Fall

Kane

After an entire day spent sorting vitrum, Kane was relieved to be freed from helping Cooper for the morning. Even if the task that had unfettered him was something he would hardly wish on his enemies.

Atlas, Milla, Piper, Micah, and Skye stood at the Golden Gates of Elbe, letting the morning traffic flow by them like rocks in a stream. Each of them carried a pack, with June holding the brunt of their foodstuffs and the all-important documents King Asher sent with them to secure an alliance with both Trene and the South.

It was happening again. Kane thought the tear in his heart was beyond sorrow. It had been opened again and again with each of his father’s leavings, burned and hardened to healing with time apart, and guarded with any mention of Atlas returning.

Yet Flint had given him a new heart. One full of life and longing. Of hope that things could become better. That Life was still compassionate.

But that heart could be hurt too.

If only they could stay, Flint mourned. His hooves left scattered imprints in the dry earth as he stomped them.

If I told you how often I wished that, Kane said, it may overwhelm you.

I am already overwhelmed. Flint swung his head back and forth. His spindly antlers threatened to skew the ongoing traffic, and Kane had to make a sudden jump to stop him.

Now is not the time for sorrow, Kane thought bitterly. It was the time for staying strong in giving well-wishes to the travelers. They would need it.

He returned his attention to the gang. They had said their goodbyes to King Asher at the palace, then Kit and Thea beside him. The crowd around them, full of fatigue earlier, started to take notice that the hero of Elbe—the Piper Amur— was among them. Some of them stood to the side, watching the proceedings. Kane wanted to yell at them to get away.

But that wouldn’t be very diplomatic, Flint added. Or even princely.

Kane walked forward, and gave a hug to Milla. “Travel well.”

“Stay safe here,” Milla croaked thickly. June nuzzled his shoulder. Floyd bleated next to the donkey; his lead was tied to her saddle.

He went to Skye next. “Travel well.”

Madoc pecked his earlobe. Skye giggled, “You too, Mr. Prince. Save some vitrum for me.”

Kane gave a mock-scowl, and tousled her braided hair before moving on to Piper. He gave her a hug. “Travel well, Piper.”

“Yeah. I’ll try. Reine hopes you have a good time too. And if any—” she cut herself off. “If anyone kills you while we’re gone, she will kill them twice.”

Kane pet Piper’s leopard gingerly. Flint helped him form a polite response. “A noble proposal. I appreciate the offer, but pray I won’t need it.”

He shook hands with Micah. “Travel well.”

Micah scratched his growing stubble. “Thanks. I’ll try and stop Nell from destroying us.”

A voice came from behind them. “Leaving without me?”

Kane turned to find Finch walking towards them. Something had changed after King Asher had revealed the older boy’s co-profession as a Northern spy. The quietness that had defined him before the battle was edged with cockiness. It rubbed Kane the wrong way.

“No, of course not.” Piper sounded stiff.

“Good.” Finch adjusted his pack, and continued to walk past the group. “Let’s get going then.”

Atlas grimaced. “You heard the boy. We’re off.”

As one, the travelers filed after the messenger. Kane watched them go through the Golden Gates, and out into the Northern countryside. Towards the West.

Kane peeled his eyes away from the Golden Gates to see his mother folded in sorrow, Kit supporting her. It was a quiet sob that escaped his mother.

“Life, keep them safe,” she gasped.

Atlas

They only lasted two hours before Madoc spotted danger.

“Troops,” Skye called.

“Where?” Milla shouted back. The wind from the rolling foothills around them was already picking up strength, trying to snatch their words.

“How many?” Atlas said.

“Um… two units? They’re by a clump of trees ahead.”

“How far away?” Milla stressed. She stopped June to climb onto the donkey. In the case of flight, it would be best of Milla rode the fera, with Floyd running beside them.

Skye had her eyes closed, seeing through Madoc. “Not far.”

Atlas groaned, and grabbed his vitrum disk from his pocket. With a tap of his finger, it changed into a pair of glass binoculars. He lifted them to his face, and was able to see the trees Skye described.

For this trip, they had decided to make a straight shot to Trene. Atlas had packed enough supplies so they would be able to steer clear of small towns and the notable city of Tamerlane. The farther they stayed from King Kayden’s grip, the better.

We will have to make a wide radiusaround them to enter the forest unseen, Hudson said.

Atlas studied the Western soldiers. Or we could wait for them to pass, and continue on our path.

I doubt the group will be patient enough for that. Hudson gave a pointed look at Reine, who was pacing restlessly in their pause. I fear some of them would become… destructive.

Piper can control her fera. But Atlas did not feel conviction behind his words. He sighed. “Okay, we’re moving out.”

“What’s the plan?” Milla asked.

“We’re going around them.” Atlas took the lead, and let the others flank him.

“What if they move our way? Won’t they see us?” Finch said. “Surely there’s another way to go about this.”

“Got any other ideas, bird boy?” Atlas said.

“Actually, I do,” Finch quipped. “How about an early lunch?”

Atlas narrowed his eyes, and turned to the others. “Everyone?”

Piper nodded. “Okay.”

Skye, Milla and Micah also gave their approval. The Trene ambassador however, was the least willing to stop. “How long will this lunch be?”

“We’re not going to time it,” Skye grumbled. “It’s just lunch.”

“Skye,” Milla gave a stern pat to her granddaughter. “Manners. You are an ambassador.”

“Trainees aren’t like they used to be,” Finch said.

Madoc landed on Skye’s shoulder. The girl stared at Finch with pursed lips for a brief second, before her parrot flew towards him in a blur of green.

Finch yelped and batted Madoc. “Life! Get it off me!” He duck and wove, trying to evade the parrot’s talons and beating feathers. His fera hovered above, sending concerned chirps.

We must intervene! Hudson stepped towards the fight.

No. Atlas put a hand on the black bear. Let them sort this out.

For the moment, it seemed the others had come to the same conclusion. They formed a rough semicircle around Skye and Finch.

It didn’t take long for the fight to end. Skye ran at Finch while he was distracted, and gave him a hard shove. He dropped to his knees.

“Spies aren’t like they used to be,” Skye mimicked. Madoc was on her shoulder once more.

Finch glared up at her. “I’m used for stealth, not crude combat.” No one helped him as he rose to his feet.

Milla dismounted June and handed out dried meat and fruit without comment. They sat quietly for a time.

Piper broke the silence. “Finch, use Chip to help you next time.”

Skye snickered, then was swatted again by Milla.

“Manners, Skye. We are ambassadors.”