Incarnation | Wandering Stars Volume One

Chapter 29

SOUTH OF MUDENA DEL-EDHA

The southern cliffs of Semjaza's city disappeared behind the Iryllurym. Below, grassy plains stretched all the way to the coast of the Great Waters. A faint trail of disturbed vegetation passed beneath the angels as they tracked the former Pri-Rada. Far ahead, before the forests of Murakszhug, something was moving over the land. It was only visible for erratic moments between patches of mist rising from the earth.

"Is he riding something?" Nuathel called out.

Sariel turned his head. "His hunting beast. Some abomination the Myndarym shaped for him."

Nuathel nodded. "We'll take it out from under him. The rest is up to you."

Sariel looked back to the south and squinted as the Iryllurym pulled ahead and began their descent. He dropped into formation behind them, but allowed them to create some distance. Less than a minute later, the winged angels caught up with Semjaza.

The creature beneath him was powerful and fast, propelling itself and its oversized master on eight long, muscular legs. Its elongated head and snout were topped with a mane of chestnut hair which matched its fluttering tail.

Fim-Rada Nuathel split his Iryllurym into two groups that spread apart from each other as they approached the flanks of the retreating commander. Dropping to an arm's reach above the waving grass, they approached fast and silent from behind. With vaepkir extended to their sides, they cut the legs from underneath the unfortunate beast in a rapid succession of glancing blows.

The animal instantly dropped to the ground and tumbled, end-over-end, while Semjaza dove sideways and did the same.

Sariel pulled up and slowed to a hover before dropping to the ground.

Ahead, the grass was parted into a wake behind the steaming body of the flailing creature. Blood was scattered everywhere from the severed limbs. To the right, the dark outline of the Pri-Rada rose from the grass. Shrouded in a drifting patch of mist, his condition was unknown. But judging by his unhindered movements and the fact that he still held both a shield and a spear, Sariel guessed that he was not injured by the fall. In fact, he appeared to have expected it.

Slowly, the mist passed to the southeast.

Semjaza's massive form remained still. Standing a full head taller than the typical Anduar soldier, he towered head-and-shoulders over Sariel. The burning embers of his eyes were fixed on Sariel.

The returning Iryllurym dropped to the field on all sides, forming a perimeter of a hundred paces to enclose the pair of combatants. The wailing sound of the dying creature came to an abrupt stop as one of the winged angels put the abomination out of its misery.

Semjaza didn't even flinch. He just stood with vandrekt and skoldur hanging at his sides. His body was tense. Ready, but unmoving.

"The last time we spoke, I made you a promise." Sariel's voice seemed to disappear into the vast openness of the plains. He removed his helmet and cast it aside, so that Semjaza could see him clearly.