Nightmare's End

Past: History To Repeat

The buildings came into view about three hours after the skirmish. All of them appeared to be made of worn boards from what could only be the ships beached and broken down in the shallows. In total their company had only six people capable of fighting, and five for each to guard. The odds of everyone left continuing to survive were more in favor of the secrets of the Great Ones. Every scholar that had been plump before departure sagged at the belly, and the scholars of more fit form were only saplings.

"How are we going to do this, Master?" Maria asked, with exhaustion concealed in each syllable. "We've hardly a scrap of food. The few hunters here that remain aside from ourselves will undoubtedly desert us. Entering the village will mean certain death for many in our party. We must not continue. If we do, I fear the worst..."

Gehrman took Maria's hand. "Dear child, we've faced worse odds. This will work. I promise." He released her hand and turned to address the scholars with Laurence. Maria tuned them out, listening to the rustling leaves. Rakuyo...

***

The verdict was determined before the jury had been called; they would continue into the village. "Knowledge must come first, our lives second." One of the sagging scholars declared that, assuming a posture of confidence. Laurence haughtily agreed, and vowed to sacrifice himself if need be. You may be a scholar, Laurence, but you know nothing... Words are wind.

Gehrman walked with Master Willem as they discussed further the plans for the village, or so Maria thought. In truth, they spoke of something she would not understand until a long while after. She scanned the edge of the village for movement, and found only a flag and a few swaying lanterns met her eyes. Either they kept no guard, or the merfolk had yet another ambush in store.

Maria drew her cutlass from its sheath and a rag from her hip pouch, and leaned against a tall dark tree as she cleaned and polished her Rakuyo. The evening sun glinted off the edge and the fuller, and the guard glittered. A breeze stirred her silver ponytail and brought a slight chill to her face, turning her cheeks a pale pink after a few moments. Silver hair was uncommon in people her age, she knew, but she knew what she was. She was of the blood of Cainhurst, and that blood was powerful. It also served the same purposes as other bloods. So it warmed her cheeks.

One of the scholars came for her when the time came to continue. Surely my dream cannot be true, there are too few of us left. At least she hoped not. Maria sheathed her weapon, put the rag away, and made for the head of the caravan.

***

The envoy never returned. One of the hunters came to report back after being sent after the scholar bearing the standard. He said that the scholar himself was nowhere to be found, but the standard laid broken on the road and a severely torn robe was tangled in the flag.

"It was too much to hope for, my friend," Laurence clasped Gehrman on the shoulder. "The warriors here will continue ahead, and the scholars will remain here?"

"That sounds appropriate. Let them know, and we will be off shortly. I've grown weary of this evasiveness. Better to face the enemy and have it done with."

"Ah, it seems age provides one with impatience as well as wisdom," Laurence chuckled, turning to address his fellows.

Gehrman muttered under his breath, "No more than you, it seems." He grasped the folding handle of his mighty scythe and rose from the fallen log he sat upon.

***

On the final approach, not a single fish man was seen. A few corpses were found when a cart nearly overturned when it went over a road-wide pile of them, but no other sign of recent habitation could be seen. Gehrman and Maria rode side by side in total silence, until Maria interrupted.

"You seemed irritated after Laurence spoke with you. What happened?" Maria turned to face her master, concern glinting in her eyes.

Always worrying about others... "He joked, is all." Gehrman never faced her directly, but he could feel her eyes on him still. She doesn't stare for desire, you old fool. Relax.

They continued down the road. Each minute that passed felt like an hour, as the carts and carriages slowed them all down. The journey took two hours in total, their arrival marked by the screeching of gulls.

"We're here," Laurence proclaimed.