Lost Empire (5 page)

Would the new world be as harsh and chaotic as the one they had always known? Was that even possible? Would there be any normal form of life or civilization? So many unanswered questions neither Addel nor Berkeni could provide answers for. And despite their burning curiosity, in the big picture these answers were really of little importance. Were they too late? Had Krytoes already entered the world of men? It was almost too much to think about. For now, just completing this journey would be a victory in itself.

The crack of a whip snapped Eric from his daydream as Jade stirred in his lap. He stroked her hair while urging her to go back to sleep. The large, stout driver never turned around as he continued to crack his whip every few minutes, pressing the sleek, black horses onward. The hardened man with long blond hair and deep-set green eyes was no ordinary driver. In fact, he was no driver at all. He, along with the other soldiers surrounding the wagon on horseback, were highly skilled killers handpicked by Azek himself. Aside from their formidable combat skills, these men were also trained scouts, and were fully aware of their surroundings at all times; dangerous men whose formidable skill sets were probably overkill for a lowly escort mission, but the Queen had no intention of taking any chances.

Athel’s eyelids soon grew heavy as well. With a rapid flutter she opened them again, trying to resist the fatigue, only to have the pattern repeat itself again and again. Showing no hesitation, she scooted close to Jacob, who sat hunched over with his hands folded across his knees. She snuggled close to him before resting her head on his shoulder. Within a minute her breathing became deep and slow as she drifted off. Similar to what Eric had done, he gently guided her head down to his lap. Even though he tried to be careful, her beaded hair rattled the whole way down. The exhausted girl never even stirred.

The two friends did what they could to steady the girls while they swayed back and forth. With no real way to brace themselves, they continued to be at the mercy of the uneven road, but neither one cared right now. For now, everything was peaceful.

“
You know, Eric, sometimes I feel like all of this is just a dream,” Jacob commented, struggling to find a proper volume that could be heard over the wagon’s creaking, yet not wake up the girls. “Like none of it’s real. When I think about the life I had back in Bryer, it’s like someone else’s life now; innocent memories from an innocent time that belong to another person.”

Eric let out a long sigh. “I’ve been thinking the exact same thing for a long time now. The difference is, for me it
was
all a dream. Absolutely nothing in my life was real.” Jacob cringed at his friend’s words. It was true enough. Almost everything Eric had been led to believe turned out to be fabricated, a clever lie devised to preserve the greater good. “But I guess in a way it makes everything easier now,” Eric said softly. Jacob looked puzzled for a moment. Eric continued, “Don’t you understand? I don’t fear death anymore. I don’t fear anything. People fear because they have something to lose—their families and friends, relationships that took a lifetime to build. But me? Nothing in my life was ever real to begin with. Who better to send on a suicide mission?” He ran his fingers through his curly hair as he blew out a sharp breath. “I have nothing to lose. I’m the perfect choice.”

Jacob tilted his head slightly as he looked into his friend’s eyes. A tight smile formed on his face as he looked down to Athel, who was still fast asleep. He gently ran a hand across her beaded hair before raising his eyes to Eric once more. “You’re doing it again, you know.”

“
Doing what again?”

“
That,” he fired back with just a hint of anger in his voice. “Always worrying about what should have been, could have been. Worrying about the future, about the past.” He leaned forward while still supporting Athel’s head in an attempt to keep from raising his voice any more than he already had. “See the pattern? You’re always concerned with things that can’t be changed, or worse, things that haven’t even happened yet. What’s the point? It’s a losing battle, my friend.” He shook his head, then leaned back again. “Why don’t you try worrying about
now
for once?”

Eric’s mouth shot open angrily as he raised a pointed finger toward Jacob, but he failed to make a sound as his eyes glazed over. Jacob’s words stung him and he wanted to retaliate, but the true reason they stung was undeniable. They were completely true. What did it matter now if his father was not of his own blood? He was the only father he had ever known. His memories, experiences, and friendships were as real as the air he breathed. Jacob was still the boy who got him into trouble more often than not. Although the perspective was certainly different now, no one could ever take these things away from him.

Jacob recognized that look in his friend’s eyes, a friend he figured he knew better than himself. And to a point, this was true. “And in case you hadn’t noticed, I didn’t go up in smoke when you learned of the truth. I’m still here, the same guy you grew up with. And I’m the same guy who is going to stay with you until the end.” Eric lowered his head, feeling ashamed. His self-pity was nothing more than greed. “Remember, Eric, I’m not the only who didn’t disappear,” said Jacob as he motioned toward Jade with his chin. “Don’t ever question how real your friends are. We’ve gotten you this far, haven’t we?”

Even as the noon sun hung high in the sky, it provided little warmth inside the covered wagon. Being unable to move about very much enabled the frigid air to sink deep into their bones. That, and being seated on cold wooden benches, seemed to make the time creep along at a snail’s pace. They vigorously rubbed their arms and legs, trying to generate just a bit of heat as well as combat the growing boredom. Athel dared to peek out the canvas slit just to see something other than her comrades and a wooden floor, but as soon as she popped her head out, several armed guards mounted on massive brown warhorses turned her way immediately. She had almost forgotten they were completely surrounded by this entourage. Deciding quickly this uncomfortable view of trained killers was not an improvement, she immediately pulled back inside.

Despite having a whole bench to share with Jacob, she scooted in close to him once more. He pretended not to notice as he sat there rolling a dagger back and forth over the back of his hand. Of course he stopped and put it away when she leaned her head against his shoulder. The four of them were bored, certainly, but at least they were at peace. They would easily embrace this moment over the constant violence they had grown accustomed to.

A series of shouts from outside abruptly snapped them from a sleepy haze. Eric instinctively gripped his sword and hurried over to the rear of the wagon. When he peeked out, the waiting soldiers gave him a far different greeting from the one Athel had received. Instantly hands fired up to their foreheads in perfect salutes while they sat up straight in their saddles.

“
My lord,” called out one of the men, his tone seeming apologetic as he remained in his frozen pose.
My lord
? Eric thought. Light blue eyes peeked through the face bars of the man’s helmet while a thick red mustache bounced up and down as he spoke. “I’m sorry for disturbing you, my lord. We’ve just now passed our first checkpoint, and the men got a little carried away. Can’t blame them really. The first wave now has permission to return to Taron.” Sure enough, he could see soldiers scampering about on the side of the road, taking down pitched tents and loading bags onto horses. Lit torches were being pulled up from the frozen ground, then doused in small patches of snow.

“
It’s fine. Don’t worry about it,” Eric said, still a bit confused by the overly respectful title. “We just didn’t know what all the commotion was about. Speaking of which, how many more checkpoints will we cross before we reach Candrin?”

“
Four more, my lord,” the soldier replied, not moving a muscle and trying hard not to look Eric directly in the eye. “If—if I may speak bluntly, my lord...the Queen spared no expense. This road has been completely secured all the way from Taron to Candrin. Your safety, my lord, is of top priority. Every man here, even though already more than willing, has been instructed to protect the four of you with his very life if necessary.” Eric nodded uncomfortably before pulling his head back inside. He wondered if he appeared as dumbfounded as he felt the way, as the other three were staring at him.

“
I guess all the shouting was only—”

“
Um, we heard every word, Eric,” said Athel, wearing a tight smirk. “Oh, I’m sorry. I meant
my lord
,” she said, and dropped down into a low, sweeping bow. Jade covered her face with both hands as she shook with laughter. Jacob roared out shamelessly while slapping his knee several times. Eric felt his face heat up as he quickly moved to take his seat next to Jade. To his relief, the taunting didn’t last very long. Jade whispered a private apology before closing her eyes and melting back into him.

The uncomfortable journey continued on until the sun had long disappeared below the horizon. A single lantern flickered away at their feet as they watched the dancing oil flame lick the clear glass chamber. They watched the tiny light for hours, seeing as there was nothing else to look at. It seemed to hold more life than any bag or box lying around. The muffled voice of the driver could be heard calling out to the horses several times before they felt the wagon begin to slow.

Although the rocking of the wagon was not violent by any means, it had been constant all day long. Now that they had stopped, their heads swam and a slight nausea crept into their stomachs. One of the soldiers stuck his head through the slit and asked them all to sit tight for twenty minutes or so, assuring them a suitable camp was being prepared. Eric waved his hand dismissively and the soldier disappeared after a proper salute. They were all a bit dizzy, but Athel seemed the worst for wear. She covered her mouth several times as her cheeks started to puff out, but each time Jacob held and empty bag in front her she waved him away. That wouldn’t be necessary just yet.

Whatever the soldiers were doing out there, they seemed to be doing it in complete silence. Eric was tempted to take a look just to be sure they were all still alive, but the protocol had been made clear. He would wait here until told it was safe to come out. It was a wonder no one was tasting his food for him! But they had been given their instructions directly from the Queen herself. The very least he could do was respect their loyalty and professionalism.

“
The camp is set, my lord,” came the call from outside. The four jumped up, eager to get out of this prison and stretch their legs. They practically leapt from the wagon, each with a sack in hand. Although it had been plenty cold under the protective tarp, it was nothing like the frigid night air that burned their lungs with every breath. None complained, though, just happy to move about for the first time in nearly a full day. There were sounds of joints popping and cracking combined with the occasional groan as they stretched and twisted. “Right over there, sir,” said a short red-haired soldier as he motioned off to his right. Like the rest of the men, his helmet was off and resting low on his hip.

After a few acknowledging nods, they hiked the short distance through the matted-down grass. A small fire circled by gray rocks was already crackling away when they reached the dark green tent already set up for them. The fire was more than inviting and they quickly circled it, seating themselves on the cold ground. Jade placed on her crossed legs the bag of rations she had grabbed and began pulling frantically at the thin leather cord. They really hadn’t eaten much all day. The way the wagon had wobbled constantly, eating would have been difficult, not to mention they had experienced a general loss of appetite due to the constant movement. But now that they were stopped and their stomachs had settled a bit, food sounded wonderful.

The others showed a little more restraint as they opened their individual bags filled with goat jerky, raisins, and an assortment of nuts. Eric pulled out a plump water skin and passed it around to everyone as they ate. Between the clear sky filled with twinkling stars and the warm crackling fire, they might have really enjoyed this time together if it weren’t for the armed swordsmen surrounding them in a square formation. They were simply impossible to ignore, and made small talk feel awkward.

Eric found it strange that after a full day of doing absolutely nothing the coziness of a small tent could seem so inviting all of a sudden. But the stifled yawns and heavy eyelids around the camp proved he was hardly the only one thinking that exact same thing. “Do you men plan to sleep tonight?” he asked while slowly getting up, then reaching down and hoisting Jade to her feet.

Mumbled gibberish followed as every soldier seemed content on answering him at once. A tall man with blond hair and green eyes flashed an angry glance at the others simply to quiet them so they didn’t all look like fools. “Yes, my lord,” he said with a touch of lingering irritation in his voice. “We will be taking shifts on and off throughout the night. But please do not concern yourself with us. The four of you need to get some rest. If we stay on schedule, we should arrive in Candrin by tomorrow night.”

In five quick paces he was at the front of the green tent, holding the flap open for them. The four friends each happily crawled through and were pleasantly surprised to find sleeping rolls and pillows all laid out for them. They each chose one to call their own and curled up under the warm goose feather bedrolls. Sleep found them within minutes.