Yes, these people believed in their God, but they didn’t live by His every whim or obey His every word.
Unfortunately, I knew that if I stayed any longer, I would lose focus of what my true mission was—to get back in good standing with my father and Kingdom, bring the downfall to the rebels, and destroy the Mare. The more I stayed with Burt, the more I would lose sight of it.
After dressing, I left my room. I was greeted by every person I walked by.
“Hey, Madge.”
“Morning, Madge.”
“Good game last night, Madge.”
It was overwhelming and it filled me with a sense of guilt that these genuine beings were being deceived. Not that I was all that good of a person, but they brought out the ‘human’ in me.
I made my way to the eating station because Burt told me that was where everyone gathered. Claudette was seated at a table, and I joined her.
“How do you feel?” she asked. “You drank quite a bit.”
“I feel fine, thank you.”
A cup of brown substance was set before me and then Burt sat down. “Good morning, sunshine.”
Immediately I felt his warmth and wanted to giggle. How silly was that? I titled my head and looked at Claudette. “He called me sunshine.”
“He’s quite a charmer,” she said.
“That he is.” I patted his hand.
Within moments, Joshua joined us.
“Morning, Madge.” He sat down. “Ready to start your job?”
It was the moment of truth. “Joshua, Claudette, Burt, please don’t take what I am to say as ungrateful for the hospitality you have given me. For making me well and finding me when I had been lost. I have a focus and a goal and I feel if I abandon it even slightly I will never do it.”
Burt looked at Joshua. “I think she’s talking about the rebellion.”
“Is that why you left your home?”
“Yes,” I said. “I don’t know if Angeles City holds for me what I need, but I must find out.”
Claudette asked. “How you gonna get there?”
“Walk.”
Joshua laughed. “You can’t walk there. Though we hate to lose you, I can get you most of the way there with the solar car. Get you close enough to hit one of their outer villages.”
“I would appreciate that very much. So you know where it is?”
Joshua nodded. “We do. They don’t know where we are. We’re not part of the rebellion because we got it together here. No one bothers us, we bother no one. I’ll get you close. Can you wait until tomorrow? Maybe we can get you to do some garment repairs today as your barter for transport?”
I nodded. “I would do so, yes.”
Burt grabbed my hand. “Hate to lose you, Madge.”
“And really, I did not expect all this,” I said. “However, I can make a promise to you.”
“What’s that?” Burt asked.
“After I find Angeles City, you’ll see me again. I promise you this,” I told them, looking at each of their faces. “I will be back.”
FORTY – TANNER
We left Fred’s Bait shop pretty early, making our journey south around the Salton Sea. I told my dream story to Snake and he scoffed.
I didn’t understand it. He didn’t have to agree to go with me. After a few hours I realized his annoyance was over my obsession with Vala.
“I have a feeling things aren’t gonna turn out like you think.”
“See, I don’t get that,” I said. “I was the one who thought bad of Vala for leaving.’
“Oh, I don’t think badly of Vala. I just think things have changed.”
We continued on, stopping only twice. I knew we’d get in the vicinity of the Straits before sundown.
We didn’t know much about the Straits at all, just that the beginning was marked with gatekeepers and guards and the Straits were made up of a bunch of little villages. Farms, so to speak, for the Sybaris.
I knew we had arrived when just beyond a barn, I saw four Sybaris soldiers holding a post. They weren’t the demonic looking gatekeepers I expected to see.
We asked for passage and were told that only the gatekeepers could grant it, so obviously these weren’t the gatekeepers. Apparently they didn’t emerge until nightfall.
We retreated to the barn to wait.
“I told you we should just walk up to the front door,” Snake said and pulled out a map. He made a marking. “This is where we are. I say, come morning, we head out, go south and come into the Strait that way.”
“Why do you have a problem with us going to the gatekeepers?”
“They aren’t gonna let us in. They want blood. Hell, Tanner, they may kill us. Ever think of that?”
“I did. And I…” I paused when I heard the familiar squawk. “Did you hear that?”
It happened again. A squeal.
“I hear it. Our Savage buddies.” Snake looked to the roof of the barn. “This isn’t gonna hold them.”
“They’re flying over us.”
Snake grunted. “There you go again, thinking you know them.”
“No, Snake, they aren’t even honing in on us. We aren’t what they want.”
“Then what do they want?”
I walked over to the barn door and peeked out the crevice. My eyes widened. “Holy cow.”
“What?”
I rushed over to my stuff and grabbed my crossbow, placed it behind my back, then grabbed my weapon, checking to make sure it was fully loaded. “There’s about thirty.”
“And you’re doing what?”
“Grab your weapons.”
“What the hell for?”
“We can take out thirty.”
“Why are we doing this?”
I grinned. “Our rite of passage. They’re attacking the gatekeepers.”
With Snake right behind me, I slowly opened the barn door. A hundred feet away, the circle of torches lit the area of the gatekeepers and gave enough light for us to see the Savage attack.
They’d swoop down, miss, and try again.
The Savages circled the gatekeepers like vultures over a dead carcass.
The gatekeepers were at a disadvantage and didn’t have the skills to fight. They were supposed to be these almighty beings that kept everyone safe, but they looked pathetic with no weapons and only their hands to swat them off.
It wouldn’t take long, I figured, before the Savages got the best of them. I worried less about the gatekeepers than I did the people of the Straits. If the Savages made it this far, they were headed toward the villagers.
Snake and I moved closer and took aim. We had to be fast and accurate.
Once we started shooting, we were able to take half of them out before they turned and came for us, flying fast, screaming at us with their war cries.
“This is not how I wanted to die!” Snake screamed while shooting as best and as fast as he could.
Staying focused, we were able to hit them. I ran out of ammunition with only a couple of them remaining and I drew my bow.
The loud cries and screams of the Savages faded to silence, their dead remains scattered about.
I went back to the barn to retrieve our things, figuring it was a good time to ask for entrance into the Straits.
When I came from the barn, one of the gatekeepers stood before Snake.
He was a large being, carrying a torch, and wore a hood that masked his face. His voice was deep and resonating.
“No human has ever come to our aid. For that we are grateful. What is it that you seek at our gates?”
“In,” I said simply.
*
It was easier than I thought. Well, with the exception of having to take out the Savages.
I told the gatekeeper where I needed to go, and he instructed, “Follow the road.”
Easy enough.
Then he said. “You won’t like what you find there.”
“Maybe you should have told him why we are coming here,” Snake said as we walked. “I mean
, we saved them. I’m thinking we could have gotten more out of them than just in.”
“We didn’t need to tell them any more.”
“He said we won’t like what we see.”
“Probably because it’s only a village, nothing fancy.”
“I don’t think that’s what he meant.”
Snake was right.
We came in from the back and the moon lit the way. We passed empty barns and animal pens. The field looked picked through and when we arrived at the village, it not only was empty, it was destroyed.
There were rows of houses with some that centered a town court. That court contained a mound of burned remains.
It was evident by the destruction of the houses and dried blood what had occurred.
“Savages,” Snake said. “They hit here.”
“Yeah, but when?” I asked. “It had to be recent. Right? Vala didn’t say anything.”
“You said she didn’t have time.” Snake moved to the mound of burnt bodies. “This is cold. It’s old.”
“Where is she?” Just as I asked that question, feeling the slam of defeat, I saw the gatekeeper again. “Aren’t you supposed to be keeping watch?”
“Human male,” he said, moving toward me, almost floating, “you have found good favor with us for your heroics. As stated, no human has ever helped us. For that you are owed. Not just by me, but by the Ancients. You did not seek only the village of Akana, you sought a person. Who is it you wish to find?”
I peered at Snake to see what he thought. “Might as well tell him,” he said.
I faced the gatekeeper. “I’m looking for my friend. I don’t mean harm to anyone, I want her to come back with us.”
“Who?” he asked.
“Vala.”
“The Mare,” he stated.
I nodded, fearful of what he’d say.
“She is not here. She is in La Sveg As. City of the Ancients.”
“Is there a way there?”
“She has been chosen, she cannot leave.”
“Fine. Fine. I need to speak to her,” I pleaded.
“Because of what you have done, I will assure you passage there tomorrow and provide transportation for you and your companion. I will grant you access and notify the king of your arrival. Bear in mind we cannot guarantee your return home or what will become of you there.”
“Fine,” I said. “Just get me to Vala. Please.”
The gatekeeper nodded, turned, and then moved from the village square.
“You heard what he said, right?” Snake asked. “He said he’s notifying the king, and he can’t guarantee our safety. That means we walking into a trap.”
“We’re fine. We’re heroes. We’ll be fine,” I said nonchalantly. “We go there, see Vala, and leave. She’ll come with us.”
“Glad you’re so optimistic.”
“Dude, seriously, how long have you guys been looking for the City of the Ancients? Huh? Years. And all we had to do was take out a few Savages and we’re in. We’re in. We’ll have Vala and we find out where the City of the Ancients is.” I held up my hand to him.
Snake looked at it. “Why are you holding that up?”
“Give me a high five.”
“No.”
“Come on, man, high five.” I slapped his hand and he hit back halfheartedly. “We’re going to the City of the Ancients.”
Snake grumbled.
Although it sounded like a good thing, I wasn’t sure it actually was. That remained to be seen.
FORTY-ONE – NITO
They all said good bye to me as if I had lived among them for a long time. They wished me well, pleading with me to return. Claudette made me a ‘care package’ with goodies for the trip. Josh gave me a walking stick for the on foot part of my journey into Angeles City.
While I felt good about it, I also felt guilty. I wanted to tell them, “The Ancients will be wiping out the rebels into extinction, but have no fear, you will be spared.”
If I told them I was an Ancient, Princess High Nito, they’d laugh at me. Surely a princess would not be quite so frumpy, plain, or eat cooked flesh from a squawking feathered beast.
I knew the mechanics of the sun powered vehicles. We used them to transport from village to village and around La Sveg As. Yet another thing I could not tell Burt.
He talked about the ‘cars’ and how he had only four hours of travel time, that was why he couldn’t take me all the way to Angeles City. It had to be placed back on the charger panel.
“I hate to see you leave,” Burt told me. “I mean, yeah, we just met, but I kinda thought you’d stay. I just don’t understand why someone would choose a life of hardship and fighting over peace and good.”
“Is that the way you see it?”
“Yeah. We have a couple of people that were traveling East to find civilization and ended up with us. Now, I hear they have it together some in Angeles City. Still, it’s nothing but fighting and defending against the black demon birds.”
“Savage beasts, that is what they are called. Vicious killers.”
“We don’t have them here.”
“You are too close to the City of the Ancients.”
Burt looked at me sharply. “How do you know?”
I hesitated in answering, figuring I’d make something up. “I have been there.”
“Then it confirms what we thought,” Burt said with a nod. “I think we know what happened to you.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, we know your story.”
“You do?” I asked again.
“Nothing to be ashamed of, Madge. Really, we all kind of put two and two together.”
“Tell me, Burt. What do you know?”
“You’ve been to the Ancient City, you were one of them chosen women, made to be a slave, used for feeding. Am I on the right track?”
“Yes” I said, thankful he was devising my story for me.
“We can tell because you didn’t have a look of struggle to you. I think you escaped, and the Mercers got a hold of you… maybe had their way with you and left you for dead, naked in the desert.”
“The Mercers, is that what they are called?”
“Yep. Those dirty sons of bitches that take it upon themselves to kill the chosen that escape. They didn’t kill you though, so that’s a good thing. We’ve had our run-ins with them. They are as savage as those beasts, in some ways worse.”
“Filthy bastards.”
“Sorry for what they did to you.”
“I am a survivor.”
“You are.”
“There was a time when the world was good.”
“Yeah, and I think we all thought it bad then.”
The car slowed down and that was when I noticed all the green around me. I had been so engrossed in our conversation, I didn’t see when we emerged from the desert.
“This is where we part,” Burt said and opened the car door, stepping out. He waited until I emerged, and I gathered my belongings.
“You have your map and that compass. Follow the needle west and you’ll hit one of their towns.” He held out his hand. “Won’t say goodbye, just see ya soon.”
I stared at his hand.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
I didn’t say anything.
“I get it. Well, I didn’t want to assume so…” Burt yanked me forward and planted his lips to mine.
To say I was surprised would be an understatement. His kiss took me by surprise. I had forgotten that humans kissed. It wasn’t a long one, just enough to give me a message that conveyed his intentions toward me. He smiled and gave a swat to my rear end. “You be careful, Madge.”
“You placed your hand against my buttocks in a firm, yet playful manner.”
“I did.” He raised his eyebrows a few times. “You are such a card.”
“So long Burt from Hopeland.”
“So long Madge soon to be back in Hopeland. Follow the path.”
I nodded, glanced at him once
more, then, walking stick in hand feeling confused, I ventured forward, focusing on what was important, finding Angeles City.
FORTY-TWO – VALA
The last of the dressmakers left the large room, and I was alone. I stood before the mirror, and while it was still half a day before the wedding, I was already in ceremonial attire. The dress was a cream colored, form fitting, floor length gown with a high collar and gold embroidery. A gold wreath rested upon my head, and my hair was pulled up perfectly with only a few strands of dangling curls.
The artist would come in soon and finish the painting of my face.
I could smell the feast being prepared for the Sybaris and the humans in attendance.
While most humans were house maidens or workers, some were in good favor and were representatives of the human race, all coming to attend my wedding to Iry.
My stomach fluttered in nervousness. How had I gotten to this point? If I ended up having to marry Iry, then what? He’d made no attempts the night before to seduce me or repeat the kiss, which I was grateful for.
My stomach churned again, and I honestly felt ill. Perhaps I was coming down with something. My face was flushed and I felt weak.
It had to be nerves. Raising my hand to push back a hair from my eye, the wrist jewelry brushed against the scratches on my arms. They hadn’t even healed and still looked fresh. Another sign something was wrong with me.
The only thing that made me smile was Sophie.
The pitter patter of her shoes against the marble floor caught my attention and I knew she was running my way.
My little sister was back.
She had no recollection of the Savage attack or what had happened to our mother.
The door burst open and she flew in. She was wearing a similar dress to mine, only her dress billowed out and her hair had flowers interweaved with in her braids.
“Iry is coming!” She ran to me. “You look like a princess!”
She wrapped her arms around my waist. “I wish Mother could be here and didn’t have to stay behind.”
Rise of the Mare (Fall of Man Book 2) Page 13
