Settle

Chapter 5 - Mountain Passage

Lunar's POV:

The mountain range of Rosellien split the kingdom directly in too, the great river sprouting here from glaciers at higher altitude than even eagles could fly. The waterway shaped the land, creating vast valleys before the plains of Fortis. It was a place of brutal beauty with rare square peaks which seemed to extend to the heavens. Taking Solitairian lower level, I tried to avoid such harsh wind chill. But the elements soon became too much. I knew it was necessary to land. We soared onto a section of mountain pass, knowing the ground wouldn't be too treacherous there I stepped from my great beast. Determined to pitch my tent as swiftly as possible, while Luke went to collect firewood. Only once I'd finished did I take time to look fully upon my surroundings. A collection of corpses lay under a thin layer of ice, mere feet from camp. Shivers overcame me and so I headed back inside.

Luke returned with a chill, so I offered to take the first watch. Building a fire outside was a risk but the need for warmth outweighed the risk of a clan attack. Solitairian joined me at the flame side for a while. However he quickly took off to catch his diner while I drew up some stew from a pair of rabbits I'd hung while in the Gothgorra. All was peaceful, no travelers walked along the barely lit road, and no animals seemed to dwell here. Mist rose from my breath as often smoke did; as tendrils wrapping around the air. My body called for sleep but for now I was at peace, sat below the clearest skies I'd ever seen. Millions of stars laced into the night sky, unspoiled by the persistence of humans. It was so tranquil, I could barely believe in its existence. I could have stayed watching the sky for the entire night but the time to shift watch positions was upon me. Inside the tent Luke was sat beside a small fire pit; dug out from the snow itself and surrounded by stones. With a straight back, closed eyes and arms resting on crossed legs he meditated. He was at such a depth of consciousness breaking the trance was difficult. Once he'd gone I slept, a dreamless sleep. So light I still could feel the presence of my body and an uncanny atmosphere. It was only when I was awoken that I realised the concentration of angst within my body, and to the reason. I'd once had my father tell me stories, stories of the old empire. He'd mentioned before the 49th company, a collaborated group of knights and soldiers. Their mission was to walk the Hangreen pass and eliminate the ghouls that stalk there, prior to the Commandants arrival. There were to be awarded as heroes should they return. But while on their way through the Rosellien Mountains the mist rolled in. A mist so thick you could barely see two steps in front of you. They disappeared, it is rumoured that occasionally you can see a member of the platoon wandering the peaks.

A horn was blown in the distance; the tent began to flutter more in a rising wind. Walking to the entrance of the tent I couldn't see Luke anywhere. Dawn was breaking; red streaks lined the sky as a warning. I grabbed my quiver filling it full of arrows, poison tipped and my curved steel bow placed in palm. I stepped forth scanning the horizon for Luke's form, he was stumbling towards me. Placing my bow and quiver across my back; I ran to him. Taking some of his weight, as he leaned on me as I helped him back. Sitting him down, I inspected his wounds. A bite mark gouged out of his shin and as well as many a mark made by a sword. Grabbing my bag I searched for bandage, witch hazel, crushed thyme and an aloe salve. Mixing it together I began to spread it on his wounds, trying to quiet him as he was informing me about what was coming our way.

"The story of the 49th company is true, they've banded together with the king's skeletal army who were tracking us here. They're in the next valley; they'll be upon us by evening. I was run down by a pack of watchmen. Placing my finger to his lips he quietened instantly. His eyes shifting from fear to comfort. I finished my healing process looking him over before I went back out. Leaving him to relax as I watched over the valley below.

He'd miss read the situation, the skeletal army was within our bounds by early afternoon. With the King at their head, I fired a few arrows bringing down a handful of them. The undead arrived on horseback and on foot, spilling into the small area. But the king didn't call an actual attack. The weight of anticipation placed upon my shoulder was soon going to be enough push me down into the snow. I let a single skeleton walk forwards, and place his sword under my chin. I had no fear as King Madyson would want to kill me himself for sure; maybe as part of a demonstration in the capital. Sliding my quiver from my shoulder and placing my bow gently upon the ground I kept my eye on the king. Kicking a stone into the tent, I heard Luke shuffling out of the tent. A small patch of warm breath appearing on my neck gave realisation to another living form being beside me. I crept closer to him using him as a body block in order to slip my sword carefully from my side.

I swung at the freak of nature that held its rusted sword to my tort throat. Foul smelling smoke erupted as its body hit the snow covered, rock hard ground. All hell broke loose. Skeletons dashed from every which way launching themselves at me as the wind whistled through their bones. Luke ducked to grab my bow, firing rapidly from the entrance of the tent. We were helplessly outnumbered, but I refused to give in without a fight. Knowing that Luke would be torn to shreds or be claimed by their ranks. One of the skeletons grabbed Luke going to take a bite out of his neck. I threw it off him taking its skull clean off. Due to me taking my eye off those creatures around me I was overrun, hurled to the ground. Solitairian returned and began to bite and wipe skeletons away with his powerful jaw and tail. Those that weren't killed retreated. The king included. I walked over to Luke; he had an arrow buried in his chest. Hitching him only the dragon's back, before climbing up myself. The flight over the rest of the Rosellien Range was swift, but without food or water I prayed that once we summoned the second sister she'd have some resources to provide us with. The isles of Manja came into view, I leaned forward making Solitairian dip down to the central island. Hauling Luke onto the sand, I checked his vitals before leaving them beneath a palm tree. I trekked my way through jungle. Heading up to a jagged peak; which had been imposing on our arrival from the air.