No other fish seemed to be biting as the day rolled on. The quiet of the river and the soft rustle of tree leaves seemed to lift a weight off James' shoulders. His mind, however, kept racing back to the feeling of energy rushing down his arm and what he had done to the fish.

  As the sun began to touch the top of trees to the west, Miss Silvia called for them to back up and start heading back to the forge. Max grumbled about it still being early and kicked at the ground fishing pole over his shoulder.

  "We need to get the fish back before it spoils; I can keep it cool for only so long, Maximus." Miss Silvia said, waving her hand over the fish, tiny wisps like morning fog curling its scales. "Now come along, and do not dawdle."

  James hefted the fish and handed his fishing pole to Max.

  "Don't lose it on the way home." He teased.

  "I ain't gonna." Max grinned, juggling the two poles, trying to find a way to hold them both with one hand.

  "Come on, boys, let us get that fish back to the forge." Miss Silvia called. The branch snap drew her attention ahead, where the shadows were too deep for the midday sun. "Boys, stay back."

  "Now, witch, give us the God Seed, and you and the other boy won't get hurt." The voice scraped against her mind like nails dragged across stone, sharp, grating, and impossible to ignore. Two large beasts, the size of a pony, prowled out of the dark shadows. Their bodies were made of a thick, dry material, as though a tumbleweed had come to life. Glowing red eyes atop a muzzle of snarling teeth locked on Miss Silvia. "I don't have the patience to wait."

  "No." Fire erupted from her outstretched hand, sweat beading across her forehead. The beast leaped to the side, circling to pin Miss Silvia between them. "The boy is under my protection. Whiskers, I need you."

  Crack

  The sharp snap of breaking wood rang through the air. James barely had time to cover his ears before he and Max dove behind a blackberry bush, hearts hammering. Whiskers had fallen atop one of the Wicker Beasts as though from thin air. His claws dug deep cuts into the thorny lattice that made up the creature's body. It howled in pain, bucking and thrashing to dislodge the feline. Miss Silvia circled the other creature; this one bore a large scar over one eye, a deep cut where the vines had not grown back.

  "I know you," Silvia said, her hands stretched out in front of her, waiting. "You came for me last year. I gave you that scar."

  Scar lunged, his jaws snapping shut with a vicious clack—barely missing Miss Silvia's fingertips. She jerked back, the rush of air from his bite cold against her skin. But Scar was already shifting, pressing forward before she could fully recover. A wall of thorn-laced muscle slammed into her, driving her off balance. The ground rushed up to meet her as she hit the dirt hard.

  Smack

  Miss Silvia's head hit the ground, and the wet sound was like a melon cracking open. She saw stars, and the world fuzzed around her.

  James didn't think; he just moved. His legs pushed off before he fully realized what he was doing. With everything he had, he crashed into Scar's side, the impact sending a shock through his shoulder. Knocking the creature airborne. It twisted midair, its unnatural, jerking movements like a puppet cut loose from its strings. Scar landed lightly, too lightly, on all fours, his glowing red eyes locking onto James like twin burning embers.

  "I see you, little seed." The sound hurt, unnatural, as though each word was being forcefully shoved into his head. "My master wants you dead."

  James was frozen in that stare. He grabbed at his head, and pain bloomed just behind his eyes. He reached for the door inside him. He could feel it, the power there. But the pain of the words, the glowing red eyes, he couldn't quite reach it. Scar lunged, his jagged maw stretching wide. James's pulse slammed in his ears, but his body reacted the instant those burning eyes broke away. He dropped low, twisted, and drove his fist forward as hard as possible. His knuckles met Scar's head with a dull, splintering crack. The creature recoiled, a shudder rippling through its form as though it was struggling to hold its shape.

  James spun on his heel, shifting his stance just as Ser Edwin had drilled into him a hundred times. It feinted left and lunged, trying to knock James down like it had with Miss Silvia.

  James ducked and rolled to the side, coming up with a large stick in his hands. His body flowed into a defensive stance, sticking out before him.

  "I will tear your throat open, boy." The words in James' mind stung, but he pushed the pain down deep, ignoring them. Scar circled, trying to catch James in a moment of distraction. James waited, each step slow, moving to follow the large predator as it prowled around him. "You're not as good as you think you are."

  Scar rushed in low, striking with his claw up toward James's chest. James brought his stick down, cutting at the arm of the claw.

  Crack.

  Scar leaped back, snapping at James's overextended stick, trying to wrest it free. James brought the point back up, resuming his defensive stance once more. Scar landed uneasily, the claw hanging loosely from where James had connected.

  Loud cracking came from where Whiskers was fighting the other beast, the sound like something was being crushed. Sure enough, the Wicker Beast had collapsed under the weight of the large cat, and the pile of vines and thorns was quickly losing its shape. Whiskers went to stand defensively over Miss Silvia, the hair on its back sticking out and letting out a deep hissing sound. Miss Silvia seemed to be stirring. All the hair on James's arms stood at the sound Scar made like two massive boulders grinding against one another. Scar turned with one last glare at James before sinking into the shadows and disappearing into the woods.

  Tossing the stick aside, James ran to Miss Silvia as she started to sit up, rubbing at her head. Shakily, she got to her feet, leaning heavily against Whiskers. There was an unfocused look in her eyes.

  "Miss Silvia?" James's voice was uncertain. "What the hell is going on?"

  "Those are beasts of dark magic. They were here for me," she said, touching his shoulder. "Can you walk me back to the forge? I fear my legs are too wobbly for me to do it on my own."

  "But I heard it in my head," James said, letting Miss Silvia lean on him for support. "It called me…"

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  "They lie, James. It was here for me," Miss Silvia said, pleading. "Maximus, can you handle the fish? I fear James will have to help me walk."

  "Eh, 'ight, I can do dat." There was rustling as Max crawled out from his hiding spot. "It's gonna needa washin' though."

  "That is fine, Maximus. Let us just get back to the forge." Whiskers was circling James and Miss Silvia's feet, the cat seeming to have shrunk down to the size of a typical house cat.

  "Miss Silvia, why has Whiskers gotten smaller?" James gingerly pushed Whiskers out of the way with his foot.

  "It takes a lot of energy to fight off a Wicker Beast as a familiar, James. You would be tired too if you did not have the energy of youth." James could feel the energy of the moment already leaving him.

  James glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting glowing red eyes to emerge from the shadows. His skin still prickled from the memory of Scar's voice in his mind, the way it twisted his thoughts like moss strangling a tree. But nothing followed them. Just the hush of wind through the leaves.

  The rest of the walk to the forge was peaceful. The sun kept moving forward, shifting the shadows along the ground as the group walked. Occasionally, they would sit to let James or Max rest. Whiskers would dash off at these times to either side of the path before returning just before they got up to leave. James tried not to jump at every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves, but it was slow going. It felt like he was on his last nerve by the time they reached the forge.

  "Blessed Mother, what happened to you?" Ser Edwin leaped from the cart and ran to pick Miss Silvia up in his arms. She tried to protest, but her movements were uneven, and each strike of her fist was weak against the large man's chest. For the first time James had seen, a genuine look of panic ran across Ser Edwin's face. "Get that cleaned up. I—I will take care of Miss Silvia."

  Edwin pushed into the house and left the cart, and the boys left outside. James watched as a light lit up Ser Edwin's room. Max and James stared at each other, neither wanting to break the silence.

  "That was so cool." They said in unison.

  "I can't believe you hit that thing with a stick. You were like, whack, and bam, and—" Max dropped the fish in his excitement, mimicking each sound effect with a swing of an imaginary sword.

  "I know, and Whiskers jumped on that other thing like—" and was clawing at it." James swiped at the air, fingers stretched out into claws. "Miss Silvia was like—"

  Both boys turned, their excitement draining away in a moment as they looked to the lit window of Ser Edwin's room.

  "Is she gonna be okay?" Max said, picking the fish back up.

  "I don't know, Max. I think she hit her head on a rock." James held the door to the kitchen open for Max. "I guess we should do what Ser Edwin asked."

  "Ya, okay." Both boys solemnly walked into the kitchen and set about cleaning and cooking the fish.

  The boys heard the knock on the door. A set of rhythmic bangs.

  "I got it. Keep working on the fish." Ser Edmind's voice was strained. But the order in it was clear. "What do you want? I'm quite..."

  The words just stopped, and James couldn't help himself. He peeked around the corner; standing in the doorway was a tall man with hawk like features and piercing green eyes.

  "Good evening, Edwin. I am here to see my sister." The man's tone had a lilting quality to it. No two words were spoken on the same note. "Would you invite me in?"

  "Depends. Which one are you?" Ser Edwin leaned on the door, blocking the stranger from entering. The stranger only smiled a simple smile, an easy grin. "Well?"

  "I am Crispin. Her third brother." The smile never wavered.

  "Then piss off." Ser Edwin moved to close the door, but Crispin's hand pushed back. His eyes locked on James.

  "Let me help her. I am here, but only tonight. I must..." His voice grew distant, "See Sebastian about a fort and the things I fear are happening there."

  "I said piss off." Ser Edwin forced the door closed. James could hear the man turn, and he rushed to the kitchen window. The man hesitated. Looking back through the window to James, his green eyes flashing violet momentarily, as he pulled on a small jagged piece of amethyst that hung around his neck

  "Ser Edwin, who was that?" James called from the kitchen. Moving back to help Max with the fish. Max raised an eyebrow towards James.

  "Nobody. Someone Sil doesn't want to see." Ser Edwin leaned on the door frame into the kitchen. Rubbing his hand over his face. "If any man comes here and says he's Miss Silvia's brother, you come get one of us, 'kay."

  "Yes, sir," Both boys said in unison. Ser Edwin eyed each of them before returning to care for Miss Silvia.

  "Miss Silvia, are you awake?" James couldn't sleep. A knot had formed in his stomach during dinner, something Miss Silvia had said at the river coming back to him. But there was no answer as he snuck into Ser Edwin's room.

  Miss Silvia lay on the bed, her head wrapped in bandages. Ser Edwin had said that he had seen head wounds like this back in his days as a knight. The look of determination that had crossed his face did not bring James any peace.

  What if I can help her? I don't want her to die.

  James crept along the floor, slowly inching his way to the bed, unsure of where Ser Edwin was. Miss Silvia was still, her chest barely rising and falling. Cold sweat ran down James's spine.

  "Please don't die, Miss Silvia. I still need you. Max still needs you. Even if he won't say it, Ser Edwin still needs you." James placed his hand on her forehead, like she had done for Max, and reached down into the power growing inside him. Pushing that door open just the littlest more. Pain lanced up his arm as an orange tabby launched itself onto it. Claws dug deep cuts into his skin. James pulled back, blood running down his arm. Whiskers hissed, tail twitching back and forth, guarding Miss Silvia's still-sleeping form. James pleaded with the cat, grabbing a spare bandage from a pile on the nightstand. "I'm trying to help her, Whiskers."

  The cat only hissed, violet eyes locked on James.

  Ser Edwin burst into the room with a candle in one hand and his hammer in the other. The small light caused the shadows to jump and dance.

  "What are you doing, boy?" A furrow formed between his eyebrows as he saw the bandage and the blood that started to seep through.

  "I couldn't sleep, I just wanted to check on her." James met the older man's gaze, willing him to believe him.

  Ser Edwin's shoulders slackened, and he motioned for James to follow him out of the room. Whiskers relaxed as James stepped away towards the door, circling and laying down on Miss Silvia's stomach. Those glowing eyes never left James till he was out of sight.

  "Let me see what the blasted cat has done to your arm." Ser Edwin motioned for James to take a seat at the kitchen table. "It tried to keep me from wrapping her head. Thought it was going to claw my eyes out."

  James sat down and peeled back the bandage. Four deep cuts ran down half the length of his forearm. Ser Edwin let out a long whistle.

  "That'll need stitching. Wait here." James looked down at his arm. He knew he should feel pain. It had hurt initially, but as he watched, the wound slowly stopped bleeding. The flesh knit itself together, long silvery scars forming where the scratches had been. When Ser Edwin returned, a small sewing kit in hand, James swore a look of fright crossed his face before the larger man squared his shoulders and pulled James to his feet, dragging him outside. "It's about time you told me what happened today."

  "I-I-I don't know, Sir." James spluttered, the words not wanting to come out. "We were attacked by these things."

  Ser Edwin tossed the boy into the middle of the practice area. James rolled with the impact, the rough sand scraping his hands as he rose to his feet, hand raised in the air.

  "I don't want to fight you," James said.

  "Good. I don't want to fight you," Ser Edwin said, the moonlight adding an ethereal glow to his grey hair. Ser Edwin stalked James. "Tell me honestly, boy. Has she spoken to you?"

  "Miss Silvia, no, not since you scooped her up." James backed away frantically, hands still raised.

  "Not her. Has she?" Ser Edwin clenched and unclenched his fists as though trying to grasp something that was not there. He closed the gap between them, grabbing James by the front of his shirt and lifting the boy easily. How he had emphasized the word she brought the dream from last night flooding into James's mind. His heart pounded in his chest, an unfamiliar tightness growing within him. His breath came in short, panicked gasps.

  "Don't lie to me boy. Look at your arm." James could see his silvery scars. They almost glowed in the moonlight. Ser Edwin slammed James into the dirt, driving the air from his lungs. James beat frantically at the fist holding him. Gasping for air, tears streamed down his face. James stared into the face of the man he trusted, but only cold anger stared back.

  "The only woman I have seen is Miss Silvia. Please, Ser Edwin. Please." James's voice cracked; he couldn't meet Ser Edwin's gaze. He clutched at Ser Edwin's arm, his fingers digging in as if anchoring himself to a world he suddenly feared to lose. "I promise you."

  Ser Edwin took a slow and controlled breath. The moonlight highlighting the tears sparkling on the boy's face. Ser Edwin released James and set him on his feet, turning his back on the boy in an attempt to hide his shame. He gazed at the half-full moon rising above the trees for a moment, his shoulders sagging in quiet defeat, before finally turning to face James.

  "Blessed Mother, boy. I am sorry. I let my worry for Sil get the best of me. I've lost too many friends to the dark, and I am scared. Can you forgive an old man?"

  He reached out a hand toward the boy. James ran past the extended hand, wiping tears away, and embraced Ser Edwin. Who stiffened in surprise, unsure how to respond. After a brief pause, he returned the embrace, a soft chuckle escaping him as James pulled away.

  "Of course, Ser Edwin," said James. Unable to meet the older man gaze. The soft, silvery glow of the half moon illuminated Ser Edwin's tired face. "That's what family does."