by S C Gowland
‘It most certainly is.’ said Gythe, as the laughter died away.
‘I am aware that entering Zuivosal brings with it certain challenges and complications. Unfortunately, there is no way around it.’ said Nova with a slow shake of his head.
‘So, with respect, Master, I have to ask that you allow us access to Zuivosal. We will be in and out as quick as possible. But we do need access and I apologise for bringing you here. It was too important not to ask in person.’
Gythe slowly blew out a breath as she hunched her shoulders forward and swallowed.
‘Two days.’, her eyes looking at each member in turn.
Nova and Aralorne exchanged a look.
‘Two days,’ she announced crisply ‘Two days is all you have. If you're not done within that time. That is it.’ she said with a shake of her head. ‘This is a onetime offer. Can you do it?’ she asked.
Aralorne shrugged, ‘In all honesty. I don't know. I believe I know where we will have to go, but I have no idea about the size of Zuivosal until I'm inside. I cannot really say.’
‘Take it or leave it.’ said Gythe with a shrug.
Aralorne frowned, almost scowled at her.
‘It is the best I can do.’ she said. ‘You have no idea. No idea, of the toll it will take on me opening that place up.’
‘You’ve done it before?’ said Tokel, head tilted, voice slightly raised.
‘Just the once.’ said Gythe squinting.
Tokel’s face did not move, but she sat back quietly in her chair.
‘It takes a tremendous physical and mental toll, and the amount of Fajin energy needed.’ she whistled. ‘Wiped me out for weeks.’
She looked at Aralorne intently, causing him to shift in his seat.
‘Might I make a suggestion?’ she said leaning forward. ‘I agree, we need to investigate this. But you are not asking for something simple. Zuivosal has been opened only a handful of times since it was sealed hundreds of years ago. And there are risks, some Walkers have entered and not come out.’
‘Sealed in?’ said Zalen, face paling.
Gythe nodded. ‘It has happened, I cannot say otherwise.’
Zalen swallowed and sat back, seat creaking.
‘From my knowledge of the city there are only two places you will need to go to find whatever you need and get back. Split into two groups. It means you can cover twice the ground in half the time.’ She looked around the table, her eyes searching, a few nervous coughs, some tense looks, but slowly nods of agreement from around the table.
Aralorne pulled a face and nodded towards Nova and Tokel.
‘Agreed.’ said the old man. ‘In which case. I have knowledge of Zuivosal and its layout so I will take Kaoldan, Zahara, Aralorne, Zalen. And in turn, Tokel will lead Kubrean, Romina, Kryst, Dalon and Lauden.’
‘Sounds like a plan to me.’ said Gythe with a slow nod, grin spreading across her face. ‘It will take us most of the day to reach Zuivosal. Might I suggest an early night?’
‘Kaoldan and I will see to the restocking of supplies.’ said Kubrean.
‘And you are sure about this?’ said Gythe her face hard and serious.
Nervous looks around the table.
‘We have to know.’ said Kaoldan looking at Zahara then Romina. ‘But we can do it.’ a smile grew on his face.
Romina felt as though something had just changed and smiled back.
‘He’s right.’ said Tokel hands open, ‘So we go.’
‘That settles it.’ said Gythe dusting her hands together. ‘We leave tomorrow. First thing. Make sure to get plenty of rest. We will travel quickly, fully armed, I'm not taking any risks.’ she emphasised, looking around the table, nods of agreement followed.
‘Excellent.’ she chirped. ‘Good night everybody.’ she said with a bow.
Chair creaked; shoes shuffled as bows were repeated around the table.
Gythe smiled, turned on her heels and marched out of the room, closing the door behind her with a clank.
Chapter 24 - New Horizons
As planned, they had risen early and set out en masse.
She had awoken earlier than anyone, excitement at the prospect of the day ahead playing on her mind all night.
She had used the time unconstructively, taking in the view of the harbour; boats bobbing and seagulls swooping, fighting and screeching. It was wasted time she knew, but it didn’t really matter to her.
She was full of enthusiasm; the prospect of not having to sit on a ship for days at a time thrilled her. She yearned for the open countryside, although in this part of the world it was mainly grey. At least she would feel as though she was achieving something.
Progress was important and given the activity over recent weeks the prospect of reaching their goal later that day was the main reason for the uplift in her mood.
The other reason for the uplift had been one sentence uttered by her father the previous night.
‘We can do it.’
A simple line.
A line that could mean many things.
But for her only one.
Acceptance.
Her father had voiced his support for something that was undeniably dangerous, that prospect too was daunting and thrilling in equal measure, but he had voiced his support for both his daughters to be part of the group to undertake the task.
She scowled at the thought that he had no choice in the matter, which in fact he did not.
But that did not matter.
It was a vote of confidence.
Wasn’t it?
However it was intended she was determined to see the positives and therefore saw it as an endorsement.
After all, he had not been forced to say the words, they had been spoken freely and the look on his face had at least seemed sincere. And the most important thing, he had said it in public. Before other Walkers.
In front of members of the Grey Council AND the Paragon Master.
She smiled, it was progress to her, and that was what mattered.
Romina had felt a surge of pride at the sight of twelve Walkers that morning. Geared up and ready to go. She had exchanged an excited grin with Zahara who returned the look, clearly feeling the same way.
In recent weeks she had felt that nothing had progressed. Long journeys, varied surroundings but nothing felt different. Today was altogether a different prospect.
She sniffed the air - clean and cool – sitting slightly taller in her seat, shoulders back, head raised. Even Essa walked with more swagger than usual.
Today was the day at least, she felt as though she belonged in this company.
Today was the day she and her sister would really begin to work towards becoming a Guardian Walker.
The Guardian or Green Walkers were the lowest ranked Walkers within the Order system. After leaving Vanguard and completing training all students were expected to gain at least a year of practical experience before earning the right be called a Walker.
There were instances when students had earned their green cloak in less than a year, Ramazi and Gythe herself being the best-known examples.
Romina licked her teeth.
She saw no reason why she and her sister could not do the same.
Her brother earned the title of Guardian in just under a year, it had been difficult, had challenged and stretched him both mentally and physically. He had been supported by their parents but had earned his leadership expedition, under the watchful eyes of his mother on merit.
Her heart ached as she remembered him; tall, blonde and confident smiles.
Her mother watching him; brimming with pride, a wry smile on her beautiful face, dark hair flowing in the wind.
It was perhaps a romanticised view of them, something you read about in books, but it was the last true image she could recall of them together.
She clenched her jaw and looked into the distance.
Twenty two Walkers lost in a single day. Composed of twenty trainees, her brother, mother, Gythe and the Par
agon Walker, Ramazi.
There had been accusations, criticism - how could there not be? Walkers were not invincible after all, they died like anyone, but never in such numbers, or not in living memory at least.
Zahara and Romina had seen the looks, heard the whispers, the comments when they had arrived in Vanguard. It was this that had drawn them closer to each other particularly when the punches and kicks had begun. Slyly at first, a shoulder in the corridor, an accidental strike at a hand during weapons practice, then more overtly and then in front of an audience.
No-one had intervened.
Why support the family responsible for the loss of some many lives?
It had been borne out of fear, she knew now.
Fear that it could happen to them.
Death.
The Abyss.
No-one’s favourite choice of subject; she glanced at Aralorne riding in the distance; alone and yet comfortable.
They had survived by safety in numbers. That and learning how to throw a good punch. Tokel had taught them that. The fine art of fighting dirty. It had worked well for them and as they had grown, developing a well-earned reputation for always getting back up and not being a soft target, the waves of punches and kicks had faltered and then stopped.
Their tormentors had finally backed away after Zahara had broken the nose of one particularly vexatious male trainee. The look on his face; eyes accusing, blood smeared across his cheek, hands trembling.
They had stopped after that.
It had been a lucky punch, no finesse or intention to strike there but the effect had been instant. They were no longer the victims, no longer fair game. Not when the game bites back.
She sniffed and blew out a long breath. It all seemed so long ago and yet look where they were now, on their way to Zuivosal. It all added to the feeling that today was the start of something new.
‘How good is your history?’ came a voice behind her.
She turned to see Tokel approaching, face clearly intent on mischief.
Romina frowned.
‘Your history?’ said Tokel. ‘ Time for a little test.’
Romina’s face fell. ‘Really?’ she groaned.
‘Really.’ said Tokel with a grin. ‘Everything you know about Zuivosal, go…’
‘Everything…?’ she pouted, eyes wide.
Tokel raised an eyebrow. ‘That may work on men.’ she looked towards Lauden – taking in the countryside like it was the first time he had been outdoors – ‘But it will not work on me.’
Romina followed her gaze, recoiled then shuddered.
‘Go…’ repeated Tokel.
Romina snorted; face creased up.
‘Can’t I do the test with Zalen?’ she asked.
Tokel frowned.
‘He doesn’t know much. I can make things up and he just accepts it as fact.’ she shrugged.
Tokel’s eyebrows rose even higher, her gaze turning towards the sandy haired Walker, her tongue working around her mouth.
Zalen - as if sensing the danger – looked up and waved.
He then caught the expression on Tokel’s face; his smile and his hand both lowered rather quickly. He looked down conveniently finding a loose buckle on his panthera Salah.
Tokel sniffed, clearly having made her point and returned her gaze to Romina.
‘Go.’ she said.
Romina sighed.
‘The city of Zuivosal is the historic and original home of the Walkers.’ she said in a droning voice.
Tokel tilted her head, jaw hard.
Romina winced.
‘It was abandoned and sealed 500 years...’
‘400 years...’ corrected Tokel.
‘400 years ago...’ smiled Romina. ‘It was a centre of commerce, for both profit and knowledge, and it held the seat of government and power in Thura, or Thura before it existed. It was joined together formally with the university at Prava and was known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.’
Tokel grimaced. ‘Depends on your taste.’ she interjected
Romina ignored that.
‘It was originally a small town based purely around trade dealing with and supporting the Walker Order. Over the centuries it grew as the influence of the Walker Order expanded. The city itself had become an epicentre of justice, learning, culture and science. It became a symbol of progress and peace; showing what could be achieved when people work together. Until it reached its peak about 400 years ago when, virtually overnight, it was lost and ultimately abandoned.’
Tokel nodded, ‘Keep going.’
Romina squinted and looked up, grey clouds rolling overhead.
‘There are various thoughts about what happened and why it happened; they varied depending on the author. The consensus appears to be that the city had been attacked - overwhelmed - defences circumnavigated. Hundreds if not thousands of Walkers, along with the other citizens, had been lost.’
She bit and rubbed her teeth along the edge of her mouth.
‘Things are much less clear after that.’
Tokel nodded.
Romina sighed - time to ad-lib.
‘It has become a secret in the history of Walkers. No-one has, to the best of my knowledge, studied it or at least nothing has been written meaning that the lack of information has been filled with folklore, myths and legends. What is clear is that something catastrophic happened. What that could be?’ she shrugged. ‘The decision was taken to leave the city and restrict access. Why I do not know. But what I do know is that Zuivosal has become synonymous with the darkest chapter of Walkers and also carries with it an air of tragedy. It is the uncertainty of what we will find that makes all this so exciting.‘
Tokel hummed.
‘Not bad, a little basic, but not bad.’
‘Do you know what we will find?’ asked Romina, voice slightly strained.
‘No. If I’m honest. But you are right that is what makes this all so much fun.’ said Tokel with a cheeky grin.
***
While the countryside most definitely lacked variety, it felt good to be back in the saddle as Romina pressed Essa onwards. The big cat also appeared to be enjoying the wide-open space having been contained on a ship for far too long.
Rolling hills, a swirling golden sea of tall thin grass and a grey sky for company. Conversation had been light but infrequent, each choosing predominantly to keep their thoughts to themselves. Perhaps the prospect of seeing Zuivosal was occupying more than just Romina’s attention.
They peaked over another hill down below them stretched a long thin curved valley, more of the same.
She leaned forward.
There was something not quite right about it.
Her eyes narrowed.
The colours of the grass seemed slightly richer, gold rather than the paler yellow either side of the valley.
She looked up, a break in the cloud, smiled and shook her head.
A trick of the light. And yet.
There was something about it that did not sit right with her.
All she saw before her was golden coloured grass waving, swirling with the patterns the wind. Broken up by eruptions and seams of black grey rock.
She touched her neck and rubbed her chin.
Nothing to see here.
She pressed Essa onward.
At the bottom of the hill before the start of the curved valley, Gythe and her black Panthera stopped. She slowly climbed out of the saddle, patting and ruffling the big cat’s ears.
Dref bounced around the big cat, his barks echoing around, trying to force a reaction. Gythe bent down to tickle his head, but he lowered his head and backed away.
Romina pulled a face, why stop here? They were at least half a day’s ride from Zuivosal.
‘Why have we stopped?’ her voice trailed off as she whispered badly out of the side of her mouth, her eyebrows knitted together.
‘Damned if I know.’ replied Zalen with a shrug. ‘I just go where I'm told and do as I'm told. It makes
life much easier and I have the unique set of skills needed to do it.’ he said with a light smile grunting as he dismounted from Salah.
The group of Walkers following on pulled alongside her, dismounted, and gathered in a small puzzled group. Gythe pointed at each of them arranging them into a half circle.
Dref skulked around the edge and sat himself by the side of Romina.
She ruffled the big dog's head, he looked up at her tongue sticking out, enjoying the attention.
Gythe stood in the middle of the half circle, looked left and then right. Nodding to herself, everything was evidently in order.
‘We are here.’ she announced, presenting with open hands, a blank open space in front of them.
A chorus of ums and ahs, heads tilted and necks scratched.
‘If you can see nothing then it still works.’ said Gythe with a wry smile.
Romina rubbed her chin and ran her fingers through loose strands of hair.
Gythe snorted, then took several steps outwards and turned to address the semicircle, grass swirling around her.
‘This is serious.’ she announced. ‘Once I open the gates to the city, you will have precisely 2 days, to the moment before the city is sealed again. If you are still inside after that time has passed, then that is where you will remain until it is opened again.’
‘Can’t you just…’ Zalen flicked his fingers outwards’ You know...’.
Gythe tilted her head, eyebrows raised.
‘Do it again...?’ he said lowering his hands.
‘Where did you find him?’ she said to Kubrean shaking her head.
‘We were low on numbers and he is pretty handy with a blade.’ said Kubrean meekly.
Zalen grinned.
Gythe gave him a withering look.
Zalen’s grin evaporated.
She pouted. ‘I can’t just…’ she mimicked the magic gesture with her hands. ‘It can only be opened once every five years.’
Romina frowned.
‘I don’t make the rules.’ Gythe raised her hands defensively.
Romina swallowed, stomach tightening.
‘Do you understand?’ she called.
Nods of agreement, although somewhat reluctantly by Zalen and Romina herself.
