The Web of Iron

Chapter Seven: The Bloodless War

A few minutes passed, during which they rested. Then Kiyora's eyes fluttered open, and she stood slowly, rubbing her head. For a moment, William was afraid she would collapse, but she made it to her feet. She looked at him blearily, eyes adjusting to the light coming through the trees.

"Ugh..." she groaned, "Why do I feel like I was hit with a sword over the head?"

"Because I hit you over the head with my sword," said Felix.

"Why?!" asked Kiyora.

"You were under the flower's spell," said William. "We couldn't restrain you and rescue Massacre at once."

"What spell? What flowers?" she asked. "Everything is a blur. I remember entering a clearing or something..." She rubbed her forehead. "Didn't your mother ever teach you not to hit girls?"

"Why would I not hit girls?" asked Felix. "They are just as capable as males and therefore warrant no special treatment."

"That's not the point," said Kiyora. "It's about chivalry."

"If I hadn't knocked you out, Massacre or you might very well have been dead," said Felix. "I'm not apologizing."

"You know, you're a real jerk," said Kiyora.

William touched her shoulder and poured a holy power to heal her bruises. Then he let go and looked to the barren, wasted clearing left from Massacre's flames. He sighed.

"We have no time," said William. "We should move on now."

"What is it with you and forced marches?" asked Kiyora. "Couldn't we take it easy for once?"

"We can 'take it easy," said William. "When we have reached Artarq. This place is far more dangerous than I thought, and I want out."

"Considering what we've been through until now," mused Felix, "that is saying something."

So off they went, leaving the blackened clearing behind. They continued on their way northwards. Or at least William assumed they were going north. Kiyora seemed hazy about the exact details of where they were going. Even so, they made good time and passed through the woods rapidly.

The trees around them became smaller and shorter. Their roots no longer delved as deep, and their leaves changed. The ground became less marshy. The grass beneath their feet became steadily longer. Before long, its color turned yellow. William had heard that the grass in Artarq was yellow, and he took this as a sign that they were drawing near.

Though their supplies began to run short, Massacre caught animals for them. And as they went onwards, William found his spirits starting to take flight. It was only a little further now, just a little while before they reached Artarq.

Excitement grew within him. He found himself more and more impatient for the day of his homecoming. Every moment seemed to stretch into eternity as they got closer and closer. The air became drier and hotter. The trees grew still smaller.

Then, just as he thought he could no longer bear it, they came out of the trees and into sight of the border forts. They all looked very much like Baltoth's Retribution. Each one had the same towering spires and white walls. But they were smaller and in all ways less great. Nor did they seem terrible beneath the surface. Their walls were cracked and damaged in several places. And on one of them, there were signs that it had been broken open. Above the walls, the banner of Carn Gable stood, a golden cobra poised to strike upon a red background.

Then William realized what he had achieved.

"Yes!" he roared skyward. "I swore I would make my way across Seathorius on foot and find Artarq by my power, and I have done it!" He laughed. "Let us see Mother find fault in that!"