Chapter 184

Chapter 184

The pervasive fog swirls around me as I trudge through the bottomless mire. Hushed voices mutter throughout the darkness, unseen and only faintly heard as I focus on my path, ignoring them the best I can. Exhausted by my efforts, every step is heavy and forced, but I continue my arduous journey. My destination obscured by murky mists, it lays ahead, of this I am certain. Forward, always forward, there is no retreat, no surrender, because down that path lies death. To find safety and security, to ensure survival and bliss, I must proceed onward. Thats the way of the world; the strong thrive, the weak die, and everyone else is treading water, waiting to find out which group they belong to. No rest for the weary, no peace for the wicked, no end to the suffering, only an unending stream of trials and tribulations, hardships borne and adversity endured.

Such is life.

Through the opaque haze, I spy shadows dancing in the darkness, their footsteps echoing as they surround me, their whispers invading my mind to taunt me with teasing indecipherable murmurs, their message lost in the howling winds. Circling about me always out of reach, the shadows wait for me to fall, but I am untouchable unless I stop, so I can never stop. Eyes forward, no regrets, no looking back. The mud slows my progress, snaring my feet as they drag behind, my legs bound and arm dangling uselessly at my side, but it matters little.

Slow and steady wins the race. Keep on trucking. Err... Hang in there Kitty? I need more motivational quotes.

The air grows thin and I fight for breath as a warm weight presses against my chest, choking me, hampering me, pushing me to turn back, but there is no going back, no time to rest no matter how exhausted I may be. They wait for me to falter so I must persevere lest I join them. One foot in front of the other, my unending journey continues, countless paces and shadows left behind.

There is no sense of motion, no measure of distance, only an immutable stretch of land extending just past my fingertips, fixed in place as I amble forward, the world dragging behind me. Growls and snuffs sound nearby, but only the shadows reveal themselves, flitting by and fading away, their lives snuffed out once they enter the fog again, and still I move forward. How many have I left behind? How many still trail me?

As I check my surroundings, I see him in my peripheral, a young boy staring with empty sockets, his mouth stretched open in soundless accusation, the stump of his tongue ugly and burned, the gaps in his gums bleeding and raw. Forward. Dont look at him, dont speak to him. His cupped hands reach out and my eyes dart over on reflex, horrified to find his severed fingers and missing eyeballs sitting neatly in a bed of extracted teeth.

You killed me.

No, you're wrong, I retort, already on the defensive. The Shrike killed you so go haunt her.

...Maybe Im a little too blas about talking to a walking corpse, but after everything Ive been through, zombies arent so threatening.

Unperturbed by my response, the chatty corpse tries again. You let me die.

Well... I didnt have a choice.

You stood by and watched. You did nothing.

What was I supposed to do? I wanted to save you, I tried to save you, but the Shrike wouldnt listen. All I could have done was die with you.

Then die. Another victim of the Shrike arrives, clutching her skin to her frame like a loose dress as she leans against my shoulder, her ruined mouth whispering in my ear. You killed us, its only fair.

Gingerly removing myself from her over-familiar caress, I shake my head, calmer than Ive any right to be. No maam, like I was just telling your son here, I didnt kill you. Out of the mists, the dead emerge to crowd me, and only then do I realize my feet have stopped moving. Hopping to it, I push my way through the crowd, the dead banding together to hold me in place.

Join Us.

Er... no thank you, I have an early meeting, gotta keep moving. Ineffectively shouldering my way through them, I try asking nicely once more. Seriously, it's not my fault you're dead, so please let me go?

Maybe not them, but you got us killed. Seven familiar faces stand out from the crowd, looking exactly as I last saw them. Murat steps forward, his chest caved in and face twisted in a sneer. Dont deny it. He left behind a young wife and two sets of aging parents, a good man working hard to support them all.

We followed you here, trusted you. Dilaras hand grabs me by the throat, pulling me back into an uncomfortable hug, the sword in her chest poking me. Its only right you lead us all the way. A lovely older woman, she was sweet on one of the Sentinels, but unused to being forward with her affections. Seems death fixed that.

Serik approaches with tears in his eyes, holding his belly while his innards spill out. How is my old lady supposed to survive? Join us, bring us away from here, were begging you.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

One by one my lost soldiers plead their case, my throat closing with grief. Im sorry. Unable to look any of them in the eye, I slip away from their grasp, the dead still ringing around me. I cant bring you away. Youre dead. Im still alive and the others are waiting, so please...

Not anymore. I bump into Rustram, smiling sadly as he shakes his head, hanging at an impossible angle from his neck. You dont remember?

What do you mean? What are you doing here?

Camp attacked, night fighting, bad for all. Pran steps out and pats me on the cheek, half his face pulped, the bones visible shattered. Boss die in sleep, is lucky yes? Not like little wives.

Idiot. Milas adorable pout is ruined by her lack of jaw, her crossed arms spouting multiple jagged bite marks. Insist on a funeral, but refuse to move afterwards. Might as well have sent out invitations and rung the dinner bell, you brought the Defiled right to our doorstep. Why Mama betrothed me to a fool, Ill never know.

They killed me Rainy. Lins mournful gaze fills me with despair, her body pierced and punctured more times than I can count. It hurts so much, take me away from here...

Shaking my head, I try to deny the truth. No, this can't be happening, I had sentries and a schedule, we should have been safe...

Letting out a long sigh, her breath tickles my neck as we lay side by side. Nuzzling against my shoulder, she asks, Whats wrong? Normally by now youd be making fun of my hammering heartbeat or your hands would wander instead of holding me tight, like youre afraid Ill disappear.

Do I detect a note of disappointment?

She lightly slaps my chest and I can picture her adorable pout. You incorrigible man. Youve turned me into a shameless woman, lying in bed with a man before marriage. Mama would skin us both if she found out.

Well, then we best pray she not find out.

The cub finally frees himself from Li Songs grasp and canters his way back onto my chest, dipping under my arm to flop on top of Milas hand, his nose safely tucked against my neck. Chuckling, Mila shrugs and says, Well, seems Im stuck here with the two of you joining hands. I guess Im staying the night.

I guess you are. Li Song, Im sure youd be more comfortable in your own tent.

Unable to take the hint, the obstinate cat-girl shakes her head. This one will remain at Masters side. Without turning away, she unstraps her armor and I quickly avert my gaze. With a silent Sending to Mila, I ask, Any idea how we get her to leave?

WHY DOES SHE NEED TO LEAVE? WERE ONLY SLEEPING, LET HER DO AS SHE PLEASES, she replies, adding a pinch for emphasis. SO WATCH THOSE WANDERING HANDS.

Swallowing my disappointment as I return my hand to her shoulder, I direct Li Song to the spare bedroll which she spreads out next to Mila. As exciting as it may seem, sharing a tent with two women isnt all fun and games. My mind knows nothing will happen, not with the guards stationed outside and my pets taking up all the room inside, but other parts are insisting I make something happen. Even without all the sexual tension, Im unable to throw off my apprehension from the nightmare, the truths cutting too close to home.

What if theyre prophetic dreams? The night is still young, we might come under attack yet. And what if everyone really resents me? I mean, Ive brought the People nothing but problems, and since I've arrived theyve gone from reclusive mountain dwellers to front-line soldiers. I literally ruined paradise for them. No, calm down, its not true, it was just a nightmare, everyone is fine. Except those Purge victims and dead soldiers, theyre still dead, but Baatar and Alsantset dont hate you, and Akanai at least tolerates you. Everythings fine...

Against my better judgment, I fall back to an old argument. Mila, in the morning, were heading back to hand over the prisoners. When we do, I want you to bring Lin back to the Bridge.

I would, but she wont go. Milas reply is quiet and sleepy, the poor girl exhausted from riding for two days straight. Lins made up her mind and nothing will change it. Youve never had to deal with how stubborn she can be because you always give in so easily. Shes staying and so am I, accept it and move on. Squeezing me tight, she asks, Are you afraid of losing us?

Terrified. Probably shouldnt have answered so quickly. I lost seven soldiers today. I could have lost you. Dont say it wont happen, all it takes is one mistake.

Kissing me on the cheek, she sighs. Maybe Gerel was right, youre too clever for your own good. If youd lost soldiers fighting against Elder Ming then youd be better prepared for this. Dealing with your first losses wont be easy. Before she continues, she forces me to look in her eyes. Youre right, I could die at any moment, but the same could be said of you. Stop trying to send me away, Ive made my choice. Better to fight at your side than fret at home waiting for your return.

But--

No buts Rain. What is there to be scared of? Death? Youre so strange, fearless in battle yet so meek outside it. You risk your life without a care in the world but when someone else does the same, you fall to pieces. Does your life hold so little value? Do you think Lin and I will move on without a tear after your death? Her eyes fill with tears as she presses against me, holding me close. Youve done a spectacular job keeping everyone alive so far. Learn to trust yourself love, everyone else already does.

Ha!

What?

Kissing her lips, I rest my forehead against hers, unable to contain my smile. You called me love, sucker. Finally got you to admit it.

I can almost see her face turning bright red. Idiot. Stop worrying and go to sleep, we still have an army to kill and youre no use to anyone like this.

You love me.

Goodnight.

Love you too. And thank you.

My worries melting away, I bask in her warmth and scent, falling asleep as soon as I close my eyes.

Everythings gonna work out fine.

...

Wait, that wasn't even remotely close to what she said...

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