By Paw and Sail

Chapter 2: Under the Ire [Silvereyes]

Quirikta stared into the valley. He couldn't detect any signs of life, but he knew they were there. Thousands of enemies waited in the darkness below, biding their time until night swallowed the last glimmer of daylight. Then they would come out.

"Silvereyes, I've been sent summon you back to the fort immediately."

The slender black cat turned his eyes to the feline soldier addressing him. He was covered in thick dark fur and pitch black garments, the only color of the Dhoma. Quirikta nodded before followed him back along the cliff towards the Ire.

The fortification stood as an outpost in the center of the continent, blocking the top of the western ramp that led into the great valley. There were only two paths into the great canyon that divided continent. The other ramp was on the opposite side of the lake.

"Did you see anything?"

"No, but they'll come out tonight," Quirikta responded without hesitation.

"How do you know?" the soldier asked in a low voice. "They haven't moved for a week."

"There's no fire."

The soldier sighed. The last seven days were a blessed reprieve for the Dhoma warriors after weeks of fighting. He hoped the fleeting peace would continue a while longer. The last conflict maimed his regiment so badly that they were merged with one of the new battalions.

Dry dust and pebbles crunched beneath their paws as they walked along the ledge above the valley.

"What will we do if they come up?" the soldier said.

Quirikta slowed his pace as they turned away from the precipice towards the worn path that led down the ramp.

"I don't know," he said. "Loradin sent a courier to Centerhold two weeks ago."

"Ah."

Neither cat said a word as they walked down the first portion of the ramp and approached the wall. The slender black cat stopped and turned to his companion right after they passed beneath the western gate.

"Oh," he said. "I'm sorry. I know I have seen you several times over the last month, but I don't know your name."

"Drasska, sir. I'm sorry, I didn't think an introduction was appropriate considering my rank."

"There's nothing wrong with your rank. A general is nothing without his soldiers, and a commander can't hold a fortress without his guards. Your life is just as valuable as anyone elses."

His sudden outburst embarrassed him as much as it surprised the cat who heard it. The startled soldier looked at the ground for a few moments before responding.

"Thank you, I appreciate it," he said. "Most officers don't share your perspective; I doubt they would bother asking my name at all."

"No," Quirikta said. "I—

His reply was cut short as two guards stepped out of the dark courtyard. The black cats raised their palms to their noses as they bent their heads forward in a swift bow.

"Silvereyes, he is in the hold below," one of the guards said.

He pointed to an open entrance across the courtyard.

"The commander is with him, I think he wants you to come now."

"I hope Loradin hasn't dismembered him," Quirikta said. "It won't make it any easier."

Quirikta walked briskly across the courtyard and through the doorway. He followed the stairs down into the bowels of the fortress. The air was heavy with the smell of blood, excrement and death. He hated coming down here. He had made this journey five times during the last two weeks, and the smell got worse each time.