by Franc Ingram
The T was the first intersection where the path out of Evermore crossed a false path that led straight into a particularly deceptive area of the bog that had caught many a potential danger in its web.
"And the archers are covering the rear," Lorn added.
They made it through the city and just outside the gate before he heard Allana yell, "Two and ten o'clock!" Lorn cocked an arrow into his bow, but the press of people around him made it impossible for him to take a clear shot. He did get to see Samantha step in and take one out with a head shot, and Allana follow suite with another. Past the T, it would be a clean shot across to the Darten border. After that there would be nothing but trouble.
01101000
The alarm bells demanded Leith's attention. Many of the troops still left in Evermore were at the armory. They had been on the bottom of the list to get new weapons. Now they were out of time.
Leith cut left through the city, the opposite way of Lorn and his party, past the bakery, its rich aroma distracting him for only a second. Most of the citizens were already safely tucked into their assigned bunkers, but to Leith's dismay he spotted some that had failed to heed the order.
Leith saw the familiar group of locals before they spotted him. Alonzo, with a group of eight backing him, was pestering a group of Rangers rushing to get their new gear on. Alonzo's group gave off an 'I'm ready to kill everybody' vibe. Fists were balled up. Brows were furrowed. A dark cloud of fury hung over them.
Leith wanted to go the other way, pretend he hadn't seen them, but Alonzo was a problem that wasn't going to go away on its own. Leith took a deep breath and moved in.
"Need to get to shelters," Leith ordered, slipping in between the locals and the Rangers.
"Are they on us?" one of the Rangers asked, his young face a blank mask but the worry showed in his green eyes.
Leith shook his head, hoping to keep his troops calm, "Warning bell. Still might pass us. But not be safe here," he finished turning toward the locals.
"Why don’t we take priority over the refugees?" Alonzo asked, ignoring Leith's hint.
He stood in front of the others like he was there to protect them. He was a man of average height. Short black hair. A hooked nose with a crooked bridge that looked like it suffered a bad break at some point. His brown eyes were sharp, even though nothing else about his face seemed at all striking or attractive. Just an average guy, hard-working, and standing up for what he believed in. Alonzo garnered the respect of Evermore's natives. If he decided they needed to fight Leith would be fighting a battle on two fronts.
"Don't wish to be unfair," Leith said.
"Those refugees from Caledon came in and you let them stay in The Tower while that abomination of a wall out there is all that stands between us and an army. How is that fair? This is our city." Alonzo spread his arms wide, trying to wrap the entire city in his embrace. His eyes lit up when he talked about Evermore, like it was a favored child. "We've lived here, many of us for generations, and they get the highest level of protection when it's their presence that has brought this danger."
"Tis not time for arguing." The warning bell had silenced, but Leith knew the danger was still out there. He could feel the yetis prowling around just outside the wall. "Need be in shelters. Keep yourself safe. We trying to keep all safe."
Red-faced, Alonzo moved within inches of Leith. The Rangers behind Leith tensed up, but he kept them at bay with a wave of his hand.
"If you really wanted that you would be out there right now fighting," Alonzo yelled, the muscles in his jaw working overtime. "Ever since you three arrived here you have brought nothing but trouble. We thought the Heirs of Eternity would usher in an era of peace and prosperity. Instead, all we've seen is war on a grand scale. What excuse do you have for that?"
Leith didn't want to be having this same old argument with yet another individual. The Court had been on the same kick for a while. They claimed to have come to advise, yet all they did was tear down whatever plans were suggested. Now these farmers were questioning him too. What did Leith have to do to prove he was worthy of being called king?
Frustrated and angry, Leith pushed back. He took a big step forward, forcing Alonzo to step back or get stepped on. "How you think peace come? You think the crowns be on our heads and every enemy just lay down? No. Want peace, you fight." Leith took another step, getting so close to the other man that if they both took a deep breath their chests would have collided. "Feeling you ain't get no choice? I ain't ask be Heir. Not ask be hunted. Was a thief. Was hard living. Enough get by, stay fed, and build my home. Then crazy woman and her son come and change everything." Leith rubbed his face with his hands, feeling a mixture of sorrow and pride about how much his life had changed in so short a time. "Can't go back. Ain't fit that life no how. I deal with it, so should you." Leith was done wasting his breath. Alonzo's face was as angry as when they started talking. For some people, the only reason they saw was force. "I try be nice, like that gone work out. Instead get last warning, get off these streets or be dragged off." Leith didn't wait for an answer. He turned to the Rangers. "Got two minutes, remove 'em. Then to the wall."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: GAETH
Standing at the bow of the Caledonian ship, Daycia couldn't help but be wrapped up in the memories of the last time she'd stepped foot on the shores of Gaeth. The volcanic island used to be her whole world. Nothing beyond it mattered. She had her mother and the only way of life she'd ever known. She was worshiped as a goddess and had free reign to do what she pleased.
While living in Gaeth, Daycia got up when she wanted, went where she wanted. She had a life without restriction. Her only boundary was the sea and even that wasn't one all the time. Even being the hero of Solon didn't compare.
Back then, Cornelius was an adoring uncle that always brought her a gift when he came to visit. Kameke was the weird cousin they only saw out of obligation, and Horath, the Water Ultra, was the closest thing she had to a grandfather. Despite the fact that he was younger than Kameke and only older than Emmaray and Cornelius by some fifty years, Horath seemed to have the knowledge of the ages. When the infighting began between the Ultras, he disappeared. Daycia still didn't know if he was dead or just living out the rest of his life away from civilization.
Going back had Daycia's stomach in knots, her mind swimming in memories long buried. Even with the animosity between them, Daycia yearned for a closeness with her mother. She wanted to hate Emmaray, to loath the selfish, bloated being her mother had become, but Daycia knew how intoxicating being in control of her little piece of the world could be.
She knew what it was like to sway people to yield to her every desire. How could Daycia judge her mother for sticking to that life? Emmaray didn't have the benefit of an empathetic human side to help her see the world from another perspective. Emmaray was just doing what came naturally to her. To Daycia, Emmaray was something to be pitied, feared, and even after centuries of conflict between them, loved.
"You shouldn't worry so much," Zyair said coming up behind her.
He stood far enough away to be polite, but close enough that Daycia was very aware of how tall, strong, and solid he was. "You know I'm not one for worrying," Daycia said with a wave of her hand, trying to dismiss the very thought. But she could feel the tightness in her forehead where her face was betraying her.
"Usually maybe, but these are extraordinary circumstances. Its normal to be apprehensive about going back. Don't think I would be so brave."
"Whoever accused me of being normal?" Daycia joked. She liked that she felt comfortable with Zyair. She liked how well he knew her even more.
The relationship between them had been growing at a snail's pace, neither one of them daring to name the feelings they had for each other. Instead, they found ways to spend more time with each other. They stood a little closer to each other, laughed a little louder at the jokes they shared.
Daycia felt like some awkward teenager at times, and an old lady too tired for such entan
glements at others. It had been more than a century since she'd even thought about a mortal like that. And she cared about Zyair too much to rush into anything. She was too afraid the loss of him would break something in her. But she couldn't ignore him either, couldn't continue to pretend that they were nothing more than friends.
"I appreciate the concern, but my feelings aren't what's important here. I agreed to come knowing it would be hard to face the life, and home, I left so long ago, but trust that I can handle it," Daycia said looking back over the water. The sound of the sail buffeted by the wind behind her reminded Daycia of how fast they were careening toward danger.
"I've no doubt you're strong enough to take on your mother and the whole island by yourself, but because I'm your friend it's my job to make sure you don't have to."
"Is that what we are?" Daycia said before she could stop herself. The salt air must have gotten to her head. She held her breath waiting for him to respond, starring into Zyair's amber brown eyes. It bothered her that he could cause her such apprehension, make her feel so excited and nervous by just being near. She was born before his great grandparents were even thought of.
"We've been friends for a decade now. I'm lucky to be able to work beside you, to get to know you. I didn't plan on it becoming more than that, but..." Zyair cleared his throat. His hands gripped the rail tighter. His eyes darted away. "I didn't presume someone like you could think of me in any other way, so I've contented myself with playing this game. Give me the word to say we can move forward and I'll be more than happy to show you exactly how I feel."
Daycia laughed. She didn't know why exactly. She knew it was precisely the wrong reaction to have, but Zyair's directness amused her. His awkward words made her happier than she thought was possible after such a long a life filled with pain. She laughed, short and soft, but a laugh none the less.
Zyair stiffened. He started to turn away and Daycia grabbed his hand and squeezed. She held his gaze long enough to make her heart flutter. "I'm a fool and you're amazing." Her free hand found its way to his face, running along the rough hairs following his jaw line. "Whatever word you want, you have."
Daycia kissed him as deep as the sea beneath them. That long pleasant sinking into him was interrupted by a yell that dampened the wave of pleasure that rushed over Daycia.
"Land!"
Daycia felt like the floor fell away and the only thing keeping her upright was Zyair's strong grip on her arms.
"Incoming."
Zyair pulled away and they both looked to the horizon to find a dark spot moving their way. The dot became a rock that was hurtling toward them. Zyair pulled her back from the edge of the ship, putting himself between Daycia and the projectile.
"Hard to starboard!" Lysander yelled behind them. "And trim the sail."
The scramble of feet against the wood decking of the ship became louder than the rush of the water underneath them and the ship adjusted directions with enough speed and force to push Daycia into Zyair. The two of them skidded across the deck several feet before their heels dug in and they came to a stop.
It was Daycia's turn to grab Zyair and pull him back toward the helm of the pilfered fishing boat. Lysander held onto the nearest rail as the watched the projectile splash into the ocean well away from them.
"Warning shot?" Lysander asked, helping steady Daycia as she climbed the two steps up to where the helm sat.
"Doesn't sound like my mother, but we haven't spoken in three hundred years so maybe she's mellowed."
Jonathan up in the crow's nest called out again, "Two more off the port side."
Lysander was quick to spin the wheel but without the wind in her sails, the ship was slow to respond. "Brace," he ordered.
Daycia wrapped her arm around the railing that circled the helm station. She knelt down, tucking her head against her chest. Zyair's shoulder brushed hers as he followed suit. There was an earsplitting groan that rattled the ship as the massive rock scraped along the port side of the ship before splashing down in the water. The second one must have missed by a hair because Daycia felt the ship tilt as the rock hit the water. Her stomach twisted into knots as the ship rocked violently.
"Report," Lysander asked, his voice sounding strained.
Daycia looked to see the boy's hands were white-knuckled on the helm wheel, his stance wide to give him stability despite the world shifting under him. Crew members across the top deck reported all good. Daycia looked up to Jonathan twenty feet above their heads. He caught her glance and nodded his head, though his face was white as a sheet.
"Still alive," Jonathan said, pulling himself to his feet
"How do we make landfall without getting ripped to shreds?" Lysander asked, looking to Daycia.
"I know this island as well as my mother, if not better. We'll find a way through her defenses. I know the perfect place to park this boat while I find a backway in."
01101111
Lysander watched from the main deck as Zyair and Daycia waded around in the shallow water just off the small island the people of Gaeth called Warden. They'd moored on the other side of a cliff, out of view of Gaeth and whatever weapon Emmaray was using to hurl lava rocks at them.
They'd taken a few more shots before deciding to turn around in all haste to give the appearance of fleeing. Lysander didn't think Emmaray would be so fooled, but it didn't matter because so far, they didn't see any of the war canoes coming after them.
"Are you sure we're in the right spot?" Lysander asked, growing impatient with every second spent at sea.
Daycia waved dismissively at Lysander. "I know there are lava tunnels around here. I just need to find the one big enough for us to fit through. The one that I'm sure will lead back to the main island," she said, not bothering to spare a glance away from the water.
Lysander didn't like the idea of traveling in some underwater tunnel, the thought of the ocean pressing in around him. He would rather take his chances with the lava cannons and pray that the ship could out-maneuver any slow-moving rocks. But even if they did, as Daycia pointed out, there would likely be a legion of soldiers waiting on the beach for them. Lysander didn't want to fight his way to Emmaray from beach to capitol. The odds were stacked against them as it was. He didn't need his impatience getting them all killed.
"If you told me exactly what to look for at least I could help," Lysander said. He jumped the three feet into the water. It was surprisingly warm. This time of year, the beaches around Caledon were good for nothing but fishing because they were cold enough to do damage. Here he was knee deep and Lysander wouldn't have minded taking a little swim.
Daycia motioned him over. "Stick your foot over here," she said pointing down to the water off to her left. "Do you feel that suction?"
Lysander nodded feeling along the edge of a hard surface.
"That's the opening of the small tube. It would never fit us, but I know for a fact that there's one that will, and it leads back to Gaeth. I've come out of it before. Head over to that outcropping and look for pockets of suction, just be careful because the larger they are, the easier it is to get sucked in."
"Got it, don't worry." Lysander waded out until he was just within sight of Daycia and Zyair. The jagged coastline of the unpopulated island looked like a maniacal smile glowering over them as they wasted time kicking around in the shallows.
Lysander started at the point he was calling the dimple and moved away from Daycia toward the backside of Warden and the cooling breeze that came with the open ocean. Lysander found the edge of one tube, but a quick exploration with his hand made it clear his shoulders wouldn't make it past the opening.
His shuffling disturbed a blue-green crab that snapped at him for his troubles, but his boot provided enough protection and the crab crawled back into its hole, so he could pass. With only the ocean's inhabitants to keep him company, Lysander quickly became bored with the search. He could do it automatically without thinking, and the more attractive option to occupy his mind was the island in
front of him.
He could see the lush shrubbery that dotted the beach for as far as his eyes could see. It looked thick enough to walk across, like a living bridge that could keep him up off the rocky ground. Lysander felt the pull of the new plants. His curiosity peaked, he needed to know how such lovely plants could have not only eked out a living, but thrived in such a seemingly inhospitable locale.
The smell they gave off when the salt water sprayed against them reminded him of citrus and cinnamon. It was a bright tang followed by a warm, spicy after note. As he edged closer to the tiny island's beach, Lysander tried to see if there were any fruit produced by the shrubs. If it tasted half as good as it smelled he was in for a real treat.
Without meaning to, Lysander opened himself up to the plant's song. He swayed to the rhythm of the waves pushing against his legs as he let his mind drift past what normal human hearing could detect, and crossed into the invisible realm of the smart particle song emanating from the plants.
Lysander was shocked to discover the plants weren't individuals growing together, but one organism with many branches. He'd been expecting a delicate chorus blending many different notes together. Instead what serenaded him was one deep pulsing G note, rocking to the push of the sea. Lysander's heart fluttered trying to catch the rhythm. But it wasn't static as so many other plants. This organism went through thousands of minuscule changes as water brushed over it, as the wind direction changed. This giant island-sized plant was more tuned to its environment than Lysander could ever dream of being.
And so when a significant down-shift in tempo came, Lysander perked up right away. He recognized a danger signal when he heard it, and whatever could damage the island plant was powerful enough to harm him. Lysander pulled away from his connection with the massive shrub so he could concentrate on the rest of the world. He tried running through the water, toward the vague sense of danger the plant had given him.