Empire's Edge (Path of Light Book 2)

by N. A. Oberheide

  “Well, you’d be right about that. You ain’t as dumb as I thought you were not long ago. This all happened before either of us were born, but the long and the short of it involves those bloodthirsty Astranians! There was some caravan of some sort, nothing but civilians passin’ through here. Of course, war crimes count for nothin’ where you’re from so what did they do? Blow the walls and crush hundreds under this rubble! Ain’t that just grand?”

  Instead of answering the rhetorical jab, Naurus just nodded and looked around, pondering if what he was hearing was really the truth or just tall tales from long ago. The regularity of the craters was almost mesmerizing, yet strange just like the trees that grew from within them, bending towards the open air in a bid for what little light there was. This wasn’t a particularly pleasant place though, if for no other reason than his sixth sense which peppered him with conspiracies and dark thoughts of what awaited him at the end. Fortunately the end was soon in sight, and the cramped confines of the ravine opened into an evergreen forest.

  It was also markedly more hilly and rugged than before, so progress slowed as the horses were led onto narrow ravines and followed streams down into flatter areas. They seemed to reach the bottom, wherein a pond full of sparkling green water lay. The horses drank and so did they, filling canteens back up and stretching their legs. They were in the bottom of what looked like a jagged bowl of stone and pine for as far as one could see in any direction. The sun was retreating over the lip of the bowl, and soon they wouldn’t have any good light to go by.

  “Are we camping here for the night?”

  “Nope! Just a little further though.” Rahlo said in between sips.

  “So…where are we anyway?”

  “A long ass way from home, that’s where. I know exactly where we’re at, and that’s all that matters. Saddle up, times a wastin’!”

  Naurus groaned and did just that, pondering yet more escape plans to keep himself occupied. None of them ended in any positive way, as he would be all alone and lost in a strange place. The thoughts were depressing, yet the hope of finally being absolved of whatever mission he was on kept him going. They slowly meandered uphill, the limber carts balancing precariously at times. The hope of the carts losing a wheel or snapping a yoke never materialized though, as they crested the rim onto a flatter hilltop. The last-ditch hope of a return ticket home vanished as the carts were unhitched and the first tent peg was staked into the thick clay on which they stood. It was eerily quiet up here at night, but strange noises echoed in the distance. Or they sounded like echoes. Something like blowing horns, or even a great owl hooting.

  It was rather faint, and he strained to hear anything clearly. He decided to rest his eyes.

  He opened them back up, only to find the daylight bathing his tent instead. He never even realized how tired he was, but the first thing that was obvious was the lack of cold sweating and pounding heart. The strange figure had not made its visit in his dreams last night, but he wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad sign. Instead of thinking about something he had no answers to, he crawled out of his tent and stretched. Looking around, there was no sign of Rahlo to be seen. His tent was empty too.

  “Mornin’ partner!” Rang out from the tree line in front of him.

  Naurus yawned, pretending to not be surprised by this most unfortunate appearance.

  “Up and at ‘em! We gots important business today!”

  “Like what?”

  “You’ll see. We ain’t towin’ all this fun stuff for nothin’!”

  It certainly wasn’t very fun to have yet another breakfast of jerky and bread, but they set out again to destinations unknown. The progress was painfully slow through the unkempt wilderness, and the hours ticked by until dusk was upon them just as suddenly as last night’s sleep. They came to a plateau that was bald of anything more than some shrubs and bushes. Rahlo unsaddled and stretched out his arms as if he was about to hug someone.

  “This…this is where we need to be! Finally we can do this damn thing once and for all!”

  “Do what?” Naurus asked.

  “Unhitch the limbers now, we’ve got some setup to do!”

  They did just that, and the carts were pulled to the edge of the plateau. They were overlooking what looked like a green ocean of trees and evergreens stretching as far as the eye could see. They were clearly on the edge of the mountain range as nothing else like it could be seen all around. Down in the trees, about a thousand yards out, was what looked like smoke wafting up through the crowns of the evergreens. Some points of light could be seen through the small gaps in the crown as well.

  “Come on now, I need a strong guy like you to move this damn thing!”

  The mortar was attached to a large wooden box that had steel carry handles on each side. It weighed hundreds of pounds, and with great effort it was moved near the edge of the precipice. Setting the mortar up on its bed, a large and prominent symbol was apparent, the same makers mark that was on the revolvers that were gifted by Dezlyn. They then grabbed the other limber cart and rolled it over. Rahlo flipped open one of the boxes, revealing large iron shot shells with prominent fuse holes, nestled next to cotton wrapped charge bags. It was now starting to become clear that they were at this particular point overlooking this sea of trees for a very specific reason. This was starting to fall into a more familiar routine for Naurus though, as he loaded the charge bag and primed it through the flash hole with the awl as he was told to. Rahlo took the liberty of loading the shot and ramming it home.

  The fuse now primed in the flash hole, there was only one thing left to do. Rahlo pulled out a matchbox and lit one up. The fuse soon snarled to life with a hiss of sparks and quickly burned down into the hole. A few seconds passed, then finally came the moment of truth. A great bark of fire and smoke exploded out the stubby, thick barrel with a gout of flame flashing out the hole. The concussive blast ripped through the dusk, scattering birds into the sky that were invisible until then. The tall, lazy arc of the shell was traced by its trail of sparks twirling and swirling against the clear skies. Just after the apex of the arc, it exploded and left behind a ragged cloud of dark smoke.

  “Well shit, looks like I forgot how long I need to make the damn fuse.” Rahlo commented casually, grabbing another fuse.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  “What the hell was that?”

  “I’m not sure, didn’t sound good though. Let’s get over this ridge and check it out.”

  So they advanced cautiously, unsure of how far aware they were from their quarry. Poking their heads over the ridgeline showed them a plateau that extended some distance off, with some figures scuttling about in the middle of it. This called for a closer inspection with a spy glass. The confirmation was simultaneously a relief and a shock.

  “Fuckin’ hell! That’s them! We caught up finally.”

  “Aye? ‘Bout time. What they doin’?” Gully asked.

  “Take a look yourself.”

  “Huh…loadin’ a mortar? What in hell…wait they ain’t even aimin’ at anything ‘asides some trees!”

  “That’s where you’re wrong my friend, it’s not just some trees.”

  They could both clearly see the next gout of fire and smoke followed up by a barking report a few moments later. The slow, lazy arc of sparks and smoke followed the small black dot that streaked against last light of the twilight. Down, down, and down it went until it disappeared under the crown of the trees. A few seconds later, the explosion could be heard, and ragged smoke curled up from underneath the trees.

  “I don’t get it! What in hell are they shellin’?!”

  “Well I doubt they came out here for target practice.” Trevin began. “That massive forest there demarcates where the Elven Dominions have their borders. But why indeed…that is the question.”

  Another shot, another lazy arcing trail and another explosion in under the thick canopy of the forest. Trumpeting horns and the sounds of large birds of prey came rolling in from the forest. />
  “What’s those noises? Is that—”

  “Yes, Gull. It’s them. Now its only a matter of time before the first scouting party arrives up here.”

  Trevin looked down the spyglass again. He could see his son and the strange man he was with saddling up in a hurry. They left the mortar and limber behind. He could see his son looking around nervously as he spurred his horse. He seemed to look straight back and right at his father, but that simply didn’t matter. They were too far off and concealed to be seen. Soon his son disappeared behind a steep slope in the distance.

  “Come on, we need to move quickly. I think I know where they are going, and it’s the only way back out of this area.”

  Trevin and Gully stood up and made their way down the reverse slope as quickly as they could. They had left their horses a good distance back as the terrain was simply too inhospitable to get them up to the ridge. Once they were mounted back up, they spurred onto a canter, but not before the sounds of horns and birds of prey made themselves known. They sounded much closer this time. Instead of looking back, they simply continued down the old logging trail that they came up.

  “Who was he with?” Gully asked out of the blue.

  “I really wish I knew. I really do. He looked like one of those Regulators we saw back at the castle. They all dress similarly in fact.”

  “And who are they?”

  “I don’t really know. If I had to guess, some sort of well-organized and government backed paramilitary outfit. What they want with my kid…well that guy is gonna have hell to pay once I catch up to them!”

  “I say we question ‘em! Get somethin’ useful outta him. Shake him up, see where the gold is, eh?”

  “Hah! Now you’re thinking just like you did back in the day. That’s not a terrible plan, in fact. I’ll consider it.”

  He was considering many things in that moment, not the least of which was avoiding the wrath of the denizens of the forest who had just been shelled for reasons unknown. It was barbaric yet seemed so calculated and premeditated. Dark clouds covered the sky now, and the moon was nowhere to be seen. The trail was perilously dark. Trevin winked his false eye three times, and suddenly the black veil of night peeled back in a greyscale façade of the light. No headache accompanied it though, a fact that he was still getting used to.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  “Where are we going now?”

  “A lil’ rendezvous if you will.”

  “That’s not an answer.”

  “Sure it is!”

  “How? I’m sick and fucking tired of this! Are you going to tell me anything or not? Why shouldn’t I just throw myself off the nearest cliff?”

  Rahlo yanked his reigns and his mount reared up in a dead stop. He turned around with a solemn look on his face.

  “Look ‘ere boy. Wanna off yourself? Do it…I ain’t your mommy and I ain’t some god that will tell you no. But listen up…you in the country now. Ain’t no rules out here. Ain’t nobody knows you’re out here, but all my boys do. And they sure as shit ain’t gonna help you more than I am. I’m gonna learn you this country shit. If you think this is gonna be easy, let me tell ya somethin’…it ain’t!”

  Naurus couldn’t muster up a response to the tirade, and after several moments Rahlo turned back around and continued down the winding trail they were on. The trail soon smoothed out, and the gait picked up to a trot. There was some urgency now that simply wasn’t there in days prior. It was obvious there was a deeper motive to shelling some random tree village, yet he was kept in the dark as he ever was this whole time. The moon shone bright and no doubt sped their travels. Eventually they game to a ravine barely wide enough to ride side by side, and it was here Rahlo slowed down and looked around pensively. A dark, yawning cavern became apparent on their right, and he stopped in front of it.

  “I think this is it. Dismount and grab a torch.” Rahlo said sternly.

  Soon the matches were struck, and the torches were lit. The cavern in front of them was pitch dark inside, and soon the mineral rich stalagmites and flow stones gleamed in a wet, colorful sheen. The large and flat entrance chamber soon narrowed down into a tunnel hardly large enough to fit one man. Winding through that led to a fork, at which Rahlo paused and muttered to himself as if confused. Naurus thought to make a quip yet decided discretion would be better served here, and a moment later they were off on the left fork. Soon the tunnel opened back up into a larger, dome like chamber replete with massive, crooked columns and a floor littered with sharp stones. The light from their torches couldn’t span the massive space they were in, and nothing seemed to lurk behind the columns except inky shadows.

  A soft, yet sharp whistle made itself known, speeding past Naurus’s head whilst something knocked the torch out of his hands. He picked the almost extinguished torch back up and froze seeing the barbed arrow that had pierced through his torch. Rahlo looked at him quizzically, then seemed to have a revelation. He didn’t have a chance to speak though.

  “Do not make any sudden movements, or the next arrow won’t miss.” A smooth and silky voice rang out, echoing softly. “Hands up now!”

  They did as they were told. A soft rustling could be heard behind them. Suddenly, two sets of glowing eyes could be seen in the darkness ahead, just past the reach of the torch light. The pairs of eyes danced and flickered in the flame, much like a cat hiding in the shadow. The eyes crept forward, and what first came into the light was a pair of longbows and their nocked arrows. The hands holding them were slender, and greyish skin was apparent as the figure stepped closer. Their hemp tunics were rough spun, but thick and fit well on their tall, slender frames. Their eyes were large and round, glancing at both intruders with the type of distrust that could only be ingrained from birth.

  They stepped gracefully and with utter silence. They looked at Naurus with contempt, and at Rahlo with an uncomfortable familiarity.

  “You utter twit! I told you to wait in the main chamber when it was done!”

  “Sorry, really I am. I forgot…it’s been a hell of a day.” Rahlo said with obvious relief. “So, the deal’s been done and—”

  “And who is this?” The one on the right asked.

  “This is your man. Take a good look.”

  The two archers stowed their bows across their backs and stepped forward. The one on the right brushed back his long, flowing hair and revealed his ovoid, roundly pointed ears. He had hair as green as fresh grass, and his companion thus silent so far bore a light tinge of the same shade.

  “So…here’s our guy, huh? Did you leave what we told you?”

  “Yes, it’s all still up there!” Rahlo replied.

  “No doubt our elven brethren have already found it. We will have to go meet up with them, tell them all about our guy. Stay here for the night and make haste to leave tomorrow at the crack of dawn.” The elf said with a sinister intent behind the disarming smoothness.

  The pair dashed off around them and melted back into the darkness. Only the sound of the air passing over them made any noise as they made it down the tunnel.

  “What the hell was that?” Naurus turned and asked.

  “Oh, that was all according to plan.”

  “What plan? What elven brethren?”

  “Let’s just call it a cover up.” Rahlo grinned. “They will be lookin’ for you, but no one will find you. Those two are workin’ for me, so don’t you worry.”

  “That ship has already sailed.” Naurus replied despondently.

  “Well that’s unfortunate, but what’s done is done. Maybe now the wheels of war will turn in our favor. For now, sleep! We must away at break of day tomorrow.”

  Rahlo set off down the tunnel and started setting up camp in the main chamber. Naurus wanted to care, wanted to ask questions, wanted to force an answer. He was too tired though, too mentally drained and physically exhausted to muster up enough care for an argument in a dark cave, far and away from home and feeling nothing if not abandoned by the gods and the fickle hands of Fort
une. Setting out his bedroll, he could only wish for a change the likes of which seemed to be a distant hope now.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  “Aha! There you are!”

  The same cliff. The same vast expanse of ocean. The same voice behind him. The same onerous effort just to turn around. The same figure standing, planted, rooted as if a tree wearing a cloak and a hood. A stiff breeze which bore no sound. A sun which lit up all except the hooded face.

  “Aren’t you excited to see me?”

  The same frustrating familiarity, the same inability to think of where he heard that voice before.

  “Cat got your tongue?”

  The same snippy quips.

  “No. I heard you.”

  He swore he could sense a smile from under that hood. A warm, caring smile hidden under the pitch-dark veil where not even the sun would shine. Slowly, but surely, he started to enjoy this respite. This mysterious place with a reality that obeyed nobody and nothing but the whims of the cosmos.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “I still can’t see your face.” He replied, not sure how his soft voice could be heard so far away.

  “I know you can’t. I need to talk to you though, in private.”

  “About what?” He felt like he was finally getting somewhere.

  “I can’t say now.” The figure started looking around as if there was company to be seen. “Someone approaches. I have to go!”

  “Wait, no stop—”

  The beautiful day melted into a black and grey maelstrom.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  The first, instinct was to move. He couldn’t. Something pinned his head and neck to the ground. He couldn’t open his mouth. Something was tightly clamped over his mouth. He opened his eyes. He saw the hand before he felt the thick leather glove prickling against his stubble. There was no way to scream. He thrashed and kicked hard.

  “Shush! Quiet, stop that! Relax!” The voice was so familiar he thought he was dreaming again.

  The gloved hand let off his mouth and he spun around. A dull orange glow let off by the lantern nearby lit up a mug so ugly only a son could love it.