Aberration

by Kyle West

  Instead, I threw on my cloak, along with my fur coat I found hanging by a peg mounted to the tent wall. I also found a pair of fur-lined boots, which fit my feet almost perfectly. I checked my pack, to find that it also had been replenished with various snacks – jerky, nuts, more dried fruit, and inside it, I also found some gloves, which I put on. I straightened my hair, which now almost reached my shoulders, and opened the tent flap to the dark, cold night.

  It was snowing, and it was coming down good. At least six inches covered the ground, and the only source of light was the liberal number of torches spread throughout the camp. Tents were lined up every which way, men kneeling by cookfires, with horses hobbled in a line not far from me. The air was filled with conversation, strangely dulled by the snowfall. Somewhere I could hear the ringing of hammers on metal.

  I wasn’t sure which direction to go, so I was pulled by my own intuition. As I walked, some men recognized me and called my name, either Elekim, or rarer, Anna, though none called me by my given name. I had no doubt by this point that most of them thought Elekim was my name, and not just a title. I nodded as I passed, many offering the food from their fires. The camps seemed to be completely intermixed. Plains People dined with Easterners, and Easterners with Elekai. Perhaps the leadership didn’t get along, but I supposed battling on the same side could make friends of anyone. The fact that the Plains People and the other army men couldn’t understand each other didn’t seem to detract from them eating and drinking together, or playing dice and board games by the light of the fires, or telling bawdy jokes.

  The path opened until I found a larger tent before me, which appeared to be made from thick cloth rather than animal skins, from which flew the verdant green banner of Atlantea, along with the stars and stripes of old America.

  I entered the tent to find it already full of people I didn’t recognize, many wearing armor, others leather, and some just warm clothing. Most of them were probably lords or commanders from the Eastern Kingdoms. Nabea would be in here somewhere, and most likely Elder Tellor himself.

  Men went quiet as I passed by; perhaps I didn’t recognize them, but they sure seemed to recognize me. I heard whispers of “that’s her,” or “Elekim.” I moved quickly so I wouldn’t get bogged down with conversation and ignored several people trying to hail me. I wasn’t stopping until I found either Nabea or Elder Tellor.

  But as it turned out, they both found me.

  “Shanti,” I heard a voice call.

  I turned to see Nabea, with Elder Tellor standing beside him in his Champion’s robes. I stopped, and he came over with Elder Tellor next to him. “I trust that you’re well-rested?”

  I nodded. “Yes. What time is it, anyway?”

  “You slept through the afternoon, and now it’s several hours after sunset,” Nabea said.

  I slept about ten hours, then, but from the way my head still pounded, it felt more like five. “Any news?”

  “Nothing,” Elder Tellor said. “We’ve conferred with Lord Harrow and the Syndic of Mongar. Right now, the snows make it impossible to move, and the men need to rest besides.”

  “That makes sense,” I said.

  “Have you had any food?” Nabea asked.

  “Yes. I think the Plains People saw to it.”

  “We have yet to speak with their First Man,” Elder Tellor said. “The other Elders went to their camp in the afternoon and are still there, as far as I know.”

  “What about the Novans?” I asked, suddenly remembering them.

  “General Tertullian has established his camp to the south,” Tellor said. “There will be a meeting between all of us tomorrow morning.”

  Everything sounded good so far. “High Guardian Mian, who commanded the Shen Air Force, perished in the battle when his ship went down. I thought all of you should know. He fought bravely, when all seemed lost.”

  I still remembered the flaming hulk of Proudwing as it crashed into the ground. The losses among the air force had been grievous – a quarter of them had gone down in the fighting. The fact that we had killed hundreds of their dragons in return was little consolation.

  “I regret that I could never meet him,” Nabea said. “He sounds like a brave and honorable man.”

  Elder Tellor nodded his agreement. “I had looked forward to meeting him as well. May he rest in peace.”

  “There is something you’d probably like to hear, Shanti,” Nabea said. “Pallos Sarin returned with Odin this afternoon, and now commands the Shen Air Force.”

  “Pallos? Where is he?”

  “Aboard Odin, I imagine,” Nabea said. “It’s anchored next to the rest of the ships, and now serves as the fleet’s new flagship.”

  There would be time to visit later, but the news seemed too good to be true. To have Pallos back, along with Odin for any future battles, could make all the difference. “Anything else?”

  “Nothing, really,” Tellor said. “The snow is heavy and prevents our movement. Our carts will only become bogged down. The Elders and Syndic told us of your plan to fortify Ragnarok Crater.”

  I nodded. “What about the Radaskim? Are there any more that can threaten us on this side of the mountains?”

  “So far, there’s no word of anything,” Tellor said. “Some dragons have been sighted in the mountains, but it seems even they don’t want to chance an attack in the snow.”

  “Winter is here,” I said. “I’m afraid this snow will stick around for a while, and it’s still a fair distance to the Caverns of Creation. At least inside the Crater, it’ll be warmer.”

  “Yes, we guessed that that was the reason you’re here,” he said.

  I realized then that Tellor and Nabea had never received word of our plans. I quickly explained my reasoning to go there, and how important it was to protect Ragnarok Crater from Odium.

  Once done, they both considered the problem of how we’d get so many men from here to there.

  “Either we wait for the snow to melt, or we abandon the carts and take what we can on foot and with our animals,” Tellor said.

  At this point, Ret and Samal joined the discussion. Their expressions were serious, a far cry to their former boyishness. Both wore green capes like Nabea, and both had the broken manacles of Nabea’s house pinned to their breasts. Ret stood as tall and lanky as ever, while Samuel was just as short and swarthy as he had always been, his hair shaved close to his scalp. They remained quiet as the Elder Champion continued to speak.

  “This weather could be the death of us,” Tellor continued. “If we wait, we give ourselves the chance to stay warm and for the snows to melt. However, our food supplies are limited, and there isn’t much provender to be found on the plains. The distance from the Kingdoms only means food will come in slowly, if at all, given the weather.”

  “How much food does your army have?”

  “The combined Eastern forces have enough food for another month, perhaps,” Nabea said. “If the snow keeps up like this, it’ll take all of that time to reach Ragnarok Crater. The descent to the crater’s base is going to take a while as well. And of course, the longer we wait here, the more likely it is another Radaskim force catches us.”

  “It seems we have little choice, then,” I said.

  Reaching the Sea of Creation, and guarding it from Odium, was of utmost importance. We couldn’t do that if we were stuck out here.

  “Have the Elder Dragons departed yet?”

  “Yes,” Elder Tellor said.

  I nodded. “We’ll be joining them, soon. Getting there seems impossible, with the snow and our lack of supplies. But where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

  I looked at the four men now watching me. Elder Tellor’s brown eyes were deadly serious. Nabea’s were worried, but still resolved. Ret and Samal both looked afraid, but determined.

  “What does he want with the Sea of Creation?” Samal asked, at last. “What happens if he reaches it?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know, Samal. Nothing good, I can assure
you of that. My dreams have shown that much.”

  I explained this as best as I could – the Tree on Askalon, and how it was the source of everything we were fighting against.

  Once I was done explaining, all of them looked at me thoughtfully. After a long silence, Nabea was the first to speak.

  “If reaching the Sea of Creation is so important, then perhaps it might be best for you to go on ahead. The army can follow. Perhaps it’ll be our last stand, but from now until that final battle, all we’ll be doing is making the journey. If you take Odin, you can be at Ragnarok Crater by tomorrow, if you truly wanted to.”

  It was something that hadn’t occurred to me yet. But was that the right move, so soon?

  “I’m not sure I’m ready,” I said. “I still don’t know exactly what it is I need to do. They aren’t just dreams. I know what I’m seeing is real.”

  “I wouldn’t go alone,” Tellor said. “An honor guard of your closest friends would suffice.”

  Yes, they wouldn’t like it if I went by myself. But the journey to Askalon, even if it was possible, was something I would have to do alone. It was hard to imagine anyone other than me being able to do it. The decision, once made, would be irrevocable. I couldn’t force that on anyone. Even Tiamat had told me that I would be giving my life just for the chance of making it to the other side.

  “I need some time on my own,” I said. “To think things through.”

  “Of course,” Elder Tellor said.

  I begged my leave, and turned and walked out of the tent.

  * * *

  The cold air hit my face, sharp and stinging. The snow continued to fall. My boots crunched over the powdery stuff which was so rare in the south. I walked through the rows of tents, which after a few minutes came to an end. Before me spread the vast plain, though I couldn’t see far due to the snowfall.

  Tiamat, I wish you were here right now. I reached for him, but it was useless. He was likely already back in Ragnarok Crater, or close to it. I could call across that distance and find him, perhaps. I had done as much before. But I just didn’t have the energy, and something told me that he wouldn’t have the answers I sought.

  Where to find the answers, then? No one on Earth knew. I felt lonely, then. Maybe Nabea was right. Maybe it was time for me to go off and settle this once and for all.

  I reached out for Flame, but I didn’t feel his wakefulness. Like me, he was tired from the battle. I let go of the connection. He had as much a right to sleep as any of us.

  Sleeping was what I should have been doing, but here I was, walking into a snowstorm. I turned and saw the lights of the camp were almost completely gone now, such was the strength of the precipitation. I just stood out there, watching the snow collect over my boots. The footsteps behind me were already halfway filled in.

  The silence out here was eerie. It was the first time I had been truly alone in a while. The snow felt like a protective cocoon around me. This world seemed a different one from the hellish one I’d lived in, the one with monsters and dragons all trying to kill me. The horrible images of the battle continued to flash through my mind. I couldn’t turn them off, even with the aid of Silence.

  There was no way for me to get to Ragnarok Crater without Flame, though. I couldn’t imagine riding any other dragon at this point, though I’m sure any of them would consider it a privilege. He had been hurt in the battle and would carry those scars with him for the rest of his days. Flame and I understood each other, now. Though we spoke little, words weren’t needed. The link between us communicated far more than words ever could.

  It was not surprising, then, when I felt Flame’s presence in my mind. Elekim? Did you call?

  There didn’t seem to be any harm in asking him, now. Can you come here, Flame?

  I wasn’t waiting long. A few minutes later, Flame swooped down and landed lightly in the snow ahead of me. His head turned to face me, his all-white eyes surveying me coolly as his pink wings folded back. Even without Odin, I could be in Ragnarok Crater by tomorrow afternoon if I asked him to take me.

  Are you well? I asked, reaching to touch his neck. It was warm, despite the bitter cold outside.

  I ate and rested with the other dragons, he said. I’m well enough.

  I hope so, I said.

  Are we flying? Flame asked, seeming to guess my purpose.

  I held my hand on his neck, considering. Not yet, Flame. The time isn’t right.

  I expected him to ask why I had called him, but he didn’t. He merely stood there, blocking the wind, and after a moment let one of his wings fall over me protectively. I lay my head against his neck and felt his warmth seep into my skin. I just wanted to be alone, away from everyone with my thoughts. Flame seemed to understand that.

  I got to thinking then, about the Tree, about whether I should go to Ragnarok Crater ahead of the army. It felt wrong to abandon the troops right after their victory, but I also knew that without me, they would reach the Crater just the same. Lord Harrow already commanded the Elekai forces, while Tellor and Nabea commanded the Eastern forces. My leaving probably wouldn’t affect their progress north.

  But if there was another battle, would the dragons be okay without Elekim?

  I realized then that thinking about it wouldn’t solve anything. Nobody knew the answer. I just wanted to scream in frustration. Was I really going to have to leave everyone to go to the Crater on my own?

  “They said you’d gone out here,” a male voice called from behind me.

  I spun around, not even recognizing the voice, so lost I was in my thoughts. But I recognized the person it belonged to.

  “Pallos?”

  Seeing him standing there, just outside Flame’s wing, was a bit jarring at first. But then I felt myself soften and walk up to him, surprising myself by giving him a hug. Pallos stiffened awkwardly, but let himself be hugged.

  “You’re acting like you thought I was dead,” he said, bemused.

  I pulled back. “No, I didn’t think that. I just never expected to see you here.”

  I also felt guilty for treating him unfairly for the longest time, and not accepting him as one of our own, but I kept that to myself.

  “I’m glad you’re safe,” he said. “I had more cause to worry than you.” His expression grew more serious. “What are you doing all the way out here?”

  “I don’t know. Thought maybe I could figure things out if I got some space.”

  “Oh. I can just . . .”

  “No,” I said. “Stay.”

  It was silent for a bit, neither of us really knowing what to say. Pallos cleared his throat. “I was looking for a while. No one really knew where you were. I asked someone who said you walked out here.”

  “Nice detective work.”

  “I’m not sure if that’s meant to be sarcastic, or . . .”

  I wasn’t sure, either. “You have Odin, huh?”

  Pallos nodded. “You could visit it now, if you like. You and everyone else.”

  “I might need it, soon. There’s . . . a chance I’m going to the Crater ahead of everyone else.”

  Pallos frowned, puzzled. “And why would you do that?”

  “I need to reach the Sea of Creation,” I said. “I have to use it to stop the Radaskim. Somehow.”

  “Somehow.” Pallos thought for a moment. “You might need to come up with a better plan, first.”

  “I know it’s not really ideal,” I said. “I really don’t know what I’m doing, Pallos. I’m surprised I’ve even gotten this far.”

  “Honestly? Me, too.”

  I couldn’t help but smile at his brutal honesty. “Maybe anyone could have done it. We’ll never really know, will we?”

  “I suppose not,” Pallos said. “Can I step under this?” He gestured toward the wing. “It’s a bit cold out here.”

  “Of course,” I said. “Sorry, I thought that was a given.”

  Pallos stepped under, brushing the snow out of his hair and off his shoulders. “I did what I c
ould with Odin. The hull is repaired, but it’ll never fly like the old days.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The damage the engine sustained will take months to repair,” Pallos said. “To explain it simply, I gave it a temporary fix so that I could get it back into your hands as soon as I could. It’ll fly, but not with the same power or speed as before.”

  “I see. How much slower is it?”

  “It’ll fly just as fast,” Pallos said. “What I should say is, it won’t be able to accelerate the way it used to. Its days of fighting dragons are probably over.”

  “But it’ll still get us from Point A to Point B.”

  Pallos nodded. “It should. It must be treated gently, though.”

  “Even Shen had his doubts you could fix it.”

  Pallos’s eyes widened. “Did he, now? Didn’t realize he was paying that much attention.”

  “I think he knows everything that happens.”

  “Well, he may be right in the end. There could be something wrong with it that not even I could foresee.”

  We paused as we watched the snow continued to fall.

  “I’m sure I missed a lot,” Pallos said. “I won’t ask you to explain everything that’s happened.”

  “I don’t think I could, even if you gave me the chance. But most of it was fighting. About what you’d expect.”

  Pallos nodded, signaling a change in subject. “I met with some of the air force. Set some things in order, with Guardian Mian’s death and all. They still seem set on me as his replacement, for whatever reason.”

  “It’ll suit you,” I said.

  “I don’t want it,” he said. “I’d rather be a pilot.”

  “Not a spy?”

  Pallos smirked. “You mean, a diplomat?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah. Whatever you want to call it.” I stepped out from beneath Flame’s wing. “Well, can you take me to the ship?”