BK1 Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

The group of summoners who stumbled upon us were savage in this landscape. They ran without strain through the rigid reeds, only stopping for Rian and I to catch up. Before we knew there was danger, they had slaughtered the rat beasts that tried to pounce on us.

I had tried to look back to see if Kuru had truly moved on with his herd, but there was no sight of them. Vernan had brought us far away from our initial encounter when he captured us. He swiftly sank into the ground as we moved, reappearing beside us occasionally to breathe before disappearing again. His ability to flow through the land was incredible, as much as I hated complimenting him. He was nimble and quick to spot danger alerting the others before anything got too close.

Deacon steamrolled ahead, leading us, his lance was always poised for defence, and he tensed, prepared when Vernan announced a demonic beast closing in on us. He stopped, bracing his weapon as a lithe demonic beast of medium size sprang from the reeds. It's four tiny legs and elongated snout pummelled into Deacon's lance, but he shook it off unafraid. Blocking its attacks, he held it from reaching us.

Frank stepped in and swung his flail. Water streamed from his rotation, slicing into the torso of the demonic beast, its blood splattering into Deacon's defensive fire, sizzling away. Frank then grabbed the chain and lowered his flail to slam it directly onto the beast's head, smashing its skull with a crack.

Their attacks were coordinated, precise and well-trained. Arjun guarded our rear; his bow hitched with an arrow as Deacon ripped a brown core from the beast's chest. We barely waited before we were pushed to run again.

Watching them work was amazing; I had never seen such skill before. They didn't waste energy dodging or stumbling like Rian and me. They truly were summoners powerful enough to traverse the highlands alone. Not once did I see them pause to catch their breath from exhaustion. What level of cultivation had they reached? Were they at the foundation stage, or had they climbed to core solidification? What grade were their cores to use Aether so easily? Questions burdened my mind as I ran, the pain of my arm spiking with every jolt of my feet on the uneven ground.

I tried to keep my pain from showing, but I couldn't stop the pang of my cheeks, gritting my teeth when I stumbled on a dip. When I glanced at Rian beside me, her expression was stern as she held onto her thigh with one of her hands. She actively pulled her leg forward to keep it going as we tried to keep up with the summoners. She was struggling but didn't voice a complaint.

Deacon slowed, holding his hand up, and we halted, our chests heaving. My vision was blurry as I sucked in as much air as possible, trying to replenish what my muscles craved. My mouth was dry, and I couldn't generate any saliva to soften the cracked taste of my lips. I could feel my body was reaching its limit.

"I have alerted those on guard" Vernan popped up out of the ground, his hands held behind his back as his brown cloak billowed in the wind. "I recommended we take them into custody."

"They aren't going anywhere, Vernan" Frank rolled his eyes, stepping up beside us, his flail hanging over his shoulder. "Let me have that" he held out his hand, gesturing to my water flask tied to the side of my backpack. I gingerly unfastened it and passed it over to him.

Frank took it and popped the lid off; raising his hand over it, he concentrated, and water began to drip from his fingers into the flask.

"T-thank you" I eagerly accepted it back and immediately drank the refreshing liquid as it soothed my mouth, hydrating my dehydrated body. "I never knew water could taste so good" I sighed in satisfaction, wiping my chin as it dribbled from the flask.

Frank rumbled his chest with a smile. "The highlands is no place to be without a water summoner."

"Yes, yes, we get it, you're amazing" Deacon shook his head, leaning on his hip. "Now, can we go already, or do we need to carry them?"

"Sorry about him; when he hasn't eaten, he gets cranky", Frank mused, knowing full well that Deacon's scowl was directed his way.

"I get cranky!?" Deacon stormed. "Don't even start with that nonsense" he raised his finger, pointing at Frank accusingly. "You moan like a baby if you don't get your bluddy walnuts."

"Walnuts are an important fibre, Deacon. Nothing beats them," Frank shrugged, winking at me.

"Walnuts are disgusting" Deacon pursed his lips, his agitation growing.

"Enough, both of you", Arjun sighed, pulling his hand through his short ginger hair, "We can discuss the importance of Walnuts later. These girls need medical attention."

"Hmph", Vernan made a noise with his throat. "They need detaining."

"Vernan, not now" Arjun slumped his shoulders. "The brigade is up ahead; it's not far. Do you think you can make it?" He asked of us, concerned by our shaking limbs.

"We're fine" Rian straightened and adjusted her backpack in determination.

"If it's not far, I think we can manage" I tried to smile, but it didn't feel genuine. From Arjuns look, I don't think he believed we were as fine as Rian claimed.

"We will keep our pace slow", Arjun decided, causing Deacon and Vernan to shoot us an irritated look.

"Fine." Deacon spun and shifted his lance from hand to hand. "May as well gather if we're walking", he mumbled.

"Good idea", Frank grinned, pulling up beside Deacon to match his pace.

"Bugger off", Deacon tried to push him, but Frank didn't budge, continuing to smile as he annoyed his friend. They took the lead as they squabbled, and Arjun stayed with us as we followed. Vernan disappeared into the ground and continued to scout for us.

"Lynette", Rian whispered as we avoided a section of turned-up soil. "Are you okay?" she asked, seeing my grimacing face.

"I think the bone in my shoulder has moved" I held my arm for support as the pain throbbed intensely from my broken shoulder. It was beginning to numb until we had fallen from Kuru; the impact must have aggravated my collarbone. It felt out of alignment compared to before.

"Do you need me to re-tighten the sling?" She asked.

"No, I don't think it will make much of a difference", I sighed. "Hopefully, a medic summoner can fix it", I tried to stay positive. I had seen their work when I was in their tent; they had easily fixed broken bones and mended torn skin. Surely, they would be able to fix my shoulder too.

"Alright," She said as we fell behind Deacon and Frank. "Do you mind… if I lean on you?"

I saw her flinch, gripping her leg tighter as some dried blood on her wound cracked. "Sure" I changed position so she was on my left, and we linked our arms around our shoulders to support one another. Together, we walked, both of us avoiding Arjun's gaze as he frowned at us. It went unspoken, but I knew neither of us wanted to return to the brigade being carried. The mere thought sent goosebumps down my skin. That scenario would be far too embarrassing.

***

The noise of chattering, pans clanking and swords clashing alerted us to the brigade. Rian and I looked at one another, relieved. Our bodies sagged in each other's grip as the sound of safety in these treacherous highlands was upon us. We quickened our pace as the reeds became sparse, and the sight of a meadow filtered through the gaps. We pushed through the last reeds, revealing the view of gathered soldiers, their coloured cloaks littering the landscape. The light was beginning to dim, so they were settling for the evening. A few canvas tents had been raised as groups patrolled the outskirts of the brigade formation. Fires were lit, and the smell of freshly cooked food wafted to our noses as our stomachs rumbled in anticipation.

Finally, we made it back.

"We made it", I exhaled, crumbling to the floor, my legs giving way. They had been burning for so long. My chest muscles relaxed as my breathing hitched through my pain; I hadn't realised how tight from the tension I was.

"Yes. Now you can be questioned" Vernan smirked at us, his head popping from the ground. "I will go inform the Duke" he nodded to Arjun and sank back in.

"What's his problem" Rian muttered.

"He's a follower of Urish" Arjun offered his hand to me, and I took it as he pulled me back up to my feet. "Don't take it personally; he treats everyone as suspicious", he sighed.

"He's rude" Rian crossed her arms. "If he's so devoted to Urish, he should join the temple."

"Ha," Deacon grinned at Rian. "The temple wouldn't have him. He's far too shifty for the likes of those pompous pricks."

"Deacon", Arjun frowned. "You shouldn't insult the god's guardians."

"Who cares? Not like they can do anything", Deacon scoffed. "Bunch of wimps."

"Wimps is not the word I would use" Frank smiled. "Soft, maybe."

"Frank", Arjun groaned. "Don't encourage him."

"What?" Frank battered his eyes innocently. "It's a fair observation."

"Stop it, both of you" Arjun wrapped his arm around my waist, and I stiffened at the unexpected gesture. "Come on; the young Duke will be waiting", he forcefully pulled me forward. I didn't have the strength to try and push him away, and he knew it. I could barely walk; I was so exhausted.

Resigned, I accepted his help as we headed towards the camp. It was better than being carried, at least. Frank tried to offer Rian the same, but she waved his help away stubbornly and limped behind us. I could see the strain on her face and wished she would have accepted, but she was too prideful.

As we approached the edge of the camp, I noticed we were at the front of the brigade. The equipment and tents were cleaner, sturdier and generally looked more expensive. The Summoners had golden thread embroidery in their high-necked cloaks and clasps of metal, each with delicate carvings pinned to them.

Some were sparring. Their speed as their weapons clashed was too fast for my eyes to follow, the sound echoing throughout the camp. Aether sizzled from their bodies as they fought in a blur of movement. One of the summoners had entrenched his body in an armour of earth, much like Kuru had done. He laughed at his opponent, who swung a single sabre at his chest, the blade clanking away, defeated. His opponent, eager to try again, coated his blade in a film of Aether with his hand. Air whipped at my black hair as he did, and I could see stray leaves flying around him. He sprung forward and swung his sabre again but did not hit him. Instead, the wind rushed forward with his blow, slicing into the earth's armour, leaving a scar. The earth summoner raised his eyebrows, then laughed again, encouraging the wind summoner to keep going.

Their skills were on another level than the measly practice I had been doing. Would I ever be able to have power like that?

Arjun took me past the sparring and further into the camp. Summoners were gathered around fires here, resting after the day's march. They all looked up at our approach curious but did not interact.

Their personal tents were three times as large as ours. Each tent had an emblem on the front of the flap, symbolising their team's profession. Many of them had a symbol of two sabres crossing, and a few had the medical professional sign of a heart within a pair of hands. One I had not seen before was also quite frequent; it looked like a gavel at the centre of a laurel wreath. The wreath reminded me of what Urish's statue often wore, a symbol of his faith. Maybe that sign had something to do with him.

"Team five reporting," Arjun said as we approached the camp's centre. We stood before a large cream canvas tent; a deep purple ribbon blew in the wind atop, and golden embroidery decorated the canvas. Two older men watched us sternly, their golden spears tall beside them. They crossed the spears in front of the tent flap and scrutinised us. Those spears, I had seen them on the day of my execution. These men were guards of the crown, of royal blood.

"Lord Argole informed us," A guard with greying hair said to Arjun. "Are these the bandits?"

"They aren't bandits", Arjun replied, irritated. "They said they got separated from the trainees."

"I see. Then the young Duke will want to see them" The older guard nodded to his younger companion. The younger guard pulled his spear back and saluted before opening the tent to go inside.

"You may leave them here. We will deal with them" The older guard stood his spear straight and stared at myself and Rian. I felt tiny under his gaze, a lump forming in my throat.

The flap opened, and the younger guard returned, signalling to the older one.

"Go in; the young duke will speak with you now" The older guard didn't leave room for us to reject.

Rian gripped my hand, and I held my breath at the darkness behind the cream tent flap.