Our Lady of the Shattered Mirror

Sacrifice


Mariposa frantically worked the lock of the hidden door as the Imperial soldiers closed in. Passing years and damp sea air had fused the latch into a lump of iron. It refused to give though the duenna was certain this time she had the correct key. She used as much force as she dared but feared the key breaking in the lock. Her wards huddled against her shivering with fear and exhaustion.

Valeria’s spear flashed as its foliate point caught the sunlight spilling in from the shattered door. She had started in the middle of the room in a good defensive position but the soldiers had forced her back against the stair railing. The healer breathed heavily as she moved through the Serpent Weave parry, catching and twisting away the swords of the two Imperials.

Her skill gave her a small edge over the rank and file soldiers. They were new recruits and inexperienced so they got in each other’s way as they tried to fight her independently. In their position, she would have flanked around towards the top of the stairs to make her move to cut of their access to the royal heirs. Rather than exploiting her weakness they tried to go through her.

“What keeps you?” Valeria could not remove her eyes from her foes to see the cause of the delay. She pivoted like a dancer and brought the tip of the spear across in a fast arc. The razor fine edge parted the flesh of the first soldier’s neck so cleanly the healer barely felt the impact. A red fountain showered her, hot on her cold skin as she cut through the Imperial’s jugular.

“It has rusted.” Mariposa panted, almost weeping with frustration. She threw herself against the door and it screeched like a banshee but did not give. The duenna stifled a groan as her shoulder protested the ill treatment. Looking up, she saw her friend circling with a soldier and fending off his sword feints with the blunt end of her spear. Was there only one left?

One became none as Valeria dropped to a knee and jabbed forward under the Imperial’s guard. His mouth opened as the spear point entered his abdomen. The healer twisted the haft to open the wound and he folded onto the ground with a gurgling moan. She pulled the spear free, kicked his sword out of his reach then approached. With her back to the children so they would not see, she opened his throat.

“May the Merciful Mother watch over your journey.” Valeria made the sign of the closed eye over the fallen soldiers before turning her attention to the hidden door. Mariposa looked sick and the heirs close to panic. The healer leant on the railing as she caught her breath. Court life had dulled her edge. There had been a time when two recruits would not cause her to break a sweat.

“Would lamp oil help?” She gestured at the lantern on the steps, only then noticing her arms were red to the elbows. Valeria dropped her hand but Mariposa was too distracted to remark on her state of attire. The duenna hastily doused the wick and poured the scented oil over the latch and as best she could into the lock itself. Her hands trembled when she tried the key. It moved more than it had on her previous attempts.

“It is working!” She cried joyously. Careless of the silk, Mariposa wiped her hands on her skirts to get a better grip then turned the key sharply. There was a snapping noise and for a moment she feared the key had broken. Drawing in a shaky breath the duenna tried the latch. It did not move. She brought her fist down on it with all her might and earned a rasping click as it released. “Praise the goddess!”

“I think not.” The hard voice made them all turn. An Imperial officer strode into the shop, drawing his sword as he approached. He had his back to the light and the deep shadows on his face made Mariposa see him as creature of darkness sent to torment them. Valeria saw the three badges of rank on his shoulder and the sparkling red glyphs on his blade. She stepped forward to bar his approach.

“Take the children and run, Mari.” The healer said quietly, her gaze fixed on the Imperial. Valeria struck the end of her spear on the floor in a ritual challenge. Mariposa made to say something then bit her lip. The duenna knew the reputation of the army of the Empire. No officer would forgo a call to duel. She threw her weight against the door and it opened just enough for her to slip through.

The officer launched himself forward faster than his bulk suggested. Valeria parried and dodged, catching him on the knee with the butt of her spear as she shied away. Mariposa grabbed the almost empty lantern and shepherded the children into the tunnel beyond the door. She hesitated. The Imperial pressed her friend against the railing with a series of attacks that made the red writing on his sword leave traceries in the air.

“Mari, go!” Valeria shouted, ducked and lashed out as she rolled to the right to keep herself between the officer and the stairs. The tip of her spear slashed through his tunic and the chainmail beneath but did not blood him. Mariposa closed her eyes, whispered a prayer to the Merciful Mother then shoved the door closed with all her might. The old hinges shrilled as the portal slammed.