“Getting over the wall will be a little more difficult,” Bastion said as they approached the edge of the city. “We will need to cross where we can get down the other side. There is a guard tower straight ahead of us. It is manned but there are only two men as there is only the moat beyond. We can hit the roof with no problems and be over before they know what is happening. This is where it would be better if it was nighttime, then we would have the cover of darkness, because we will have to dive into the moat. Its deep and wide so you won’t hit the bottom but you must swim back to the wall as quickly as possible. There are things that live in the moat that you would not want crawling on you. Trust me. This is not my first time.”
“You’ve gone this way before?” Kai asked nervously as he went over the plan in his head. “And, why swim back to the wall?”
“Yes. Many times. But, I have ever only gone at night so I have no idea what the guards will do. With any luck, they will be distracted when we go which will give us extra time to cross. You must swim back to the wall because they can’t shoot you. The upper wall hangs over a little so the guards up top can’t shoot down. There is a small track that runs around the edge of the wall in that section. Follow it to the right. There is a place where a large willow tree still grows and the wall was built around it. We will meet there.”
Kai was still nervous but the alternative was not an option. Aarav also agreed, with the same sentiment.
Bastion led them across the rooftops to a building close to the guard’s tower which had a large flat section on top that would act as a runway. Without hesitation, the boy broke into a run along the flat section and launched himself toward the tower, landing safely but noisily on the roof. He ran across the wide peak of the roof and disappeared over the edge.
Kai scanned the building for any movement but it seemed that no one heard the crash of the boy landing on the roof. Hopefully, Kai would have the same luck. He broke into a fast sprint and leaped to the roof, making an even louder thud. He glanced back at Aarav and gave him a nod to signify that he was safe before running along the shallow slope toward the edge.
He paused before he jumped over the edge of the building, just to be sure. Sure enough, a wide moat stood before him and beyond that an open, grassy plain. The boy was right. If they tried to cross that field in broad daylight, they would be easy targets for even the most rookie archer.
Well, here goes, he thought then leaped over the edge of the roof. He hit the water feet first, piercing the surface, and delving deep. He swam to the surface and, after getting his bearings, made his way to the edge that ran along the wall, just as the boy had said. He pulled himself out of the water and checked himself quickly for anything that might have attached itself to him. Satisfied that he was clear, he made his way to the right toward the large willow tree. He checked back repeatedly as he listened for the sound of Aarav hitting the moat but did not hear anything.
When Kai reached the large tree, he quickly found shelter beneath its swaying tendrils. There was no sign of Bastion. He looked back to see Aarav running along the path toward him. He breathed a sigh of relief.
“I hit the bottom,” Aarav whispered as he found shelter with Kai. “I banged my head on a log or something.”
“Are you all right?” Kai asked, still searching for a sign of the lanky boy who was supposed to be their guide.
“Yeah but I have a bit of a headache,” Aarav said.
“Whenever you guys are done clucking like chickens, we can go,” Bastion said, poking his head out from the tree trunk and startling the two men.
Kai inspected the trunk again. The hole from which Bastion stuck out his head was cleverly disguised by the branches of the tree, masking the entrance from easy detection. Kai climbed up and into the hole, which led down into a tunnel.
“I’m not sure if anyone still knows about this tunnel. I found it many years ago and have used it on and off ever since but it never seems like anyone else does. No reason to, I guess, as it is only really good for getting out which is never usually a problem,” Bastion said, casting an accusing look toward Kai. “The best I can figure is that it runs along the wall and crosses where the ceiling would be strongest. Where the tunnel turns, the ceiling is solid rock.”
They walked along the dark tunnel using the wall as their guide. Soon they came to where the tunnel made a sharp right turn. Kai touched the ceiling and, sure enough, it was solid rock. In the distance, they could see a spot of light where the tunnel came to an end which got larger and larger until they found themselves crawling out from behind some large boulders that stood next to a stream.
“We are on the far side of the main road,” Bastion said. “When the road was built, they had it follow this creek and left the forest on either side for about an acre to provide cover to travelers.”
“Left the forest?” Aarav said.
“Yeah. The builders ripped out the rest. That big, open field you saw from the top of the tower used to all be forest. At least, that’s what the stories say. The trees were all cut down and the roots torn from the ground. The wood was used to build in the city.”
Kai made a quick check around the area but they were alone. “We should maybe stick to the trees and keep clear of the road for a while,” he said.
“I never would have thought of that. Thank you,” Bastion said dryly, the scowl returning to his face. “Let’s go. I know where we will camp but it’s a fair distance so we need to hurry if we are going to make it before sunset.” He turned and walked away immediately.
“He was almost normal for a minute, right?” Kai said to Aarav. Both men shared a laugh and followed after their guide.
21
“Thinking back, I should have asked Isabella and Sisera to just drop me off,” Kai said as he prodded the small camp fire with a branch. The fire came to life with renewed vigor as the logs were shifted.
Aarav, who was sitting across the fire on a large rock, began to chuckle. “What fun would that have been? For either of us,” he said.
Bastion scoffed. “You are truly daft,” he said, his face formed in its usual scowl. “Dragons won’t come here. They are forbidden by the Pyx. If this dragon friend of yours was stupid enough to try, the Pyx would destroy her.”
Kai was slowly becoming accustomed to Bastion’s uncouth demeanor but he still found himself looking to Aarav for confirmation that he truly heard what he thought he heard come from the boy’s mouth.
“It was a joke,” Kai said, attempting to explain himself.
“A stupid joke. It wasn’t even a joke. How was that a joke?” Bastion stared at Kai, waiting for a response.
Kai just shook his head and went back to poking at the fire. “Forget I said anything. I was just trying to make conversation,” he said. He stared into the fire, attempting to ignore the boy’s piercing stare.
Bastion continued to glare at the side of Kai’s head, still waiting for him to answer. After a few moments, Kai could not handle the feeling of the boy’s eyes boring into him anymore.
“It wasn’t a joke, OK? It wasn’t a joke. And, I’m not funny so I should not try to be,” Kai said quickly. The last part had been Bastion’s favorite response to anytime Kai attempted to lighten the mood of the journey. Walking in sullen silence was tedious but Bastion’s attitude encouraged nothing more.
“That’s right,” Bastion said with a nod. “You are finally listening to me.”
Kai let out a frustrated sigh and turned his attention back to the fire. He wondered how long the journey was going to take. Travelling with the boy was making Kai feel like he was going a little crazy.
“How long will it take for us to reach the Pyx territories?” Aarav asked, trying to break the tension.
“Well, we will reach Millpond tomorrow. From there, we will take boats down the Farvein River which will land us right at the gateway to Pal’Rhoc. The river will be faster and the route will allow us to completely avoid Cragscar,” Bastion said, his scowl replaced by a pleasant smile.<
br />
Kai wondered if there was something wrong with the boy. One moment he was vicious and condescending and then, in an instant, become a helpful, patient teacher.
“What is Cragscar?”
“The most northern human city in the world, I’m told. Most of the mines hold warehouses in Cragscar as it is cheaper to send the product down the coast to the Tri than send it overland. It is also a haven for pirates and criminals.”
“That seems kind of odd,” Aarav said. “Warehouses for precious metals and gemstones in a city filled with criminals.”
“It would seem odd on the surface but, trust me, no one would be stupid enough to try to steal from any of those warehouses. The men who own them are not the kind of guys you would want to aggravate in any sort of way,” Bastion said. “It is really for the best that we just avoid the place altogether.”
“I cannot agree more,” Kai said. “I have had about enough of pirates and the ocean. Maybe Sova Zlo can just teleport us back to Seron.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Kai knew he made an error. His eyes quickly shifted to Bastion. Predictably, the scowl returned and the boy opened his mouth to comment but Kai raised his hand, palm forward, to stop him. “Forget I said anything. I know. I’m not funny so I should not try to be.”
Bastion closed his mouth and nodded in agreement, a smug look creeping onto his face. He pulled a leather cover book from his satchel and turned so he could use the light of the fire to read. He effectively killed all the conversation which suited Kai just fine. He was done being disrespected by the teenager, at least for the day.
“So, Pal’Rhoc isn’t a human city?” Aarav asked a few moments later, breaking the silence much to Kai’s dismay.
“It’s not a city,” Bastion said, after letting out a long, perturbed sigh but did not respond any further.
As they had so many times on the journey already, Kai and Aarav exchanged a look to help them cope with the confusion and frustration they were both feeling regarding the boy’s attitude.
Aarav shrugged and continued. “But, there are humans there?”
Bastion slammed the book shut and threw it roughly into his bag. To Kai it looked like the boy was overexaggerating his movements to portray the point that he was upset with the disturbance. “Do you not see that I’m trying to read? Do your eyes not work at night or do you just not care?” Bastion asked, snapping, and turning to stare Aarav directly in the eyes, his look as sharp and poisonous as an assassin’s blade. Kai was happy the stare was not directed at him.
Aarav began to stutter, being completely caught off guard by the vicious verbal attack. “I’m sorry. I … I … I …”
“I guess it has to be fine, doesn’t it?” Bastion said sharply, turning himself back around. “Yes, there are humans there but not that many. Fifty maybe. Pal’Rhoc is like a temple. It is the only place in the world where the Pyx interact and live with humans or any race, for that matter.
Any race? Kai was still trying to wrap his mind around another magical race of beings that had existed in the world without being common knowledge, let alone multiple races. Dragons were one thing, there was evidence of dragons, artifacts and remains that showed undeniable proof of the existence of the great beasts before they returned. Just how big is this world? he wondered.
“Um, what kind of a temple is it?” asked Aarav. He was clearly nervous to ask any more questions but his curiosity was overcoming any fear he had of being snapped at.
“Well, it is sort of like a school. We learn about the Pyx and Evresh but they also do research there. Working on creating new magics and refining or combining old ones,” Bastion said. The look on his face softened as he obviously enjoyed speaking of the place.
“We? Are you a student there?” Kai asked.
Bastion gave Kai his usual scowled look. “Of course. Why do you think I was chosen to guide you through this place? Do think the Sisters would just pick some random teenager to lead you through an incredibly dangerous wilderness? How is it possible that you can speak and walk at the same time?”
Kai sighed. He closed his eyes and tried to remain calm. There is a good chance you won’t make it the whole way, he thought to himself. The threat was pure fantasy but imagining how he would perform such a feat helped him deal with the slight. He resigned to just listening to the conversation as the boy did not have any reservations about answering Aarav’s questions.
“What do you study there?” Aarav asked, more confident as he had come to the same conclusion.
“Magic, mostly. The Pyx are the most powerful magic users in the world and the Wisps are always looking at new ways to expand or modify it to create new magic. If you thought that dragons were powerful, just wait until you meet the Pyx,” Bastion said. As he spoke more about the Pyx, a smile appeared and grew on his face. “They are a wonderful, amazing people. Did you know that they can communicate through their minds? They are all individuals but they always know what another Pyx is thinking or feeling anywhere they are. It is truly amazing. That is why they have peace among themselves but there can be no deceit or mistrust. If a Pyx is being attacked or in trouble, anywhere in the world, all the other Pyx will know about it and instantly organize help.”
“If they are so powerful that even dragons won’t fight them, then why are they not trying to conquer the world?” Aarav knew what question Kai wanted an answer to.
“Why would they need more than they have? The Pyx are small. You knew that, right? Like, really small. Average height is two inches or something. They don’t need much room and they are not greedy. They have what they need and they don’t want more. They have this whole island but they only inhabit one third of this place and are still not cramped.”
“What is the point of Pal’Rhoc then?” Aarav asked. “If the Pyxies are so powerful and reclusive, then why have one place where they live and work with other races?”
“A’kil magic is different from theirs. Working with others is the only way to expand their own knowledge and understanding, a concept a lot of humans have a hard time grasping. And, don’t call them that. They don’t like it.”
“So, are all the students your age?”
Bastion let out another annoyed sigh. “No. There are different levels of study. Technically, the oldest is Stronkor, who has been there for as long as anyone can remember. He is the leader, I guess, although he refers to himself as a student still. He isn’t around very much. Rumor is that he has a tower or something in the north called Crowdenn, where the more dangerous experiments take place, but no one except him is permitted there.”
“How long have you been there?”
“Almost as long as I can remember. I have a few memories from life before Evresh but they are not good. Fronya rescued me from an orphanage when I was five or six and I’ve been on the Isle ever since. I lived with her for a while, then when I turned eight I was taken to Pal’Rhoc where I was accepted as a student. I’ve been there now for six years but I still visit Fronya regularly.”
From what I saw, you probably go so much so you can creep on that shop girl, Kai thought as he concentrated on now, chuckling out loud.
“What is it like, Pal’Rhoc?” Aarav was clearly enthralled and curious about the life the boy led.
“It is amazing. I could describe it to you but then I will be robbed of the pleasure of watching your face as you see it for the first time.” Bastion laughed.
He actually laughed! Kai could not believe it. It was strange to see a smile on the boy’s face, let alone laugher coming from his mouth. Kai was now excited to lay eyes on the mysterious place, even more than he was before. It had to be a truly magical place to bring joy to the sullen, sarcastic youth.
The smile disappeared quickly though as Aarav suddenly sat up and put up his hand, demanding silence. Then Kai heard it too. Something was out there, in the darkness, watching them. Having spent many years as a scout in the Dragon’s Tail Brigade, or Daxrah as they were known now, Kai was an excellent tracker a
nd woodsman.
“What is …” Bastion began to say before being cut off.
“Shut up,” Kai said in a harsh whisper. “Kick the dirt. We may be in trouble right now.”
With practiced ease, Kai and Aarav simultaneously strung their bows and took defensive positions. Kai cursed himself for staring into the fire for so long as his eyes were not adjusting to the darkness quickly enough, especially because the fire was still going.
“Kick the dirt. What are you doing?” Kai asked, snapping at Bastion who had remained motionless since Kai had snapped at him the first time.
Bastion turned his head and gave Kai a nasty glare. We don’t have time for this, Kai thought as he turned back to scan the darkness. Thankfully the light behind him disappeared which helped his eyes adjust more quickly. At least he doesn’t have a death wish!
Aarav pointed to the east as another faint, deliberate movement could be heard by the two Daxrah. They moved in practiced unison, spreading apart so they could cover each other. Again, they heard a movement but this time it was from the west. Whatever it was could either move incredibly fast or there was more than one. Both soldiers knew their chances had just dropped dramatically.
Kai and Aarav instinctively moved back to the now extinguished fire to protect Bastion, who was still sitting motionless.
“We need to move. We need shelter or at very least a better position from which to fight whatever may attack us,” Kai whispered.
“Agreed but where?” Aarav said, his eyes rapidly scanning the darkness.
“Bastion. Any ideas?” Kai asked.
“You’re the soldier. You tell me.”
Are you kidding me right now? “Yes, but you are the guide. You are supposed to help us.”
“I thought I was supposed to shut up. Isn’t that what you told me to do? To shut up? You said that. You said shut up so I’m shutting up.”
Dragon Flight: Sisera's Gift 3 (Dragonblood Sagas Book 5) Page 16
