Uploaded: 17 Sept 2013
The demon stayed at the inn for a few days. Ina didn't see much of him since his arrival, but she kept her distance when she did. As it turned out, he was right about what happened in Vale. The papers announced that both the King and High Priest were dead, and the whole parliament was in an uproar. As for the priests, they found an interim until they could appoint a new High Priest. He had already dispatched the Order of Hyram to seek out the demons. Avi should have been turned in to the temple, but he hadn't caused any sort of trouble for anyone in Constanceburg. There was also no evidence that he had anything to do with the destruction in Vale. But Ina kept a close eye on him regardless. He stumbled into the inn laughing, and collapsed onto a bench close to the outer wall. The common room was empty except for Ina who was busy wiping the tables.
"Oy! There still dinner?"
Ina look over at him, nodding. Avi grunted in response as folded his arms and laid his head on the table. He was almost asleep when Ina set his dinner before him. He went straight for the drink, draining the entire glass before laying his head back down on the table. Throwing the washrag over her shoulder, Ina turned back to the kitchen as the bell on the door tinkled and heavy boots took a few steps over the wooden floor.
The door swung shut with a tinkle from the bell.
Ina stiffened, but turned to greet the two men standing in the entrance. Tall, hooded, dressed in all black, the dress of the Order of Hyram. Demon hunters. Ina choked on the greeting she intended to give them, glancing at Avi lying motionless on the back table. Useless.
The two men exchanged a look and strode forward. Ina straightened and went to meet them.
"May I help you?" Her hands were gripped her apron, but she stared right into the eyes of the taller one.
The tall one pulled off his hood. "I think you may." His face was wrinkled and scarred, leaving his graying whiskers to grow in patches around the deep gashes left on his cheeks and neck.
The other tried to take a step toward Avi, but Ina blocked his path.
"If you are looking for a room..."
"Actually, we are looking for him." The hooded one bet down over Ina, pointing at the demon huddled on the bench.
"But finding a witch here..." The taller one looked her over, "...that's two birds with one stone." He reached into his robes and pulled out a roll of parchment. "By order of the High Council, all those with magical ability must report to their temple to serve." He handed the paper over to Ina, whose lips pursed as she began reading.
More like collected. It seemed that the hunters were not only looking for demons. She could go with them, they could take her by force, or they could kill her for defying a holy command.
She rolled up the parchment and handed it back. "I'm afraid you're mistaken. I'm no witch."
"Would you lie to avoid your duty to the Gods?"
The hooded man sneered at her. Ina took a step back, shaking her head. "No."
"Then you will come with us?" Asked the taller one.
"And you will stop standing between us and the demon?" The other drew his sword as he spoke, his imposing voice filling the common room.
Avi stirred at his table, raising his head to stare at the men with red-rimmed eyes. Ina took another step back, swallowing.
The hooded man shoved her to the side, and ran for Avi. The other drew his own sword as he grabbed Ina by the wrist.
"You'll stay near me." He almost growled it into her ear.
Avi's eyes tried to focus and the man running toward him. The sword sank into hard wood. Avi had fallen backward over the bench, hitting the ground with a thud. He staggered to his feet as his attacker pulled the blade from the table. Offering a prayer to Hyram as he turned toward the demon, his blade was became consumed by gold flames.
Avi kept one hand flat against the wall, his eyes darting between his attacker and Ina's captor. The hunter charged forward and this time Avi met him, pushing himself from the wall and falling forward toward him. The flaming blade fell just in front of his nose. The hunter knew better than to let the demon catch a hold of him. Calling again to Hyram, he separated himself from danger with a wall of gold fire. Giving himself enough time to reposition himself and for the demon to curse loudly.
A snowy lynx dug his claws into darkness, growling. The Demon Hunters were not fazed. Both remained clam and still, their gold cloaks shining through the darkness. Ina's captor released her as she fell to her knees. She was kneeling on nothing.
The two hunters began circling the lynx; the witch had nowhere to run. White light trailed behind his tail as he flicked it, crouching low. The lynx let out a cry close to a scream as he pounced. The hood of the demon hunter fell from his head as he jumped to the side. He slashed at the lynx, but he twisted himself away from the blade. Dull, white fur fell into darkness. The lynx turned, slashing at him with another cry. The sword connected with his claws, like steel on steel. From the corner of his eye, the demon saw the flash of the other sword. He retreated. The two hunters came at him again from both sides. The lynx slipped around them. He slashed at the back of one, but was blocked by the other. Gold light followed their movements. Again, the demon retreated, shaking his head and growling. Unrelenting, the swordsmen came after him, but this time head on. Their zigzag path blurred them, and both the lynx and Ina cried out as the sword from one tore across the demon's chest, releasing a black, bubbling liquid. His claws tore at nothing as the other sword tore into the muscle under his shoulder.
The lynx staggered; his dark eyes narrowed. To his right, a gold-cloaked man stumbled backward with tiny arms wrapped around his neck. Ina's face appeared above his shoulder, her eyes shut tight. Black, bubbling liquid seeped through his fangs as he grinned. A growl gurgled deep in his throat. Pushing himself forward, he slashed at the distracted hunter, raking his claws through his soft stomach. The man grunted, but Ina screamed, sliding from his back and clutching her forearm.
Everything seemed to be shaking. The demon let out an angry growl as burning metal cut along his ribs.
The hunter's eyes went wide. A hand clasped around his throat as he was forced backward onto a wooden table that now bore a long scar. He could not draw breath to pray. The sword clattered to the ground as the mortal tried to pull the hand from around his neck. The demon's grip was iron. His long, black hair clung to his sweat and blood as he bent down closer. That angry, gurgling growl and black eyes. The last thing he saw was black eyes.
Avi loosened his grip, slumping on top of the dead man.
Shaking, Ina wrapped her apron around her arm. Tears mixed the paint together, streaking her face with brown.
The swords of the two men were dull, gray steel.
Avi pushed himself up, swaying, and staggered toward Ina.
"I need a drink." His words were slurred and his eyes unfocused as he dropped to his knees in front of her. "They will..." Avi took hold of her wounded arm. "They will make you that..." He spat in the direction of one of the corpses. "...if you don't run."
Ina tore her arm away from him, burring her face in her hands. She bit down hard on her tongue and swallowed. Something warm and sticky rested on her shoulder and the only sound was the two of them breathing, then a heavy thud and the sound of metal sliding against wood.
His limbs were too heavy for him to move.
"Ah." Avi breathed out.
Ina gasped as his nails dug into her shoulder.
The demon's eyes drifted shut. His heavy, limp body pinned her against a soft bed of grass and leaves. Wind ran through the trees above them. Ina was soaked in blood, and on top of her, Avi took short, shallow breaths.
"Drink." Was all he could get out.
Ina wiggled out from under him, listening to the sounds of the forest. She swallowed. She didn't hear any water.
Avi clawed at the earth, but couldn't get himself to rise. Ina lifted him, pulling him harshly by his arms and slid him onto her back. She staggered under his weight and Avi's feet dragged against the ground, but she carried him, as best she could sense, toward the middle of the forest.
