by Casey Eanes
Adley chuckled and dropped her head back to Kull’s shoulder as he fought back the urge to slap himself for his stupidity. All of this was built on one glorious sham.
You’re an idiot. Using her to get a free ride!
Kull worked at rationalizing away his frustrations as they bounced along up the swinging mountain passes. Ewing is due for the leg augmentation. That much was true. Dread pooled into his stomach when he thought about how much his ticket would cost him. The memory of whispering to Adley quietly and quickly in the medical tent washed over him. It was the lie that had bought him his ride, “Adley, I’ve been accepted into the Academy. I just need a ride to Vale. I need to join the cause and help like you are. It’s the least I can do after what they did to my dad. I can’t fight a whole army to find him, but I can at least join our army and do my best to help out.”
It had been so simple. In a flash, Adley pulled some strings and ushered both of them on the caravan heading directly up to Vale. It was Ewing’s idea. At the time it seemed brilliant, but now Kull felt like an idiot for going along with it. All his life Kull dreamt of joining the Academy and making a new life for himself in the Royal City, but now he was about to turn his back on all of it and leave Adley just as soon as she found him.
A sour knot twisted in Kull’s stomach as he tried to bury his anxiety. If Adley was a true friend…or something more, then she would just have to forgive him. She was the last person he wanted to manipulate, but he was left with little choice. His father needed him, and his mother was counting on him to bring him back.
It was the last thought he had until he drifted off to sleep.
A blast of icy wind rushed into the back of the truck as the convoy slammed to a halt, jarring Kull out of a dream. The doors flung open and the rushing sun blinded him. Arms reached in to pull out gurneys and lift bodies from the back of the truck, and soon Kull stepped, for the first time, into Vale.
He drew in one quick breath and blinked his eyes as they adjusted to the high noon sun. The ancient city engulfed him in a feast of sounds and sights he had never experienced. Amid the roar of the thousands flooding the city streets, Kull’s eyes shot up at the dizzying heights of the massive stone towers soaring above him, piercing the sky. It was as if they had been carved out from the mountains, and they made him feel like an insect. Tall pinnacles stood proud, lining the wide promenades of the Royal City’s cobbled, pristine streets, each filled with thousands of people, living together, all on top of one another. The thought of that alone made Kull shudder. His eyes wandered from the towers to the strong white-capped mountains encircling the city, the Asban mountain range. They served Vale well, protecting it from foreign intrusion and threats, allowing the small country of Lotte to remain free from its neighbors for hundreds of years.
Kull grabbed his thin coat and drew it in as the crisp mountain air blew over him. He always wanted to come to Vale, but now that he was here he could hardly stomach the sight. The contrast that he felt was unlike anything he had ever experienced. All morning long he rode with the convoy of refugees on the rustic, wild roads of the Lottian countryside. It was a desolate landscape of ravaged ruins. Kull had learned the truth. Cotswold was not the only village destroyed by the Grogans. Town after town they passed through had met a similar fate, each destroyed by the fire of Grogan warships and rooks.
Yet here, in Vale, it was as if all of that was only a dream. Well-dressed children played ball games in the streets, laughing and yelling. Businessmen and merchants sat hunched over their datalinks buying and selling goods. Some sat leisurely at cafes eating fine foods, drinking, smiling. The city’s citizens scurried about the large promenades without a care in the world, babbling about the upcoming coronation ceremonies and dressed in the finest thick furs. They soon began to peer over at the refugees, whispering with one another and snickering, faces masked with a mixture of disgust and concern. Kull gritted his teeth at the sight of such naive opulence.
He reached back into the convoy and grabbed Ewing’s hand. He pulled him out into the cool mountain air. Ewing balanced gingerly on a single crutch while Kull whispered, “Mark my words, Ewing. Aleph will curse this city.”
He was met with a growl. “And you, young lad, must keep your mouth shut. You are not in Cotswold, anymore. This city has ears, and you don’t know who might be listening.”
A horrible mixture of grief and rage rolled within him. He bit his tongue as the Valish residents gawked at them and the rest of the wounded that poured out into the street. Unable to contain it anymore, he continued, “But look at these people, Ewing! They have no concern for Cotswold, no concern for…”
“I lost a leg, boy, not my eyes!” snapped Ewing. “Now shut your trap.”
Kull swallowed his protests and let out a low grunt.
Ewing whispered to him, drawing him close as he teetered on his crutch. “You’ve got to learn to control that tongue, Shepherd. It’s no wonder your Pa didn’t send you to the Academy. They would have ground you to dust because of your attitude.”
Kull snapped back, “I don’t have an attitude, Ewing. I—”
“NOT another word. Not here, Kull.” Ewing stared into his eyes, “Follow my lead.” Kull nodded. His frustration with himself, with Ewing, and with this place continued its low boil as he felt the pious glances fall on him and the others. He had seen enough of Lotte’s capital city. Besides Adley, it held nothing for him.
Truckload after truckload pulled up and dumped out another crew of weary, injured passengers. In the streets, women snatched their children from their games and shut them in their houses as pockets of men stood dumbfounded and speechless at the sight. The reality of the war fell over the city with a hush.
A stout medic with a clipboard marched over to them, his eyes looking them over as his mouth drew up in a scowl.
Ewing quipped at him, “Is there a problem here, doc?”
The doctor did not acknowledge them, but went to the back of the truck.
Adley stood and greeted the doctor with a salute. The look on her face made it obvious this was a visit she was not looking forward to.
Oh no.
“Nurse Rainer, I told you only to deliver criticals. These two could have stayed back.”
Kull’s stomach dropped. The plan to get out of Lotte was already falling apart.
Adley gave a quick glance at them, as if Kull and Ewing meant nothing to her and coolly replied, “Actually, the old man is a decorated veteran. He lost that leg in the Grogan attack on Cotswold and is due his just compensation. Plus, the Major has a rare blood type and the banks were dry in Cotswold. You can pull his tag. He is two units low, and we weren’t going to let him bleed out.”
Kull swallowed hard. At least part of this grand lie was true. Ewing was low on blood, but he was as regular a blood type as Kull’s or any other random man off the street. The blood card they swiped from the medic’s tent was what persuaded Adley to join them in their charade, that and his lie of his acceptance into the Academy. It was all too much for her not to help them. Kull’s knees weakened as he watched Adley continue to defend them, even though she had no idea she had been strung along the whole time.
“Major Ewing’s companion was brought along because he was recently accepted into the Academy. He was eager to complete his enlisting to ensure he could aid in the defense and recovery efforts. You know we need all the help we can get.”
The doctor glared over old wire frame glasses back at Ewing and then began pouring over the long list of incoming Cotswoldians. “What is his name?” The question simmered with frustration.
In a huff of pride, Ewing hobbled over towards them, ridiculously bombast and comically animated for a man with one leg. “Arthur Ewing. Major Arthur Ewing. I am here for my new leg. As you see, I am currently without!”
There was a certain sick satisfaction that came with Ewing’s outlandish tactics. Kull did not know how he did it, but Arthur Ewing always got what he wanted. The military doctor threw up a quick sal
ute.
“My apologies, Major. We’ve had so many come in from the towns and villages. It’s all a bit too much to handle, I’m afraid.”
“Excuses mean nothing to these people,” Ewing grumbled as he gestured to the masses of incoming refuges.
The lead medic said nothing but addressed Adley. “Take him to the hospital. I will personally see to it that the Major gets in the queue for his…compensation.” He turned to Ewing, “Major, I apologize, but we can’t secure you a ride back out to Cotswold after you are outfitted with your prosthetic. The Grogans have attacked our earlier supply lines, and we have no vehicles to spare.”
The man’s voice hardened as he shot a glance back to Adley. “Once you get these few refugees squared away, take off for Tindler, okay? I still don’t know why you were sent to Cotswold.”
Adley blushed with embarrassment as she was chided and nodded her head. “Yes sir. I understand.”
Panic slowly untwisted from within Kull as a cautious relief grew inside of him. They actually made it to Vale and would not be sent away or arrested. Plus, the fact that Adley would have to head to Tindler gave him some room not to uncover his lies to her, after all.
Another doctor pointed to Kull, “What’s wrong with this kid?”
Adley replied sharply, “He wouldn’t leave the old man’s side. Said he was all he had. Plus, he was just accepted into the Academy.”
Adley shot a quick grin to Kull as the doctor rolled his eyes and turned back to the hospital.
“Alright, Kull, let’s get you two on your way.” Adley secured a wheelchair outside the hospital and went to assist Ewing. It was a visible relief for him to get off his crutch. Yet as soon as she began pushing him through the doors of the hospital, the wheelchair slammed to an abrupt halt. Ewing had pulled the brake, sending Adley to a stumble. The charade was over. Kull groaned, wishing the old man had at least waited until Adley left them so he didn’t have to reveal their real reason for coming into Vale.
Adley let out an unexpected laugh, “Ewing, what are you doing?” She reached to release the wheels. “We need to get you fitted for your new leg right now. Quit fooling around.”
“I’m afraid that now is not the time for that, my dear young lady. Kull and I have something more pressing to attend to. Something much more important than some fancy leg.”
Adley’s hands fell off the wheelchair. “What?”
Ewing continued his monologue, unaware of Adley’s question. “Now if you don’t mind, wheel me around the other way please.”
“What are you talking about? You’re here for the prosthetic and two units of blood, Ewing! I don’t know what you are trying to pull, but I already stretched things to get you here.” She sent a quick glare over to Kull. “To get you both here. Now, like it or not, we are going to get you fitted.”
“Ms. Rainer, now I knew your father while we served in the...”
“Ewing, please...”
Kull broke his silence, laying his hand on Adley’s shoulder as he reached to unlock the brake on Ewing’s chair.
“I’m sorry; Adley, but you were my only way out of Cotswold. We had to get to Vale. Ewing knows someone who can help me find my dad.”
Adley’s expression flew from shock to anger.
“What? What did you say, Kull?”
Kull could not bear to look into her piercing brown eyes. “I wasn’t accepted into the Academy…and Ewing did not need any rare blood type…but we both needed to get to Vale. You were our only option.”
“Well, this is the last time I’m an ‘option’ for you, Kull Shepherd.” She threw her hands to her sides. “I can’t believe you did this. I did NOT want to help you get yourself killed! And you lied to me!? I thought you actually wanted to help. Unbelievable! How could you be so selfish?”
Kull tried to find the words to say, but fell short. Adley shook her head and turned away from them.
“Fine. Do what you want, but don’t bother dragging me into the middle of it again. I have to go to Tindler for people who actually need me to help save their lives, and not run off on suicide missions.”
Kull chased after her and grabbed her shoulder as she began to rush for the hospital doors. Her face was flushed and she huffed as he turned her back to him.
“Adley, there was no other way!” Frustration ramped inside him as he apologized. “I’m sorry, alright! We lied to you, but you just helped me save my dad’s life.”
Adley’s eyes began to tear up. Ewing, for once, remained silent as the two quarreled.
“Kull, you’ve lost your mind! What makes you think you can take on the Grogans? They took your dad! He couldn’t even handle them, so what makes you think you can? There is a war going on out there! A war. This is not a game! And you left your dying mother behind to get yourself killed.”
“You think I don’t know that, Adley?” Ewing placed a hand on Kull’s back to steady him. “I have to try. I can’t just…” Hot tears formed in his eyes, but he fought them back in protest. “I can’t just let them take him. I have to fight, and don’t bring mom into this. I promised her I would bring dad back. She knows the cost. I know the cost, and I have to go after them!”
Adley’s face remained stoic.
“This is stupid, Kull. Our armies can barely hold the Grogans back from Vale.” Kull was just about to row into her again, but Adley grabbed his hand and stared into his eyes. “I can’t stand the thought that I may have just helped you get one step closer to getting yourself killed. I am going to let the guards know you need to be escorted back. This is just wrong.”
“Don’t!” Kull tempered his anger. “Look, I’m sorry. I truly am, but this is not your call. I can’t just sit around, Adley. They are going to kill him. Once they get what they want, they will kill him.”
“And what is that, Kull? What do they want?” Adley stared at him.
“I...I don’t know...” The wind had been knocked out of him.
“Come on, lad.” Ewing broke Kull’s gaze from Adley. “We need to find my friend, and the day is almost spent. He’ll be making his way out of Vale soon, and... I doubt I will be able to help much longer.”
Kull looked at Ewing. He was as white as a sheet. They needed to hurry.
Kull swallowed hard and looked back at Adley. “Listen, Adley.” He grasped for words that would make it all better, but found none. “I’m sorry.”
Adley looked at him, cut her eyes down, and said nothing as she turned around and bolted into the hospital.
“Adley, wait!” Kull shouted.
“Let her go, Kull! She has her choices, and you have yours. Let her make this choice.” Kull could feel Ewing’s stare boring into his back as he reproached him. He relented and turned around.
“Fine. Let’s go.”
Kull got behind his friend and began to push his wheelchair up the cobblestone alley as guilt weighed down each step he took. He did not have long to feel guilty though, as Ewing began barking turn by turn directions. Kull dutifully followed each direction as he labored to push the portly old brute along the cobbled streets.
Ewing’s directions eventually brought them to a shadowy alley leading to a single iron door. He was shocked as Ewing forced himself to hobble up on his one good leg and knock on it. A small window flew open, and Ewing whispered something to the person on the other side. Kull heard the thick metal bolt behind the door unlatch, and it swung open with a low moan. There, much to Kull’s surprise, was a monk from the Preost Forest. The white-robed figure didn't say a word, but motioned them forward. Careful to bolt back the heavy door, the monk led them both toward a small stone chapel surrounded by a beautiful garden of blooming red roses. Despite the tall towers surrounding them, sunlight poured throughout the hidden courtyard, and Kull was shocked to find that such a peaceful place existed deep within the bustling streets of Vale.
The monk motioned for them to enter the chapel. As Ewing and Kull entered the small alcove of the sanctuary they were greeted by a low, brooding growl. When K
ull saw the origin of the growl, he wanted to bolt for the door, but Ewing held him in place, his grip firm. There, deep within the chapel, was a praying ebony-skinned monk accompanied by a wild, bearish dog. Kull could barely hold back the questions and fear bubbling within him as he stared at the dog lying by this mysterious monk’s side.
Kull whispered, unable to contain himself, “This is your friend, Ewing?”
Ewing whispered back, “Be quiet! And yes, this is my friend. Hush now.”
But Kull could not hush. “You never told me you were friends with a Preost monk.”
Ewing quickly snapped back, “There are many things I have not told you. Now hush! You are never supposed to interrupt a Preost monk’s prayers. It’s just plain bad luck.”
Kull rolled his eyes. “I never took you as one who weighed out luck.”
“I don’t. But I make an exception with priests, monks, and witches and anyone else who has dealings with the Beyond. You’d be smart to do the same.”
The lone cloaked figure sat cross-legged on the white marble floor of the bare room surrounded by candlelight, his lips fluttering rapidly, his eyes held shut. His dark skin served a stark contrast to the intricate ash patterns that wove and swirled over his face. He wore only a coarse gray tunic, and an ironwood staff lay beside him on the ground. He prayed unlike anyone Kull had seen before, for no cleric Kull ever encountered prayed with such quiet intensity. Whatever the monk was saying, it was not meant for his ears or as a showcase of outward piety, yet Kull could not shake off how fierce his face looked.
The only thing more ferocious in the room was the hulking beast of a dog that greeted them upon their entrance. In all his life Kull had never seen a dog more horrible. Its face was a brutal display of disfigurement and scars, like a tattered quilt of fur with long, white teeth. It glared at him, staring him down with its one good eye, the other a hollow scar of patchwork from some unknown battle. Flashing a fraught warning toward him and Ewing, the beast raised one side of its scarred mouth, bearing a row of white fangs. A low, rumbling growl began to build.