Chase the Morning

He must have thought I was cowering. He didn’t stop to raise his guard. The impact was jarring, the sound … horrible. The thudding chop you hear from the back of a butcher’s shop, muffled by wet meat. The cutlass flew out of my hands again, and the Wolf reeled, gaped, clutched frantically at his upper arm. A slight ripping of cloth and it came away, entire, in his hand. A dark rush stained his side. Eyes glaring, foam and slaver pouring from his lips, the Wolf loomed over me like death incarnate; then suddenly his eyes wandered, he gave a high-pitched womanish shriek and staggered. Still shrieking insanely, he fell down at the feet of his fellows and died. That broke them, and they turned to run. Not far. I grabbed the trident, and this time it tore free, but I didn’t need it. Only one escaped and bolted down the aisle, but Jyp launched himself like a leopard onto his back and slashed his throat as he ran.

I pressed face and stomach to the planks, shaking with fright and reaction, struggling hard not to throw up. I couldn’t believe what I’d just done. The sight of death in there was revolting, the reek was worse; not even the spicy fragrance of the planks could drown it. It didn’t seem to bother the woman. When I looked up eventually I saw her perched casually on a packing-case, breathing deeply. It would have been eye-catching if her top and trousers hadn’t been spattered with blood, though none of it seemed to be hers. As my sickness subsided the implications sank in; this big blonde amazon had just butchered maybe a dozen strong men, or whatever, bigger than herself, and suffered no worse than a scratch or two. For a moment she seemed as inhuman as the Wolves; but I couldn’t look at her that way. She’d saved me, gratis and for nothing; she’d saved Jyp …

A hand fell on my shoulder, and the light of a lantern blossomed around me. Ye’ve no hurt?’

I blinked. She looked different, close to; and younger. She was taller than me, but not by so very much, and though her features were too large and strong to be really pretty, they were by no means rough or mannish. Her face was oval and regular, clear-skinned and creamy, her nose long but tip-tilted; full shapely lips made up somewhat for the slight trace of jowl at her jaw. The effect was slightly coarse, but sensual. Her heavy-lidded green eyes were surprisingly mild and sympathetic.

‘No worse than a few bruises … and maybe an old cut opened. But that’s all thanks to you – stepping in where you’d no need –’

She waved a hand; that at least looked raw-boned and strong. ‘Ach, think no more on’t, boy! Always my delight to scotch that stinking Pack in their dirty businesses! And since it was to help Master Jyp here, I’m well repaid!’

‘You’re a friend of his, then?’

‘Hey, that’s right!’ chuckled Jyp. He was wiping off his clothes with a Wolf’s long overcoat. He bounced up and draped his arms around our shoulders. ‘You two don’t know each other! You made such a good team I clean forgot! Steve, this is Mall, an old drinking buddy of mine –’

‘That’s a stale honour!’ she grunted sardonically, scratching her bare shoulder. ‘So’s every sot in the Ports – the more so an they’re lechers also.’

‘Known to her victims as Mad Mall,’ continued Jyp smoothly. She tossed her mane, revealing a band of something like rich brocade around her brow, but the nickname didn’t seem to displease her – rather the reverse. ‘She’s in the same line of work I am – everything from manning your ship to guarding your cargo! And that’s her specialty! She’s the best damn help you could have brought back.’ He gave a wry smile. ‘Hell, that’s three, Steve! The other night, the warning, and now you pull me out of this. You’re my lucky charm; I’ve got to see you’re okay! Keep this up and I’ll never get quit!’

I groaned. Disgrace came flooding back. ‘Christ, Jyp – if you only knew – I just buggered off. I’m sorry – I was scared sh –’

He cut me short, chuckling. ‘What else could you do? You ran in the right direction. I don’t care much for coincidence, not in these parts. And you came back; and it’s thanks to that I’m still here. Counts for one hell of a lot with me, does that. It’s your play, pal; you chalk up the point.’

I wasn’t so sure. ‘Jyp, – look, I wasn’t thinking of fetching help, I just –’ His gesture was so sudden, so savage, it shocked me into instant silence. He listened an instant, took two soft padding steps – then sped and pounced like a panther. A frightened shriek split the air, and something heavy was knocked over. I heard Jyp chuckle, and it was not his usual open laugh. ‘My, oh my!’ he said. ‘What’ve we here? Seems there’s mice about as well as rats! Say, Steve – mind seeing if Frederick’s okay? I’ve something here’ll drive him wild!’