Chronicles of Death

Her head was pounding. No matter how she shifted, she couldn’t get comfortable. It was like someone had taken a hammer to her skull. A magic hangover. She’d never liked it, and her body was certainly not used to it.

She sat up, suddenly alert but not entirely awake.

Beneath her was the comfort of a soft bed. Blankets had been tucked neatly around her. Not a prison cell, to say the least. Legs draped over the side of the bed she held her head in her hands and applied pressure. Everything was throbbing, like the worst hangover without any of the fun. She took deep, greedy breaths.

Wherever she was, she was safe.

Someone must have found her and brought her to rest. Most likely to a nearby inn. No. Inns weren’t as comfortable as this. At least not in any of the small villages of Mahinaka.

She shivered. Her legs were bare. Someone had undressed her. Pulling the blankets around her, she finally took in her surroundings and breathed a sigh of relief. She knew this place.

It was the same bed that she’d woken up in after making her pact with Vrana.

It was where Raven called home.

Vranna was a continent on a higher plane of existence, only reachable by magic. Those who dwelled there did so by permission of their God of the same name. Vrana had created it to be free of the rule of any God. He did little to no meddling in the affairs of those who dwelt there- who were few.

The sky was always dark in Vranna. Not black like night, but dark and dim, as though the sun couldn’t quite reach it. Thanks to this phenomenon, it was almost always a bewitching color. Like permanent sunset until the night fell. She could see the ocean from the balcony beyond the window. The view from Raven’s home was unlike any she’d seen before. It was magnificent. Sprawling views of the coast and fields in the south. A cliffside was just outside of the home with a path leading to the shore below. Ethereal, she’d referred to it as.

Starlight in the middle of the day was something remarkable. She got the shivers.

In the reflection of the window, she caught sight of the bandage on her shoulder. She relaxed her grip on the blanket and saw that her leg and her side had been tended to as well. The bandages were stained with blood. That explained why she’d been undressed. The beating she’d taken had been worse than she’d thought.

At least she had good reason to be exhausted. And Raven had the decency to leave her with her underthings.

The room behind her was grand. A wide fourposter bed with its canopy pulled back on either side had been her respite. Across from the foot of it a fireplace crackled. Beyond the bed was a couch and with his back turned to her, sat Raven. His long purple hair, usually thrown into a hasty ponytail, was now twisted into a lazy bun.

Upon his bare back she caught sight of tattoos and scars. The scars were many, so much so that she was taken aback. They spread across his flesh, stories of battles past. Between his shoulder blades was a tattooed circle of feathers surrounded by wings of a similar style. It reminded her of the tattoo on her shoulder that she’d received after taking her oath except hers was a simple wing. None of the feathers of his touched, just like hers. Between those feathers, just below, eyes closed, was the face of the demon whose servant Raven had become. The face faded into lines that trailed down his spine and beyond her sight.

He was muscular, so much so that she could see those impressive muscles contract and expand as he breathed. It was soothing so she watched him while he meditated. Adjusting the blanket that she’d stolen; she wrapped it around her shoulders securely.

She was sore but nowhere near as much as she should have been. The headache had dulled to a manageable throb. Raven had likely healed her. It hadn’t been the first time. He explained that his magic would not rid her of wounds but would speed up their healing.

In no time, it’d be like she’d never been wounded. Brushing her fingers over her cheek, she found that the minor cut was long gone. There was no scarring, even. She turned to the mirror across the room and found not even a little discoloration.

When she turned away from the mirror, Raven awaited her, a towel draped over one shoulder, pants loose around his waist. His eyes were such a bright blue she swore they radiated light of their own. She avoided his gaze, and he tilted his head curiously as if to note her apprehension.

“Are you alright?” A low rumbling of a voice, deep with concern. It was a tone she could drown out if need be and yet soothing all the same.

“I’m fine.” She looked toward the window and pulled the blanket tighter. “Vranna?”

“It was the safest option. Mahinaka is aware that a killer is on their way to Veran’s palace. There’s a bounty for information regarding the anonymous killer. You needed a few days recovery. So, I brought you here.” Raven was handsome. Worthy of admiration. But she kept only eye contact with him. Though that was difficult, given how bright his eyes were. “Are you sure that you’re alright?”

“Yes. I’m fine.” She walked past him to the sitting area. The chairs there were plush but stiff as though they were rarely sat upon. Raven’s home was beautiful but not really lived in. Much of her time there previously was a blur of pain and recovery. This was her first real experience getting to appreciate it.

Being the right hand of an ancient God thought to be long gone likely didn’t afford him much company.

“It’s okay if you’re not fine, Katya. I did find you passed out and bloody in the woods, after all.”

“Except I am, really. Much better. I don’t think I realized how much blood I lost at the time. Combined with the tremendous toll magic can take… my body gave out. It won’t happen again. I know my limits better now.”

“A difficult task when gaining new power.”

She sat on the table between the two sitting chairs. Raven was waiting for something. An explanation most likely. He hadn’t said as much but he was easy to read. There was surprising patience behind those blue eyes. He gave off the energy of a powerful and intimidating man, so the patience was a pleasant surprise. For some reason she’d expected the right hand of an ancient deity to be short tempered.

“I was ambushed. Should have been more cautious.”

“Tell me.” Raven approached and offered his hand. She hesitantly took it and explained what had taken place in the abandoned town. How Torrance had known she was coming and had mistaken her for a man. How she’d cornered him, and he’d summoned soldiers to attack her from all sides. Then she explained how she’d used Vrana’s magic to turn the tide.

Raven let go of her hand and then sat next to her on the table with a thoughtful sigh.

“It won’t be long before my identity is discovered. Then it will no longer be me against the Gods but me against the Gods and their armies. I’m strong, Raven. Made even stronger by Vrana but… I’m not that strong. No one is.”

“You’re right. We must consider a way to keep your anonymity.” Raven turned to face her, so she did the same. “It’s inevitable for them to realize that they’re being hunted. Veran’s death will make sure of it. But your appearance must remain a mystery. We do not want them to see your real face if we can help it. At least not yet.” His hand engulfed her cheek, warm. She stiffened up.

Magic poured from his fingertips, cold and then brilliantly hot in a flash. She was suddenly seeing through the eyes of a mask though it felt as though there was nothing upon her face at all. Reaching to touch her face, she found the mask quite solid, much to her surprise. It was like a part of her. Raven’s magic was ever impressive.

“How?”

“Vrana has given it to you. With a thought it is yours. Gone again in a wish. Only you will be able to remove it. It should not interfere with combat. Impossible to break and impossible to lose. Give it a try.” He pulled his hands back into his lap. She thought of the mask fading and it disappeared just as he’d said. “You decide its appearance as well.” With another thought the mask had returned, a large, hooked nose and a grotesque expression accompanying it.

Raven smirked his approval.

There was always a little mischief behind his smile. She could see why Vrana had chosen him.

“This is perfect. Thank you.”

“No matter how they discover you, keep your false face. It shall provide you with the anonymity we require."

“And what of my armor? My cloak? If they do not know it yet, they will soon. It is impossible to know if there were any witnesses to my crime that night.” Katya ran her fingers through her messy white hair. “I guess I could change clothing at every new town and burn the last. Armor is harder to be rid of.”

“No need.” Raven stood. Across the room he opened a drawer in a grand dresser and pulled something small from within. The furniture was black with a silver trim, though bits of lighter colored wood could be seen beneath faded paint strokes in some places. Raven had an aesthetic, and she was there for it. Then he sat in the chair next to her and took her hand in his. Something metallic and warm fell into her palm. Unfolding her fingers, she found a small black raven pin. The only bit of color was the red gems in its eyes.

“Another gift of magic from Vrana?” They felt more like gifts from Raven, but she supposed he owed his magic to the God he served.

“Keep it on your person at all times. Give it a try. Think of a gown, one that you have wished to wear but could not afford perhaps.” Raven leaned back in the chair. Katya looked to Raven skeptically but then closed her eyes. He hadn’t led her astray yet. “You don’t have to do that. Will alone is all you need.”

Easy for a man who was accustomed to magic to say. Katya had always relied on her physical strength and skill. She shushed him and focused the way he’d asked her, on a dress that she’d only ever seen in a shop window. Off the shoulder, long, red, something that shimmered, and she would likely never have the occasion to wear. Just because she was a warrior didn’t mean she didn’t enjoy dressing up.

While she felt the change, it was odd, because it was so natural. Dropping the blanket, she dared to look down at herself and found the exact gown that she had pictured. It was as though it had been tailored to fit her. A fine thing she never would have justified spending money on. Even her hair had changed, twisted into an elegant bun so that the rest of it could escape down her back in waves as though she had spent ages styling it. Katya rarely kept it down these days since it got in the way of combat. She hadn’t had it properly cared for in years and it now fell to her lower back.

“Lovely.”

“Why a gown?”

“I just thought it could be fun.” Raven’s delight was apparent, and she rolled her eyes. Then she thought of comfortable, familiar clothing. A billowy shirt, high-waisted tight pants, armor, and a cloak. The pin didn’t fail her. Her hair remained loose but the new armor fit better than any she’d ever worn. Black and gray, curved to fit her shape, and strong. There were delicate engravings in feathery patterns etched into the metal. “Do you approve?”

“Very much. This is more than I could have ever asked for. Thank you, Raven. I appreciate it but it was not expected. I meant only that I must be more cautious. If I’m tearing through the countryside as murderously as I’ve recently been, then I am bound to be caught if I am not careful.”

“Feeling a little guilty, are we?”

“Yes, but also no.” She admitted. Being honest with someone like she was with Raven was out of character for her. She was compelled to trust him. When it came to sharing personal feelings and thoughts, she did not usually excel. This was a rare bond they had formed. She and Ailen had fought about this exact thing a hundred times.

The thought of her made her heart sink.

Her kind, smiling face, thoughtful brown eyes, pleading with her to open up. This was guilt she didn’t need. She carried enough of it. What would Ailen think of what she’d become? Of her current motives? Would she think she was doing the right thing or condemn her for the blood on her hands?

Ailen was dead.

It didn’t matter what she thought.

Lysette’s armies had killed her.

“Are you okay?”

“You keep asking me that.”

“You disappeared for a moment after insisting you were fine. Excuse my concern.”

“I am fine. Tired and sore. That’s all.” She stood and walked to the far window again. The beach roared below with dark, tumultuous waves, swallowing pristine sand. She admired the waves then followed the path up to the cliffside and to a bridge in the distance. A light flashed beyond it. A lighthouse perhaps.

Vranna was serene. A place that brought her calm like no place ever had.

Raven stood next to her, a robe draped open over his shoulders, thin, black, and silky. “If permitted, I desire to show you the rest of my homeland someday.” Raven admired the ocean in the distance. “Vranna is beautiful. I think you would like it.”

“That would be nice.” Katya was sure that would never happen. Not with her current task. Vranna was likely a place of beauty and peace like she had never experienced. Katya had only ever known poverty and war. She wasn’t complaining. Life in Lupinaio was a struggle for everyone. She’d been fortunate enough to be born in Pabigo and not a country like Mahinaka. Pabigo was just about the only country in Lupinaio where women had any value or freedom.

“Rest for the remainder of the day. Continue your journey tomorrow. They are searching for you, and you will need your strength. I will watch over you as you rest. In the morning, I will escort you to your next mark.”

“Thank you, Raven.” Katya bowed her head respectfully.

“There are matters I must attend to but make yourself comfortable. I will return to you later.”

“Don’t worry about me. Do what you must.”

Without another word, he left. Katya sat on the edge of the bed, head in her hands. Then she willed away the armor and instead chose an oversized shirt to rest in. She tucked herself back into bed and slept.

Raven was right.

She needed proper rest.