Clockwork Girl

Chapter Five: Silence

Red Mountain.

It is kind of self-explanatory in its description. They are giant fire red mountain ranges that stretch hundreds of miles with peaks that reach past the clouds and valleys that are rumored to be so low they touch the ceiling of Hell. There is no transport around, above, or below these mountains, with the exception of a small express train that takes new miners to the Red Mountain Mining Company's base.

So, when I learned this, I asked Ruse a very simple question...

"How are we getting to the other side of the range to the next port?"

To this, he grinned and without a word, grabbed me up.

"Flight."

I don't know if it was just a jovial tone or a full on laugh he gave because, before I could even register the sound, we were midair. And we flew! There were no houses to see. However, we did see red horned mountain goats and thick patches of wild flowers tinted the deepest of the hue. I would find out later that this was the range of the Ancient named Drakonis. He was in charge of keeping red from his realm from leaking into our world.

Needless to say, he was doing a very poor job of it.

After half an hour, Ruse touched down on a smaller plateau thick was evergreen grass and those wild red flowers.

"I need a little rest," he said with a smile. "Once we get you to the other side, I can make sure you're set in the inn while I go back to get our cases. This is why I really do like to travel light. But, I did make a deal with the Jacques kid at the port, so no need to worry about that."

I looked out over the range. Such majesty! I could see birds far off in the orange distance and it was quiet, lovely.

Until...it wasn't.

I could feel the pressure change rapidly and before I knew it, Ruse was pulling me away from the edge, dragging me to the center of the plateau. Wands drawn, all around us, floated black cloaked necromancers. I knew Ruse didn't need a wand. He could just do magic. Was that how it was supposed to work...or were the wands? I really didn't have time to answer questions.

"Give her over," the one with green eyes hissed to Ruse.

"If you let her go, we will spare you," another called to him.

Still, Ruse did not let me go. In fact, his grip on me became so tight I could hardly breathe.

"No, she is mine. I am to take her..."

"Anisse isn't waiting," the green eyed one said. "Smaud has given her a lovely golden crown. Aisha is the one we need, the one he's asking for."

"No," Ruse said flatly.

I could feel him come off his feet, putting us in flight again. However, with the flick of the green eyed man's wand, vines shot all around Ruse, binding his limbs, which upon hitting the ground, broke. He didn't scream, but he did look worried.

"Aisha, you have to get down," he yelled to me. "I cannot help you. You may be able to slide, but you have to go."

Slide...what? Where?

I looked over the side of the plateau and then to the necromancers closing in. Sure, it looked rocky, but there was a clear and gentle slope downward. If I could just get at least half way down, I could run and hide in the crags.

Unfortunately, it didn't happen that way.

For a moment, it seemed I could make it to the point I wanted to, but fate was not with me. I couldn't make myself stop in time and...well...

I died.