Diffraction

Chapter Thirty: Paths Diverge

"Many pieces now move on the board, pulling the attention of the players toward the East."

Over the next several minutes, screams and howls outside the barge's hold died down to groans of anguish. Jahrin surveyed his companions, checking for untended wounds or shock from the battle. He paid a cursory glance to the soldiers of the Order, but Theradin seemed a harsh yet concerned leader who would take care of her own.

I want as little to do with them as possible. Giving any impression that we're in this together is off the table.

Kristophe's obvious interest in the Order's healer gave Jahrin pause. You don't know what you're dealing with, Highness. Better choose your steps carefully, lest you find yourself on the receiving end of her scalpels.

Lyllithe crouched in the shadows, but the timid girl always tried to vanish in plain sight.

Josephine and Theradin connected well based on their status as Soulforged. The young woman of Northridge seemed more carefree than Jahrin remembered, and displayed none of the doubt or fear she'd shown when he first laid out his plans to pit the Fractured against the Bloodsworn. So Jahrin felt indifferent toward their bond. If the woman draws Josephine out of her shell, it only makes my Soulforged more capable in combat.

None of the barge crew survived the encounter, unless someone fled in the chaos after the vessel crashed into the dock and ran aground. The companions had no chance of freeing the barge, and water from a slow leak covered the floor in the aft section of the hold.

Ellers declared the vessel a loss and ransacked the hold's cargo for food. He found salted jerky and blocks of hard white cheese, and greedily dug into the stores. His ravenous appetite spurred the rest of them to consume some food and water.

"The barge is sinking," Jahrin said to no one in particular. "Though the river may not completely submerge the vessel, we cannot remain down here for long."

Theradin nodded. "I've heard no sounds of combat for some time. We salvage what we can, finish off any foes that yet live, and make for the muster at Tiernalen's Pass." She and her soldiers packed up their belongings and took some meager provisions.

"Still several days off," Ellers said. "We need supplies for the journey. We weren't planning a cross-country hike." He clutched a large portion of food and ate with abandon, yet seemed fixed on what everyone else had.

"There's a village east of here," he added, "called Stappendurn. I've been that way before, when I first left home. It would take us half a day, maybe a full day to reach. I could go for some fresh bacon and eggs. And a steak."

Jahrin couldn't tell if the dim light deceived his eyes or if the Mudborn's slick brown skin appeared remarkably pale, like patches of sand on dirt.

Theradin waved a hand to dismiss the idea. "The savages we encountered are just raiding parties causing trouble and clearing a path to Aelwyn. Thousands of these Bloodsworn are gathering to break through the Pass and unleash death on the Cities of the Bordermarches. We must make haste for the Tower and cannot afford a diversion." Without waiting for dissent, she marched up the stairs leading to the deck and opened the door.

Jahrin motioned for the companions to follow. Upon exiting the hold, he paused and blinked to allow his eyes to adjust to the afternoon sun.