THE LAST GATEKEEPER

Back in Dangerous areas

            The group jogged lightly away but settled to a swift walk after Jack had announced to them that the first witch had dropped. The sky stretched wide on the remaining plains, storms came from the north and before the sun could reach its spot above them all, the clouds were there instead. Grim was the air and loneliness was the mood.

            Azlyn hadn’t dared admit to herself she’d been fearful for Crow but soon didn’t need to because Crow faded back and Harold forward and eventually her parents too. Her past wasn’t exactly a joyous occasion and it didn’t look like things were getting any better any time soon.

            “Tired.” Jack stated with dry lips and Azlyn suddenly became aware of him sitting beside her on her hill. She wasn’t sure what he meant, if they were all tired or if he’d just said it with no idea of his intentions either.

            “Tired.” She agreed and looked over the grey lit plains again.

            “Let’s rest and eat for a bit, I doubt any witches are coming for us and if they are, they’ll catch us after we all collapse anyways.” Jimmy said from behind them. Jack waved a lazy hand to acknowledge but otherwise stayed still.

            “It’s odd, the concept of leaving these plains.” Jack remarked and squinted at the mountains. The wind tore Azlyn’s hair from around her neck and into her face.

            “I’ll be glad to get out; these plains don’t have anything in them except death.” She frowned at the mountains. Jack glanced at her and then back at their view.

            “Death and Demons.” He smiled crookedly. Azlyn took off her jacket and rolled it into a pillow and fell asleep with her face half buried in it. Jack was still smiling as he left Azlyn on the peak of the hill and returned to the others. They were eating what little dried meat they still had and some collected fruit.

            Jack quickly found Corthus and took a seat beside him. The grass was dewy but comfortable enough. “Crow told us to retreat to the mountains.” Jack remarked.

            “I heard.” Corthus said and took a piece of the meat, most likely rabbit, which Reggie was handing out. “Why, do you think that’s a bad idea?” Corthus asked and took the time to look at Jack this time.

            “I don’t know… He seems like he knows what he’s talking about but he hasn’t heard the tales of the western mountains.” Jack took a piece of the meat and took a stringy bite. It had grown stale.

            “Are you referring to the cannibals?” Corthus asked. Jack nodded. “He wouldn’t know about that you’re right but I’ve seen traders come through these mountains,” Corthus gestured to the now very close western mountains. “they spoke of no cannibals, no man eaters.”

            “What traders come from the west?” Jack asked unbelievingly and Corthus grimaced back.

            “I’ve got informants and such.” Another large gust of wind blew across the plains and the fire Maverick had made nearly went out. “Not that that matters anymore. Arkon is somewhere we’ll never return to now.” His cold eyes met Jacks and Jack was suddenly uneasy and uncomfortable.

            “Well, I need to go relieve myself.” Jack stood and left quickly. Something always brought Jack to that detestable eerie feeling when he spoke with Corthus. But that left his mind as he left the group and began to piss in the wind.

            “Hand me some of that meat Reggie.” Andrea called and Reggie tossed some to her.

            “So then the whole population of Duns Ford left and it turned into a ghost town. That was the night Boris died…” Ellis said.