The Light of My Hearts

A few days after leaving Deer Run...

“Keep your feet moving! You can’t always rely on your wings!” Helia commanded after delivering a blow to Gillam’s back with the butt of her sword.

The tall fae cringed, wings wilting down. That spot in the small of his back between his wings was sensitive and Helia had somehow figured that out. Any time they practiced sparring with swords she’d hit him there if she got the upper hand. But...it made sense. A slayer was supposed to find their opponent’s weak spot and exploit it.

“Yes, Dyashra.” he groaned.

The woman was amazing. So very different than the perfect, dignified ladies he was accustomed to. She was independent, smart, and strong and didn’t put on false airs for approval. She spoke her mind honestly...albeit much rougher and crude than he was familiar when it came to the fairer sex. Gillam had never met any woman like her and almost anything she did intrigued him. He scarcely remembered she was even human...a taboo species in his realm.

“If it’s to your benefit, use your wings. But if we get in a fight with some humans we can’t have them realize you’re a fae...unless we commit to kill them.” Helia explained, resting her wooden practice sword on her shoulder.

“You have no qualms killing your own kind?”

Helia frowned, “I don’t like to kill people. But sometimes they don’t feel the same. If it’s me or them...I choose me.” She sighed, “Anyway, you need to practice as if you were human and wings weren’t an option.”

Gillam nodded and repeated his stance as before, keeping his wings down this time.

He grinned lightly, “I told you you’d be able to teach me something.”

Helia scoffed, “Hell. If I had wings I wouldn’t bother learning this “human” way of fighting.”

“But as you said, I might not be able to use my wings and I must not rely on them.”

The redhead nodded and raised her practice sword. They waited a moment before delving into another round of swordplay.

Gillam was a talented swordsman. Helia knew this from experience. Most humans didn’t have such skill with a blade. However, his style could be predictable to a trained swordsman and Helia picked up on that quickly. She could fight traditionally but a few unorthodox tricks learned from mixing styles was what made her more skilled. However, Helia doubted she’d have to teach him for long. The immortal fae was gifted and a quick study.

The real test would be if he could be a slayer or not. Thus far they hadn’t found any jobs in the first couple villages they visited; either another slayer was hired or all was peaceful. Helia needed to test Gillam on the job which was the only way to learn. She didn’t, however, want to throw him in too difficult of a position.

Something manageable: a small band of unruly trolls or a small nest of giant spiders to get started?

Once they finished sparring, Helia put her wooden sword away, “All right, let’s get going. There’s a town a few miles up ahead. We’ll see if there’s any jobs.”

Gillam nodded, “Yes, Dyashra."

Helia gave the fae I slight annoyed look, “You don’t have to call me that. Just ‘Helia’ is fine.”

“It is a name of respect.” He explained.

“Yeah...but it sounds so formal. Like I’m some royalty you’re referring to.”

A smile crossed his perfect mouth and Helia looked back to her saddle.

“God, why was he so good-looking?!”

It was almost annoying and unfair. Twillow was pretty enough to be an angel descended from heaven and Gillam looked like a living statue of some deity. Come to think of it, Helia couldn’t recall seeing a single ugly fae or elf on their whole adventure in the Parliel Realm.

Was it just a natural characteristic of their species to be so damned attractive?

She shook her head to banish such thoughts. She knew damn well he was infatuated with her, but infatuation was fleeting and not to be taken seriously. Like a young boy in love with his teacher, Helia would not entertain such distractions. He’d grow out of it.

Helia and Gillam mounted her horses and the pair began the trek to the next town. As they rode Gillam seemed to be thinking.

“Helia, can I ask you something?”

“Yeah...” her mind was already stirring with questions about what he might ask.

“What is Kendrick like?”

Helia gave a scoffing huff, “He’s a giant pain in my ass. Why do you bring him up?”

Gillam’s violet eyes seemed a bit concerned, “Well...I’ve heard ‘Gray Shadow’ brought up a few times in the towns we’ve stopped in. I’ve heard nothing but awful things about him. I just...I just want to know if they are true or are they just human folklore?”

The redhead sighed and sat up in her saddle a bit more, “Are you worried about your sister? Is that why you’re asking?”

He nodded.

Helia pursed her lips a moment and then explained, “Most of the stories I’ve heard about Kendrick are true: he kills any human who trespasses in the North Woods, he’s powerful, sadistically intelligent, and you will never hear him coming if he doesn’t want you to, and he eats humans.” She rearranged the reins in her hand, “Almost got me.”

“He tried to kill you?”

“Tried to eat me...nearly succeeded. If your sister hadn’t intervened I’d be just another dead slayer added to his tally.”

Gillam looked horrified, “But why?”

She gave an uncomfortable expression, “Well...I went into the North Woods thinking I could kill him for the bounty and retire early. Where I’m from ‘giants’ are fifteen to twenty feet tall and they’re pretty dim-witted. I’d killed a few before so I thought I could win.”

“So... you tried to kill him first?”

Helia balked, “That was the plan...failed miserably. He thought my attempt was hilarious. To this day he’s the only hired bounty I’ve never claimed...and I think I’m the only slayer he’s let live. So I guess that makes us forever rivals.”

“H-How many humans has he...?”

“That’s a question to ask him. I can only speculate. Though, I doubt he keeps track.”

Gillam swallowed, ”That many?”

Helia shrugged and nodded.

Seeing his expression, Helia shook her head, ”But... I’ve come to see he’s completely different when it comes to Twillow. He’s like...a big, vicious guard dog: gentle, placid, and completely loyal with his master but dangerous and utterly ruthless to outsiders.”

The handsome fae had a thoughtful look on his face. So the stories were true. He never speculated given their brief time in the Parliel Realm that Kendrick was so infamous. It made Gillam feel like his sister was in love with some sort of criminal.

Though he was protective of his little sister, he trusted Twillow’s judgement, which is why he never thought to ask too many in-depth questions about her new beau. He didn’t want part of his mother’s overbearing nature to show through him. But his own protective brotherly instincts were prickling. He wasn’t sure if he was comforted by Helia’s words or not. A strong urge to just fly right off the horse, find Twillow, and have a serious talk with her was looming.

Helia noticed his expression, “Yeah. I believe know what you’re thinking: How could Twillow possibly fall for someone so monstrous?”

A slow nod from Gillam.

“You know, unbelievably, he actually told me he wonders why as well. But... I think she’s softened him...brought out a kinder side to him.” the woman shrugged. ”I still think he’s an ass but...”

“I see.”

“Put your mask on and hide your wings. The town is just over this next hill I think.” Helia mentioned.

Gillam did so, the fae disappearing behind his mask, cloak, and magic façade, but he was still thinking about their conversation. But before he knew it a town appeared at the end of the road. It wasn’t as big as Deer Run but there appeared to be a large wall surrounding it as well as humans milling about. In fact there appeared to be a large cluster just outside the town.

“That looks promising.” Helia mentioned.

“Why? What does?” Gillam asked from behind his face cover.

She gestured subtly to the group, “Funeral procession. Looks like multiple bodies too.”

Gillam was disturbed by that observation, yet it made sense. As they rode up to the gates of the town, Helia called out to a guard at the gate.

“What’s happened there?”

The guard in the leather helmet shifted, “Found several body parts on the shores of our lake...a woman and some children by the looks of it.”

“How did it happen?” Helia pressed, brow wrinkled with concern.

He shook his head, seeming loathe to speak now.

A second younger-looking guard looked past Helia up at Gillam, “Are you a slayer?”

The fae glanced at him and then Helia from behind his mask. Helia looked miffed.

"He’s my apprentice...but yes, we’re slayers.” She stated in a tone that bespoke of restrained irritation.

Flustered by that, the younger guard glanced around, “You may want to see our Viscount. I hear the water devils got that woman and her kids.”

“Water devils, huh?” Helia raised a questioning brow, “And where would I find your Viscount?”

“Down the main street to the stone building with the red door.” He pointed.

“Thanks.”

Helia and Gillam rode their horses until they came to the building. They dismounted and met two more guards who barred their entry.

Helia strode closer, stopped and asked, “Is the Viscount in?”

“Who asks?”

“My name is Helia. This is Gillam, my apprentice. We are slayers. I hear rumor you have a problem at your lake?”

Both guards eyed them but led them inside.

“Two slayers to see you, Viscount.” One of them announced when they knocked and cracked the door.

A thin man in fine red clothes, a styled mustache stood in the middle of the room. He was balding and quickly replaced a small hat and wig atop his head.

He seemed frazzled but then relieved, “Slayers? Oh, yes! Yes. Send them in at once!”

His voice was educated but not particularly intimidating, reedy almost. But it fit his slight frame. Helia was even taller than he.

The Viscount looked them up and down as they strode into the room, “You are slayers?”

Helia nodded, “I am Helia and this is my apprentice Gillam.”

The Viscount seemed surprised that Helia was the leader given Gillam’s heroic physique, but shook his head and gave his formal introduction, “I am Viscount Gawain of Pordella. Welcome! You both couldn’t have come at a better time! I am in need of your skills.”

“Please, tell me what we’re dealing with.” Helia asked.

The Viscount was flustered, “There’s something killing and eating our citizens in Pordella Lake. For several nights now people who live nearer the lake claim that they hear thunder when there are no clouds. And the next morning we find pieces of people on the shores or floating on the water.” He elaborated, “If something isn’t done I fear our town will wither away! Fishing is our main stay for commerce and Pordella Lake provides it all. But now our fisherman are too afraid to go out and the people are even too afraid to get their drinking water or bathe in the lake.”

Helia frowned, “Do you have any idea what is in your lake?”

Viscount Gawain threw up his hands, “Who knows! I’ve heard everything from water devils and man-eating fish to the Gray Shadow!”

Helia scoffed inwardly at the assumption Kendrick might be behind it.

“I need to see the bodies then.” Helia requested, “Then I’ll need to go to the lake and see where the killings have been.”

“Of course! Yes.” He adjusted his hat and wig, “What is your asking price?”

Helia sighed, “Not sure, yet. Once I figure out what we’re dealing with I’ll tell you.”

The man nodded agreeably, “Of course. Guard! Please take these slayers where ever they need to go.”

Helia bowed her head and Gillam copied her as the guards led them out of the building and back outside the town. The funeral was seeming to come to an end as the mourners dispersed from the fresh grave and the undertakers were starting to shovel in the dirt.

“Belay that!” the guard barked at them, “These slayers need to see the dead.”

The undertakers nodded and backed away. Helia grimaced. This was not the part of the job she enjoyed, but it was absolutely necessary to piece together clues of what beast they needed to kill. Also it was excellent motivation to psych her up to kill whatever had brought so much suffering to these unfortunate souls.

Helia stood over the grave, staring down at the simple burlap bag in the bottom. The odd shape gave Helia a sinking feeling that it wasn’t an intact body but rather just pieces. She stepped down into the hole and despite the flowers and herbs could already smell the pungency of decay. She almost retched.

“Are you all right?” Gillam asked from above.

She placed a piece of cloth over her nose and mouth to mute the smell and nodded. Her dagger came out and slit open the back. Then using the blade she began her inspection. Legs and arms mostly, disgustingly pale gray, and reeking of death. It was evident there was more than one person in the bag; not a complete body in the whole pack. Whatever had done this didn’t leave much.

And then she saw what she never wanted to see: a thin, child’s arm. She closed her eyes momentarily. It was worse when children were the victims.

Though the smell was retched and the sight horrific, she bent closer to examine the end of the arm where it was torn from the body. It looked a bit flattened and the cut was very clean, like the limb had been crushed and snipped off rather than shredded with sharp teeth or torn off through brute force.

That narrowed the possibilities of water creatures Helia was familiar with. Then, using the flat of her dagger she touched the skin at the end of the stump. As she pulled up a thin membrane of slime appeared. Her face twisted when realization hit her.

“Great...I think we’ve got a Devil Toad.”

“A Devil Toad?” Gillam inquired.

Helia gratefully stepped out of the grave, wiped off her blade, and sighed, “Looks like you’re going to get a nasty one for your first test, Gillam.”

She began walking back to the Viscount’s home, Gillam and the two guards following her. When she returned Gawain had a surprised and yet eager look on his face.

“What did you find?”

“Seems you’ve got at least one good-sized Devil Toad in Pordella Lake...maybe more.” Helia announced.

The Viscount seemed horrified, “A D-Devil Toad? What sort of monstrosity is that?”

“A monstrosity that will run you one hundred gold coins to be killed...apiece.”

For a second the Viscount looked like his head was going to fall off his shoulders, “One-one hundred gold coins?!”

Helia got a little satisfaction watching a rich dandy squirm when their wealth got squeezed. Might as well be squeezing their balls...it produced a similar reaction.

“Devil Toads are nasty business, Viscount. My father slew several in my home country.” Helia explained, “Imagine a toad but the size of the biggest bull, their backs covered in growths that look like submerged tree branches, a mouth with a blade-sharp edge big enough to swallow a man whole, a whip-like tongue covered in thorny, sticky points, and huge red eyes.”

The Viscount shuddered visibly but he, Gillam, and the other guards were listening intently.

Helia continued, “The “thunder” your people keep hearing at night is a male mating call. So I can only assume there’s a big male in your lake and he’s gorging on your people. But that’s not your biggest problem.”

"That’s not a problem?!” the Viscount was mortified.

The woman shook her head, “No. Your biggest problem is if this male has managed to call any female Devil Toads to your lake. If nothing is done you’re going to be overrun with Devil Toads in a few weeks’ time.”

Viscount Gawain seemed to pale at the prospect.

“One hundred gold coins per toad...or give up your town and your lake to them?” Helia put forth the scenario.

At last the man nodded, “Yes! Yes. Just slay these horrible beasts and the money is yours.”

Helia nodded and held out her hand to shake, which the Viscount did.

“We have a deal then. One hundred gold coins for each Devil Toad we slay.” She turned to Gillam, “Alright, apprentice, let’s go check out the lake and make a plan. If you have someone who can show us where the body parts were found last?”

Viscount Gawain nodded again, seeming relieved.

Once they left the building, Helia and Gillam mounted their horses and a guide guard did as well and they headed to the lake. It wasn’t very far thankfully and the guide brought them near the spot the last victims were found. The lake was huge and surrounded by trees with many boats near a particular shore in the distance. A faint fog had settled over the waters as the day cooled. The guide strategically stopped well away from the lake and pointed to a wide cove ahead.

“The body parts were found in that cove.” He indicated

Helia jumped down from her horse and Gillam followed her.

“Leave the horses here. Keep them away from the water. Devil Toads are attracted to movement so walk slowly.”

“You know so much, Helia.” Gillam commented as they walked.

She shrugged, “You learn a lot of things you never thought you’d need to know in this job.”

Abruptly she stopped. Gillam froze. Her sharp blue eyes scanned the water a moment before slowly approaching the high point of the bank.

Gillam stared down below and pointed to the muddy shore, “That looks like a struggle.”

Helia nodded to the disturbed mud and tracks. She then saw the distinct long toed prints bordering a deep smooth depression.

“Yep. Devil Toad. There’s his feet and where his fat belly slid up on shore. Snatched that poor woman and her kids right off the bank. God...” Helia whispered.

Again she scanned the area before saying, “Ok. This is actually a good spot for our attack.”

“High ground?” Gillam guessed.

“Yep.”

“What is your plan, Dyashra?”

“We’re going to need some bait...”