|[ THE BROKEN SEAL - 3 ]| UNDERGOING MAJOR RE-WRITING

Chapter 4 // 1,2,3

“We’re too late…” I breathed, staring at the destruction around us.  The walls lining the city had been untouched – barricaded, with the gates locked shut and torches still burned high up in their brackets – but inside it was obvious they had been useless. Bodies lay dead on the ground, frozen stiff like a leaf in winter. Fear was painted in their eyes and their fingers were curled into talons that latched onto thin air.

“We have to keep going.” Cedric said softly, grabbing my arm, “Now. Before they come back.” He began to lead me through the emptied streets, stepping over the dead, skirting around alley entrances and glaring up at the dark windows like soulless eyes set in the buildings.

“Do you think there are any survivors?” I whispered as I stared down into the face of a small girl, a small toy still clasped in her tiny fingers.

“I don’t know.” Cedric said quietly, “And even if they were no doubt they have already left. Let’s just get through here and head for Kanas.”

“What if Kanas is just as dead?” I asked, “We can’t keep going like this without supplies. I haven’t eaten properly in over a week and we have nothing to cook game with.”

“Do you have a better plan?” Cedric said shortly, dropping my arm, “Oh right, this is your plan. Follow the shore till we reach Iškas.”

“Well it’s not like we could’ve stayed anyway.” I shot back, “Or you and I would both be dead.”

A branch snapped. We both whirled to see a thin figure emerge from a dark doorway.

“By Costus’ blood, you’ll wake the dead if you don’t shut up.” The woman couldn’t have been much older than I was but that was where the similarities ended; her skin was a dark olive tone, her eyes chocolate and almost shaped, and her hair was short and black, looking like she had cut it herself with a very blunt knife.

“Who are you?” Cedric asked, looking her up and down. She wore only a simple dress and a dagger was belted to her waist, “Are there any other survivors?”

“Survivors? No. they killed them all within a few minutes – and if any escaped the first wave they would certainly have been caught by now.”

“Then how are you alive?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Unlike most humans, child, I know a bit about dealing with the Dead.” she blinked and her eyes suddenly blazed white hot, puliless, and her skin rippled as runes glowed dimly before fading once more. Another blink and her eyes were normal once more.

“A Seer?” Cedric asked, “A real one?”

“I am Naveem.” She said with a nod, “And if you would follow me I would like to talk with you in private.” She turned and walked away, disappearing back into the doorway.

“Should we trust her?” I asked, “This could be a trick.”

“Seer’s are to be trusted.” Cedric said seriously, “They seldom have something unimportant to say. We should go speak with her. She could help you.”

“Come, now.” Naveem’s voice drifted out to us, “We have much to discuss.” Cedric nodded at me, took my hand, and led me inside. I shut the door behind us, bolting it shut, and saw marking drawn upon the wood with white chalk.

“What are they?” I whispered, reaching out to touch them.

“No!” Naveem cried, “Don’t touch them, or you might break them.” I paused; hand in mid-air, before I retracted it. “Now, follow me and don’t damage any of the lines on the floor.” As we stepped further into the house I saw chalk had been used to line the entryways and under windows, marking every wall.