by JN Chaney
Terry nodded to the soldiers. “You heard him. Start walking.”
They did as he said, slowly.
They entered through the curtain and into a much larger area. Inside, several barred cells lined the walls. It was like a tiny jail.
“Ysa?” called Ludo, scanning the room.
Terry spotted a woman in the corner, sitting completely still with her eyes closed, most likely meditating. “Over there,” said Terry.
One of the guards took this as an opportunity to try his luck, turning and reaching for the weapon. Terry elbowed the man in the jaw, knocking him to the floor in one quick motion. The guard spit blood on the other soldier’s shoe.
“I told you not to try anything,” said Terry.
“We’re sorry,” said one of them. “Please, here.” With a shaking hand, the guard grabbed his keys and dropped them.
“N-no,” muttered the man with the bloodied face, still trying to breathe.
“Quiet!” said the other. “Let them take her. She’s a traitor.”
“Shut your mouth,” said Terry, grabbing him by the wrist. He gave him the keys and pointed at the nearest cell. “Open it.”
Once the door was open, Terry pushed him in. “You two, inside,” he said. He slammed the metal door behind them, sealing them in. “Say anything and I’ll shoot.”
Once he had it locked, Terry helped Ludo open Ysa’s cell. The farmer ran to his wife’s side, touching her face. She didn’t move, not at first. Only sat there, no doubt deep in her meditation.
Ludo kissed her cheek, and tears filled his eyes. He wrapped his mighty arms around her, holding her close. “My love,” he whispered. “I’ve come to take you home again.”
She cracked her eyes, as though from a long slumber. “Ludo…?”
He buried his face in her neck. “I’ve found you!”
She blinked a few times, apparently startled, but soon relaxed. She placed her arm on his back and rubbed him gently. “It is alright now,” she told him.
“I’m sorry it took me so long.”
“Do not say such things,” she said, stroking his face. “You should never be sorry. Not you. Never my Ludo.”
“My Ysa!” he exclaimed.
He kissed her bald head, and she smiled.
******
Ysa also had several cuts across her thighs and stomach, apparently made using a sacred vessel—the same sort of weapon Ludo had killed Gast Maldeen with in the prison. “Why did they cut you?” asked Terry, staring at the marks.
“To clip my wings. The blade prevents me from flying,” said Ysa.
“So, you can’t use your abilities?”
“It is barbaric!” snapped Ludo.
She touched her husband’s face. “I will soar again. Worry not, my love.”
“Where are the other priestesses?” asked Terry.
“The night before the great ritual, another ceremony is performed. This one is to ask the Eye for protection and guidance,” said Ysa.
“There is a single idol not far from here. A statue of one of the guardians. They will have gone there,” said Ludo.
“They didn’t bring you with them?” asked Terry.
“They know I would attempt to escape.”
“If that’s the case, what makes them think you won’t just leave when tomorrow comes?”
“The final ritual requires us to go beyond the wall. Once there, we cannot come back until it is complete.”
“They force you to stay there?”
“The gate is sealed from this side. They lock us in.”
“Like animals,” muttered Terry.
“We need to go before the others return,” suggested Ludo. “Facing the priestesses would not be wise.”
“Let’s return to Plead. He’ll be able to hide Ysa until we leave.”
The three of them ran out of the basement as quickly as they could, climbing the stairs and ascending into the upper monastery. The guards were still asleep, thankfully, so they could avoid further unnecessary confrontations. In the yard, the active patrols remained at their posts, but something was wrong. Terry could hear voices in the distance, slowly drawing near.
“They are returning,” whispered Ludo. “Quickly, to the forest.”
The trio ran to the fence, squeezing through the planks. They entered the tree line and hid behind a few of the thicker trunks. Across the yard, where the fire blazed, a group of ornately dressed individuals were walking toward the monastery. The guards bowed as they passed, backing away. “Tomorrow is the day of glory,” decreed one of the priestesses.
“We shall bask in the presence of the guardians, sisters. What a remarkable day!” cried another.
“Except Ysa. She doesn’t have the blessing. The guardians will feast on her heathen flesh.”
“Without her wings, she is nothing. Even if she had the blessing, it would do her no good.”
The light of the flame flickered off their bald heads, revealing a range of tattoos, each with a unique pattern. They reminded Terry of the statues he saw in the monastery.
The women entered one of the smaller structures surrounding the main building. Was Ysa the only one forced to stay in the monastery’s basement? He had to assume as much, given her status as a traitor. No doubt the others received far better treatment.
“Quick,” whispered Ludo. “They will hear the guards’ cries soon. We must leave this place.”
“Right,” said Terry.
They ran into the woods together, under the cover of darkness, leaving the monastery behind. With any luck, they’d reach the other camp in a few hours. Plead would be there waiting, hopefully prepared to go. They could find Talo and return to the farm. Rebuild and regrow.
It’s almost over, thought Terry. We’ll finally be able to go home.
******
They managed to get Ysa inside Plead’s cart a few hours before sunrise. She wasn’t eager to sit inside another box, but given her injuries, it was the only option. She had to stay out of sight.
Terry had suggested to Plead that they depart as soon as they could, but the merchant refused. “Leaving before daylight is unusual. When it is discovered that there’s a priestess missing, we’re bound to have pursuers.”
“If we sit here too long, they might find her,” said Terry.
“Have a little faith,” said Plead. “Besides, I’ve already promised the butcher that I would have breakfast with him. I can’t go breaking promises at times like this. The best thing we can do is act normal and follow our routine. Several other merchants are departing this morning, so we will do the same.”
Ludo joined Ysa in the cart, bringing her a blanket and some water, while Terry and Plead remained outside.
The two suns rose soon enough, breaking light over the eastern woods and filling the temple grounds. Terry sat against one of the cart wheels, flicking a piece of blue grass, watching Plead eating breakfast with the other merchants.
When everything had been concluded, the other carts began preparing for departure. Plead returned with a few bowls. “Eat quickly. Give this to your friends.”
“Thank you,” said Terry. He distributed the food and then assisted Plead with feeding the haddins their morning grains.
Plead took his place at the front of the cart, reins in his hands. “Sit here with me, Terry,” he said, tapping the seat. “Let your friends stay to themselves. I could use someone to talk to, anyway.”
“Sure thing,” said Terry, climbing aboard.
The caravan began moving a few minutes later, staying to a single line. The guards allowed them to leave without a request to search anything. They must not know about the escape yet, thought Terry.
Plead kept the cart between the others, following the road to the north. “We’ll stay with them until we reach the fork. The caravan will continue west, but our path will keep us north and curve around to the east.”
“Why not just go back the way we came?” asked Terry.
“We aren’t returning home. I�
��m to take you elsewhere.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Hux gave me specific instructions. There is a place to the northeast…a cabin with some supplies and furnishings near a dock. You shall wait there for Hux’s ship to return for you. From there, he will escort you to Capeside.”
“He never mentioned this to me,” said Terry.
“In case you turned him down, I should wager,” said Plead.
“How long until he comes back for us?”
“A few weeks. Not nearly as long as usual. He’s going to drop off some merchandise to a client and then he’ll return.”
Terry didn’t know what to say. Hux had proven quite the ally in their travels. A generous man, to be certain. “I need to thank him.”
“Yes, you do. Can you imagine trying to return to Capeside through the many military checkpoints with an injured priestess from the Temple of the Eye with you? You’d have an army at your back.”
Terry couldn’t argue. Without her abilities, Ysa couldn’t do much in a fight. If they ran into another priest or priestess before getting home, they’d have a serious problem on their hands.
Plead’s cart eventually pulled off the main path, turning north. He waved farewell to his new caravan friends, including the butcher. They returned the farewell and disappeared into the next valley. As the new road curved north, the border wall came into view.
It stood like an dark scar, reaching beyond the horizon, splitting the world in two.
CHAPTER 13
Ortego Outpost File Logs
Play Audio File 1012
Recorded: February 16, 2351
MITCHELL: Zoe, have you received any news? Did Doctor Curie arrive safely in Everlasting?
MASTERS: I’m fine, thank you, Sophie. So good of you to ask.
MITCHELL: I assumed as much, given that you answered my call. Have you heard from Doctor Curie?
MASTERS: I haven’t, no, but I’m guessing she’s a little occupied.
HIGGS: Is that Sophie? Tell her to send us some food.
MASTERS: Get out of here, Bart. I’m busy!
HIGGS: Sophie, did my potatoes come in yet?
MASTERS: I’m talking to her about actual business and you’re yapping about food? Get out of here, Bart!
HIGGS: Not until I get some answers. This is serious.
MASTERS: Ugh, Sophie, do you have his stupid potatoes?
MITCHELL: Yes, they arrived yesterday.
HIGGS: Can you send them through? Do you need me to come get them?
MITCHELL: I’m afraid neither will be necessary. They’re already gone.
HIGGS: What? How the hell are they gone? Did they get infected? Don’t tell me there was a crack in the box.
MITCHELL: Doctor Tabata cooked us a stew last night. It was quite tasty. You would have enjoyed it.
HIGGS: What?! You ate them? Why would you do that?
MITCHELL: I’m sorry. I expected we’d have time to order more before you returned. It was delicious, though.
MASTERS: Don’t apologize, Sophie. He deserves it!
HIGGS: I can’t believe this! Just wait until I get back.
MASTERS: Oh, yeah, like you’ll do anything, you big baby.
HIGGS: I hope the stew was worth it, Sophie, because it’s going to be the last meal you ever get. Do you hear me?
MITCHELL: I do…and I have no regrets.
End Audio File
The Border
February 16, 2351
The road near the wall was thin and full of stones and roots. Hardly anyone traveled this path, and it showed. How long since the last carriage pressed its wheels to this dirt? Weeks? Months? For all they knew, the path ahead had been blocked by fallen trees or a flood.
Doesn’t matter, thought Terry as he rode alongside Plead. I’ll get out and push if I have to. We’ll make it.
The wall towered over them, they were so close to it now. Were it not for Plead telling him to stay in the carriage, Terry would have gone to examine it. For hours, he watched the metal structure as they rode along the rocky path. How long had such a thing stood here, guarding the forbidden kingdom on the other side? He could scarcely guess.
Terry had Plead stop the cart a few times throughout the day in order to check on Ysa. She was still under the influence of the knife. Still powerless and unable to fly. Ludo had no idea how long her affliction might last, given the number of cuts on her body. He suspected a few days, but the doubt in his voice was obvious.
Gray clouds filled the skies to the north, and were moving toward them. “We’ll need to find a good place to stop,” said Plead. “Don’t want the wheels getting stuck in the mud.”
When the first drops hit, Terry pointed out a small clearing in the nearby trees, suggesting they stop there. By the time they brought the carriage to rest, the strength of the storm had come upon them.
Terry and Plead climbed in the back of the cart with Ludo and Ysa. Combined with their supplies, it was a tight fit. “Can’t we toss some of this to make some room?” asked Terry.
“Not unless you want to starve when we arrive,” said Plead.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“We’ll need all this to help us last until Hux comes. Did you think I brought it all to sell?”
“What if the people at the temple had actually tried to buy some of it?” asked Terry.
Plead laughed. “There’s a reason I rarely travel there. You saw how they are. Holy men are not in the habit of spending money. The other merchants go because it’s on the way to Delionos, and they stop again on the return journey, but no one stays for long.”
“What’s Delionos?”
“A city to the west. There’s a string of towns between my home and there, and the caravans stop at all of them, including the temple.”
“Is it on the coast, too?”
“Oh, no, certainly not. Delionos sits atop a river—the fattest river there is, actually—called the Plume. Beyond that, there’s only mountains.”
“The world is so big,” remarked Terry, surprised to hear of even more cities.
“Bigger than any of us could hope to guess,” said Plead.
Terry stared at the falling rain outside the cart, letting it relax him. His eyes drifted through the trees, watching little birds fluttering from branch to branch, trying to hide, and chirping. Beyond them, the wall stretched on, its dark gray stone now drenched, shining the sky’s reflection. He remembered the underground city he’d found before, unlike anything else he’d seen since his arrival in this world. He recalled the computer room with its massive ring at the center, surrounded by terminals and equipment. Advanced technology beyond the primitive capabilities of the native people here. Did the same people who built this wall also construct the other place? Had they built other wonders throughout the rest of the world as well? Was a place called Everlasting truly waiting beyond the protection of the wall? Were those people even still alive…or were they gone and lost to time?
If anyone could have answered Terry’s questions, it was, he wagered, the people of Everlasting. How disappointing, then, that they were nowhere to be found.
******
John stood in the hall outside his temporary quarters, waiting for the rest of his team. They’d received a call from Lena informing them of her arrival. She would be here soon to escort them to another part of the city in order to meet with the Leadership. With any luck, he and Mei would be able to convince them to open some sort of trade deal between Everlasting and Central. At the very least, he hoped to leave here today on good terms.
Short emerged from her room, popping her head out, geared and ready. “Hey, boss.”
“Hey,” he returned.
“You and the lady have a good night?” she asked.
“As much as you can in a weird, alien megacity,” said John. “What about you? How was staying with Hughes?”
“It was fine,” she said, breaking eye contact.
“Just fine?”
; The door opened, and Hughes stepped out. “Did I hear my name?”
Short pushed him back inside. “No one’s talking about you.” She shut the door in his face.
“Not what it sounded like from in here!” said Hughes with a muffled voice.
John grinned. “Interesting.”
“What’s interesting?” asked Mei. She’d snuck up beside him, with hair still damp from the shower.
“Hughes and Short,” said John.
“Hey, don’t go making assumptions. Just because we stayed in the same room don’t mean nothing,” said Short.
“Oh, I see,” said Mei.
“Hey now, don’t go saying it like that. I told you, nothing’s going on,” she insisted.
“The more you deny it, the more likely it seems,” said Mei, tapping her chin.
“It’s true,” said John, nodding thoughtfully.
Short’s eyes dashed back and forth between the two. “I just, um,” she said, flustered. “Hughes, hurry up in there!” She opened the door and ran into the room.
John chuckled.
“You’re so mean to your people,” said Mei, laughing.
“They like it,” he said.
“Do you think she knows we could hear them last night?”
“I think they forget how good our ears are sometimes.”
“Four walls between us and it still wasn’t enough,” she said, shuddering. “I could’ve done without all that.”
“If you say so,” he said, winking.
She punched him in the arm. “Pervert.”
Several minutes later, John’s team had fully assembled, ready to go.
Lena Sol arrived to greet them. She was holding a bag in her right hand. “Hello,” she said.
“What’s in the sack?” asked Track.
“Don’t mind him,” said John.
“I’ve brought a few gifts,” said Lena. She took out a weird orange orb and handed it to him. “Try a piece.”
“Is this food?” asked John, cautiously taking a sniff.
“Oh, yes. It’s a fruit, and very difficult to find. We discovered them on the other side of the planet several decades ago. They can only be grown in temperate climates on volcanic soil, high above sea level. We have a greenhouse specially designed only for these. You’ll find nothing else like them.”