Chapter 74: Mountains (2)

Chapter 74: Mountains (2)

However, after that, he felt so anxious that he didnt feel like he could actually end up sleeping if he went back into the tent with Katayoun. So he stayed at the edge of the plateau.

About an hour later, there was another shower of meteors, and he saw more movement on the road. Again, nothing turned in their direction.

He thought back to a lesson in which Mystic Rabya had talked about such matters.

When it comes to Abhorrent sensing melam, shed said, it comes down to the same problem weve discussed before. Who knows what Im referring to?

A few students raised their hands and Rabya called on Atra-Hasis.

Our direct knowledge of Abhorrent behavior is lacking.

Exactly, Rabya said. The last time we faced any real Abhorrent was centuries upon centuries ago. The summoned variety behave differently. Besides, few mages want to waste melam summoning Abhorrent simply to study them. Of course, top military brass has ordered such studies. With limited results. Regardless, long-term behavior is impossible to study or observe. We cant dissect them because they disappear upon death. Rabya noticed a raised hand. Yes, Katayoun?

What about vivisection?

What section? Enusat said.

Kat turned to look at him. Vivisection. Its like dissection, except the subjects alive.

Rabya nodded. Good question, Kat. Vivisection... has been performed on Abhorrent. Thats one of the ways we do know a bit about their anatomy and internal structure. But whether it's dissection or vivisection, you still have to deal with the problems of melam loss, the short duration of summoning spells, and the like.

In any case, getting back to how they sense melam, the short story is that we dont know much. We dont know how they do it. Do they have an organ that allows them to sense us? Is it related to their connection to melam itself? She shrugged. I know, this lecture is providing you a fat lot of nothing in terms of actionable information.

There are some things we do know. Did anybody read Surviving a Trip to the Nightmare Cove by Anunnaki Ninursag?

All of the smart kids raised their hands, including Katayoun, Arwia, Kuri, and Ningal. Ningsummunu joined them.

Arwia, do you remember the description of how Ninursag escaped that desert?

Whatever. Jad turned and went back to break down his tent.

I seriously didnt mean anything like that, Xerxes said again, keeping his voice down.

Its fine, Kashtiliash said.

Dasi nodded. Jads touchy because this whole thing was his idea and its not exactly going as planned. But we all bought into it. As long as we get back to the Gateway, send the message up, and get reinforcements, well be fine. Within a week or two, well be back with Black Jackal, throwing down drinks in Puabi, and all this will be worth it.

Traveling through the mountains was indeed much slower. That was especially the case given there were no roads to follow. As the morning passed, they backtracked three times after reaching impassable sections of terrain.

The upside was they didnt see any meteor showers.

The sun beat down, making Xerxes sweat. He felt dusty, and felt like he was constantly smacking away bugs.

Their High Seer speed only helped them in fits and bursts.

By the time evening fell, they had yet to reach the highest elevation point before the mountains dropped back down into the open plains that separated them from the Gateway complex. They camped in an open area next to a very small stream of water.

There were no meteor showers.

Jad seemed to be in a better mood. What was more, they managed to kill a game bird, which they roasted over the fire to form the basis of a delicious dinner. It was a nice break from the monotony of travel food.

Jad even offered to take the first watch.

Safe in the tent with a few bowls of water, Katayoun carefully washed the grime of travel off Xerxes with a washcloth. He switched the water, and did the same for her.

An hour later, they fell asleep in each others arms.

This is what it will be like every night, he thought. Once we get out of here.