Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Wars ❯ Chapter 6

Rayne and Hera's newfound sexuality made the mood among the Order much easier to deal with, they soon found. No longer were the two of them pitted against the other three, disapproving and scornful. They were all on equal footing now and it kept their little regiment running smoothly. The guys packed up some clothes and then went as a group to the magic cavern, to gather what things they would take along. Ivy went to the castle stables, to see if there were any horses to be found. Luckily, Arcaine had had no use for the magnificent beasts that Angelis' ancestors had bred and she found them running wild in the pastures behind the stables. They had been breeding and living without human guidance for years and were running as several small herds. Many of the adults, though, came forward, remembering the kindness of humans in the past and Ivy caught five of the most beautiful and strong horses of the bunch. Stallions, they tossed their heads and balked once or twice, but followed her eagerly to the stables when she offered them grain. Groomed and saddled, they were magnificent and she rode one of them, leading the others, back to the village. The stallion pranced beneath her, spooky and still a bit wild, but a few sharp commands and a tight rein held him in check.

When they rode out of the village, they found themselves surrounded by the villagers, cheering and waving them on. They didn't look back as they disappeared over the rise.

That first night was the longest that the guys had ever spent, lying beside the women they had pledged their swords and their hearts to and wondering what was to come. None of them had ever been far from the village where they had been born and while excited to see what the world was like, they were somewhat apprehensive about the prospect that they might never return home. Then, they looked at the Order of Death, each beautiful and strong, but vulnerable and soft in her own way. These five girls had given up everything to take on this mission. Saving the world was a tall order, but they had taken it in stride and done well so far. They had sacrificed their freedom and any chance at a normal future, yet they remained wry and sarcastic, their spirits unbroken and perhaps even more lively than those of normal people. Their attacks were brutal, their clothes were scarce, their bodies scarred and beautiful, and their passion unmatched and unbridled. In the face of all that, the apprehensions the guys had been feeling seemed to drift away, forgotten, in the light of the Order of Death.

"They're quiet," said Ice, softly, glancing over to where the guys were surrounding a small fire. Ivy nodded. "We were too, when we began," said Rayne. "We need to distract them. They're over-thinking things," said Hera. Their heads together, the Order whispered their suggestions for a distraction. Ivy and Mayhem's were rejected immediately with an admonishment from Hera, "Ivy, Mayhem, sex is not the answer to every problem." Ivy was heard muttering, "Well it would certainly distract me," and Mayhem began to giggle. "Shut up, you two. I have just the thing," said Ice, standing and leading them over to the guys. "Are you ready?" she asked, in a clear, serious voice. The guys looked up at her. "Ready for what?" asked Devin, warily. "You're naming," said Ice.

"If a demon knows your name, he has a minimal amount of extra power over you, so we all took our Order of Death names when we came back to earth to fight. You five need your own battle identities now," said Hera, picking up Ice's train of thought. "How do we pick names?" asked Gunner. "Just choose something that fits you. Ivy causes chaos wherever she goes, so that became her name. You get it," said Rayne, earning a sideways glare from Ivy. Hunter pulled her down onto his lap. "I may need some help with this," he said, squeezing her. "Why don't you ladies pick the names for us," said Angelis. "Phoenix, for the fire. All the fires," Ivy said, her voice growing husky as her eyes met Hunter's and a sensual look passed between them. "Devin is River, for the water," said Rayne. Devin smiled and nodded. "Gunner will be Sage, for the plants," Hera decided. "Angelis will be called Storm," Mayhem said, curling up on his lap like a kitten. "And Connor shall be Wolf, for the animal he can call that is most like himself," Ice said. "As a whole, you are the Hand of Power," said Ivy, out of the blue, but no one batted an eyelash at her announcement. The name fit. The Order of Death and the Hand of Power spread out over a small area, using bushes and rocks for seclusion and made their beds.

The first village they came to was quiet, gloomy, with no sounds of laughter or happiness. There were no children running through the muddy streets, no gossiping women or boasting men outside the inn or the tavern. Dogs barked, distantly, as they rode into the town, their hands hovering over their weapons. Ice dismounted first and Connor joined her on the ground, standing at her side as the others held their nervously prancing horses in check. "Something isn't right here," Ice muttered. "There are no signs of life," said Connor. A shutter creaked and they caught a glimpse of a fear-filled face peeking at them. "Oh, they're alive, but all is definitely not well," Ice said, glancing around. A door opened and a man came outside, holding a sword in two hands like he was going to use it as a club. "We don't want any trouble here! You just move along!" he shouted. "We aren't here to cause trouble. We're here to help," said Hera, from the back of her horse. "You can't help us. No one can. Just go," the man argued. "You're wrong. Let us try. We have just come from Morran. The people of the village are free and the Castle Morravik belongs to the royal line once again," said Angelis. The man still looked skeptical. "The Dark Lord Demon Arcaine is dead, at the hands of our companions, Chaos and Apocalypse," said Connor, gesturing to Ice and Ivy. It had been decided that no others would ever hear their true names and that they would only be spoken in private. The man lowered the sword, his face looking as if he were afraid to be hopeful. "You killed the Demon Lord?" he asked. Ice and Ivy nodded. The man's shoulders slumped. "All right. Come with me. We'll stable your horses and I'll tell you what has happened here."

The man's name was Carver and the story he told them was enough to make their blood run cold. It seemed the Demon Lord that ruled over this township had a penchant for children and had taken every child in the village to his manor house, where he held them, to insure their parents' cooperation. "His name. What is the demon's name?" asked Hera. "Kadriak. His name is Kadriak," said Carver, with a shudder. "If you can show us where we can stay for the night, I swear we will do all we can to rescue your children and rid you of the Demon Lord," said Rayne. "I will show you to the inn," Carver said.

The inn was small but clean and they retired to Ice and Connor's room after changing their clothes. "Can we help them get their children back?" asked Devin, immediately. "We're going to try," said Rayne, glancing at Hera and Ice. The two of them had their heads down, bent over the small box that connected them to Lady Morgana. The Demon Queen's voice floated into the room. "My girls. Tell me what is happening." In low tones, Hera and Ice related all that had happened, beginning with the death of Arcaine and ending with this new threat, the Demon Lord Kadriak. "Kadriak is the son of my mother's brother. His father was cruel beyond measure and his son has inherited that tendency. Take great care, my Order of Death. If Kadriak captures you, the things he will do to you are too horrible to name," Lady Morgana warned. "Now, let me see those men of yours," she ordered. One at a time, the guys approached the box, looking inside so that Lady Morgana could see their faces. "My name is Angelis, or Storm," said Angelis, when he peeked into the box. Lady Morgana grinned. "Appropriate, angel face," she said. Angelis blushed as he pulled back and Connor took his place. "I am Connor, and Wolf." "It would take the strength of a wolf to melt Ice," Lady Morgana quipped. Connor smiled and sent a heated glance to Ice as Devin took his place in front of the box. "I'm Devin, but Rayne named me River," he said. "She needs to be carried away, River. She's far too serious," the Demon Queen told him. He nodded and moved for Hunter. "My name is Hunter. Ivy calls me Phoenix," he said. The lady smirked. "A hunter for my huntress. A warrior for my killer. It's perfect." Hunter didn't react, just moved out of Gunner's way. "My name is Gunner, and Sage." "A good shot to the heart, as well, I suspect," Lady Morgana said, with a knowing smile. The Order gathered above the box and looked down at their lady. "My girls, you have chosen your mates well. Just remember that you must trust them to help you and not let worry for them disturb your fighting," she warned. "Well said, my lady," said Ice, quietly. "I bid you farewell, then. Until next time," said the Demon Queen. The mercury in the box shimmered and she was gone.

"What now?" asked Devin. "We go downstairs, get something to eat and learn all we can about Kadriak's fortress. Then we make a plan," said Rayne. "Easier said than done," Ivy quipped. "She's right. Learning everything we need to know could take days," said Ice. "Well, we have to start somewhere. Let's go talk to the innkeepers," said Hera, standing up and leading the way out of the room.

Ivy and Ice kept a calm, sweeping watch over the inn as Hera, Rayne and Gypsy questioned the villagers and the innkeeper, one table at a time. The guys were scattered about the room, strategically placed at every window and door, to warn of any demon intruders before they could be caught in their interrogations. Ivy's arms were crossed, her fingers curled around the handles of the knives that hid under her wrist shields. Ice lovingly caressed the silver rod that hung, ready to be drawn and extended, from her belt. At the first sign of danger, they would take out the front line of attackers, so the others could escape. At least, that was how it was meant to be. In reality, they knew the others wouldn't go anywhere, but would stay and fight. Kind of defeated the purpose, Ivy decided, tightening and loosening her grip on the daggers. Hunter glanced at her from beside the front door, his eyes heated. He was tired of this game as well. The look in his eyes told her he would much rather be upstairs, with her. She smiled and glanced toward Hera, Rayne and Gypsy. They were on the second to last table. She glanced back at Hunter and mouthed the word "soon". He grinned and returned to watching the door.