69

Murmux

Asher, soon-to-be-dead, of the Rock of the Ever Night, was walking next to Candle with his big, stupid muscles and his beautiful golden eyes. His hair was thick and shiny, like a raven's wing, and it gleamed when he tilted his head to laugh. He was lovely, Murmux thought. It was almost a shame that he had to die. Almost.

Thinking about ripping Asher's ears off made him feel slightly calmer as he walked beneath the gate of the dragon's fortress. When was the last time one of his kind had crossed this threshold? Icy fingers crawling up and down his spine as he looked about, noting the exits. He plastered a bland expression on his face, forcing the bile down. It was important that he kept his equilibrium. Retribution would come soon enough. He could feel his mistresses' command on him, creeping through his blood, encircling his skin with her moonsilver enforced spell of submission. But he did not need her permission to hate. How satisfying would it be to knock that smirk off Asher's beautiful, stupid face.

Candle walked as she always did, favouring her toes, with the curls of her hair bobbing on her shoulders in a tangled cloud. She looked like a sparrow about to take flight. A wild sparrow with moonsilver talons, Murmux amended his thought, grinning as he remembered the mince-meat she had made of his late brothers. She was listening to Asher with guarded stillness. Her expression was earnest as she fixed those vivid eyes on the pretentious prick's undeserving face. Candle was lovely but naïve. Of course, that made his job easier, but it might lead to complications in the short term.

The humans trailed after them through the dark cavernous tunnel which eventually opened up into a vast courtyard. The sky was a long way up, and the courtyard walls reached for the stars with stony fingers. Murmux followed behind, doing his best to keep a low profile, holding the human toddler like a shield on his hip. The humans clutched each other nervously, looking around at the walls, the windows, the sky, and Murmux didn't blame them. They might have been food for the Necromancers, but they would soon find they would be treated little better here.

An older man with a wrinkled brow and a clipboard bustled over. He smelt stale, like old beer and sawdust. Like so many of the humans in the Night Nation, he was pale-skinned, with hair the colour of dingy straw. He wore a harried expression and a pair of spectacles on the very end of his nose, his back hunched over. His frown deepened as he took in the size of the group.

"No space," he said, flipping over a sheet. "You'll have to turn around. Your masters should have told you."

"I'm sure some arrangement can be made," Asher said, from behind him, in a low rumble that Murmux supposed was to be intimidating. It worked on the human who turned in irritation then jumped visibly, beads of sweat starting on his forehead. He bowed low.

"My apologies, young Master," he said. "I did not expect to see you here...um...like this."

"Hello, Khumaka," said Zeb, slapping the man on the shoulder. Khumaka winced. "I'm sure you can figure something out." Zeb turned and waved to everyone, the sweep of his hand taking in the whole group, even Murmux. "I'll see you all at the market ­­­­­­‑ I need to go and check up on my friends." ­

"Your friends in the kitchen?" asked Asher.

Zeb grinned, and opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by the arrival of a cluster of dragons. They descended on the courtyard from above, and Murmux felt the hairs rise on the back of his neck. Swallowing quickly, he suppressed the lightning that threatened to spill out of him. It was a natural reaction. The dragons were huge and vastly intimidating in their natural form. Anyone who didn't feel fear at the sight of several tonnes of flying apex predator was a fool and an imbecile. But he needed to keep it under control. Candle would be unable to protect him from the wrath of the dragons, no matter what she thought she knew. They were not known for their mercy. He breathed in, a long slow breath, forcing his muscles to relax one by one, yet they remained stubbornly coiled, ready to spring. If he didn't get to punch something soon, he might have a problem.

The dragons jostled for landing space, snarling and snapping at each other. The smallest dragon kept out of the way, clinging to the rock with wide eyes while the others feinted at each other in a bad-tempered display, scrambling for position. The humans moved back into the tunnel, hastily moving to give the creatures space. The beasts landed with a thump that vibrated through the cobbles and transformed into their human forms. No less pleasant in small folk form, they parted with hisses and snarls, splitting up to head in different directions. Murmux recognised Orin as he strode towards them, a snarl still fresh on his lips. The Rock was a tinder keg, Murmux realised. So many ill-tempered carnivores gathered in a confined space was just asking for trouble. He hoped it would blow, and he hoped he would be around to enjoy it.

Murmux glowered as Orin sauntered over with more swagger than speed. Meanwhile, the smallest dragon had transformed into a young girl, brown skinned and golden of eye. Her hair the same jet black as Orin's. She raced across the cobbles, flinging herself on Zeb and then Asher. Asher disentangled himself from his enthusiastic younger sister with cold disdain. Her hair was pulled back into a tail at the back of her neck and she wore the same kind of over the top rubbish as her brothers. Across the courtyard the other dragons were dispersing into the castle. Zeb greeted the young dragon spawn with enthusiasm but had eyes only for those on the other side of the courtyard,

"Diah," he yelled, "Obadiah! Did you miss me?" Obadiah turned and growled, making a rude gesture with his hands before disappearing into a dark passageway without a second glance. Zeb elbowed Asher, a beatific smile spreading across his face. "Did you see that, Ash! He looked at me."

"Gross," said Orin. "Grandfather would not approve. Diah's clan ... hardly the sort we would want to associate with." His lip curled in a sneer, and his eyes landed on Candle.

"Fuck you, Orin," said Zeb. "I hope your scales fall off and a wight eats your face."

"Nice," said Orin, and the two brothers glared at each other.

"We have company," Asher said, his voice cool.

"Aren't you going to introduce us?" the female spawn said, tugging on Asher's shirt. She was staring at Candle with great interest.

"My sister Sallith," said Asher. "Orin, you've already met. Sallith, this is Candle, she is with us for the festival."

"It's nice to meet you, Sallith," Candle said, and the dragon brat blushed a rosy pink. Orin turned to Candle with that sneer that seemed permanently painted on his ugly face.

"Took your sweet time getting here," he said, folding his arms. "I see you managed to keep most of the humans alive? Pity, the place is crowded enough already."

Murmux breathed through his nose and counted to ten. A spark escaped from his hair, almost stinging the toddler he held. He apologised under his breath and the child looked back at him with round, chubby placidity.

"That's right," he murmured, under his breath, "don't look at his ugly face." The small one giggled, and grabbed a strand of Murmux's hair with a fat fist. Murmux bounced him a little, pleased to have a distraction. Asher, he wanted to smash into a wall, but Orin... Orin deserved slow death by dismemberment.

Of course Candle, being the sweet, stupid girl she was merely smiled at Orin.

"It was a good trip," she said. "Zebulon brought us lots of cake."

"The chocolate with taksjdkaj?" Sallith grinned, "That's my favourite too."

Orin spat on the cobbles and set off across the courtyard. Disgusting. Candle merely lifted an eyebrow. She was too good for this world, and certainly too good to associate with these wretched beasts. A pity her gentle heart would get her killed, and most likely the rest of them along with her. Murmux touched a finger to the arms that had so recently been lacerated by wounds. The skin was whole and unblemished, not even the faintest of scars showing. He tore his finger away and concentrated on looking harmless.

"Come on, Salad," said Zeb, and he waved to everyone else "See you at the market!" He and Sallith disappeared into a shadowy passageway.

"You said you don't have siblings?" said Asher, to Candle. She shook her head. "You are lucky."

"Perhaps," said Candle.

The cretin shot her a considering look but didn't press her for information. Probably waiting to get her alone, so he could seduce the information out of her. A spark crackled in Murmux's chest and he pushed it down.

"How many brothers and sisters do you have?"

"You've met them all now," said Asher, "Zeb, Orin and Sallith."

Asher turned back to the hapless chaplain who had been standing waiting for his betters' attention like a wet rag. He was scribbling on his notepad and frowning. "Khumaka? You will be able to find accommodation for Candle's vassals?"

It was less a question and more of a statement.

"I will find room," said the sad creature. He glanced down at his list. "Somewhere."

"Come," said Asher, turning on his heel. He clearly expected Candle to follow him. The girl didn't budge, a stubborn light shining in those vivid blue eyes.

"I want to see where they will be staying."

"Seriously?"

Murmux leaned forward, silently urging the scaly bastard to anger. Let him show his true colours at last. But to his disappointment Asher just sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Fine," he said, pressing his lips together in a sour line. "I know better than to ask you again." He looked at her hopefully but Candle didn't budge. She stared at him with that open eyed innocence that Murmux was beginning to recognise as Candle at her most intractable. "Fine," Asher repeated. He sighed. "Khumaka, please show Candle the human's quarters, and then show her to her room?"

"My room?"

"You don't expect to bunk down with the humans do you?" The bastard looked shocked. He wiped a hand through his shock of black hair, and looked up at the positions of the stars, before returning his gaze to Candle. "Khumaka will make sure you get settled. I'm going to head to my quarters. I'll see you later." He reached out and squeezed her shoulder, then dropped his hand awkwardly. "I'm glad you're here, Candle," he said.

"Me too," said Candle.

Murmux wondered if she meant it. He couldn't tell.