the seal of Ilimm. Above each seal, the signature of a high priest from the city of Porma. The ink a deep rich black, the first letter bordered with gilded gold.

"Open the way for her, she is to have free access to and from the city at her whim," the priest said, gingerly rolling the scroll back into its tube while the guards glanced at each other.

Refugees stared from their tents and shelters as the portcullis raised just enough to let Arynn and Selena into the city of Lairdon. The demon hunter felt a pang of guilt as she moved inwards and heard the portcullis slide shut behind her, the bottom prongs sliding into deep groves carved into the stone. Forcing the feeling down, knowing there was nothing she could do about it now, she instead looked over to the priest who had fallen in step beside her. The man looked up at the woman riding the horse quickly, before turning full attention to Arynn.

"Demon Hunter, I will admit your coming is most fortunate. This, invasion of our lands has pushed our resources to the limit, and even the order of the Burning Blade has found themselves on their heels since it began." Words rushed, a hint of fear in the pious man's eyes. Arynn couldn't blame him; she had seen what was out there. She wondered how much he truly knew of what was coming for him, or if it was just faith that kept him scared of the enemy of his God.

"I'm here to get help. The Convent of Saint Genevieve is under siege," Arynn stated, and she saw the immediate disappointment in his eyes. He nodded slowly, as if carefully pondering his next words while they walked, their pace slowed by whatever ailments the priest's body suffered. Selena watched him carefully, the way he seemed to favour the stick he leaned upon over either of his legs.

"Then I'm afraid you've come to find naught but disappointment hunter. The King can hardly decide on where to send his armies, the nobles are busy trying to defend their own estates, and the Order of the Burning Blade have been kept busy with unholy incursions on our very doorstep," the priest said, his already raspy voice growing even more so.

Arynn glanced over to him, frowning as they moved from under the gaze of the wall and the immediate residential area that ringed the city. The road suddenly opened into a great market, where once carefully erected stalls would have had merchants calling out to passers by to come and examine and purchase their wares, whilst the permanent shops sold their goods from the comforts found inside four walls.

What Arynn saw today was a far cry from that. Almost the same scene she had seen outside. Shelters and tents pitched on the cobblestone square, with people trying to find some semblance of life amongst the press of humanity. Shop owners ringing the square still tried to eke out a living, but there did not seem to be much flow into the businesses.

"Not many like to come by here. It is a reminder for what is happening outside, and most would prefer to forget, or simply pretend there is no threat. I would suppose that makes hope easier to grasp," the priest said shaking his head sadly.

"Certainly keeps the guard busy," Selena said, looking to the far side of the square where two guards holding stout clubs were chasing a young boy through the throngs of people. No one moved to help or hinder. Just, let it happen.

"Desperation is a dangerous thing. It makes me fear what you will do hunter, to complete your own journey," the priest slowly turned, clutching firmly at his walking stick.

"A lot of killing," Arynn said, glancing over as she heard shouting, seeing a shopkeeper chasing a dirty child from his front steps.

"Tell me. Where is the temple district. I would like to speak to the Order of the Burning Blade," Arynn said, glancing sidelong at the priest. He hesitated a moment when he noted that Selena had stiffened, hands wringing at the reins.

"On the south side of the river. It's not difficult to find, you can see the Cathedral from here," the priest said, pointing southwards where tall stone spires rose above the buildings that spread across the city. The man's hand shook as he pointed, holding it in place just long enough for Arynn to see where it was.

Offering a smile, she bowed her head, touching thumb and forefinger to her brows, and flicking them upwards.

"Thank you priest. We shall take our leave now."

"May Ilimm light your path hunter," the priest replied, returning the gesture of faith.

Selena merely nodded, not wanting to release her precarious hold on the reins as she started to follow Arynn back into the tighter press of buildings. People stared at them as they walked by. Suspicion, awe, fear, hope. The emotions Arynn saw in the faces of those around her ran the full scale of what people could feel.

Occasionally they passed patrolling guards, moving in no less than groups of four. Blue tabards showing a pair of golden stags upon their chests marked their loyalty to the crown. Swords hung from one hip, clubs the other. Arynn ignored them as she followed the streets southwards.

The smell of fish grew stronger until finally the buildings opened up into a broad street lined with short stone walls that fell into the depths of the Lora river that cut through the city's centre, east to west. She glanced up the waterway, noting the docks, warehouses, and crates stacked along the waterfront. Industry wasn't slowing down here by much it seemed. It could quite possibly be the only source of food and income left to the city with its gates shut tightly.

A barge full of people was burning turned away by a dozen guards armed with crossbows, the people shouting angrily at the guards even while the rowers began to steer the vessel back to the west to get out of city limits. Further along to the east, Arynn spotted the rising smoke from the trade districts on the north side of the river. Blacksmiths, masons and cobblers would doubtlessly be hard at work to keep the armies supplied.

Proceeding forward, Arynn crossed the eastern most bridge. The stone walkway arching high enough into the air to allow ships to pass underneath. At the crest she paused, looking over the capital of Aenkleth. To the east she spotted Loran Castle nestled on its rocky hill. The seat of royals and the nation's high council.

"I'm not sure I've ever seen a city so full of sadness," Selena said softly as she looked back to the north.

"I have. It's never a pleasant thing," Arynn said, pushing off from the railing of the bridge and starting the downwards slope of the bridge. Selena didn't have a good response to that statement, and simply continued to follow.

On the edge of the raised street which separated this southern half from the waterway, Arynn took note of a three storied structure with white balconies draped with carefully tended vines. Red lanterns glowed in some of the windows, and when the hunter passed by she could smell the faint smell of perfumes and incense doing a decent job of overpowering the reek of fish. Inside, one might even forget they were on the waterfront.

"Is that, a brothel?" Selena asked, a slight blush to her cheeks as the moved further along the street, glancing back to see the well crafted front of the building and its double doorway entrance.

"It is. But we have no business there at the moment," Arynn said, making a mental note of where it was. On the south side of the river it might well be worth her coin to take a visit. Cities like this always liked to segregate their populations. Nobles never liked to brush shoulders with the people who kept the foundations of a nation running.

Letting the thoughts slip away before she got herself riled up, Arynn found herself walking through broader streets. For carriages and litters that those with money enjoyed using. So they could wear fancy and uncomfortable shoes and not need to walk.

Entering the temple district was obvious. The two women entering another plaza, marble tiles laid in an elegant path towards the towering cathedral of sharp stone and more marble, spiked spires shooting upwards towards the sky and the sun. The light gray was made more colourful by windows of red, yellow and orange stained glass. Long planters sprouted with flowers tended by the monks of the cathedral decorated the plaza, giving an air of peace and tranquility to offset the power of the cathedral itself.

"Is that really necessary? And people say my Goddess is vain," Selena said quietly, causing Arynn to smirk, glancing up at the witch. The woman looked nervous, her eyes darting to every figure she saw in robes. No, she wasn't nervous; she was terrified.

Feeling Arynn's eyes on her, Selena looked down at the hunter and frowned. Arynn flicked her eyes to the scar again, before pulling her eyes away.

"It's not always about faith and worship. It's usually about power. Pleas to Ilimm, or the church, that one kingdom is more pious than another. More deserving of whatever can be bestowed upon them. From the church, money, support from the orders, and more clout to inter kingdom politics," Arynn said, and sighed. She certainly wasn't doing a good job at converting the woman.

"That sounds borderline heretical."

"Maybe. My faith is in Ilimm, not his representatives," Arynn said, looking away from the cathedral and finding a squat, simple looking chapel of sorts. Except the stained glass had iron bars in the windows, and the doors were reinforced with long strips of thick metal. The Chapter House of the Burning Blade.

"Isn't that the same thing?" Selena asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"No. At least, I truly hope not," she said, starting to march towards the Chapter House. Selena watched the woman go, but one look at the two dull orange banners with a burning sword stitched into the middle was enough to keep her where she was.

As Arynn walked away, Selena's attention was taken by the caw of a raven. Glimpsing upwards, she saw the bird taking a perch above the door of the cathedral. The witch furrowed her brows, and carefully dismounted Khali.

On her own for the moment, Arynn walked up to the chapter house, and grasped the thick metal knocker, hitting it against the door firmly. She waited for someone to come to her, when a whinny caught her attention. Turning her head, she caught Khali's nose in her cheek, the destrier snorting in annoyance.

Frowning, Arynn looked for her companion, but saw no sign of her amongst the people wandering through the plaza. A quick lift of the bedroll to peer inside, and Arynn noted that the cloak and sword it held were no longer hidden there. She was about to go look for Selena when the door opened. The demon hunter found herself tilting her head slightly upwards at the tall man who was in the frame. Broad shouldered and with light close cropped hair, the man lifted a single eyebrow as he spotted the woman standing out, arms folding over his chest.

"What can I do for you hunter?" the man said, voice gruff.

"I was hoping to speak with the chapter marshal. I'm in need of aid," Arynn said, taking a partial step forward. The man didn't move, just let out a sigh, his shoulders relaxing if only a bit.

"That would be me for the moment. Knight Captain Anton," the man said, and moved out from the doorway, a single hand sweeping inwards. Arynn took the invitation, Khali following just behind into the brief courtyard, trying not to let any nervousness settle in when she heard the door shut and the bolts slam home behind her.

The acting marshal was soon beside her, gesturing for Arynn to follow him. A young boy came to take Khali's reins from her, whispering quietly to the war horse as he was led towards the Order's stables. Anton's sandaled feet slapped against the ground as they moved into and through the chapel hall of the chapter house proper, towards the back rooms that held the kitchens, dorms, armouries, and offices that the Order would need to run smoothly. A few of the Order's knights were knelt in prayer in the circular chamber, facing towards the central altar that curved around an embossed sun set into the floor.

It was to one of these offices that Arynn was led. Like the rest of what she'd seen so far it was plainly decorated. Only an icon of Ilimm hanging from a single nail in the wall. The desk was covered in sheets of parchment, covered in writing. Even with a quick scan, Arynn could tell there were multiple hands that penned whatever documents were in a mess upon this man's workplace.

More interesting to her was the map of Aenkleth stretched across the centre. Wooden figures were carefully places around the drawn country; what they represented Arynn couldn't quite tell. Like everything else they were quite plain, only the colours of paint upon them setting them apart. Anton sat down behind his desk and leaned forward, resting his elbows upon the solid oak before him.

"You've come seeking aid, as you say. There's none I can give. I invited you in here though because I want to ask of your aid instead. We are fighting the same battle I can guess," the marshal said, judging each word carefully.

"I was seeking aid on behalf of the Convent of Saint Genevieve. A village nearby was destroyed, the people slain or brought into the Sluagh. The Convent itself is in danger, with only a handful of mercenaries to defend it," Arynn said, trying not to get off track of her original mission here. She doubted it would stay that way.

"If they have any armed soldiers, of any weight, then they are better off than most. I have no knights free to go to their aid at this moment. They will have to wait, because this city is about to come under siege," Anton said, his jaw firm.

Letting out a long sigh of her own, Arynn sat herself in the only other chair in this office. Stiff and uncomfortable, she leaned forward, looking towards the wall. Things were just as bad as she had feared.

"Galloping across the countryside saving peasants from damnation. What do you need of me then?" she asked, finally turning her head to look Anton in the eyes.

The acting marshal met that gaze for a moment, before looking down at the map, gesturing for Arynn to come look as well. He pointed to the village that she had passed through the day before, finger tapping on the map a few times before he spoke, but her heart was already sinking.

"There's a village here I've not been able to send any of my knights to. I fear it's in danger of coming under attack, and last I've heard the people were not willing to uproot and flee."

"I passed through there. It's gone, everyone dead or risen," Arynn told him, and the marshal slammed his fist into the table. He said nothing, just stared.

"Not that there is anywhere for people to flee to," she added, and Anton looked up at her.

"Have faith in Ilimm. There is always safety from the darkness. Light always pushes back shadow," he said, slowly uncurling his fist as he looked down at the map. Reaching to the side he picked up a red marker and set it upon the village. Suddenly the amount of red dotted across the map was terrifying. Especially the ones set upon the larger towns and forts across the country.

"Ilimm cannot fight this entirely for us. We must carry our own burden as well."

"Very true hunter. Then there is one other thing I must ask of you, for I know you'll want to return to that convent as soon as you can, much as I'd wish you to stay here. There is payment in it for you."

Arynn lifted an eyebrow. She had not expected that; it was not often the order put coin forward to pay for the services of one such as her. They liked to do it all themselves.

"Ask, but I guarantee nothing. I have, personal attachments to the convent in question," she said, and thought she saw Anton's face darken slightly as the words left her mouth. But his expression was neutral when he spoke next, and she couldn't be sure if she saw it or not.

"In the face of such darkness, there are those that think heresy is the way to turn, the way to survival. Me and you know that survival is not enough, but for them damnation would be better than death."

"You want me to hunt heretics? Isn't that your job?" Arynn said, leaning back, arms crossing over her chest as she studied the man before her. This time she didn't imagine it, as his features curved into a frown.

"The problem is that the heretics hide amongst the nobility. And they are good at hiding such things. They know us, they do not know you. You might be able to rid this city of the rot starting to spread from within before its taint dooms us all."

Arynn thought of Selena, back at her cottage, having saved the life of a woman now being asked to hunt down anyone who worshipped Gods of darkness. And before that night, she might have easily accepted the contract. Given the circumstances, she might have done it for free.

"You know of my trade, so I'm sure you know of my fees. Due to circumstances, and that I won't be hunting demons proper, I'll only ask for half," Arynn finally said and leaned back as much as she could in the stiff backed chair.

"You will get your payment on delivery of these, heretics. I will not let the safety of the people within this city be threatened by the very ones who should be protecting its sanctity."

A swift nod, and Arynn rose to her feet. She glanced down at the map, at the red markers, and wondered if tonight she shouldn't just ride back to the Convent. The only problem was, she didn't know how many of the enemy were out there. And these people did need her help.

"Tell me of a good inn, and I'll get started," she said. Her response was a simple tight and controlled nod.

~***~

Leaving Khali behind to trot carefully over to Arynn's retreating form, Selena briskly walked towards the cathedral entrance, holding tight to her chest the bundle that hid the succubus blade. She was nervous entering the cathedral, hoping the sign she saw was not just a random raven. Her eyes darting all around her, fearful of the monks, the gatherings of people here to pray, the priest reading quietly in the centre of the large circular room, gaudily decorated with murals and statues and marble columns displaying the writings of Torace the prophet.

Had she been a worshiper herself, Selena might have called it beautiful; but she had felt the dark face of faith upon her. It made the entire building seem like a charade.

As it was, this was not a time for organized prayer. It was open for the public to come and speak to their God. Why Selena had been drawn here, she didn't know. She was not arrogant enough to believe she fully understood Lyxa's plans, or to think she could speak with her directly. The witch let her eyes start wandering over the people here. They all seemed like nobles, or at least richer common folk. Those that could get to this side of the river without drawing suspicious glares from all the guards. It seemed her dress was just fine enough to have avoided drawing that suspicion onto herself.

Moving slowly up one of the aisles between the curving rows of wooden pews with curling gold lines embossed into the armrests, Selena let her eyes sweep the area. There were guards standing at either end of one particular row. Unlike the guards she'd seen earlier, these ones had crimson sleeves hanging from their tabards, and didn't have clubs upon their belts. The witch was trying to guess what was different about them before noting the middle aged woman kneeling at the row they were guarding.

Selena felt her breath catch, memories flooding through her mind as she gazed upon someone she never thought to see again. From when she had nearly been lynched in her old home. Syndra Loriak, the eldest daughter of a Aenkleth baron, now here in Lairdon. She was alone, save the guards that were undoubtedly there for her.

The noble's head lifted then, slowly turning and catching Selena's surprised gaze, cloak held tightly to her chest. Syndra smiled, and rose to her feet. The smile was as beautiful and alluring as ever, though the laugh lines were deeper than Selena remembered. She moved with grace and purpose, the guards flicking their gaze towards her, and moving to follow her, but giving her enough space for some semblance of privacy.

The crimson dress she wore was much more low cut than Selena believed was modest in this country, but Syndra had never been a very modest woman. The shadow between her breasts drew Selena's attention for just a moment before the noble woman was standing before her.

"It's been a long time Selena. I would hope you are well, but I've heard the whispers from black beaks," she said, revealing what the witch had suspected for some time. Her voice was rich, smooth, and just like those years before when Syndra had gotten Selena cut down from the gallows, she felt herself enchanted by them. Looking into the woman's eyes, she noted the few crow's feet not quite concealed by the cosmetics she wore.

"I was called here. I've brought a demon hunter with me. The Goddess has some interest in her. I can feel it," Selena said, keeping her voice at a low whisper and resisting the urge to glance towards the almost bored looking guards.

For her part, Syndra's eyes widened with surprise at the first piece of news, but she quickly regained her composure, her eyes now lowering to the wrapped up sword.

"And what is this that you bring?" she asked.

"A blade from a hand maiden," Selena said, pushing the bundle forward. Syndra frowned slightly, but took the cloak and its contents. She nodded slowly.

"So she has drawn her own line in the sand. The pieces are not yet entirely in place, but soon." Syndra said.

As she spoke, a woman limped over towards them, hunched over in her long black cloak that trailed on the ground, gathering dust and dirt. There was a hunch to her back that made Selena pity her.

"Duchess. Your appointment is soon, we can not tarry," she said, her voice deep. When she glanced to Selena, the witch thought she saw the burning red eyes of something inhuman for a moment, before it was gone, as if never there.

"Of course Niasha. Selena, send word when you and your companion have found a place to rest your heads. I will call upon you when the time is right. Hopefully, it is sooner rather than later," Syndra said, settling one hand gently on the witch's shoulder, and carefully running a thumb along the edge of her scar.

With that, the noble woman turned, and started to walk from the cathedral, leaving Selena a little stunned that she had an ally in the Duchess of Lairdon herself.

~***~

"Arynn."

With that call across the plaza, the demon hunter slowly turned to see Selena running towards her. The witch did not have the sword with her either, which only made Arynn's frown deepen. Either Selena had hidden it somewhere, or she had an ally Arynn didn't know about. One that the hunter was supposed to find and expose. If not outright execute.

Catching up, the witch took a moment to catch her breath, before glancing about with some concern.

"Where's Khali?" she asked.

"Stabled. With the Order. Part of my payment for services to be rendered," she said, starting her walk again towards the inn that Anton had recommended. Not very pricey, but decent rooms and good food, and while he hadn't stated it, it wasn't far from the brothel.

"Services? I thought... are there demons in the city then?"

Arynn snorted in response, walking through the streets with Selena catching up beside her.

"No. The order has decided that I should hunt down heretics for them. Not a unique contract, but given the circumstances I believe my skills could be used elsewhere. Still, it's something to do to buy time. Time to weasel my way into someone else's good graces and get those troops," she said, and then glanced to her side.

"I won't turn you in. I still owe you my life," she said, but made no mention of the sword, or the potential contact Selena had in the city.

The witch nodded, and they continued their way in silence.

As night descended upon Lairdon, the two had their rooms, both retreating to settle down and rest. It had been a few nights without a proper bed for Arynn. Selena though leaned against an open window sill, looking into the black eyes of a raven. It let out a cry before stretching its wings and flying off into the night, towards Loran Castle.

Syndra smiled, leaning against her balcony railing as the raven landed, and glanced back to the tall cloaked figure standing near the glass door that led into her chambers.

"See Niasha? The woman can be trusted," the duchess said, but the straight backed figure said nothing, just looked out over the city. Where Arynn tossed in her sleep, covered in a warm sweat as her dreams were filled with passion and blood.

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