shadows wild

8/10/2019 Shadows Wild

1/87

FYREMANE & THE FERAL KNIGHT

16,000 words

Rian Torr

Father Arctoris

Gre!or" Tenant

Anna #t$ #antos

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Tenth Moon%Kni!ht o' the New London (aste)ands Gre!or" Tenant awo*e a)) in a start$

The ni!ht)" +isions had retrned$

nce -ore he had drea-ed that he was the ()+en .east, once a!ain .ondin! down /on

so-e /oor, /anic*ed +icti-a!ain 'eedin! on 'resh h-an ')esh$

Not sre "et was he that he was not that ()' hi-se)', 'or he had heard r-ors o' stran!e *i))s


2/87

co-in! ot o' the core that eeri)" -atched his ni!ht)" +isions$

t whether the ()' were his own ni!ht-arish s/awn, or another entit" entire)", it had .eco-e

his -ission in )i'e to hnt the .east and s)a" it%%e+en i' that -eant that he -st in !ri- 'act so s)a"

hi-se)'e+en i' that hera)ded his )ti-ate ndoin! ." a wi)d shadow *nown on)" as 2rci.)e$3

I$

)ood A'ter 4ar*

i$ In 5isions (i)d

Tenant rode F"re-ane in a re)aed !aittrottin! catios)" thro!h New London7s -ost

+io)ent centra) -ar*et/)ace)d )ac* 2o+enant #8are$

News had ')own 'ast o' a *i))in! the ni!ht .e'ore$

(itches in'ested e+er"where .etween those wa))s$

Moon%Kni!hts co)d ne+er .e too catios on a ti/$


3/87

t he had a 9o. to do, which was a)) that -attered$

(ord was a "on! 'e-a)e escort had .een -ti)ated$

His dt" as Moon%Kni!ht that da" was to in+esti!ate$

He 'ond a crowd arond the .od" and dis-onted$

Fa)) .ac*,3 he co--anded$ The crowd di+ided$

He ste//ed arond the cor/se, co)d)" chec*in! it$

#he had .een dead 'or hors$ Her !ts hn! ot$

He si!hed, nro))in! a tar/a)in to co+er the si!ht$

It was the ()':::3 one e)der street -an shrie*ed$

The crowd !as/ed$ E+er"one *new the Le!end o' 2rci.i)s$ There was a .oo* written ." a

)oca) -an o' )etters #ta)wart%%entit)edLycanthropia: On the Streets of New London--that 'irst started the

.;; "ears .ac*, .t since then -ch word%o'%-oth had sstained and e-.e))ished the -"th .e"ond

-easre, to the /oint where 'iction .eca-e 'actand e+er" new da", e+er" net *i)) was increasin!)"

ascri.ed to the ()'$ The Le!end7s shadow had s/read ot thro!h the streets o' New London )i*e a

/)a!e, nti) e+er" )ast )i+in! so) tre-.)ed nder the terror o' their own wi)d i-a!inations$


4/87

Accordin! to the .oo*, 2rci.i)sor -ore co--on)" ca))ed 2rci.)ehnted New

Londoners in the di-)" )it streets at ni!ht%%-ore o'ten on ')) -oons, .t then e+enta))" on e+er" ni!ht

and it see-ed to .e on)" the hard /ressed that the .east tar!eted$ It was a)wa"s so-e.od" down on

their )c*or set to etre-es.etween sccesses and see*in! sa)+ationor /etri'ied ." indecision

a//arent)" a)) o' which were considered so't to the instinct o' a ()' that so!ht ot the wea*$

The Moon%Kni!hts had .een hntin! the hnter 'or so-e ti-e now withot -ch )c*$

It was their sworn oath to /rotect the /eo/)e o' New Londonand this was their tria)$

The" had ad9orned 'ro- si)ent -eetin!s se+era) ti-es a)read", +owin! to destro" it$

There had .een se+era) a''ir-ations ." +isions in their s)ee/ o' the .east .ein! E+i)$

The" .e)ie+ed that it was sent 'ro- the Forth Fie)da crse 'or their .etra"a)$

New London had .een anneed ." Greater Ea!a)iaa!ainst their .etter !ood$

+er)ord


5/87

a!ainst a)) sides no )ess than a wee* .e'ore the Mer-en e+er arri+ed$ astas is s/o*en ." the r.'or to-orrow is e+er circ)in! .ac*$3

At the ti-e, Tenant co)d on)" nod%%'or he co)d not start to te)) the- o' his drea-s$

He *nee)ed down .eside the !ir)7s .od", )eanin! o+er to ea-ine .ite -ar*s on her nec*$


6/87

The crowd narrowed in arond hi- as he ins/ected /nctre sites and channe))ed s)eth$

He /))ed her o+er to see her 'ace and a)-ost 'ainted thin*in! he saw his e 'or a second$

His e was a)read" dead, o' corse, so the i))sion 8ic*)" 'e))$ #he did )oo* )i*e her a .it$

His )o+e Hattie had .een )ost to the hordes .e"ond the wa))s$ #he had )ost her -ind and )e't$

#he had 'a))en i)) with a +irs, 'ro- too -an" -onths tra//edand it in'ected her tho!hts$

Fina))" one da" she rose / ear)", wrote hi- 'arewe))and set o'' to Go)d 2oast ." herse)'$

Re/orted)" she had snc* /ast three di''erent #entries withot a stir o' sond or ss/icion$

The )ast -an to see her a)i+e was too )ate, 'or she was a)read" we)) across the 'ie)ds into har-7s

wa"$


7/87

+isions that ne+er eisted in the 'irst /)ace see-ed stran!erc)odin! o+er e+er"thin! in trn$

He *e/t thin*in! o' the +isions o' -rder$ ne ." one +icti-s had 'a))en at *i))er c)aws$

He saw the .tcher7s .od" .ehind his sho/$ He saw the nn inside her sanctar" dead$

He saw the )aw-a*er ri//ed a/art on the hi!hwa"$ He saw the -erchant s)ashed down$

He saw -an" die, .t ne+er what did it$ Ne+er was there a -irror%%nor a na-e$

There was ne+er an" )oo* .t terror on the 'aces o' those who )ost their )i+es$

(hat /on the" )oo*ed see-ed to re')ect so-ethin! as 'era) as the ni!ht$

He *e/t F"re-an7s rei!ns tat, now )ess certain o' what to e/ect toda"$

n)oo*ers !aw*ed as he rode .", .t he noticed notintent in stee)" !a;e$

He s/otted a )ar!e crowd / ahead where the -ar*et intersected si wa"s$

He sto//ed a !"/s" to in8ire a.ot the co--otion$ #he on)" !)ared .ac*$

He dis-onted and /))ed aside a 'ar-er who was )ea+in!de-andin! in'o$

The -an said that so-eone had s--oned a de-on.t the" had it tra//ed$

(hat t"/e o' de+i) do "o -ean?3 Tenant intoned with a 'orce') r!enc"$

Not one o' the nice *ind,3 the -an re/)ied wr")", /))in! awa" to )ea+e$


8/87

Tenant .e!an /shin! thro!h the crowds, orderin! /ro-/t dis/ersa)$

t there were too -an" to inti-idate and no one was )istenin!$

The" a)) see-ed entranced ." what was !oin! on within$

He was 9st a.ot to see what the" saw when it hit hi-$

He re-e-.ered his )ast drea- .e'ore wa*in! was o'


9/87

Madi!an -ade another 'oo)ish /ass, sti)) +"in! 'or i-/act$

t this ti-e when he swn! his -ace -issed and hit another -an$

It ')ew thro!h the intan!i.)e


10/87


11/87

The +er)ord7s i-a!e wa+ered, near)" scatterin! to nothin!.e'ore sha*i)" ho)din!$

Tenant s/n arondswn! his /s"chic sword / s)icin! thro!h the 4ar* Green Lord$

t it was a)) 'or show an"howso


12/87

disa//ear toor store their !ear 'or )aterin order to .)end in with the /easant crowds .etter$ He re%

e-er!ed in his si-/)e )eather attire$ He instrcted the *ee/er to )oc* / sho/, then he s)i//ed ot into

the a))e"wa" .ehind$ He /))ed down an a/art-ent co-/)e )adder and swi't)" sca)ed / the stories$

He ca-e ot /on a roo' to/ to the )ed!e o' the I+" Fie)ds Inn/eerin! down into the torch%

)i!hts as ds* 'e)) hard$ He soon s/otted his trac*era wo-an in .)ac* wea+in! .etween 'o)*$

Anna 'ond the store sht / and chec*ed the a))e"wa" 'or the Kni!ht-a!e she 'o))owed$

I' an"one had the answers to what she had seen it was hi- and a)) she wanted was a word$

#he ste//ed down .etween the .i)din!s heart /ondin! wonderin! whether to trn .ac*$

Then sdden)" there was .are)" a whis/er, .t she sensed so-eone .ehind her and s/n$

There she 'aced Tenant, standin! in his -on*ish dress, disar-in! in ara and a//roach$

He ste//ed to her, not hand he)d ot, .t he)d / in he))owith a s)i!ht s-i)e cr)in!$

I $$$ saw "o $$$ in the Mar*et$ Yo too* the .od"o' that wo-an*i))ed ." the ()'$3

Yo7re interest is dan!eros, -" dear$ Fo))owin! -e on)" /ts "o in har-7s wa"wh"?3

I $$$ saw so-ethin! $$$ so-ethin! so E+i)$ It was 9st )ast ni!ht, ot .ehind Hnter7s >.$3


13/87

Are "o .ein! trac*ed "orse)' now? (i)) "o co-e with -e to the arrac*s 'or sa'et"?3

I saw it .etween the trees$ I was tri//in!$ I dashed across 9st to catch a .etter !)i-/se$3

Tenant7s -ind ')ashed .ac* to another drea-$ He saw her on the trai) ti-id "et crios$

nce -ore he co)d not .e sre whether he were the .east or 9st crsed ." c)air+o"ance$

I thin* "o .etter co-e with -e$ 4ar* is /on s$ E+er" ris* 'ro- here rea/s no reward$3

ii$ At First Lst

Father Arctoris7s 'irst si!ht o' Anna #t$ #antos sent shi+ers s/ira))in! down his s/ine$ He

str!!)ed to show no disco-/osre .t sensed so-ethin! dee/)" 'a))en a.ot her$

Tenant reassred hi- she was 9st distra!ht and .ro!ht her to a 8iet roo-$

He )it a 'ire and co+ered her / in wo)'%s*in 'or the ni!ht, )ettin! her re)a 'or now$

#he see-ed as i' she had not s)e/t in da"s$ #he cr)ed / so s-a)) as i' sa'e at )ast$


14/87


15/87

Father Arctoris s-ir*ed in disa//oint-ent$ He ordered the #eers to 'o))ow Tenant$

Gre!or" /osted two o' his trsted ones otside Anna7s door and then entered her roo-$

He a//roached her 8iet)", then so't)" sat at her .ed%side, !ent)" sha*in! her sho)der$

#he did not res/ond at 'irst)ashes ')tterin! .t in drea-sthen awo*e a)) in a start$

#he !as/ed and a)-ost "e))ed ot .t he c//ed her -oth whis/erin! to *ee/ it down$

A /ro.)e- has co-e /$


16/87


17/87

#oon his trsted one E+er!ood .rst in$ Arctoris7s on his wa", we7+e sta))ed hi- at the north

win! with a /)o" a.ot a 9a--ed )oc*$ Yo ha+e two -intes to !et ot now .e'ore the" )"nch "o$3

Tenant rshed Anna .ac* into her c)oses, shoo* E+er!ood7s hands the" )e't ot the window$

The" sca)ed down an i+" )attice%wor* into the arrac*s7 !ardens where the" sna*ed across to a

short .ric* wa)) and -onted it to 'reedo-$ He )ed her thro!h the streets across to the east side o'

town where on)" the 'rin!e e)e-ents dared to !owhere the" too* re'!e at Kin!7s 2ross Hote)$

The" were sa'e 'or a ti-e .e'ore Arctoris had the- 'ond$ An hor or so had .een .o!ht$

nce a!ain the" 'e)) into each other7s ar-s and contined in their 'or.idden )o+e%-a*in!$

He co)d 'ee) her so) inside o' hi- as -ch as he was inside o' her$ For the 'irst ti-e in his

eistence he *new what the tre h-an condition was a)) a.otand what his Faith had ta*en 'ro-

hi-$ For once he *new what tre )o+e -eanthow it 'e)twhere the -ind wenthow the heart )e't

the !ates and !ettin! the horses .ac* nder contro) wo)d ne+er ha//en a!ain$ He had ta*en o''$

#he hard)" said a wordhard)" needed todrawin! hi- in with her -a!netic a))re$

Fina))", /))in! .ac* one )ast ti-ehe ttered one 'ina) !ras/ a sanit" Are "o rea)?3

I7- whate+er "o want -e to .e,3 she whis/ered into his earsendin! hi- sidewa"s$


18/87

The" ro))ed o+er to!etherta*in! trns on to//shin! and /))in!'indin! .a)ance$

He 'ond it 'ar -ore natra) ta*in! char!eand so she s.-itted, a!ainst her o)d wa"s$

I 'ee) )i*e I7+e .een waitin! -" who)e )i'e 'or this,3 he ad-itted, sti)) in heart shoc*$

I7+e .een 9st waitin! 'or so-eone )i*e "o,3 she said$ #oon as I saw it I *new$3

(e wi)) need to *ee/ on the -o+e, 'or the rotherhood wi)) not !i+e / easi)"$3

(here+er we need to !o as )on! as "o /ro-ise we !o to!ether than I7- !ood$3

Arctoris -st sto//ed .e'ore he destro"s the Fo)d 'ore+er$ Madness -st end$3

I do not -ean to a)ar- 'rther, .t there is so-ethin! e)se, another /resence$3

(hat do "o -ean? I watched or trai) )i*e a haw*$ No one was .ehind s$3

I -ean, at 'irst si!ht o' "o, when I awo*eat 'irst *issI co)d sense it$3

#ense what?3 Tenant sat /, reachin! 'or swordnsre o' what to thin*$

I -ean $$$ The ()'he has .een near." e+er since the -o-ent we -et$3

(e)) it7s 9st !oin! to ha+e to !et in )ine .ehind Arctoris and the +er)ord$3

#he si!hed$ (h" do I 'ee) )i*e we7+e -et .e'orethat I7+e seen "or ara?3

I 'ee) the sa-e wa"$ (e co)d 9st .e *indredor there -a" .e -ore to it$3


19/87

E+er"thin!7s -o+in! so 'astI wish we co)d ha+e -ore ti-e 9st to ta)*$3

There is no ti-e )e't in this (or)don)" ')ashes o' what was once Li'e$3

He was deter-ined not to )et an"thin! inter'ere with his new%'ond Lo+e$

He !ot / and .e!an chec*in! o+er his ar-s and ar-or/re/arin! to die$

He wo)d ta*e a )ast stand a!ainst his c)osest rothers in order to sa+e her$

Nothin! co)d ha+e /re/ared an" o' the- 'or how the da"s wo)d n'o)d$

#he was ri!ht, choices wor*ed at )i!htnin! s/eed in those ti-es, to in'init"$

A)) one co)d do was tr" to ride it ot and end / where their hearts chose$

Anna was sha*en 'ro- s)-.er once -ore, with Tenant /))in! her / 'ast$

Ti-e to !o now $$$ The Kni!ht-a!es wi)) ;ero in on or /resence soon$3

The" rshed down the ha))wa" on)" to s/ot the #ee*er (interthorn .e)ow$

The" trned .ac* decidin! to head ot the rear eit.rea*in! into ni!ht$

As the" s/rinted cross streetsthro!h a))e"s-iin! into crowdsdown e+er" 'rti+e wa"

the" co)d 'indAnna warned that the ()' was sti)) c)ose .ehind$ #he did not *now wh" she co)d


20/87

te)) so we))what /act had .een .onded .etween her and the .east that ni!ht she saw it.t it ser+ed

the- we)) 'or the -o-ent to *now eno!h to *ee/ on -o+in!ne+er )oo* .ac*$

t 9st as the" trned a 'ina) .end toward the )ac* Arrow 4istrictwhere Tenant *new -an"

o' the nder!rond who co)d he)/ the- disa//earthe" ran into (interthorn a!ainstandin! now in

their /ath a)on!side two )ower order Moon%Kni!htsa)) three c)ear)" intent on endin! this chase$

Gi+e "orse)' in rother Tenant"o are a dis!race to the Fo)d$ Let s dis/atch this witch$3

#he is no witchand 'ro- toda" 'orward I disa+ow an" Fo)d that ca))s sch )o+e a dar* sin$3

Yo sed to .e so stron!, Gre!or",3 (interthorn critici;ed$ Yo were Arctoris7s 'a+orite$ He

rea))" did hone "o into the /er'ect Kni!ht-a!e'ro- the ti-e that he sa+ed "o 'ro- the streets$

t 'or a "ear now "o ha+e .een .eha+in! so stran!e)"rando-)" s.-ittin! to whi-s and

da"drea-s)i*e no chan!e I ha+e e+er witnessed in a -an .e'ore$ Yo are c)ear)" /ossessed ."

so-ethin!and we are here to sa+e "o rother$ >)easedo not 'orce or hands a!ainst "o$3

A)) 'or Moon%Kni!hts /resent nsheathed swords in near nison/re/ared to c)ash$

Anna recoi)ed into the shadows o' the a))e"now .arin! her teeth in /ri-a) instincts$

Their /s"chic swords c)ashed in a 'ra" o' /recision and conter%/)a"s )i*e in a dance$


21/87


22/87

Are "o /re/ared to !i+e "orse)' /?3

Tenant wish he co)d .t he co)d not$

Anna ste//ed ot o' the shadows in ste/$

#o enra!ed, she co)d stand ." no )on!er$

#he /assed .e'ore (interthorn, scow)in!$

Yo dare cross a!ainst "or own rother:3

(interthorn 9st -o+ed to stri*e her down$

#o then Tenant shot hi- with a .o)t to death$

The two other Kni!ht-a!es soon retreated$

Anna ho+ered o+er (interthorn7s .od"$

#he .e!an to )a!h in 'its o' h"steria$

Tenant /))ed her awa" ot o' si!ht$

#he see-ed to .e in acte shoc*$

No ti-e 'or .rea*downs .a.e$3

How did I 'a)) into "o so 'ast?3


23/87

I was a.ot to as* "o the sa-e$3

It 9st 'ee)s so ri!ht so-ehow$3

>erha/s I cast a s/e)) on "o $$$3

>erha/s I cast a s/e)) on "o$3

iii$ Fear is Rea)

Tenant o/ened his e"es in a 'o!$ He had 'a))en as)ee/$ He chec*ed 'or Anna .t she was there

and the ni!ht was 8iet$ The" had 'ina))" 'ond his 'riend #he/herd 4o who /t the- / 'or the ni!ht

in his attic$ #he/ was a *in!/in in these /arts and the" were we)) )oo*ed a'ter 'or the -o-ent$

The ')) -oon sat in the attic window$ Gre! ste//ed care'))" across to )oo* ot into the street$

@/ and down he co)d see #he/7s -en e+er"where$ The" wo)d sond a 8iet a)ar- i' an"thin!

see-ed a'oot$ The Kni!ht-a!es were re-ar*a.)" stea)th".t the" wo)d .e -ore catios now


24/87

a'ter (interthorn7s death$ Tenant7s wanted stats wo)d rise.t a)so his dead)" /otentia)$

He had not -eant to ta*e (interthorn7s )i'e.t Anna had see-ed to insti!ate it$

Ne+erthe)ess, he )o+ed herand he was /re/ared to de'end her a!ainst a)) odds$

#to*in! the 'ire and 'iin! the- so-e tea, drea-s 'ro- the ni!ht ')ooded .ac*$

He noticed one o' the window /anes crac*ed a9ar$ )ood s-eared the 'ra-e$

The .)ood was sti)) dr"in!and stc* in it were )on! hairs, /erha/s o' a wo)'$

His heart san* as his -ind raced thro!h a thosand tho!hts each -ore horri'ic$

(as the ()' there that ni!ht? (as he hi-se)' the ()'? He /))ed the sheets, ri!ht ot 'ro-

nder Annaand tossed e+er" scra/ o' e+idence he co)d 'ind$ " the ti-e she awo*e, he acted as i'

nothin! had ha//enedsti)) tr"in! to sort ot what it a)) -eant.e'ore !oin! to etre-es$

Yo )oo* /a)e as a winter stor- $$$ Is e+er"thin! o*a"? Ha+e the" seen Arctoris?3

No: No $$$ The" ha+e not$ E+er"thin! is 'ine$ >)easeha+e so-e teahere $$$3

Are "o sre? Yo see- so one ed!e $$$ And "o7re ct here $$$3 she toched hi-$

It7s nothin!,3 he said, co+erin! it /$ It was there .e'ore$3 t he co)d not reca))$

#o what is the /)an? 4o "o thin* Arctoris wi)) e+er sto/ now a'ter (interthorn?3


25/87

He won7t $$$ He won7t e+er sto/$ t I a- here." sworn ne+er to 'e)) another a!ain withot

e/)orin! e+er" other o/tion$ I wi)) *i)) the- a)) 'or s i' I -st.t 'irst -st co-e co--nication$3

t the net thin! the" *new news was tra+e))in! 'ast a.ot the deaths o' two other rothers$

Accordin! to -essen!ers, so-ethin! had .ro*en into the arrac*s and attac*ed the Kni!ht-a!es

then esca/ed a'ter dis/atchin! a /air o' Gards$ A)) re/orts descri.ed the assai)ant as the ()'$

Then Tenant had -ore +isions-ore -e-oriesresr'acea)-ost as i' his i-a!ination were

n'o)din! how it co)d ha+e !oneto .e the ()' inside the arrac*s$ It was so +i+id, howe+er, so

rea)that he co)d a)-ost s-e)) the 'ear on the Kni!ht-a!es$ It was as i' he were rea))" there

.ondin! a.ot the .arrac*s on the hnt()' in ')) stridein dead)" 'or-withot restraint$

#e+era) ti-es he had to sha*e hi-se)' ot o' the tranceand Anna wo)d as* what was wron!$

Nothin!,3 he wo)d re/)"$ I7- 'inetota))" 'ine$3 t he was not$ The +isions had .e!n to

intensi'" e+er since Annaas i' she was .rin!in! ot the .east in hi-$ The" wa" she wo)d )oo* into

his e"es dro+e hi- wi)d as the ri+er%% and /ro.a.)" cased his /s"chic 'ie)d to .eco-e sensiti;ed$

*a" $$$ so-ethin!,3 he 'ina))" conceded)ater on toward ds*$ There is one thin!$3

(hat is it? Yo can te)) -e,3 she said ho)din! his handsee-in! to r!e hi- on$


26/87


27/87

Ma".e sooner or )ater we -st 9st sto/ rnnin!$3

Anna see-ed 'it to ')ee.t 'rstrated ot o' 'ear$

r 'ears are rea)$ (e -st not 'orce an" hands$3

#dden)" the" heard a screa- down in the streets$

and o' Fo)d rode horses with torches toward the-$

Their o-inos si)ence in the dar* was .reath%ta*in!$

>eo/)e in the street scattered .e'ore the- in 'ri!ht$

A)) we)) *new 'ear 'or Moon Kni!hts on the hnt$

The" were once 9st /rotectors.t now t"rants$

Arctoris had trned the Fo)d into this dar* show$

(e cannot -a*e a stand here toni!ht$ There are two -an" o' the-$ #he/herd wi)) de')ect

their interests 'or as )on! as he can.t e+enta))" he wi)) .e 'orced to )et the- inand we wi)) .e

)on! !one a!ain$ t or ')i!ht wi)) .e o+er soon$ I ha+e a /)ano' how to ')sh ot this ()'and

'ina))" .rin! Arctoris .ac* into )inea)) in one 'e)) swoo/$3

(hat do "o -ean? (hat do "o ha+e in -ind?3


28/87

The ne who wants Arctoris -ore than an" other$3

Tenant *new it was a )on! shota !reat ris* 'or a -an who a.horred ris*$ t he did not want

Anna and hi- to s/end the rest o' their da"s on the rn and in 'ear9st .ecase o' Arctoris7s wrath$

He had trnedhe was a rother de'ectin!and so now there was )itt)e choice .t to 'inish

what he had started$ t 'irstthere was one rother he co)d not )ea+e .ehind$

Lea+in! Anna at a new secret s/othe retrned ." side )i-.o stea)th to the arrac*swhere

he tres/assed across his o)d sto-/in! !rondsand ri!ht nder the noses o' the #entries 'reed

F"re-ane 'ro- his sta)) and rode hi- ot o' the stron!ho)d9-/in! the !arden .ric* wa)) and down

>awn #treet toward the end o' the (or)d as he *new it$ He was now an ot)aw Kni!ht-a!e a.ot to

atte-/t the i-/ossi.)e$ He /ic*ed / Anna and headed east toward a set o' secrit" !ates and .e"ond

that the New London (aste)ands no%-an7s )andthro!h a sea o' .ar.ed wire trenches and 'eather%

sensiti+e -ines so dense the !oin! was treacheros$ This was the sa-e rote his e Hattie had once

ta*enand he *new the wa" o' sa'e /assa!e.t he had to .e ca)-, a)ert and care')$

t once the" were thro!h, the cha))en!e had 9st .e!n'or the +er)ord awaited$


29/87

Tenant had 'ina))" )ost a)) o' his 'or-er +a)esnow tradin! in e+er" )ast one o' the- 'or the sa*e o'

Anna$

The" rode a)on! on F"re-ane into Greater Ea!a)iase+era) ti-es sensin! so-ethin! 'o))owin!

.ehind.t ne+er acta))" seein! the ()' on their contina) tai)$ Fina))" the" crossed o+er an end)ess

/)ain o' .)ac* ')ower 'ie)ds%%/ to the s/raw)in!, dar* Kin!do- ' Merwhere the #er/entine A)iens

had 'irst sett)ed 'or their ca/ita)$ The -assi+e re/ti)ian !ards ha)ted the- in their /assa!e and then

too* the- into cstod"to see the +er)ord who wo)d decide their Fate at )ast$

(h" wo)d "o .etra" "or rothers 'or this one?3


30/87

The #er/ent Gards 9-/ed to attention%%.t then stood down at


31/87

Tenant stood e+er" read" at !ard.t showed no si!n o' it'or he had to se)) this show$

n)" I *now where the entrances are to these /assa!ewa"s$ n)" I a- wi))in! to he)/ "o$3

It was


32/87

The da" .e'ore the assa)t was to .e!inerha/s "or *ind is -ore warrior$3

(e are -ore rea):3


33/87

Tenant )e't the 2ha-.er that ni!ht dee/)" distr.ed that he had -ade a horri.)e -ista*e in

switchin! sides'or tre natre o' the #ca)es was 'ar -ore terri.)e than he had e+er" i-a!ined$ I'

their *ind tr)" inherited the (or)dthen he was now -ore sre than e+er He)) wo)d descend$

He s)i//ed into .ed .eside Anna%%into drea-s o' rede-/tion and )ast%-inte re+ersa)s$

t a)so he drea-ed a!ain o' the ()'and when he wo*e to hear o' #er/ent Gards -a)ed

to death whi)e ot on dt" drin! the ni!htthen was a.)e to -atch that once -ore to his own +isions

so 'or the 'irst ti-e did he 'ina))" )oo* hi-se)' in a -irror and wonderwas it rea))" hi- a)) a)on!?

Yo see-ed distr.ed,3 Anna said, cr)ed / a!ainst hi- )i*e a c. the net -ornin!$

I7- 'ina))" co-in! to ter-s with so-ethin!so-ethin! I7+e .een tr"in! to te)) "o$3

t 9st .e'ore he co)d !o on,


34/87

II

Lo+e e'ore Li'e

i$ Fa)) o' the Fo)d

Tenant had Anna 'a*e a /anic attac* 9st .e'ore the" set ot on the -ission$ In the -idst o' the

co--otion then, he s)i//ed into a side roo- where he s--oned the r. and sent ot a ca)) to his

-ost trsted rother aed+in$

Gre!or" I tho!ht I7d ne+er hear 'ro- "o a!ain$ (ord is "o .onded with the wo-an and

')ed to Ea!a)iais that tre? rotherFather Arctoris has !one co-/)ete)" -ad$ A)) he does is ra+e

a)) da" a.ot destro"in! "o$ The ()' attac*s ha+e died o'' 'or now.t the !enera) /.)ic is sti))

+er" -ch on ed!e$ (e7+e .een ha+in! riots e+er"da" and I7- a'raid the cit" is !oin! to descend into


35/87

chaos at an" ti-e now$ Are "o o*a"? (hat is !oin! on? (hat sho)d I do?3

I7- 'ine rother$ I ha+e a /)an and I need "or he)/$ I want "o to reach ot to Father

Arctoriste)) -e that I ha+e co-e arondthat I want to srrender.t 'irst, as a Gi't to hi-in

the ho/es that he wi)) etend -e /ardonI wish to de)i+er the +er)ord into his hands$ Listen care')"

I wi)) .e )eadin! the 'irst #8adron o' the #er/ents into the o)d a.andoned /assa!ewa" .e"ond no%

-an7s )andthe tnne)s that ha+e .een )oc*ed o'' and )e't to rot$ These Mer .e)ie+e the" wi)) .e

-archin! into the New London nder!rond$ Father Arctoris can )ead a tea- with the tota) e)e-ent

o' sr/rise at hand$ I wi)) )ea+e -" r. on )ow, so the" can trac* or /ro!ress in rea) ti-eand 'inish


36/87

-a*e se o' those o)d .)ast stic*s "o /t into stora!e a'ter the )ast war was won$3

I thin* I see where "o7re !oin! with this,3 aed+in said !ra+e)"$ (e -st ha+e a wa" to .e

sre those )e't .ehind are a)so ta*en ot$ I wi)) a)ert the networ* and 'ind a wa"$3

I7- contin! on "o$ @/on -" retrnwe wi)) set 'orth a new .)e/rint$3

Yo sa+ed -" )i'e once,3 aed+in said$ Now I a- !ranted re/a"-ent$3

I' Arctoris ss/ects an"thin!, then I -a" .e sa+in! "or )i'e once a!ain$3

I ha+e .een *ee/in! or descent secret this )on!what is a 'ew -ore hors?3

There is no ti-e )e't$ Here are the 'ina) detai)sand I wi)) -eet "o at the a!reed )ocation$3

Tenant went on to 'i)) in aed+in o' the rest o' the /)anthen retrned to he)/ the others 7ca)-7 Anna

down.e'ore the" a)) set ot on the -arch toward New Londonand s//osed in+asion$3

As the a//roach the s.terranean entrance, Tenant !rew ner+os and tense$

An" nanced e/ressionan" s.conscios twitchco)d !i+e hi- awa"$

Anna was /)a"in! it /er'ect)"$ #he see-ed to si-/)" .e a coo), natra) )iar$

He was contina))" 'indin! her not to .e who he tho!ht she was.t then re-ainin! a))rin!

a)) the -oreor /erha/s e+en -ore%so than .e'oreas he 'ore+er s/ira))ed into her -"ster"$ It *e/t


37/87

hi- -o+in! on des/ite the -adness o' the -o-ents the" were 'indin! the-se)+es in$

Fina))", the" reached the nder!rond tnne) co+er, which had a di!ita) )oc*$

/en it, Tenant,3


38/87

wanted to see Arctoris7s .reathin! his )ast .reaths so .ad)", howe+er, he 'ond restraint di''ic)t$

Ha+e /atience M" Lord,3 Tenant atte-/ted to /)acate hi-, .t on)" drew ss/icion$

I' I 'ind ot "o are hidin! so-ethin! 'ro- -e Tenant, so .e it I wi)) eat "or heart$3

Anna !rew an!r" at this co--ent.t Gre! r!ed her on .e'ore their /)an derai)ed$


39/87

Ma!e 'o!ht .ac* and )i;ard warriors resr!ednti) each side was ct down to .one$

The Heart o' the Fo)d had now .een crshedand the head o' the #er/ent ct 'ree$

Near )ast to 'a)),


40/87


41/87

a)) rea))" 'orand a)-ost 9st as .ad, he was once -ore 'aced with the 'act that he -a" .e the ()'$

Each ni!ht .ro!ht new +isions s.stantiated ." the -essen!ers who wo)d co-e with news$

#o-ehow he was s)i//in! ot at ni!ht, 'indin! c)es at his .edroo- windowin their .ed$

He did his .est to hide it 'ro- Anna, .t she see-ed not to notice, so )ost in her own wa"s$

In the .est scenario o' which he co)d thin*, he was si-/)" s)ee/wa)*in! and ha+in! drea-s

that were sti)) c)air+o"antsti)) 9st his /s"chic side see*in! ot the /re" he had 'or so )on! hnted$

I a- the Hnter, not the Hnted,3 he dec)ared to hi-se)' o+er and o+er in the -irror each

-ornin!, .e'ore !oin! ot to hear o' the )atest *i))in!sthen ha+in! those descri/tions e+er" ti-e

-i-ic the +isions 'ro- his drea-s that were sti)) 'resh in the here and now o' his -ind7s e"e$

Fina))" one da", he had eno!hand he ordered hi-se)' )oc*ed / o+er ni!ht$ The 'irst ni!ht

he did not e/)ain wh"$ Anna see-ed to .rea* her da;e, see-in! concerned a.ot hi-.t he si-/)"

to)d the- to do as he said 'or now$ A 'ew da"s /assed this wa"and he -ornin! he wo)d as* 'or the

-essen!er to .rin! hi- the news$ @nder his own orders, the" 'reed his hands to 'eedand escorted

hi- .rie')" to the washroo-.t otherwise he was chained to his .ed nder strict co--and$

At 'irst the *i))in!s sto//edand so he was sre that was 'ina) /roo' that it was hi-$


42/87

(hat is it?3 Anna 'ina))" /)eaded with hi-$ #he )a" on to/ o' hi-, ho)din! hi- ti!ht$

I7- sorr" I7+e .een so distant,3 she said 8iet)"$ It was ne+er "o, I was 9st tired$3

Tired o' )i+in! a )ie?3 he said$ That is how I 'ee)$ Yo see I $$$ I thin* that I a-%%3


43/87

(ithot it I wo)d .e at /eace/eo/)e wo)d )i+e$3

Then )et7s !et "o ot o' these .)ood" chains )o+er$3

#o Tenant7s eercise was o+erand the war .e!n$

His +endetta a!ainst the ()' on)" acce)erated now$

Fina))" *nowin! the ()' was not hi-, he re)eased$

He scc-.ed to a .)oated ri!hteosness risin! /$

He now )ed the Fo)d$ The ()' was his .)ac* e"e$

E+er"thin! he had he threw into 'indin! the .east$

E+er" wa*in! -o-ent he /rsed this 'ina) cross$

Anna 'e)) ot o' toch as he )ost !ri/ to his /ower$

ii$

Lost #a)+ation


44/87

Tenant sta"ed / )ate so -an" ni!hts searchin! the r. 'or the ()'$ He co)d 'ee) it at e+er"

trn, sense it in e+er" hor$ His drea-s o' the .east were .)eedin! thro!h into rea)%ti-e$ He was +er"

c)ose to seein! the 'era) attac*s as the" ha//ened)ost to the o.session with endin! the +isions at )ast$

Then one 'o!!" e+enin!, he 'ond hi-se)' on a wa)*%a.ot, trnin! the corners into Kin!7s

2ross nti) he ca-e to the 2a))in! 2a)dronthe -ost notorios 'i!ht%/. in New London$ >eo/)e

')oc*ed here to drin*, ca+ortand watch warriors -atch wits with iron wi)) and 'ists o' stee)$

He entered nder shrod o' -"ster", dressed down as a /a/er, in dar*)in! !ar-ents!arded

"et disar-in!e"es ')ashin! a.ot 'or what he was a'ter the wi)d thin! o' 'r and 'an!$

None there wo)d e+er !ess that it was the Father who wa)*ed a-on! the-$ The" si-/)"

s-ir*ed and -o+ed onnconcerned with so-eone so cons-ed ." the shadows$

t he .e!an to see 'ro- the ()'7s /ers/ecti+e$ The .east was within$

He s/n a.ot, !)ancin! into e+er" cornerca!ht / in a /anic$

He saw the Hnter di+idin! the crowdco-in! 'or its +icti-$

He -ad)" dashed a.ot "e))in!)oo*in! 'or the do!$

Then he saw it, in his -ind7s e"e, a.ot to /once$


45/87

He cried ot, se)ess)", 'or it was ot o' ran!e$

He /shed in the 'irst direction a+ai)a.)e$

He co)d sense it was c)ose in his .ones$

He /ressed on deter-ined to so /re+ai)$

Then 'ina))", a hand 'e)) /on his ri!ht$

He s/n a.ot, to co-e to 'ace Anna$

The" to)d -e I wo)d 'ind "o here:3

Anna $$$ It7s not sa'e here, "o -st !o $$$3

Nonsense, I ca-e 'or "o$ This is too -ch$3

(e cannot )et this ()' contine to *i)) at wi))$3

t what i' it *i))s s? (hat i' it tears s a/art?3

It -a" destro" or .odies .t ne+er or )o+e$3

How wi)) "o catch it? It sta"s ste/s ahead$3

I can sense it .etter than e+er now$ It7s here$3

#he see-ed distr.ed$ #he .e!an .ac*in! o''$


46/87

I7- !oin! Gre!or"$ Yo7re startin! to scare -e$3

#he -e)ted into the crowd, then he saw it !o a'ter her$

A +ision o' the ()' c)osin! in on Anna ran thro!h hi-$

He screa-ed 'or her, si)encin! the roo-$ Then he awo*e$

Ro))in! o+er, his ar- 'e)) arond Anna$ #he sti)) snoo;ed$

He sat .o)t /ri!ht in .ed$ Moon)i!ht s/)ashed across hi-$

#weat s)ic*ed his shirt$ He stood s*inned it in the -irror$

He wi/ed down his 'ace with it$ His e"es were .)oodshot$

He )oo*ed o+er Anna s)ee/in! /eace'))", !rowin! enra!ed$

He had .eco-e so )ost a.ot the ()' that he had )ost her$

Their tri!!er was -issin!$ Their 'ire had 'a)tered 'ast now$

t these tho!hts on)" -ade hi- do.)e down e+en -ore$

E+er retrned he to the conceit that the .east was the .rden$

E+er at war were his tho!hts o+er how to catch the creatre$


47/87

E+er -adness 'e)) as the -onster dod!ed hi- at e+er" trn$

How so-ethin! co)d *now hi- so we)), he co)d not te))$

It wo)d )ea+e in a heart.eat, /ass .ehind hi- into shadows$

He wo)d .e direct)" /on it, .t it wo)d disa//ear 8ic*er$

Then one da" the 2rown >s"chic Reed .ro*e a +ow o' si)ence$

He had sworn to an anon"-os con'essor that he wo)d not s/ea*$

t in )i!ht o' Tenant7s contined downward s/ira)and /ersona) concerns a.ot hi-se)' .ein!

the ()', which he had that /ast wee* .e!n to di+)!e to Reedthe >s"chic to)d hi- that one o' the

!ards in char!e o' watchin! hi- drin! the wee* that he had hi-se)' )oc*ed /, had in 'act )et the

Father 'ree 'or three hors$ He said the Father had co-e ot, see-in!)" sti)) ha)'%as)ee/as*in! to

ha+e his chains re-o+edand to .e )et 'ree into the !arden 'or a wa)*, arond the -idni!ht hor$ The

!ard had re)ctant)" a!reed-ost)" since the Father was nder arrest ." his own orders$ 4es/ite the

Father7s insistence that he not .e )et ot nder an" circ-stancesthe !ard had ca+ed$

At 'irst, Tenant wai+ed o'' this re+e)ation$ The -e-or" o' the !arden wa)* retrned to hi-$ He

had awo*en di;;" and naseos and si-/)" needed 'resh air and a .rea* 'ro- the .ed and chains$ t


48/87

he co)d not re-e-.er retrnin! as c)ear)" as )ea+in!$ In 'act he co)d not re-e-.er co-in! .ac* at

a))so do.ts then .e!an to cree/ arond'or once -ore it was /ossi.)e, he was the cnnin! *i))er$

(e -st 'ind ot once and 'or a))what it is I do when I s)ee/$ Yo -st he)/ -e$3

Reed a!reed and the" set a.ot a /)an o' /s"chic eorcis- to rid hi- o' /ossession$

The rita) was e)a.orate, .t the /rocess too* nder an hor and he 'e)t no di''erent$

Net the" tried inter/retin! his +isions as the" arosehe)/in! hi- to trac* the terror$

t e+en a /ac* o' the- co)d not /in down the do! de-on)ea+in! the- e-/t"$

Meanwhi)e, Anna watched 'ro- the shadows, e"es dancin! wi)d)" in )one)iness$

#he wanted her Gre!or" .ac*the one that had cast sch a /assion /on her$

(hate+er it was a.ot hi- that she co)d not /in/oint had +anished 'or sre$

A)) she 'e)t *now was a 'orei!ner in her own ho-eand a sad 'a*e )o+er$

There had to .e a .etter wa" 'orwardshe was con+inceda hi!h road$

#he wo)d craw) awa" and )et hi- rea)i;e )ater that she had )e't ear)" on$

I' he wanted her .ac*, he wo)d ha+e to catch her$ #he wo)d .ite .ac*$

Now a)) she needed to do was 9st /rotect her heart and not )ose her -ind$


49/87

#o one -ornin! she )e't the co-/ond and ne+er )oo*ed .ac*ai-)ess$

Her 'oot'a))s went -issin! arond the arrac*s$ =estions arose ." ds*$

#he ne+er wander a'ter snset, e+er since I7+e *now hera)wa"s a'raid$3

#he wi)) show / soon, I7- sre,3 Reed reassred Tenant$ e)ie+e it$3

I so wish I co)d$ I wish this wo)d a)) end )i*e a horri.)e ni!ht-are$3

t it won7t on it7s own$ (e -st ta*e it a ste/ at a ti-e nti) the end$3

#end ot two tea-s toni!ht$ (here+er she is she -st .e 'ond now$3

(hat a.ot the ()', wi)) we trac* it a!ain toni!ht? The -oon is '))$3

For!et a.ot the do! this da": A)) that -atters toni!ht is Anna is sa'e$3

#o -ar*ed a 'ina) trna .rie' retrn to reasonas he saw his 'rits$

His o.session with the .east had )e+e))ed his ro-ance to the dst$

A sin!)e%-inded /r/ose to /r!e the cit" had sacri'iced his )o+e$

Anna was a)) he e+er wantedand once he had it he 'or!ot wh"$

The -ind, he 'ina))" .e!an to )earn, has -ore than two .rains$

An nstead" heartan nconscios concern)eads astra"$


50/87

Yo e+enta))" .eco-e crshed ." "or so)7s own wei!ht$

Yor s.terranean )andsca/es steer "or toward destrction$

Yo sa.ota!e "orse)' 'or the sa*e o' /ro+in! one thin! wron!$

Then there." "o a)so in trn tra!ica))" -a*e that 'ear a rea)it"$

Lettin! !o o' contro)o' +ein! +isionswas /ara-ont i' )i'e$

t he had not done that in the s)i!htest$ He had sei;ed hi-se)' /$

He had a))owed his new%'ond /ower to .e o+erta*en ." insecrit"$

Instead o' )eadin!, he had .een redced to ridic)e 'or .ein! wea*$

Instead o' sa+in!, he had .een /itied ." the /eo/)e 'or .ein! cra;"$

Instead o' )i+in!, he had .eco-e a ;o-.ie 'or a ')eetin! /hanto-$

Instead o' )o+in!, he had co-e a )on! wa" awa" 'ro- ha//iness$

Anna wa)*ed a)on! the .ro*en streets .arterin! with her Fate$

#he sh'')ed thro!h the crowds !rowin! 'ace)ess and 'ear)ess$

For too )on! she had .een !one 'ro- the sides o' 'e))ow otcasts$


51/87


52/87

#o her e"es ')ttered sht and she sht ot the de-ons )on! eno!h to rest$

)d 'a-i)iar sonds o' the street ')oated thro!h .)ac* and white drea-sca/es$

Reed /erched on a hi!h )ed!e scannin! 'or Anna )i*e a dar* haw* in the hea+ens$

He *new her ener!" si!natre we)) .t it was -r*" .siness re-ote +iewin!$

New London was no eas" readno two corners e+er te))in! the sa-e stories$

A /s"chic co)d !et )ost ho//in! thro!h tho!hts with no end /oint in -ind$

He s*i//ed 'ro- /rostitte to /i-/, /a/er to /reacher-erchant to -ad-an$

He s*i--ed thro!h .rothe)s and .oardin! hoses/.s, /arties and cha/e)s$

2ha))en!in! was an nderstate-ent.t he was con'ident he wo)d 'ind her$

Tenant had so-e )eads on o)d ties in the sotheast she -a" ha+e so!ht ot$

#o the #eer e..ed in that direction." .ric* and .)oc*stor" ." store"$

Tenant a//roached the !reat !)owin! r.*nee)in! .e'ore itso)e-n$

There was )itt)e )e't to sa" or thin*'ee) or 'ear9st e-/t" )on!in!$

He had tried 'or so )on! not to )an!ishnot to .eco-e cons-ed$


53/87

t what "o 'ocs on so 'inds "oand he had created his death$

The de-ise o' his h-i)it"his !rondin!was o' his con9rin!$

His anchor was )osta 'ortne in hearthstone'or his heart7s own$

I .eseech "o,3 he /)eaded with the r.$ Lead -e .ac* to her$3

The r. /)sed into a crescendo, as it did 9st .e'ore i))-inatin!$

I-a!es swir)ed across it7s sr'acea +isa) ridd)e a)i!nin! si!ns$

It showed hi- the soth sidethe #-ith"7s 2raw)'i)th" th!s$

He saw the Eastern #tar Ta+ernand then Ha+en Fa))s rid!e$

Then he saw Anna wa)*in! ot a)on! the ed!eas i' to 9-/$

No:3 he cried and .rst ot.rea*in! ot on F"re-ane$

iii$ >ra"ers 'or >re"

Reed hid and watched the ')at where Anna was ho)ed /$

To his sr/rise, he saw her c)i-.in! ot the window$

#he a//eared to .e awa*e.t a)-ost in a trance$


54/87

#he -o+ed a)on! the street toward the net .)oc*$

He 'o))owed ot thro!h the seedier side o' town$

>assin! ." #tar Ta+ern she was hec*)ed ." drn*s$

#he a//eared not to notice, howe+er, 9st /shin! on$

Reed was te-/ted to interce/t her .t )et it /)a" ot$

For Tenant7s sa*e, he wo)d see what she was a.ot$

(hat he noticed was in this state she was ntocha.)e$

E+en his hi!h)" trained -ind co)d not /enetrate hers$

#o-ethin! a.ot her crrent )e+e) was o'' the charts$

#he was a)-ost too o-inosa)-ost shi+er worth"$

E+en to a stee)" so) )i*e his, this was otherwor)d)"$

(hen she reached Ha+en Fa))s rid!e he tensed /$

#oon he wo)d ha+e to -a*e a -o+e to s/are her )i'e$

It was c)ear%%whate+er the reason%%she was distr.ed$

Tenant !a))o/ed ot o' the arrac*s in a .)ast o' 'ocs$


55/87

t he ca-e i--ediate)" into two !ards in a /anic$

The" were 9st 'resh in 'ro- no -an7s )and ot/osts$

The #ca)es were -ontin! a new o''ensi+e ri!ht now$

Ea!a)ia had a new +er)ord and were -archin! on in$

Accordin! to -essen!ers, the new Lord was a)) 'or war$

New London was nder i--ediate attac* in that instant$

A)) 'orces wo)d ha+e to .e -stereda)) /)ans )aid 'ast$

E+er" inch o' hi-se)' wo)d ha+e to .e s/ent as Kin!'ather$

This was his ti-e to shine.t he was torn 'or Anna7s sa*e$

He sat in that -o-entat that crossroads'or so-e eternit"$

He *new he -st sa+e Anna 'irst.t e+er" second -attered$

He !a+e orders to .e!in a)ertin! the Fo)d to 'or!e a resistance$

E+en as he rode awa"he co)d 'ee) their !a;es .rnin! hi-$

He was the Fatherthe one to 'o))owwho was rnnin! o''$

Ti-e was ot o' s)ac* in .oth -atterseach /))in! a!ainst$


56/87

He had no .etter choice$ He 9st /ra"ed he was not too )ate$

Anna sdden)" sna//ed to )i'e as she teetered o+er the ed!e$

#he st-.)ed .ac* a)-ost !ettin! hoo'ed ." a rider /assin!$

Her hands were .)ood" and she 'ond Reed dead at her 'eet$

#he )oo*ed a.ot 'rantica))"con'sednsre%%in shoc*$

Her -ind twisted and trned thro!h its own wic*ed -a;es$

#he had notshe co)d notshe was srenot done this$

t how it wo)d )oo* dawned and o)d instincts *ic*ed in$

ac* in the street )i'e, it was a)) in on "orse)', to sr+i+e$

(ithot thin*in! it thro!h, she d-/ed his .od" o+er$


57/87


58/87

Yo see,3 Gre! said$ It7s .een Yo a)) a)on!$ It wants "o$3

(hat do "o -ean?3 she croa*ed de'ensi+e)", !arded)"$

I -ean 'ro- the da" we -et, "o sensed it e+er"where$3

I7+e a)wa"s 'e)t it was c)ose ." 9st read" to -o+e in$3

t it ne+er has)i*e it7s .een to"in! with "o $$$3

I 9st want it to .e o+er$ I7- so sorr" a.ot it$3

Yo7+e done nothin! wron!$ (e wi)) end it$3

t how? It see-s so i-/ossi.)ea drea-$3

I ha+e a /)an.t "o wi)) ha+e to trst -e$3

(hate+er I -st do, I wi)) do it, 9st sa" so$3

It is a'ter "oso "o are the .ait we need$3

I don7t )i*e the sond o' this$ >)ease no $$$3

Yo -st or it wi)) ne+er .e o+er$ Listen $$$3

Gre! $$$ I can7t $$$ I don7t want to $$$ No $$$3

B Yo wi)) .e sa'e at a)) ti-es$ (e wi)) si-/)" )re it into a tra/care'))" desi!nedti!ht)"


59/87

-onitoredand then we wi)) ha+e it at )ast$ (e wi)) rid New London o' the ()''ro- or )i+es

and then I can 'ocs on the war at hand$ The /eo/)e need s to .e stron!$ Yo are their Lad" Anna, do

not 'or!et$ I' "o cannot .e stron! 'or "orse)'then at )east .e stron! 'or the-$3

He o/ened the crtain to show her the /eo/)e !athered .e)ow with /itch'or*s and swords

rst" -s*ets and .ows$ Men, wo-en and teens were a)) read" to 'i!ht 'or 'reedo-$ The" had .een

/re/arin! 'or this 'or a )on! ti-eand des/ite their ra!%ta! a//earance, the" *new eact)" what to do

net$ Their ho-es had .een trned into 'ortresses, ri!!ed with e+er" concei+a.)e tra/$ Their stores

were a)) /re/ared to .eco-e wea/on roo-swhere a--o and ar-s were 'or!ed 'or the warriors$ The

cit" had .een warned ." -an" Fathers .e'ore, that Ea!a)ia wo)d atte-/t an anne ." 'orce one da" on

and the" had .een wee*)" re-inded to .e read" to )a" down their )i+es 'or h-anit" one )ast ti-e$

(hen the crowds saw the crtain drawn and Anna standin! there the" roared in a//ro+a)$

Tenant ste//ed ot .rie')" to address the-.t then trned .ac*, o''erin! her his hand$ #he ti-id)"

too* it, then ste//ed ot with hi-and to!ether as Father and Lad" o' New London the" ins/ired the

/eo/)e with stren!th and ho/e%%as -ch athentic as /t onas -ch /assion as /athosa)) in the

interest o' seein! their co--on !oa) .ro!ht ho-ethe 'ina) re9ection o' #ca)es 'ro- their e"es$


60/87

Anna )oo*ed into the -irror nti) she near)" disa//eared$ #he was +)nera.)e$ #he had

'e-inine airs that .etra"ed a dee/ )on!in! to .e /rotected$ t this was a)) her new se)'or -ore a/t)"

her tre se)'whi)e her o)d se)'her street /ersonawas thorn" and thatched o+er ." a castic

inde/endence stee/ed in sr+i+a) instincts that -atched the -ost rth)ess o' /n* r.an ro!es$

#he threw herse)' .ac* there into.ac* into that o)d to!h s*instee)in! her e"es$

Her re')ection in the -irror now re%-ateria)i;ed into a dar*er, -eaner se)'%+ersion$

Ma"he- s/i))ed ot at her ed!es, )i*e )a+a nder a .oi)er /)ate.t she -aintained a co)d, ic"

!ri/ /on that +o)ati)e /i)e$ #he wo)d )et the ()' hnt her, 'or Tenant7s sa*e, as we)) as her own.t

-ost)" 'or the /eo/)e o' the streetsher 'a-i)" and 'riends she had )e't .ehind no )on!er$ #he wo)d

)et the .east 'ina))" 'ace herand she wo)d ta*e this one /)easre in *nowin! she .ro!ht it down$

Tenant7s -ant)e o' o.sessed hnter had 'ina))" .een s/erseded ." his +er" own wo-an$

#he was now -ore deter-ined than hi- to see the 4o! o' New London dead in its trac*s$

It was as i' contro) had 'ina))" .e thrst .ac* into her )a/ and she co)d 'ee) her /ower a!ain$

#he .e!an t"in! her o)d !an! .ands and re%dressin! as the Anna once *nown as #t$ #antos$


61/87

#he had not on)" .een a th! 'or !ood, .t a s/irita) hea)erone o' the natra) /s"chics$

Mirac)es and -rderers see-ed to 'o))ow her e+er"where)i+in! in that dan!eros town$

t it was her ca))in! to ca)- the -asses with the .)essin!s she had%%des/ite how it drained$

#he wo)d )ie awa*e so-e ni!hts *nowin! it was her dt" to he)/%%.t 'ee)in! too rn down$

E+enta))" it .eca-e a//arent to her that the c)oc* on her ti-e in this 'ie)d wo)d rn ot$

There wo)d .e a thresho)d where she co)d not /ass, co)d no )on!er !i+e a)) o' herse)'$

#he had read a.ot a 2a"ce 'ro- centries a!o that had accessed the a*ashic records 'or

thosands on)" to )ti-ate)" scc-. to the ri!ors o' sch a se)'%destrcti+e addiction to a)tris-$

t she was not )i*e that$ #he was 'ro- a /)ace that /t se)'%/reser+ation 'irst o+er a)) thin!s$

(hen needed, at an" ti-e in her )i'e, she co)d now ca)) on that inner 'orce and 'orti'" herse)'$

Her needs wo)d .e -et$ #he wo)d ha+e herse)' the ()'and win .ac* Tenant7s adoration$

The" were a)wa"s hea)in!a)wa"s reo/enin! the wonds o' hearts te-/orari)" set to odds$

It wo)d ta*e ti-e 'or the- to 'ind each other a!ain, .t she was sre that it wo)d ha//en$

In the -eanwhi)e, a)) Tenant co)d thin* o'a)) now that she co)d drea- o'was death$

The do! wo)d die ." one or the otherand the" were now .oth racin! toward that end$


62/87

Nothin! co)d se/arate her 'ro- this tas*$ #he shar/ened and stra//ed on her o)d *ni+es$

#he stretched and )i-.ered /!oin! 'or wor*%ots in the !ardensridin! F"re-ane$

The Kni!ht-a!es a.ot the arrac*s noticed this third chan!e in her$ First she had .een sh"

then she went .)enow she had risen with a wor*a.)e ra!ewith a thirst" )oo* o' contro)$

E+en Tenant, when 'irst noticin! this wor- trn, had .een a .it distr.edto .e sre$

t it .e!an to dawn on the Fo)d that this wo-an was -ore than an"one had *nown$

#he was .rin!in! .ac* so-ethin! so o//osite to her crrent state as to .e -"sti'"in!$

#o then 'orward she ca-e to .e *nown in hshed circ)es as Lad" 4ar* Anna the Red$

Tenant ca-e into their /ri+ate .edroo- one ni!ht to chec* on herwhen she attac*ed$

#he /shed hi- on the .ed a-d too* contro) o+er se 'or the 'irst ti-e in their /act$

Gar-ents were strewn a.ot and ')esh on ')esh 'ond no 'a)t in an"thin! she wanted$

In s/irit and now in tooth and s/ade she was re.orn warriorwic*ed)" trans'i!red$

I wi)) ta*e o+er now,3 she whis/ered in his ear e+er" ni!ht drin! their )o+e%-a*in!$

E+en her +oice had chan!ed, .eco-in! hs*iers)i+ered ." si)*en wis/s o' sedction$

The .east wi)) .e Mine$ I wi)) )et it into Meso that I -a" *now it .etter than itse)'$3


63/87

4o not )ose "orse)' in the /rocesswe -st *ee/ or wits a.ot sor sanit"$3

#and and ti-e s)i/ 'aster awa" e+er"da" we de)a"$ Madness is a s-a)) /rice to /a"$3

I ha+e to .e)ie+e it is /ossi.)e to do .oth, Anna$ (e7+e co-e too 'ar 'or otherwise$3


64/87


65/87

III

4eath " 4a")i!ht

i$ Hnter Hnted

Father Arctoris rose 'ro- the r..)e, )ast sr+i+or, +ictorand +eno-os 'or +en!eance$

The +er)ord had scc-.ed whereas he had s)i//ed into side)i-.o in ti-e to esca/e$

Now he trac*ed his wa" .ac* o+er the sand dnes toward New London/)ottin!$


66/87

He /)oddedand he /aced hi-se)'/)annin! his s.ter'!e'e))in! his 'ate$

Thro!h the r. he contacted his own c)ose circ)e o' rothers!i+in! ho/e$

The" were re%ins/ired ." his retrn, ha+in! ne+er ta*en to Tenant7s co/$

t he -ade each o' the- swear, to he)/ hi- earn .ac* the throne$

The" had to .e s-art, he to)d the-$ Tenant wo)d 'o)d .e'ore )on!$

t 'irst, the" had to set the tra/ ri!ht so it s/rn! 9st once and tre$

(hi)e the Father and Lad" were attendin! )ac* #o)stice, Father Arctoris and his -en sei;ed

the o//ortnit" to stor- the arrac*s and ta*e .ac* co--and$ It 'e)) in on)" a 'ew horswith -an"

o' Tenant7s c)osest either d"in! in .att)eor !i+in! .ac* contro) in trade 'or their )i+es$

Then Father Arctoris set ot on his horse Ricochetretreadin! his o)d )ines$

Those who reco!ni;ed hi- stood in awe and 'ear'aces 'a))in! /a)e$

nce -ore the 4ar* Father had retrnedand with it the iron 'ist$

No one see-ed to *now where Father Tenant was at the -o-ent$

The #ca)es contined their assa)tas Arctoris and a)) de'ended$

It was a -ess o' chaosas -en 'o!ht and ')ed and 'orced .ac*$


67/87

#na*e and -an sett)ed odds in the street and a))e" ." c)aw and 'ist$

Arctoris7s /osse /shed on a)on! the 'rin!e ran*s see*in! Tenant$

New London wo)d crsh a!ainnot ." +er)ord .t T"rant$

)ac* #o)stice >arade ha//ened once a "ear at winter$ Gre! and Anna !a))o/ed hooded .etween

the ro/ed o'' crowds, wa+in! and ca))in! ot, edin! con'idence in care'ree 'ra-es'or the" were the

4ar* Lad" and Father Tenantthe )ast shinin! ho/es 'or New London to set a!ainst the


68/87

He /shed his wa" .ac* intai)in! her 'rantica))"'or her )i'e was at serios ris*$

ANNA:3 he ca))ed ot, )oo*in! e+er" which wa", des/erate)" tr"in! to !et thro!h$

Meanwhi)e, Anna had e-.raced Her /eo/)e and /)ease herse)' with their adoration$

#he co)d hard)" 'or!et her i--ediate dan!er, .t "et 'e)t sa'er ca!ht in the thron!$

ANNA:3 Gre!or" ca))ed ot a!ain, distr.ed and distra!ht he had )ost her so 'ast$

Then a +ision ca-e, o' the ()' hntin! her down, )ow and stead" /on her hee)s$

The ')) -oon sat -oc*in!)" a.o+e, wic*ed)" castin! down ni!htshine in sheets$

A dar* how) rose / eeri)" into the !rowin! ds* as .ats swoo/ed a.o+e arond$

Lon! shi+ers s/ira))ed / and down Tenant7s s/ine as he e).owed his /assa!ewa"$

A!ain another seein! seared into his -ind7s e"e o' Anna sdden)" rnnin! in /anic$

#o-ethin! was .ondin! a'ter her as the crowds s/)it awa" in -ass )e+e) e+acation$

Then he .ro*e thro!h a 'ew 'ina) sho)ders, .rea*in! in /on where she was at a!ain$

t when he /))ed her arond, !ra..in! her and s/innin! her a.otshe swn! .ac*$

#he strc* hi- .e'ore seein! who he was, 'earin! 'or her )i'e that he was an actor o' har-$

Then the" )oc*ed e"es and he st-.)ed .ac* a .it da;ed$ #he !ra..ed hi-, shoo* hi- /$


69/87

I7- so sorr",3 she said$ A'ter the s/ins sto//ed, he .e!an )a!hin!, then )oo*ed a.ot$

It was ri!ht /on "o$ It cannot ha+e !otten 'ar$ (e sho)d s/read ot a!ainnet it$3

#he nodded, intent ed!ed in dia-onds$ #he was read" 'or the creatre -ore than hi-$

#he was read"she /)eaded with her inner con'essor$ #he wanted it to co-e / now$

(here are "o?3 she .ar*ed in a hshe"ein! the !a;es in the crowdssi;in! a)) /$

Tenant 'aded awa".t he was within a 'ew -etersa)wa"s read" to -o+e in seconds$

This was the )ti-ate hntthe hnter hntedthe Moon Kni!ht7s /ri-e test o' s*i))s$

This ti-e, howe+er, his +ision was o' hi-se)' .ein! hnted, o' hi-se)' .ein! the tar!et$

He saw the ()' co-in! a'ter hi-and he *e/t )oo*in! .ac* then 'or!in! onward$

He a)wa"s -ana!ed to sta" ahead o' it'or !reat )en!ths o' ')i!ht and esca/e$

t then 'ina))" he -et with an enc)osed cort"ard /ro+in! di''ic)t to )ea+e$

There was an eit into the net street .)oc*ed ." a thic*et o' /eo/)e ten dee/$

He co)d 'ee) the ()'7s /resence /on hi-and see it c)osin! in on hi- now$

He trned a.ot, s*innin! his /si%sword and /si%shie)d, standin! his !rond$

A screa- 'nne))ed / 'ro- the -o.as the !atherin!s /arted wa" 'or it$


70/87

He c)osed his e"es/shin! into side)i-.o and dee/ -editati+e /re%action$

He co)d see the ener!" si!natre o' the thin! 8ic*)" threadin! toward hi-$

He )e+e)ed his /si%sword and sn* his r.)i!ht into the .otto- o' his .ein!$

At the )ast second, to *i)) the .east in -oon)i!ht, he o/ened his e"es to see$

t the crowd .a))ooned a.ot, /eo/)e swir)in! arondand there was she$

He /))ed his attac* and sheathed the /si%sword in -ied re)ie' and dis-a"$

It was ri!ht here a!ain,3 he h''ed, sett)in! hi-se)' down$ (e7re so c)ose$3

#he )oo*ed a.ot, a)-ost 'rothin! at the -oth$ I !row .ored o' this !a-e$3

#he whist)ed 'or F"re-ane, -onted hi- and trotted a.ot a.o+e a)) the heads$

#he cast her !a;e across the -assesthrowin! her s/irit ot in the wor)d 'ee)in!$

I' the ()' was an"where near.", she *new 'or a 'act she wo)d ha+e a )oc* on it$


71/87

ii$ 4ar* #n As")-

As the 4ar* Lad" ed!ed her wa" thro!h the thron!s on F"re-ane she !rew stron!er sti))$

#o-ethin! a.ot the horse was ca))in! to her inner wi)dher +eins corsin! with cora!e$

#he shnted 'ro- scent to scent, as i' one o' the o)d ti-e trains, /ic*in! / on new crrents$

Then her .reathin! sto//ed$ Her heart ha)ted$ Her tho!hts +anished$ #he saw it o'' a wa"s$

#he r!ed F"re-ane on$ The !reat steed co)d sense the e+i), .t on)" rode on harder a'ter$

To!ether the" di+ided the /eo/)e 'ro- their /ath and /)n!ed ahead on the ()'7s hee)s$

#he co)d a)-ost s-e)) it now, see it7s hair whi//in! a.ot as it /aced on wea+in! '))$

#)antin! in the sadd)e Anna s)i//ed her *ni+es 'ree and )eaned ot 'or the i-/endin!$

Her -ind narrowed in on the do! -an, who "et e+aded her si!ht 'or those in .etween$

At the ri!ht second re!ard)ess she ')n! herse)' o'' F"re-ane%%h-an .)ade swin!in!$

Each *ni'e strc* tre, into the .ac* o' the .eastand she 'e)) on to/ o' it to 'inish$


72/87

t to her horror she was it was h-anshe had attac*ed a -anand /))in! hi- o+er her 9aw

s)ac*ened in terri.)e heart.rea* as she saw it was in 'act Gre!or" that she had ct dee/$

No $$$ no $$$ no $$$ no $$$3 #he /))ed his head / ." the nec* )oo*in! in his e"es$

He was sti)) .reathin!, .t .are)"$ His e"es were ro))ed .ac*$ #he 'a)tered ho))ow$

#he had .een so sre$ >)ease $$$3 she /)eaded as he co!hed / .)ood s/tterin!$

He ca-e to-ore a)ert and )oo*ed at her$ Anna $$$3

I7- so sorr", .a." $$$ It was )i*e I was h"/noti;ed$3

It has /owers .e"ond or nderstandin! -" )o+e$3

He !ra..ed 'or her hand and the" e-.raced in .)ood$

#he hn*ered o+er hi- so..in! )ost to the tra!ic trn$

F"re-ane retrnedhad not .een 'ar o''on !ard$

The steed7s e"es .rned red as the e-.ers o' dawn$

Anna7s e"es a)so trned red now, as she )oo*ed /$

Re+en!e 'or a)) the wron!s sti)) hanted her so)$

#he co)d sti)) s-e)) the .east on e+er" thin wis/$


73/87

#he stood o+er her -an hissin! at the on)oo*ers$

Go ho-e: 2rci.)e is a-on! s, can7t "o see?3

At the -ention o' the ()'7s na-e /anic ensed$

The crowds thinnedwhen Arctoris rode /$

He and his Kni!ht-a!es circ)ed the /air now$

(hat ha+e "o done with hi- 'o) wo-an?3

Anna scow)ed .ac*, sensin! con'rontation$

The Kni!ht-a!es .randished their s/ears$

Arctoris a)i!hted in a 'earso-e ')orish$

F"re-ane nei!hed and sto-/ed hoo+es$

The -o. cinched in ca))os)" crios$

t then Anna dro//ed to one *nee$

>)ease, /)ease $$$ 9st s/are his )i'e$3

The" rshed Tenant to -edica) aid$

Arctoris too* Anna into cstod"$


74/87

Retrnin! to .ase the" re!ro/ed$

It was deter-ined to )oc* Anna /$

The" sent her to 4ar*hi)) As")-$

Assessed as insane, /t in chainsshe )a" awa*e at ni!ht to the sonds o' -adness and

-a"he-ca))in! ot to the -oon and her -an$

E+enta))", a'ter Tenant hea)ed 'ro- his near -orta) wondsand was in'or-ed o' the co/ o'

the Fo)d and his 4ar* Lad"7s 'atehe snc* ot o' his roo- one ni!ht and inti-idated !ards nder

threat o' re.*e once he had re!ained the throne%%to )et hi- in to see herthe wo-an he )o+ed$

(hen there e"es -et 'or the 'irst ti-e a'ter so )on! ha+in! .een !one 'ro- one anotheran o)d

'a-i)iar .rn rei!nited$ Tenant co)d sti)) 'ee) the d)) thro..in! ache in the .ac* 'ro- where she had

sta..ed hi-.t e+en that /ain did not drown ot the draw she had o+er hi-the -a!netis-$

#he .owed her head in sha-e.t he )i'ted it / a!ain, 'ir-)" c//in! her ." her chin$

Loo* at -e $$$3 he i-/)ored, .t she /))ed awa", now na.)e to )oo* hi- in the 'ace$

It was not "or 'a)t $$$ and I a- 'ine$ Loo* at -e $$$ I7- a)i+e, aren7t I? (e7re here$3

t I a)-ost *i))ed "o, .a."$ I was wide awa*e e+en"et sti)) in so-e dar* trance$


75/87

Gre!or" )eaned .ac*si!hin!$ #he )eaned o+er the ta.)e!ras/in! his hands in hers$

I don7t care a.ot an" o' it$ A)) I want is "o .ac*$ I -iss "o $$$ (e were so tre$3

I -iss "o too, so -ch $$$ It hrts 9st to .e awa*eand then I thin* o' endin! it$3

Ne+er: Ne+er sa" that a!ainnot e+en thin* it:3 Tenant shar/)" sco)ded incensed$

t wh" does it ha//en to s? (hat does it want with s? ' a)) it co)d !o a'ter$3

Ne+er-ind a.ot it now"o are at )east sa'e in here$ The *i))in!s ha+e sto//ed$3

(hat $$$? (hat do "o -ean the *i))in!s ha+e sto//ed? 4oes that -ean I $$$ $$$ $$$3

N: No $$$ No$ Anna $$$ 4on7t )et "or -ind wander$ It doesn7t -ean that at a))$3

t "o *now as we)) as I it ne+er sto/sit is re)ent)ess, cnnin!co--itted$3

Yes, .t $$$ It wi)) .e!in a!ain, trst -e$ I know$ (hen it does $$$ I wi)) ha+e it$3

He )e't her with a)) the con'idence he co)d -ster/ttin! on a stoic +isa!e$

#he saw thro!h it in a ')ash.t )et hi- thin* he had done so-ethin! !ood$

#he retrned to her chainsin her ce)) o' wic*ed shadows dancin! on the wa))$

He retrned to his hntin his certaint" the ()' "et sta)*ed"et thirsted .)ood$

A)) the whi)e, the in+asion o' the #ca)es contined, 'irin! / in 'its and .rsts$


76/87

New London wo)d re/e) a wa+eon)" 'or the +er)ord to throw another on$

The +er)ord7s -inions wo)d -a*e head%wa"on)" to .e .eat .ac* a!ain$

The str!!)e was e/ic%%and its denoe-ent an".od"7s .et a +io)ent .ac*dro/$

t Tenant7s inner war'or the 'ina) trthwas the rea) show ri//in! o/en$

Arctoris *e/t hi- nder c)ose watcha date .ein! set in his tria) 'or treason$

The )d Father wo)d see his .etra"er .rned at the sta*e.t ." the .oo*$

Tenant too* the o//ortnit" to esca/eand with F"re-ane -ade the .rea*$

As the cit" descended into anarch"he rode ot deter-ined to win chance$

He wo)d ha+e the .east7s head or die !ettin! itto show Anna7s innocence$

Then he wo)d dea) with other -atters o' )ess i-/ort, )i*e war and t"rann"$

iii$ east Re.orn

Ridin! a)on! on F"re-ane thro!h the a))e"wa"s%%*ee/in! his /ro'i)e to the shadowshis hood

)ow and his .row e+en )owerit occred to hi- that F"re-ane had a)wa"s .een there, thro!hot the


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"earsat e+er" trn a )o"a) and trsted steed$ Thro!h thin and thic* and .ac* a!ain, that horse had

seen as -ch .)oodshed as the -ost seasoned Moon Kni!ht a-on! the-and it showed no si!n o'

s)owin! /, e+er read" to set ot on a new crsade a!ainst e+i)and new assa)t on the dar*ness$

t so-ethin! e)se a.ot the .east that had a)wa"s distr.ed hi-which he co)d ne+er 8ite

/t his 'in!er onwas this odd 'ee)in! that he a)wa"s !ot, whene+er he rode the ani-a)that he

hi-se)' was so-ehow .ein! drained ." itor -ore /recise)", cons-ed ." its o+era)) ara$

It !ot so .ad, he had o'ten noted, on )on! 9orne"s, that he wo)d ha+e to ta*e .rea*s$

He wo)d dis-ont 'or hors, tired in s/irit and tr"in! to s--on / so-e new +i!or$

Fina))", when the so) had sr!ed .ac* into hi-, he wo)d contine on his wa" renewed$

t a)wa"s in the .otto- o' his heart was this twitch insistin! so-ethin! was not ri!ht$

He had 'ond the horse on a +ision 8est one da" a decade a!owhen it had a//eared a)) o' a

sdden ot o' a dense 'o!showin! no 'ear%%no '!iti+e statein no sense astra".t in 'act ai-ed

ri!ht at hi-'or hi-into hi-and the" had ne+er )oo*ed .ac*'ore+er 'orward co-/anions$

t the 8est, ins/ired ." the r., had .een de+ised to reso)+e Tenant7s 'ears and 'ai)in!s$

>rior to then, he had .een )on! str!!)in! to attain Kni!ht-a!e statstoo 9ined in thin!s$


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He had .een an aw*ward and c)-s" "on! -anwith !reat a/irations .t )itt)e s.stance$

Then a'ter F"re-ane, e+er"thin! had chan!ed$ He .e!an -eetin! cha))en!es head oncra'tin!

a re/tation entire)" o//osite to the one that had 'or so )on! see-ed so ho/e)ess)", i--ta.)e, .ro*en$

Each ni!ht he wo)d tend to F"re-ane )on! a'ter the other Moon Kni!hts had )e't the sta))s$

n so-e s.conscios )e+e), he *new ')) we)) the horse was res/onsi.)e 'or his new se)'$

He did not *now wh" it was that wa".t he dared not 8estion itnor e+er )et it end$

For a)) he *new F"re-ane -a" we)) ha+e a crse o' the +er)ordor o' his own -ind$

t whate+er the sorce, re!ard)ess o' an" side e''ectshis wa*in! se)' /rotected it$

He was a new -anrisin! the ran*s o' the Fo)d with a .ris* e''ort)essnessshinin!$

None had e+en 8estioned itso stron! was he in 'ortitde 'or this new 'tre 'or-$

Man" indeed had we)co-ed itso sic* o' Arctoris and his hea+"%handed wa"s$

t a)) the whi)eF"re-ane /aced a.ot his sta))in the .ac*!rond .roodin!$

Tenant )eaned down r'')in! the horse7s -an"$ Yo7re -" 'riend ri!ht o)d /a)$3

The .east !a+e a shdder, sinew" sho)der .)ades ri//)in! nder his rei!ns$

At the sa-e -o-ent the" .oth sensed a /resence in the si)ent distance$


79/87

4st *ic*ed / 'ro- hoo+es as the" trotted ot into the street to 'ace it$

It was Reedthe #eerand o)d 'riendco-e to ta)* sense into hi-$

This was Arctoris7s )ast concession .e'ore an a)) ot -anhnt ensed$

The )d Father had sworn o'' e+en a tria)at )asta'ter Tenant7s .o)d dis-issa) o' his

sndown cr'ewin /re de'iance o' his /endin! 9d!e-entso the #eer had .een sent as a )ead

-essen!erone )ast ditch e''ort to end Tenant7s i--inent /eri)to steer the rea/er7s reach awa"$

Gre!, there are thin!s "o need to *now$ Yo -st sto/ this -adness$3

I wi)) not sto/ 'or an"thin!, o)d 'riend$ #tand down or .e ct down$3

This is not a !a-e, Tenant$ I cannot /rotect "o an" )on!er, .rother$3

I ne+er as*ed 'or "or he)/, no.)e one$ A Father does what he -st$3

He wi)) .e /on "o soon$ He is on his wa"and co-es to destro"$3

I wi)) ha+e what I see* .e'ore I e+er )et hi- ha+e what he so see*s$3

The ()' is on the hnt a!ain$ There were re/orts since "o )e't$3

I *new it:3 Tenant .rst ot/acin! a.ot on F"re-ane intent)"$

It -eans nothin!, .rother $$$ Listen, there is -orea.ot her $$$3


80/87

#i)ence: This shows Anna7s not in+o)+ed"et re-ains chained$3

No $$$ Listen, she has%%3 Reed .e!an9st as riders 9oined the-$

Tenant sensed Arctoris and was o'' an instant )atera')i!ht%%a'ire$

A chase 'o))owedo' rotherhood 'or rotherFather 'or son$

The raced ')) ot on rain s)ic*ed streets /ondin! co..)estone$

The ')) -oon !rinned wic*ed)" o+er the- a))'ore+er a-sed$

ands o' #ca)es s)ithered crosswa"s at crossroads and .ac*)anes$

The Kni!ht-a!es 'ended the- o'' when the" -st.ranchin! o''$

#o-e wo)d 'a)) .ac* to dea) with the


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82/87

Eno!h:3 Arctoris .ar*ed, throwin! one hand / and ridin! on o''$

Reed 'ond hi-se)' ronded / and *noc*ed down 'ro- his horse$

He was ro!h)" .ro!ht / to his *neeswhere he c)osed his e"es$

His end wo)d .e no.)e i' not 'airas he sent /ra"ers 'riends7 wa"s$

The" too* o'' his head in a swi't eectionco)d)" *i))in! their own$

Meanwhi)e, F"re-ane /t the 'ina) )e!s o' their /rsit nder the-$

The steed wo)d .rin! its -aster to the answers he wanted ." .ond$

Its /act had .een to see the -an to the /reci/ice o' care)ess wishes$

Its /ast was shroded in -"ster", "et it had /ro+en itse)' e+er on$

It /atterned its /ri-a) instincts into -en9st as the" so ta-ed it$

It was a )o"a) co-/aniona trsted .eastand o't se') 'riend$

That7s it -" 'riend, ri!ht there,3 Tenant said /ointin! to the ()'$

The do! -an had 9st 'inished tearin! a/art a co/)e )i-. 'ro- )i-.$

Tenant7s heart .eat hard at the tho!ht o' 'ina))" seein! it in .)ood" 'r$

These wo)d .e its )ast +icti-s, the Kni!ht-a!e sett)ed in his -ind now$


83/87

Arctoris 9st -ade it to the +icinit" in ti-e to witness what then n'o)ded$

Tenant rode ." the .east, s)ashin! crosswise with a 'rios, c)-s" stri*e$

The ()' )ea/t ot o' the wa"then c)awed .ac* ri//in! o/en the horse$

F"re-ane nei!hed in 'r"%%%hoo'in! the .east downre+ea)in! tre -i!ht$

t the do! -an re.onded 8ic*)"and Tenant nsheathed his /si%sword$

The e"es o' the -onster .)ed red as the )i!ht o' the wea/on re')ected o'' it$

Tenant )n!ed in.t a -aw o' ra;or incisors too* a chn* 'ro- his nec*$

His /si%sword seared the ')an* o' his 'era) o//onent.t was so de')ected$

Arctoris circ)ed in on horse, now waitin! 'or the -e)ee to /)a" itse)' ot$

The ()' /onced/innin! Tenant to the !rond.attin! F"re-ane o''$

The Kni!ht-a!es chased F"re-ane o'' down street.ent on catchin! hi-$

Tenant hit .ac*, s--onin! tho!hts o' Anna, dri+en to 'i!ht 'or 'reedo-$

t the .east -st ha+e wei!hed a tonne and tronced hi- in a wi)d ra!e$

The Moon Kni!ht was .eaten .)ood" and .ro*en down /ast reco!nition$

He "et /re+ai)ed, howe+er, in s/irit"et wo)d not die, wo)d not /ass$


84/87

A)) that re-ained 'or hi- was this one centra) /r/ose o' seein! death$

4eath wo)d co-e, 'or hi-, 'or Arctoris'or the #ca)esand ()'$

t as 'ar as his concern went this secondhe wo)d not .e 'irst to !o$

He s--oned his /si%shie)d .)asted the ()' o'' o' hi-then stood$

The ()' how)ed in an n.rid)ed, shri)) ca)) o' a dar*, ho))ow wind$

E+en Arctoris, sa'e at a distance, shddered at the inh-an sond$

t Tenant wo)d not 'a)ter 'ro- his sin!)e -ission/shin! on in$

He /arried and 'a*ed )e'ts/n ri!ht and 'ired .ac*sword swir)in!$

The .east hesitatedas i' in dis.e)ie' the -an "et )i+edthen .ore on$

Tenant /aid the do! .ac* 'or its scra/es in scars nti) the two teetered$

The" each .ordered the .rin* o' o.)i+ion.ettin! now on)" on ho/e$

Anna7s +oice ca-e to hi- Gre!or", /)ease $$$ >)ease, Gre!or" $$$3

ne 'ina) sr!e so then 'ired thro!h hi-and he .ro!ht his sword down on the ()'7s nec*

se/aratin! its head 'ro- .od"sendin! !)" -! ro))in! thro!h the dirt$

The deca/itated .od" o' the do! -an cr-/)ed to the dst and stone$


85/87


86/87

Tenant re-ained -otion)esshard)" .e)ie+in! his .ad )c*$

E+er"thin! "o7+e done since "o -et her has )ed / to this$3

#he was not a -onster$ This is a s/e))$ I wi)) not .e tric*ed$3

hthis is rea) a)ri!ht, /oor rother$ #ad end to a sad )i'e$3

Tenant )owered his heade/osin! his nec*$ End it 8ic*$3

t then the )d Father /))ed .ac*sha*in! his head s)ow)"$

No $$$ Yo do not deser+e to die.t to s''er with "orse)'$3

#o the da"s /i)ed on and Tenant )i+ed ot his da"s as an otcast$

He was .arred 'ro- the Fo)dand nacce/ted ." the co--oner$

A)) he co)d do was drin* hi-se)' to s)ee/ and 'i!ht to sr+i+e$

Resistance a!ainst the #ca)es -et sccessat )east te-/orari)"$

Arctoris contined his r)eand so)idi'ied his stran!)e%ho)d$

t then one da", in the /. at dawn 'or co''ee, Tenant s)i//ed$


87/87

Rea)it" shi'tedand he 'ond hi-se)' trned o+er one )ast ti-e$

G;;)in! co''ee and downin! a /)ate o' /or* and e!! he /er*ed /$

A !ro/ at the net ta.)e were atwitter o+er so-ethin! the" had seen$

The news soon !rew that so-ethin! "et hnted the streets at ni!ht$

shadows wild

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