Fall
Chapter 49

Piper

Piper was the first to breathe. There were vitrum in all forms around them. Vines, flowers, and roots of perfect clarity. It was amazing.

We need to hide, Reine said. I can hear people coming down the bridge, and it would not be wise to be spotted here.

Piper relayed this to Finch, and they came upon the agreement of going further into the jungle.

“I think we should try to replace the source, if there is one,” he said.

Could there be a source to this? As Piper tripped, pushed, and waded through the vitrum, she imagined it was spread throughout the whole of the East. What would this mean for the North?

Fireflies winked at her through the glass. Their light reflected and bounced off the water and vitrum, making a galaxy far closer than the one above.

It’s magical, Piper said.

Reine sneezed as a firefly landed on her nose. Magically irritating. These things won’t leave me alone. I will have to make an example of one soon, to show the rest what waits for them.

I don’t think fireflies work that way. Piper passed through a vine curtain, sending the stars shivering.

“How far do you think this goes?” she whispered. Piper was afraid of speaking too loud. The scenery around them seemed fragile, despite vitrum’s strong qualities.

“I don’t know,” Finch murmured. He slowed. “Maybe the source for this all isn’t here.”

It was the first place they had found vitrum along their swampy boardwalk. However, there could be more past this outlet. Turning back was tempting. More than tempting, actually. It made sense. They could always loop back if they got to the end of the road emptyhanded, and delve deeper into their replace.

As Piper was about to suggest this, Reine hissed and pressed herself into the mire at their feet. Incoming!

Incoming what? Piper thought as she quickly ducked down. Finch saw her warning, and did the same.

Fera. People. A cat. Sensory details flooded Piper with information. There was the snapping of branches and a scent of fear as the newcomers came closer. They soon came within range of Piper’s human hearing, and passed by without stopping.

Piper came to eyelevel with the nearest root to see who had missed them.

Orange and black was the only glimpse she could caught before it disappeared behind a curtain of vitrum vines. A tail, she thought.

Finch confirmed her theory. “That was a big cat. An Eastern tiger.”

“Do you think it was a soldier?” Piper whispered. Maybe somehow Seine had already gotten wind of Northern intruders, and were combing through the jungle.

“No.” Finch shook his head. “No coat of arms or uniforms that I could see. But…”

“But what?” Piper asked.

“I think—I think that was Tennyson and Taft,” he said. “With them.”

“What?” Piper looked to the vitrum curtain. “Were they captured again?” Questions bubbled to the surface of her mind, but none with answers Finch had. He was in the same boat as her.

“This night keeps getting stranger and stranger…” Finch sighed, and released Chip to the air. “Only one way to replace out what trouble they’re in now.”

Kane

Kane hardly had to ride cautiously, or even attentively, in camp. Soldiers would move mountains out of his way once they heard Flint’s saddle.

Traveling was a different world. There wasn’t room to move out of rank to keep the steady flow of army traffic. Units were well-oiled cogs that fit into the greater machine of simply trekking across the flatlands.

Kane had to cut his way out from the back of the army to outpace it on the rim, and then reenter to fight his way to the center. It’s where he should have started that morning, but he had been occupied with checking in on their food stock for King Asher. His triple guard didn’t make things easier.

In the midst of apologies and second-explanations, Kane wondered if sending a messenger fera would have been easier than asking in person.

You probably should have considered that before, Flint said.

I thought that’s what I had you for, Kane replied.

I can’t possibly think of everything.

Oh? Kane winced as a stray elbow hit his knee. It was from one of his guards. He struggled to keep his horse from spooking. At least you admit it.

I’ve never claimed to be a know-it-all, Flint sniffed.

Never said it aloud, Kane amended.

You’re saying I’m arrogant? Flint balked. They were almost to the mass of mules that carried the army’s provisons.

No, Kane said. You just have a lot of confidence in what you know.

He could feel a chill creep through their link. It was a cold anger. Flint’s calm monotone was more unnerving than if he had shouted.

Then you can deal with Donovan this time.

Kane had no more time to talk as his guard opened up, and the head of the army stood before them.

Atlas

The night before, at the very table he sat at now, Atlas had doubts if the North would be offered a blink of help from the lukewarm mayors.

Now, with Thorn’s information, he was near certain of seventeen helping hands. Seventeen, he reminded himself, out of twenty-four.

Hudson was pleased as he chewed on the fish by Atlas’s feet. This is much better than the dessert.

It’s your second lunch and fish this afternoon, pace yourself, Atlas chided.

I’m building sustenance for when we’re out in the wilderness, Hudson said in defense.

We’ll be traveling with seventeen towns. Life willing, they should have some food.

We’re not certain, Hudson said.

Atlas grinned. You big glutton.

Building sustenance, Hudson said.

A gavel was pounded on the table. It was the first sign of authority Atlas had seen amongst the leaders. The man who had gathered their attention was clearly an elder of the group. Atlas had forgotten his name, and felt ashamed. They had exchanged introductions already.

“This is a matter of subjectivity,” the elder said in Chestic. “You may stay or leave, and it will not be frowned upon. Those who choose to leave with Ambassador Milla, Atlas, and Skye, will do so as soon as they can. Those who stay in Chesa will continue with their normal route when this is over.” He meant of course, the ceaseless sand cow migration.

“Any questions will be addressed now, or stilled until the next meeting.” The elder appraised the table.

One hand was raised. “And those who wish to leave with the East and West?”

Atlas stared at Armadillo. He shot back a challenging glare.

“Then they may also meet at an arranged location.” The elder nodded. “Any more questions for this topic?”

There were none, and the meeting continued on facts such as water distribution and grain storage. Atlas, Milla, and Skye were released at this point.

“That was bold of him,” Atlas muttered.

So it was, Hudson growled.

“We would have done the same thing in their position.” Milla squared her shoulders. “What we need to focus on now is helping our allies pack if we can, and prepare for the journey back.”

Atlas had a slice of fear rip through him at the thought of crossing the barren sea of sand again. But Hudson gave him some comfort. We’ll have experienced guides this time. Ones who live and breathe the sandy air.

Yes. Atlas looked to the great pavilion billowing proudly behind them.

He couldn’t wait to go home.