Engineer's Empire

Engineer's Empire: Aether and Abyss: Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Thinking of venturing out into the Wastes was one thing; actually doing it was another entirely. He approached the eerie expanse, his feet reaching the place where brown dirt gave way to dead, black dust. Rust and desolation yawned out before him forever. The keep of Eastwicke was several miles to the north of Brickton. He could see the orange lamp light flicker from the windows of the ancient stone keep. It was breathtaking how far away one could see out here near the Wastes.

Runciman had pulled what looked like a large bobsled with wheels out from a shack at the edge of town. When he told Slade to get in the back seat, Slade stared at it for several moments.

"It's flat ground from here to the Wastes," Slade said, wondering how this thing was going to roll all the way there.

"I am aware," Runciman answered. Slade looked toward distant Eastwicke and climbed in. Runciman climbed in and opened a hatch next to the steering wheel which he stuck the end of his staff into. The blue glow emanated from under the hood of the bobsled. Runciman turned a nob, turned a lever, then they were off. Slade gripped the back of Runciman's seat in terror as the bobsled went speeding off into the night.

Grass wafted pass as they skimmed across it, the sled bobbling and rocking over every root and stone it passed over. After roughly an hour, they had finally come to the edge of the world. Collapsed buildings and jagged pieces of metal clawed out of the ground like charred skeletons reaching to escape the earth. This continued on as far as the eye could see, which admittedly was not very far in the darkness of the night. Only the gibbous moon cast a pale light onto the tattered remnants of the forgotten past.

Runciman stared out into the endless darkness, as though measuring what he was seeing there. He stood and removed the staff from the sled. After Slade got out, he pushed it with his foot. It rolled until it bumped against a nearby stone and stopped.

"You're just going to leave it here?" Slade asked.

"Without the staff, it is just a simple bobsled on wheels. It's no real danger to anyone. Now, shall we?" Runciman asked, extending his hand toward oblivion.

Slade gulped. To wander into the Wastes was certain death, everyone knew that. He peered forward to see the eerie violet light still glimmered far out in the Wastes. He paused for a moment, his foot hovering above the dark, dusty earth. This was the farthest he had ever journeyed in his life, what was left of it. Tensing, he took that first step, then another and another. He looked back at Brickton. It really was beautiful from a distance, with all of the gas lights flickering against the red brick walls. Red brick walls that he had danced within, surrounded by fancy nobles and food and tea and Elspeth. All of that was over now, faded like a dream.

Slade fought back the urge to cry. Brickton would steal no more tears from him. He shook his head and thought of that one wonderful night and smiled, thankful he got that before he left. He wiped his eyes, still smiling. Despite everything, he could be happy with this last image and memory of Brickton, its orange cast brick walls standing proud against the surrounding night. It was a beautiful site and he was glad to see it.

His leg trembled and he fought the urge to go running back. He clutched the orange stone hanging from his neck.

"Never seen it up close have you?" Runciman asked. Slade shook his head.

"It'll likely get worse from here. You can still turn back," Runciman warned.

"I know," Slade answered, and took another step forward.

He had never seen the Wastes up close. He found himself lost in thought as he examined the decayed structures up close. He pulled out his prized possession, his flick-switch, he set down the lantern he had brought from the clock tower. He would not be using it there anymore. Pulling the small lever on the side to strike the flint against the wick, he thrust the tiny flame into the lantern and it came to life.