The Ashes of Allmau: The Orfolk of Allmau

Chapter 9

With so much going through her mind it was difficult to sleep. Being so excited she didn't realise how tired she'd become and blinked away the hours in small restless bursts of sleep. One moment Euol's bed was empty, the next it was full – his long limbs stretching out awkwardly. A few blinks later, and there was a rumble outside as some people wandered past – they'd be hungover tomorrow, for sure. The next moment it was early morning, and the sun was starting to rise. Time to move.

Ahna slowly peeled back the covers as her siblings slept. She climbed out of the hammock and began gathering her things. Kydd crawled out of the blankets and stretched his little body. She gestured for silence, they needed to be as quiet as, well – him. A rustling stirred outside the tent and caught both their attention. Ahna jumped back into the hammock and Kydd dived into the bag. Moments later Tizeal pulled back the entrance to the tent. She approached Syble, gently stirring her by the shoulder to wake her.

"They're getting ready to leave," said Tizeal, "Could you help me?"

"Sure," Syble groaned, though unsure what she was agreeing to.

Syble got dressed, sparing a moment to check on Euol, who was dead to the world, and Ahna – who was clearly awake, screwing her eyes shut and 'snoring'. She made no fuss and left the tent after Tizeal.

A moment later, Ahna was on her feet dragging the bag from beneath the blankets. Kydd popped his head out to see what was happening, but Ahna waved him back into hiding, just in case. She proceeded to fill her bed with pillows, which she concealed with the covers, a clever illusion to distract from her disappearance. Passing a brief glance to Euol her feelings quickly soured, chasing her out of the tent and into the morning.

A quarter of the crewmen had been employed for the expedition. Led by Rosalyne, they gathered in the early morning carrying chests and bags to salvage anything of value from the ruins. Einrich and Cynor Hwitt, although present, would not participate. They would remain in the Sounds; Einrich to vie for their allegiance, and the Cynor to educate and enlighten the little urchins that lived here.

Tizeal and Syble arrived with a few medical supplies. Being a hobbyist herbalist, Tizeal had some knowledge of the ailments caused by the swamps and deadlands and brought some potions and poultices to pre-empt any problems. As they arrived, Syble caught the familiar face of Rory amongst the crowd. He was camouflaged amongst the crewmen, although lacking their focus, red-eyed and fatigued. He propped himself up against the butt of a rifle while trying to keep a low profile under a hood.

"Here we are." Elyth welcomed Tizeal and Syble.

They lay the boxes down and opened them up. Tizeal met with the medically trained few and began to explain the home remedies. Syble cut through the crowd and approached Rory, he seemed to be catching a few moments sleep whenever his eyes shut, much was the terror on his face as he jerked up in fear of collapsing.

"So, you're part of the expedition now?" she asked.

"Huh?" he forced his eyes open, "Ah yes. I'm going up there, to..."

"To?" Syble asked, curious of his motives.

While leaning against the riffle he slowly blinked, "It's too early to say. You just get that bag fixed."

"I'm on it." she said, "Try to come back in one piece, I've only got so much thread."

He stuck out his tongue as she walked away and left him to his own devices. Strange man, but he had such a friendly way about him.

"So, straight through the marsh and across the hinterlands. There are two canyons that cut up through the cliffs. They're steep climbs but both will lead to the nape. From there you can get straight to the tower. You really can't miss any of it." Said Mendace, explaining a map to Rosalyne.