Endless Horizons Sagas - Season One - World Without End

episode seven - High Places

- Janali -

A soft mountain mist drifted through the trees, shrouding the deeper forest from view and carrying the unique evergreen scents of spruce and fir. Janali took in a deep breath of the sharp air, enjoying the strong smells. Leaves and trees bent whispering as a crisp icy gust from above rolled down to push her backwards. The hard ground shifted as she leaned into the gust to keep on her feet. The sudden motion made her unbalanced backpack shift, threatening to topple her. The mountain air took advantage of her swinging arms as she tried to balance, finding every crevice in her neckline and buttons to infiltrate her clothing and making her shiver as she sweated under the strain of the climbing hike.

The ever present Metallo jumped beside her, giving her his arm to anchor on. Under the thick coat, his new prosthetic arm was hard and strong. She studied the polished metal hook and its spring mechanism jutting out from where his hand should be. The hook opened and closed slightly as he helped steady her.

"Thank you. Did I hurt you?" she asked softly so the soldiers following along wouldn't hear.

"Not at all. It fits very comfortably, and sometimes I forget and try to scratch with it. That quickly reminds me to be careful."

She giggled. He really is taking it well. Without his help, we wouldn't be making this trip now.

"Your Grace, do you need another rest?" The sergeant's tone was respectful with just a hint of disgust.

"No, I just tripped," she lied.

She glared at the ribbon of trail ahead, willing her head to stop hurting. She started feeling stuffy an hour before, at 9,000 feet, when the trees had shifted from oak and aspens to spruces and firs. She pulled the bulky altimeter out of her pocket and concentrated to focus on the dial. Only 10,200 feet above sea level? The village is just below the tree line at 12,000 feet. We still have to get up to 17,000 feet and then build the observation post.

The headache had been steadily growing into its current sledgehammer pounding size. The bottom of her left foot was joining in making her miserable by burning painfully. I bought the very best hiking boots. That tan woman swore I'd have the least chance for blistering with these, especially if I used the custom socks, which I am. The boots were cinched up tight as she'd been taught. My feet are supposed to feel better than this!

She shoved the altimeter back in her pocket and hobbled on with the line of soldiers, all carrying heavier loads than she was. The foot pain forced her to limp and continued to get worse. The pack straps dug into her shoulders, adding to the total discomfort package. Glancing back at the line of military women following her, she kept her mouth closed. Instead, she focused on the rocky trail, forcing her exhausted mind to concentrate through the pains to watch for shifting stones or ice.

The pounding was to the point even reciting mathematical formulas no longer distracted her from the painful rhythm. I can't let the Empress down. We have to get this installation done and set up the observers before fall. If we wait much longer, we'd have to wait seven months until late spring. I'm pretty sure I don't have unlimited time to go with the nearly unlimited funds.

Balius was walking behind her, but she could see he was faring better than she was. She was glad to see he looked a little pale, sweaty, and was breathing hard, too. Still, he walked smoothly with his shoulders up and back, his head slowly scanning the forest with the smile and wide eyes of someone falling in love. And I warned Balius to be worried about climbing this mountain.

Time was not on her side. She diligently glared at the ground and concentrated on breathing and walking.

"Your Grace, are you okay?" A deeply concerned cracking alto voice floated into her reality through the mist, a voice used to giving orders.