The Ashes of Allmau: The Orfolk of Allmau

Chapter 10

They entered the hinterbog to the sounds of panicked calls from the clearing mist. Ahna came to a staggered stop, panting and trying to catch her breath while adjusting to the changing scenery. The thinning of the forest, the rising of the reeds, and the brightness of the mist in mornings light. It took a moment to adjust.

The action sounded so distant, until the blast of a gunshot brought it to right to her ears. She popped up straight, so much so that she almost lost balance and fall into the bog. Kydd swung forwards, took a lock of hair either side of her face, and pulled her head forwards. Her body followed, folding over her waist, and forcing her to her hands and knees.

"Thanks." She said, coming too.

"Where your head goes, your body follows." He said, tapping her forehead.

Shouts and calls drew their attention across the bog. What mist still lingered obfuscated the offensive. By the sounds of things their efforts had thwarted the ambush. Sort of. The collapse of the tower had left both parties equally as surprised, and the results were playing out ahead of them. Flashes and bangs sounded as riffles and pistoles went off.

"Should we head back?" Kydd asked.

Knowing the danger, it took a moment for Ahna to hardened, "We've only just started." finding her focus, she skulked onwards, keeping low as they darted along the wooden slats and jiggling islands of the hinterbog.

The hinterland, the margin between the forest and the marsh, was a lifeless place. The ground itself was a composite of dirt, gravel and large boulders, littered with the remains of Higard's flying fleet. Two flying fortresses, The Qursa and the Dominia, decayed at the foot of the mesa. The Dominia stretched out across the hinterland, her ribs on display to the world as she rusted back into the earth. The Qursa lay against the cliffs, as if reaching up to the city above for help.

A distant blast in the bog sent a jiggle through its spongey surface, inspiring a spring in Ahna's step and chasing her toward The Dominia. The mechanisms of the ship had long ago been stripped but the husks that were left provided the perfect place to hide while things calmed down.

Kydd tried to tug her back, but Ahna peaked out to watch. Shattered by the forests canopy, the sun's light raked across the hinterland, chasing the mist into the marsh to reveal the unfolding melee. The soldiers of Langsine had seized the opportunity from the bandits. With the mist on their side, they were able to maintain some secrecy. Several bandits had already been apprehended and lay face down on the ground, while the soldiers fired over them. At the cusp of the mist, soldiers and bandits clashed with blades, holding the line for their ranged comrades to take fire. Those of Langsine tactfully weaved and dodged, using their assailants as shields, while their own riflemen focused on the distant snipers.

Ahna spied out the two men she'd met the day before. The pugnacious, ugly guard, sword in hand, beating back a bandit, while his pretty friend, bathed in mud, lay close to the ground with a rifle, picking off the support in the distance.

From the mist then came Rosalyne and her two guards. Ahna and Kydd watched the three move as one. Rosalyne, armed with a pistol and long-stemmed club, was proficient in tripping and folding her assailants with clever and quick clouts. She wanted prisoners. Meanwhile her ghostly guards fired pre-emptively into the mist, able to deflect incoming blades from any angel. All three moved in a choreographed fashion, as if they knew what was about to happen.

Ahna was mesmerised. Kydd saw in this the orfolk, and how they worked together within the pyronauts. Was this the aether at work, but with giants?

The mist cleared from the scene, leaving those of Langsine victorious. Any surviving bandits had already fled to regroup.