Beneath the Glass Dome

Chapter 4

The further along they walked, passing the greying trees with barren limbs reaching downwards towards Aimee as though they were fingers intent on snatching her from the ground and spiraling her upwards before spiriting her away forever, the more she wondered whether or not she should've listened to the blasted bird chirping away in her ear. The air hung chilly about them and she wished to be home in front of a warm fireplace instead of plodding her way through who knows where. "Are you certain we're heading at least somewhat in the right direction?"

"Oh, now you want to ask me about directions?" the bird stated with a firm tone of sarcasm in his voice. "Before when I said we needed to stay on the path, who was it again who told me I was wrong? That was you, I believe."

"Now I change my mind. A capable person understands when something arises beyond their scope of ordinary, it is wise to talk to someone who understands the peculiars of the situation." At least that was her stance when it came to things she was unfamiliar with. She preferred asking advice from those who knew better than simply rushing, headfirst, into something which would prove disastrous.

A snap sounded from her left, causing her to turn and jump to the right, her eyes scanning through the brush as if wondering whether there was a monster of sorts which would set upon her, intent on devouring anything in its path. "We may need to double back," she remarked.

Another snap sounded, this one coming from the right. She was caught in the middle of this unknown. There were likely several creatures, snarling away, their fangs poised to rip into her. Her hand reached at her side and retrieved her pistol. The cold metal seemed far chillier than it had been when she initially strapped it to herself.

She hadn't fired the weapon in some time. The last time she had, it was to hunt rabbits with her father for their meal. Even then she only managed to snip one before he was capable of felling it for her. She felt the pistol shaking in her hand. This worried her...this worried her as lot.

"Run, you silly girl," the bird squawked from behind her.

Without thinking, without pause, Aimee burst into a sprint through the trees. The branches knocked against her face, their harsh appendages scraping against her exposed skin. She felt herself being tugged in every direction as though to bar her from continuing forward and becoming some rapidly approaching beast's meal.

"Do you see it approaching?" she asked as she continued making her way over fallen limbs and roots reaching forward through the ground. Her jacket snagged against one of the branches and she felt herself being lifted from her feet, thrown backwards from the jeering.

The bird whirred, "I can't see anything but I hear it. It's close."

She wrestled with her jacket, turning herself to the side in an effort to free herself from its grasp. That was when she heard another noise – one which sent chills through the back of her neck.

The stomping sounded as though it were made by something weighing tons. The trees shook, dead leaves fluttering onto the ground with each thunderous hit. She freed herself and looked about. Only thirty feet away she saw the abominations approaching her.

Their skin was molted gray, blending in with the dead limbs which gave them accessible camouflage to sneak up on their prey. In unison they walked. From the distance, they appeared to be men dressed as knights, shield and sword in hand as they approached. A small flicker of yellow was seen on their faces, no doubt eyes powered by steam the same as the bird.

The bird!

She turned her rucksack around until she was able to lift the flap and see the bird within. "What are those things?" He had traveled through these woods many times – he had to know what they were.

He craned his neck, once again rising to incredible heights before rapidly returning to its previous position. "Find somewhere to hide."

"Why? What are they?"

"Listen to me. These are things I've never seen before in these woods and while I haven't been here in ages, I know things don't change rapidly. This is something dangerous."

He may have a point. At the least she could hide and gauge what they were doing out here before presenting herself. A small bushing of dead limbs from various bushes and tress, gathered together likely by the elements, would have to do. She rushed over, laying herself upon her stomach. Her eyes continued watching through the small openings created by the lack of camouflage in places.

She felt her stomach churning. All it would take is one of these knights to look at her and she would find herself on the end of their attack. Her heart raced as the knights made their way towards her position.

At this distance, she could see their appearance better. Small lines of steam pipe ran across their silvered bodies, small amounts being released at intervals as they continued moving along the path.Large gear interlocking with one another moved in unison down their legs with each step they took. Their eyes...their eyes were the same color as the bird's, proving within their bodies there dwelt the steam which powered them along.

The swords, all of them made from the same material as the men,were long with a rapier bottom accented with straps of leather from the hilt. Aside from the minimal visible scroll work, they seemed rather plain. The shield were made in the same with with only as light bevel to the edge.

Their footsteps seemed to drown out any noise which may have been emitted from Aimee, their attention remaining focused on the road ahead of them. The trees shook with more leaves descending upon them as they continued down the path. What struck her as odd was once they passed, there were no footsteps on the ground. It was as though these men didn't exist when they walked.

Once she was sure they had passed beyond the scope of her vision,she slowly moved out from behind the brush. She stood and watched as the steam from the creatures disappeared beyond the horizon. "They seem like some sort of guard. Do you think they work for the castle?"

The bird shook his head with a whirring noise. "Not that I know of. This is something else."

"Foe?"

"Likely. I'm afraid I must warn you, if these soldiers are patrolling, it's likely someone is concerned about your arrival. I would watch myself with every step. No telling what else is out here."

His tone gave her no comfort. At least she still had her pistol with her, for whatever good it would do.