Engineer's Empire

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

"A battle? That's what that was?" Whelkerson asked in disbelief as Rune returned with his entourage and entered Eastwicke. They found a central room to rest and treat their wounds. All of the soldiers of Eastwicke had been roused to gawk at the retinue of soldiers and magi.

"Yes. You'll likely be needing reinforcements very soon," Rune warned. Chartner groaned.

"I suspect that's going to cut into nap time."

Rune silenced further complaints with a look. Rune let his subordinates explain recent events further while Lady Nightshade called him and Justine into an unused office.

"So what do we do now?" Nightshade asked after closing the door.

"Why are the Acolytes outside?" Rune asked in reply.

"They're mages, not strategists. Speaking of which, we need to get word to Julien and Marcus."

Rune was quiet for a moment.

"Thoughts?" Nightshade asked.

"Camden," Rune replied.

"The Apothecaries?"

"If this is indeed a miasma, then we will need their abilities now more than ever."

"Okay. Then we rally the Apothecaries and get word to Julien and Marcus," Nightshade insisted.

"We should go now," Rune nodded.

"We've been running and fighting all night. We'll fall off our horses on the way to Camden," Nightshade answered, shaking her head.

"Why have they never built a train line to Eastwicke?" Rune grunted.

"Because no one wants to go here," Nightshade answered. Justine smirked.

"Fine. We'll rest a few hours while I have the soldiers here gather carriages and supplies for our journey," Rune relented.

"You sure they'll be able to manage that?" Nightshade asked.

"I'll see to it that they do," Rune assured.

Next, Slade was summoned in.

"Now, tell me again why we found you in the Wastes tonight?" Rune demanded. Slade was quiet for a moment.

"I work on the governor's clock in Brickton. I saw a glow down in the bottom of it. Then these creepy looking guys in black break into the clock tower, looking for something. I dive into the bottom of the tower and find a key with a sparkling purple gem in it," Slade began.

"The one Sorcerer Ingram used tonight?" Rune asked. Slade nodded.

"And how did they come about it?" Rune pressed.

"The clock broke. I... think those men did it. Because they cornered Beadle Lumen after he beat me for the clock breaking and took the key from me. I didn't find out until I woke up. Then I ran into that man, Mr. Runciman, and he planned to go get the key back, saying they were bad men and had something evil planned. So I followed him," Slade explained and trailed off.

"But you had to know going into the Wastes would mean..." Nightshade began. Slade was silent. That silence filled the room. Rune, Justine and Nightshade all exchanged looks. Justine's eyes were full of sadness. She took out a pad of paper and wrote a note, handing it to the other two.

We should take him. The boy has potential.

Rune sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Everyone get some rest. We'll figure things out in the morning," Rune said, leaving the room. Slade said nothing as the other two left. Nightshade looked at him for a long moment before turning as well. Slade fidgeted, not knowing what to make of these looks. Justine hovered at the door just before leaving, her bright green eyes staring into Slade. Slade forced a half smile. Justine smiled in return and nodded before leaving. Somehow, that reassured him, at least a little.

As he slumped to the floor, he considered all that had happened in the last two days. He had made new friends, been humiliated in front of them, been laughed at by an Engineer, met and lost an Artificer, and now was traveling with Rune the wizard and his entourage. Slade puzzled at this strange and sudden series of events. Yet as he curled onto the floor and sleep overtook him, he found one thought to be grateful for; he was no longer in White Pine.