Chapter 17: Unrest in the Capital (1)

Chapter 17: Unrest in the Capital (1)

Xerxes didnt pay attention as they made camp that night. He knew he should meditate, or study the Asgagu Sebum rune. But there was no way he could calm himself enough for either activity.

As he lay out his bedroll, he noticed someone had cleaned his sword for him. He suddenly wondered where all the bodies were.

Left em behind, Aniskipel explained. Captain said shed go back later.

What about Bel? Xerxes asked numbly. And the Abhorrent?

Lowered some tarps weighted with rocks to cover them.

Now Xerxes started thinking about what the animals would do to Bels body. It made him so sick he couldnt stop tossing and turning. He was tired of sleeping on a bedroll. He wanted to be back home in the capital. To have dinner with his parents and sister, then snuggle in a blanket while wind whistled across the paving stones of the city streets.

Eventually, he fell into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning when he woke, he realized their convoy was sharing a roadside campground with some other travelers. It looked like a group of families, traveling with mules and a wagon.

Xerxes stared at them without realizing what he was doing, until one soldier said, Come eat.

It was Shiram from Squad Two, who made a nice spicy porridge. Everyone was circled around, including Captain Ishki and the sergeants, but not Gandash, who lay in his bedroll unmoving.

Xerxes reached over and touched his friends shoulder gently. Foods ready, he said quietly, expecting Gandash to still be sleeping.

Instead, Gandash replied, Im good.

He sounded perfectly awake. Xerxes suppressed the urge to press him to eat, and instead just said, Gotcha.

He quickly did his morning prayer, then headed over to the campfire. There, the soldiers ate Shirams porridge and chatted in low tones.

I talked to one of them when I went down to get some water, Shiram was saying.

Them campers? asked Jarad from Squad Three.

Worse, the thought of Abhorrent in the capital made him think about all his friends and family there. His father, mother, and sister. The disciples he trained swords with. The mages who had taught and tutored him. Were they in danger?

He rode next to Gandash now. It was hard to determine what was going on with his friend. He didnt slump in the saddle like he had immediately following the incident at the bridge. But his gaze was vacant. He hardly spoke more than a word or two in response to most questions.

When they took a short break halfway to lunch, Tamharu pulled Xerxes aside and suggested to give Gandash space.

He took the advice. He rode next to him, occasionally offered a few words here and there, but did little else. At lunch, Gandash ate, so that was good.

Traffic began to get heavier the further they got into the interior of the kingdom. However, it didnt take long for them to realize that virtually all of it was headed in the opposite direction as them.

Inquiries were made, and it became more clear than ever that there was unrest of some sort in the capital. Tamharu was usually the one who dug for information, and each time he came back with different stories and opinions.

I keep hearing about riots, he said. But no clear explanation why there are riots. I heard an inn collapsed with everyone inside it. Someone claims a killer stalks the streets. Its impossible to tell whats real and whats made up.

Any further mention of cultists? Ishki asked.

Yeah.

I dont like it.

Me either. Theres one thing for certain: more and more people are leaving.

That night, they camped outside of town in an area with at least eight other traveling groups.

Before, Captain Ishki had been worried that questions might be asked about the load they bore. But nobody asked, or even seemed to care. The talk in the camp was all about the activity in the capital.

Captain, mind if I stretch my legs? Xerxes asked after dinner.

Go ahead. But stick close and keep your mouth shut about everything, understood?

Understood.