by Sean J Leith
They walked along the unsteady scaffolds once more. Each Broken seemed a little more comfortable with the heights now, but most were still wary of the molten lava below. The sounds of mining picks clattered in unison; Saul felt he would go mad if he lived there from the heat and sounds alone. The massive chains hung embedded in the mountain walls, keeping the large steel platforms steady and unyielding. He wondered how many fell to their deaths every year in the hell they walked through, and inevitably wondered how Terrans did it. They lived and worked in these mountains non-stop, faces wrought with dirt and black dust. He wondered what other kinds of professions they even had, and how they ate. He supposed they may leave once in a while to hunt.
“What do you do here, Frondin?” Saul inquired.
“King Dorneth’s scribe. I maintain order in the paperwork and mark our place in the history of the mountains.”
Tales and edicts should be spoken by the word of mouth. He wondered about what they were getting into. The ‘Soldier of Storms’ that sought Broken blood was concerning, especially when he could shoot electricity from his very hands.
“What do you make of this ‘Soldier of Storms?’” Saul asked. He worried for the dreams he had, now. Dreams of his skin burning away, as he is struck by lightning until he can’t endure the agony any longer.
“I think he’s a bastard. He’s a real one, in truth, but he’s a crag. Treason is a burnable offense in Blackcore. We wouldn’t work with him even if he blasted down the door. We don’t always keep to ourselves. Fight when we have to. There’s a reason the mountain has never been taken from us.” They walked to a large steel door at the end of the scaffolds on the eastern wall of the mountain hall. Frondin smacked a handle beside the door embedded in the rock wall, shooting the door itself up into the stone wall. “I met ‘im before—Ithaca. He always walked around like he owned the place. Spoke to our King with no respect, although you and he had a bit of a tizz there, heh? Luckily the Lady saved you on that one.”
Saul frowned. I don’t need her help. But it was appreciated. “Hopefully we can make it to the capital in good time. There are others on their way there now.” Luckily their own passing was quick. They had much ground to cover.
“Well, you’re going the right way. Why go to Serpentarius?”
“They are fighting about us, after all. We wish to aid in the conflict,” Saul replied.
“Aye, they think you’re scum. With you thinking you own the land and another continent, that’s a good word for it.”
“What did you dare say?” Saul growled, stopping abruptly. He grabbed the damned Terran by the neck of his armor.
Without flinching, the fool said, “Do you think you belong in the Vale, or do you think the Broken should reign in Renalia?”
Saul’s expression darkened. “We ruled Renalia for centuries; it belongs to us.”
“No, it belongs to the royal family. Things were prosperous, I hear, before it went to shit recently. I’m a bit of a history buff, so why don’t you tell me who ruled, and why you deserve it?”
“Icarus,” Saul proclaimed. Icarus was the first Broken ruler, aided in the conquering of the Dark Ones and freeing of the land.
“A bastard. He enslaved all other races and forced them to make idols of him. Who else?”
How dare he insult the heroes of my past. Icarus was a grand warrior, finding glory wherever he went. “Aggaroth,” Saul tried again. He was the hero who defeated the frost giants and the mountains were named after him.
“A bastard. Murdered innocent, harmless giants in his wake, and the giants kept to the mountains, as we do here. Are you going to keep choosing those that conquer, rather than those who lead?”
Saul growled, tightening his grip. “You—” he clenched his teeth, moving in close. “I idolized them for years, How dare you insult the war heroes of our race? If it wasn’t for Icarus, the remaining Dark Ones could have risen after Gadora’s ascension. And if it wasn’t for Aggaroth, the giants could have risen up and destroyed everyone.”
“Could have.” Frondin took Saul’s hand off him and continued walking. They soon came to a three-way split in the cave. “Give me your map.” Saul obliged, handing it to him. He traced his index finger around on it and pointed to a specific tunnel. “We’re here. Make your way in this direction, then turn here after a day’s travel, and follow the rest of the path to this gate. Tell them that Dorneth and Lady Kashral sent you through. They’ll know.” Frondin walked back toward the main hall of Blackcore, stopping to speak one last time. “Don’t attach yourself to stories, there are always discrepancies. Good day, son of Makari. Beware the storm that comes.”
“And you, Frondin, son of Grond,” Saul replied. Thinking of the potential fight to come, it was as Gadora told him in the dream.
A storm is coming.
* * *
The Broken walked along the heated tunnels for days. They came to sections of small—and much cooler—settlements in large regions of the rock, blasted and mined.
Drof grew more nervous as the days passed. He shook at night, he walked slower, and he questioned their route more often. He was a cowardly man, afraid of combat and confrontation. If a wolf ran at him, he would either run away, or fall and die. He was a kind Broken, but most of all, tactical. He belonged in a war room. It would suit him best.
Saul and Drof discussed the war that occurred ten years ago, back when he was but a young Broken. Drof was slightly older than Saul at that time, but not well suited for battle. His frame narrow and muscles tired, his clan did not deem him fit to fight. Drof knew much of what tactics the battalions used, the ways they moved their ships, and travelled along the mountains.
He mentioned an orb that appeared above the main force when they were crippled and devastated. The tactics were horrid, and the movements were all wrong. They were lambs to the slaughter, yet no one dared speak of it. If it weren’t for Saul’s mother, thousands more would have died. She brought her ships to battle as a decoy, so the others could retreat back to Kathynta.
Saul wondered why the armies were defeated so easily. He only pictured Obelreyon, who seemed unaffected by the loss. We will return and take Renalia for ourselves, the dastardly Dragon had said. He said the same to my father before he died. Frondin said the dragon’s forces were readied at the knives…
What is Obelreyon planning? Saul wondered.
He knew nothing of the north anymore, hoping his people were alive and safe, and not taken to war using foolish tactics.
Chapter Thirty-five
Nefarious Kindness
Lira Kaar
Lira was exhausted after another day of knocking on doors and questioning witnesses. She worried often for her missing friends. The group was lucky that Krogar helped, but days still passed with minimal progress. She wished to get more information from him, but it was like pulling teeth. An interesting fellow, and nice enough, but everything was a game to him. Lira learned to play along, and Kayden stayed outside. She decided on meeting with Calvin, despite the group’s opinions.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Kayden had said to her, over and over.
Lira reassured her and the others multiple times. It’s just something I sense, and only I can get the right information safely, she thought. It had been a week, and they still hadn’t discovered where the missing people were held. Or anything about Asheron or Malakai.
So, Lira sat down to dinner that evening in Sohgra’s inn with Calvin. The warm, russet wood walls shone dimly in the lantern light. There was no one at the inn except them. Sometimes I feel there’s no coincidence that only him and my group are out in the daylight, and under the moonlight. The others are keeping away from the streets. Especially at night.
“So, how are things in town?” she asked. “Aside from the sad news of disappearances, of course.” Lira and the group hadn’t found much, just a bit of information on ‘The Figures’ as the residents called them.
“Things are pretty different, actually. Ever since the
y closed the mine and took all the miners with them.” Calvin’s eyes widened, looking from his stew to Lira. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring it up.” She noticed something strange—his eyes blue as the sea were now flecked with violet.
“It’s okay,” Lira said brittly. The thought of her brother being dragged away entered her mind and vanished quickly. I have to find him before something terrible happens. “I really miss him. I wonder how my father is. He’s still at the Orinde monastery to the south, most likely. I’ll visit there when I’m done here. My mom is buried there, and I would like to pay my respects.” Lira heard the clacking of glasses as Sohgra organized his dishes at the bar, and the wind howling from beyond the door.
“Your father was here a week or two ago, actually. He came to the shop to visit. He misses you, as do I.” Calvin said, analyzing her reaction carefully.
Lira knew he would keep trying. She drew her mouth in regret, and Calvin’s face knew the truth.
“I wish you would care for me, Lira. I could take care of you.”
Lira’s face screwed into a frown. I don’t need to be taken care of. She didn’t need protection. “I know, Calvin. I just don’t feel that way. I care for you as a friend, but it won’t be more.”
“Is it my profession? I can do more—there is much more to me than you think! Maybe you’ll be impressed.”
Or maybe I’m onto something. “As impressive as you may be, that isn’t how it works,” Lira said bluntly. A bit of Kayden’s voice came out, with Lira’s light touch. “I’m sorry.”
Calvin’s expression drooped, but his eyes were eccentric as always. They went wide, cow-like, then narrowed, and sullen; there was no true consistency to them. They were usually wide and excitable when he and Lira were alone.
“What are you doing in town that’s so impressive?” Lira asked.
Calvin paused. His eyes lingered on Sohgra, and he waited until he walked to the storage rooms. “Oh, I’m thinking of repurposing the mine into something beneficial to the town. I worry about the people here, and I want to help things get better. The miners aren’t coming back, so I thought of something new.” He blinked twice.
Lira stood up straight, leaning forward. “Oh? What is it?”
“Ah, it’s a secret! I just don’t want people to know until it’s ready. It will help the progress of the town, I guarantee it! I just don’t want to be embarrassed if everyone gets excited and it doesn’t work.” Calvin laughed, looking up as he spoke. Lira noticed two more blinks.
Lira wondered what he had in store. She knew he was up to something. Calvin had a tell when he was being nefarious, silly or not. He always blinked twice when something was up. “Oh Calvin, don’t bring me in on something and then push me away!” Lira giggled and playfully slapped the table. She kept her eyes on his.
Calvin smiled devilishly. “Well, maybe if you watch the stars with me for a night, or decide being with me isn’t so bad—”
Watching the stars would be okay. What could go wrong? Lira thought. She knew information was coming, and knew she had to push further. “If I say yes, will you show me? I am so curious! I’m glad you’re doing something nice for the town.”
“I am, too! I feel it will help everyone. What do you say—I show you, and you and I have dinner again together? I’ve waited ever so long to hear you say yes!”
Lira knew it had to be done. “Yes, I will. I’d love to!” She smiled sweetly. She played with her hair and shuffled her toes in her shoes as they talked. He was so vague about all of it, but she felt it had to be him. “I can’t wait, Calvin. I’ll support it if it helps the town! I’ll see you tomorrow night by the mine?”
“Of course! I’m so glad you’re coming. It’s great, I promise. I feel like we’re entering a new age. Oh, it just makes me vibrate in my seat,” Calvin whispered. He jiggled from side to side and bobbed up and down. The lantern light danced in his voracious eyes. It took all her energy to not viscerally cringe when he acted so odd—or nice, but that type of nice was—unwelcome.
Sohgra came out from the kitchen and storage rooms with their meals: a crisp bread loaf and vegetable stew with fish freshly cooked in duck fat. The smell was invigorating. Lira wasn’t the biggest fan of fish, but she happily ate it. It was much better than the food she ate while traveling with the others. She was surprised Sohgra had any good food left, considering many of the hunters in town left, or went out much less often.
Lira never saw Calvin so jumpy. His vision of roses clouded his judgment. They changed the topic of conversation to the fishery, then the comings and goings in town, and to what she had been up to. She failed to mention the rebellion; she felt that safety first was the best play.
They slowly ate their stew talking about old times: the mishaps of Grafa the clumsy Terran blacksmith, and the never-ending stories of Gregory Thol, the other alchemist in town that Calvin collaborated with. Gregory would talk non-stop from when you entered and left, barely pausing to tell you the price. Some would get away without paying, as he wouldn’t notice that they even took anything off the shelves.
At the end of the meal, they got up and hugged tightly, and he leaned in for a kiss. Lira pushed him gently away on the nose with her finger. “No, not just yet, you! You’ll have to wait for that.”
Calvin shot her a sly eye, as if he liked it. He was shuffling his feet where he stood but nodded quickly. “At midnight, then! The moon is ever so beautiful at that time, just like you.”
Lira giggled. “Thanks, Calvin. You’re so kind!” she said, her nose perking to agree. “I’ll see you tomorrow night!” Lira strolled out of the inn after paying Sohgra, who shot her a suspicious look.
It was past dusk, but Lira didn’t fear the night. She said a final goodbye to Calvin and strolled through the north end of town. I lied through my teeth. Was that wrong? she questioned herself. No, it wasn’t wrong. Lira knew it had to be done, and she was the only one who could have pulled it off. Lira wasn’t shoved into it, either; it was her idea. Even Kayden gave her a nod for it. Domika was reluctant, as her safety may have been in danger. Calvin wouldn’t hurt me. He was an odd man sometimes, but if there was anyone he dared not harm, it was Lira. She had a feeling nothing bad would happen. The Figures wouldn’t get her, not tonight.
She passed by the markings in the center of town. What did the spell mean, what harbinger was it? Lira couldn’t recall anything in particular. She read many books, but none jumped out to her. Lira feared for the townspeople. She hoped she could save some of them, any of them, from a possible death. She knew nothing of summoning magic, but definitely knew the path of ‘life’ indicated something nefarious.
Something she feared.
At last she came to her home, where the rest of her team was waiting patiently for her.
“Finally. You had me worried!” Kayden blurted out, stepping forward from her lean. After a brief, awkward pause, she said, “I mean—well? What happened?”
“Kayden got here just before you. She followed you there and back,” Domika said.
Kayden shot Domika a dirty look, holding her index finger to her thin lips.
Each member of the group stared at her with eyes widened, leaning far forward. Lira looked to the floor and shuffled her feet. “It has to be him. No doubt in my mind.”
“I can’t believe it,” Domika said. “He just seemed nice, even though he was kinda weird. Are you sure it’s him? I feel like we should wait on this, rather than jump in.” Her eyes lingered on Kayden, then went back to Lira.
“No. We do this tomorrow,” Lira said. “Now we’re on a time limit.”
Domika nodded, fidgeting with her fingers. As she analyzed Lira with her eyes, a wash of concern came over them. “You’re right, we can’t wait. We should do it before something happens to you.”
Lira was in danger. If she missed the meeting, there was no knowing how Calvin would react. He was clearly unstable, and even happy about what he had been doing. It was downright strange. Lira felt for him, but the
townspeople came first.
A smirk grew across Kayden’s face. “You’re insane for going there and lying to his face. Didn’t think you had it in you, princess.”
“I’m just glad he bought it. But I’m sure,” Lira began, placing her hand on her cheek. “Something about his meeting with the Knight in crimson told me all of the disappearances revolve around tomorrow night.”
Kayden raised a brow. “Knight in crimson?”
Lira fumbled with her hands. “Well, Magnus and I saw him speak to a knight that looked like Asheron a few nights ago—”
“You saw Malakai. One of the Hunters. Asheron’s brother. A few nights ago?” Kayden shot out of her chair. “Lira, we could have done something!”
Magnus shook his head. “We may have startled him. It was too dangerous.”
Kayden opened her mouth as if to yell, and closed it, then opened it again multiple times. But something held her back. “I hate to agree,” was all she could spit up. She picked at her short nails. “Backing someone insane into a corner has consequences.”
Vesper stuttered a few words. “Lord Malakai is here?”
Kayden paced back and forth clutching her head. “Gods be damned. This is bad,” Kayden sat down and shook her head. “Why did this guy make a deal with them?”
Magnus’ gaze drew toward Lira, and she fumbled with her hands. “It has something to do with me. The first time I looked in his eyes before I left Solmarsh—” Her voice trailed off as she shook her head. “He’s definitely the one. I can always tell when he’s doing something nefarious. I just wish he hadn’t. I wish I knew then what I do now—I could have done something.”