XLIV. Empty Skies

Fiora’s expeditionary force huddled together around their supply wagons parked on the side of the road leading into Marquez’s eastern gate. Passerby paused to gawk at them, and some stopped to offer thanks, while a roadside café set about preparing and distributing carafes of coffee. Several cartloads of goods and farmers rolled past them towards once abandoned farmlands, signs of a return to some semblance of normalcy. The sound of hammers on stone rang out through the cold, still air, as the Colby-Nau masons feverishly worked at repairing the downed wall. Some even sported winter coats.

The final days of Deadsun brought with them still, frozen air too cold for even snow. Though blizzards were less frequent, the winds were far more unforgiving in the chills they carried. Fiora’s beige coat did wonders against the cold, made of wool and lined with sealskin and fur, she was thankful for The Cardinals indulgences for once. The same fur was bound around her legs over stockings, her elven mail skirt under another longer one of denim, the same for her jacket. As usual, Clarissa spared no expense in outfitting the army. Little could be said by means of complaint; her tastes were exceedingly functional as well as fashionable for once.

Fiora pulled on her fur earmuffs as a stray wind blew past, catching her muffler like a streamer. Beside her, Rowena shivered as she passed, despite being equally dressed for the weather. Fiora turned her attention to the soldiers mounting newly acquired steeds, to be led by Maleah’s sub commander Nicholas Arkona. Of all the nearly one-thousand soldiers going on this expedition, only she, Rowena, and a handful of Alice’s mages were female. Even the members of The Order were male. Normally this wasn’t too much of a problem, but the nations of Xanavene and Duvachellé were incredibly misogynistic, and her command was made up primarily of Maleah’s riders and a Marquez infantry battalion. Fortunately, the Sorn remnants had at least respected the rank she held and even began to trust her judgments.

She kicked absently at the compacted, frozen snow with her boot. Aichlan should have arrived by now to inspect them before they disembarked for the border of her homeland. Her heart became aflutter with emotion as her imagination raced, what would await them when they arrived? She recalled how quickly Nole had fallen to disorder, would it be more of the same? Or would there be nothing at all? She quickly shook the images from her mind; it was absurd to think that no one survived. Even after the destruction of Rhode there were survivors, and that was just a single city. Though it could be agreed nothing good awaited them, something would. And it would be her mission to bring them hope.

“I should hope you don’t daydream like this when you reach Sorn Fiora.”

Fiora looked up to see Alice standing before her, her arms crossed in mock chastisement. “If you should die I know not what I’ll do.”

“Go find yourself a proper boyfriend I suspect.” Fiora teased.

“Don’t even joke Fiora.” Alice frowned. “Have you met with any of my protégés by chance?”

“Protégés? Alice, some of them are two to three classes higher than you.”

“True, but I hold the most experience.” She replied officiously.

Fiora rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’ve met them. They seem quite competent.”

Alice smiled and tightened her cloak against the wind with one hand, and tried to keep the tendrils of blonde locks from her face with the other. Fiora blushed inadvertently, suddenly overcome by a warming sensation throughout her body at Alice’s smile. It was as if in that moment all doubt was driven out from her mind.

“I trust preparations are complete, Major?”

Fiora jumped from her musing at Aichlan’s approach. “Y…yes General.”

“I’m sending that mage, Senka, along with you.” Aichlan said rather solemnly. “I want for you to keep an eye on her. I’ve enough on my plate here with Séverin running around…”

“I understand.” Fiora swallowed, her hands had become clammy.

“Daen’t be so nervous all of the time.” Ashe chided playfully. “And daen’t drink her tea.”

Though she still wore the cloak that smelled of smoke and ash, there was no more concealing the fact that she was with child. Like the other elves, she wore no shoes, as a result her feet were literally on fire to protect against the cold. Fiora wondered how Eth and Donough were faring, whereas most of their soldiers took to dressing for the weather, those two remained obstinate and anti-shirt. Aichlan clasped her on the shoulder, startling her once again.

“I wish I could go with you, but I trust no one better to do this job.”

“Thank you General.” Fiora blushed, looking down and away.

Aichlan gently grabbed her chin, looking her in the eyes. “I’m serious; I believe in you, we all do. So believe in yourself.”

“I still don’t see why I have to stay as well.” Alice pouted as she stared daggers at Aichlan.

“Alice, please, not now.” Aichlan sighed, exasperated. “I wish we could stay a bit longer, but we must be going, Eth is due to return from Sienna sometime soon.”

Fiora rendered a Sorn salute, which Aichlan returned with a smile. Ashe grinned and waved as the couple returned to the walled city upon the hills. Only Alice remained with a worried look upon her face as the final preparations were completed and soldiers formed up for the upcoming march.

“I will be fine Alice.” Fiora replied as reassuringly as possible.

“And how can I be sure of that if I am not by your side covering your plump rump?”

Fiora blushed as she reflexively covered her rear end. “Alice, I swear; you can be so--!”

Alice leaned forward and kissed Fiora. As the initial shock wore off, she leaned in and returned the kiss with equal passion and desire. Alice pulled away to catch her breath, her eyes teary. She sniffed and wiped away her tears, turning so that no one else could see her sorrow. Fiora swept away a lock of blonde hair from Alice’s face and embraced her as sobs came freely.

“Please, promise you’ll be safe. Because I know I can’t convince you to stay.”

“It doesn’t stop you from trying it seems.” Fiora giggled.

“Just promise to come back to me Fiora,” Alice replied somberly. “You’re my soldier.”

Fiora smiled, and swept a bang from Alice’s face as she kissed her forehead. “We’ll be together again soon Alice; it’s not like you aren’t following me in about a month.”

A carriage upon sled runners pulled up next to the two women as Alice wiped the tears from her eyes, smearing her makeup. The coachman smiled uneasily, having caught them in somewhat of a tender moment. Alice turned her back as she wiped the mascara away with her glove, and gave the coachman with a forced smile.

“Sorry to interrupt Mistress Templeton, but the Dukes of Sienna Skies and Ophelia are awaiting your arrival.”

“Blast,” Alice furrowed her brow and tapped the corner of her mouth with her thumb, “I had nearly forgotten.”

“Go Alice, I will be fine.” Fiora said reassuringly, her hand lingered on Alice’s as she departed to mount the awaiting carriage.

“I shall be holding you to that Lady Fluorspar.” Alice replied with returning humor as the coachman helped her into the carriage.

Fiora watched silently as the carriage slid along the road towards Marquez. She clutched the tear soaked glove Alice had thrust into her hands, her own tears threatening to fall. A falcon cried out overhead as it sailed across the blank grey canvas that was the sky. Blank, empty and devoid of the sun, the wintery muse of many a sullen poet and despairing suicide. In her youth, she had found comfort in the austerity and silent coldness of what her grandmother had called winter’s tax season upon life and the living. Having nothing to truly be joyous about, she found its gloom comforting and oddly reassuring. Yet now as she stood with eyes wet from tears, tears that froze upon her cheeks, the comforting feeling was gone.