-Varia-

P’helle broke the horizon during the night. Once dawn came upon them, they were near enough that the smells and sounds of the city woke the crew and passengers. Varia joined the others on the deck, standing near the bow and gazing out upon the city, the sun slowly revealing it to him. The smell of spice, fish and exotic smells he could not quite pin-point lingered in the air, even beyond the dock. There were many ships, most Nihalian, but others that were Er Rian.

Er Rai’s economy is likely crippled. There should be more ships. Varia thought with a grim sort of satisfaction.

It was difficult to let go of the pride he felt regarding such a decisive blow against Er Rai, though it was meant to kill him. After the pride, he felt guilt. Guilt he had to push aside, to push away until it vanished all together. He could not feel pride for Arcturus when he was fighting them. He could not feel guilt for that pride. He must be neutral, even hostile towards them.

Pushing those thoughts away was easy once the ship was given leave to dock and sailed slowly into the bay. Varia never made it this far north in Nihal. Northern Nihal was still under their control, while the southern part was taken and held by Varia for many years. One of his many accomplishments. One more thing he handed Arcturus that was taken from him and spat on when they decided he was a threat to their rule.

He was, wasn’t he? He certainly was now. He was moving on them, and if they knew he lived, they would be terrified. That thought brought more pride to him. They feared him, which was why they tried to kill him. They should fear him, for he was coming for them and he would bleed them dry. He would nourish Arcturus with their lives, and he would do it with Maddox.

The city itself was glorious. Nihal was rich, and they believed strongly in flaunting their wealth. The buildings were tall, adorned with painted glass and patterns carved into the stone. They are mostly built from ivory colored limestone, shined and polished and glistening in the sun. Fabrics of all colors draped between buildings, shading the streets below. The streets were paved, cobbled stone weaving between buildings and covering every bit of ground. The town was alive, which was uncommon for him to see in Nihal anymore, but he had never made it this far north. People lined the streets with carts, set up along the docks and down the streets as well. Trinkets, food, drink. The women wore billowing and light fabric that clung to their curves. The men wore similar clothing, though their chests were bared at least part way.

Seeing P’helle, one could easily forget that there was an active war in the south. Varia wondered what P’helle would look like if he ever moved this far north, if he had crossed the barriers Nihal set and came upon the city in a rolling wave of death. He imagined it burning, imagined the screams. Buildings crumbling, fires spreading quickly over the fabrics, leaping the roads and turning the stone molten, bodies lining the perfect streets.

“Cover your face with this.”

Maddox’s voice tore Varia from bloodied thoughts and startled him. He flinched, snapping his head to the side and staring at the other. He had approached, stood next to him, and was now holding light colored cloth to Varia all while Varia stared at the untouched city, thinking of how he would bring it to ruin.

Maddox stared back, eyebrows raising. “We’ll be docking soon.”

Varia took the clothes gently from Maddox, looking down at them. How was he expected to wear his armor and weapons AND this? He shot a scowl to Maddox, who laughed, as if he could read his mind. “They will be loose enough for you to wear your armor still. Though, you may regret it if you do.”

“I have spent more than enough time in Nihal to become used to the heat.” Varia replied, but continued to scowl. Though he was used to it, he still hated it.

“I will be covered as well, if that is any consolation.” Maddox said, gesturing to the fabric draped over his own shoulder. Then, he turned his head to where Brom stood, away from the others and staring over the city.

“I wonder if he should be covered as well…” Maddox murmured, nearly to himself.

“Brom was never seen by many, but I agree that he should cover anyway.” Varia said, and Maddox made a sound of agreement. Brom himself had sent men into northern Nihal to spy and search for weaknesses. Varia had never been, but there had been many Arcturians in this city, no doubt.

The sound of the captain calling to the sailors to prepare to dock drew both of their attentions. The sailors set about drawing up the sails, and soon several manned boats were lowered and the crew rowed to shore with lines attached to the ships capstan. There, they took the lines and attached to another, larger capstan on the available dock, and cranked it until the ship finally, slowly, drew alongside the city.

Once landed, the four men departed. Varia, now covered, and Maddox, also covered, followed Sabre from the ship. Sabre drew a deep breath, as if the smell of fish and wealth was his favorite scent, before he turned to Brom, dropping several copper coins into his palm.

“Go to the edge of town and purchase several nags to carry us and our gear through the sands. If there is a cart, purchase that as well.” Sabre instructed, and Brom begrudgingly followed his instruction, moving away from the small group and pushing through the crowds to reach the edge.

“I do not wish to stay the night in this place. Once Brom returns, we will pack what we have and what we can purchase and begin to move. We’ll put distance between ourselves and P’helle, and camp on the sands.” Sabre told the two remaining with him on the docks.

Varia was in agreement. He was recognizable, as was Maddox. On the road, at least, they wouldn’t be surrounded by others, and would easily look like a band of merchants traveling the roads. Maddox seemed to be in agreement as well, and the group moved on to begin purchasing rations of food, clothing and cloth, and water-skins already full for their travels. Brom secured several horses, specially bred to traverse the sands, with wide hooves and short, sturdy legs.

It was mid-day when they were off, packing away their new and old supplies in the cart, and began the long trek towards Klale. They were alone, for the most part, and found little resistance in their travels. They made great time, and continued on their path until night fell, and the desert became chilled instead of insufferably hot. They stopped to camp, to rest their horses and themselves when they saw the light in the distance. Brom confirmed it was a regiment of Nihalian troops, camped near enough that they would surely see their camp-fire just as their group did. Worse still, they were in their path.

“There is only one other path that will bring us close to Klale in a reasonable time. The gorge, the Giants Breast. We should not find much resistance if we travel the length of it.” Sabre said.

The group sat huddled near the cart, using the light of the moon to view a map. The Giants Breast was a massive chasm, winding between the mountains of the north and stretching down until it faded into a river in the south. This far north, it was wider across, deeper down than in places in the south. The center of the gorge was a river, the largest in Nihal, starting in the Evistan sea of Er Rai and emptying into the Sea of Silence of Arcturus. It was close, they would have eventually began to hug the edge of it as they traveled. It would not take long to reach it. It was dangerous, though that certainly meant they would face little resistance in the form of men.

Varia scratched his jaw, staring down that the map. “It is our best course. We will not lose near as much time if we continue on the main road and dodge troops and merchants that may recognize us.”

Sabre nodded in agreement, tapping a finger on the worn map. “There is a bridge, wide enough for the horses and perhaps even the cart. I’d want to check the integrity before we try to bring the cart, but it should hold. It is a bit out of the way, but once we cross we will have an easy time heading west.”

“If I recall correctly, the gorge is ripe with thieves. We may run into trouble if we go that way regardless.” Maddox said, though he seemed less concerned than he was seeming.

“You and Varia are more than enough to dispatch any thieves that may attack us. I am not concerned with the possibility of being targeted.” Sabre replied, then glanced to Maddox from over the map. “Are we in agreement that we should head north to the Giants Breast?”

They were all in agreement, and they began to move that very night, opting out of camping for the soldiers were too close. The gorge was near, they would have crossed it eventually anyway, though at a point where it was less dangerous and easily to either go down, or to cross by bridge. They came upon it quickly, could see the scar even in the dim light long before they reached it. In the far north, they could faintly see the dark caps of mountains, falling into rolling dunes of sand.

The gorge spread for leagues, and the area they came upon was wide across, though not so wide they could not see the other edge. The river below was ferocious, raging and loud enough for them to hear even so far above. The ground near the edge was stamped down into a poor road, enough for the cart and the horses, though none rode while they were so close to such a sudden and deep drop. The bridge was still far, and they would likely not even see it until they were upon it, but the walk was not so terrible, at first.

The world changed around them, the water from the river reaching them even above. It was cooler there, even during the day once the sun rose. There were even trees, though they were prickly things, they were stout and did have enough leaves to provide shade. There were many plants, hardy seeming, and mostly gathered near the edge of the cliff. Sabre chopped some of them with a knife, opening them to reveal a sweet, pink meat in the center, filled with sweet juice. It filled them, quenched their thirst, and allowed them to march longer, further.

They camped the first night, though none felt comfortable enough to start a fire. Instead, all four huddled together near the cart and horses to stave off the cold. The next day, they saw their first signs of life. Not human life, but animals. Strange, massive beasts with armored skin that also seemed to flow around them. The creatures had a clubbed tail, and lazily gazed at the group as they passed, though they seemed unconcerned and continued to chew the bark of the prickly trees. They could stand on rear legs, though stubby, and reach nearly the top of the trees.

“Jarus. They live here, eating the trees.” Sabre explained. “They are unbothered by humans, but if they are threatened they can swing that tail and crush every bone in your body. They can crush boulders with ease.”

Varia was thoroughly enjoying the adventure, and was awed by the creatures. They did not have armored beasts in Arcturus, their creatures were covered in thick fur due to the weather. Beyond that, the creatures in Arcturus were not unbothered by humans. They were predators, and humans were their prey if they were able to find and catch them. Massive bears, cats, wolves. Other things, worse things than those. Monsters in the deep dark of Arcturians caves, lurking in the heavy forests and waiting atop icy cliffs. There were worse things in Arcturus than anywhere he’d ever seen. Everything in Arcturus was a predator, even the humans.

Er Rai had its fair share of creatures, but beyond a few canines roaming in pack, he had seen none in his short time there. None that were native there, at least. Dor’Goth was there, the elves had their tree monsters, but those were not creatures of this world. Dor’Goth was a demon, ancient, was once worshipped as a God. If he came from Er Rai, Varia would be surprised. He wanted to ask, but the Demon was quite since the binding. He wondered if he would ever hear that grating, terrible chuckle ever again. He would not be upset if he didn’t.

The Jarus accompanied them for the next night, but by the fourth, the Jarus were gone. But in their place was the bridge. They could see it from their camp. They would not make it that night, but by midday the following day they would be there.

Just barely, in the dim light of the sunset they could see it. It was wide, but could be worn too much to bring the cart. It swayed in the breeze, and seemed to be completely intact. That was a relief, they had all been worried that the bridge would be gone once they reached it. Not many traveled these roads anymore, it was far too dangerous with thin pathways surrounded by the cliff on one side, and a straight drop on the other. It was less of a drop in this area, thankfully. If they looked over, they could see the water below, make out boulders and trees even. The river was deep, wider in that stretch, though it was still fast moving. It added a constant ambiance to their travels, and had become soothing during the nights when sleep tried to escape him.

For the first time since they reached the Giant’s Breast, they built a fire for the night. The nights in Nihal were cold, and they ill-prepared to handle it without fire. Though in the desert, fires could be seen for miles and miles. Many would likely think they were bandits, since they apparently roamed the area around the Giant’s Breast, but bandits would perhaps think them merchants who did not know better.

They found a small bunch of trees, old trees, thin and decrepit. They were dry and dead, and made for good kindling. They set up below the largest of them all, though if Sabre rose to his full height, he was nearly as tall as it. But it would do for shelter, and allow Brom to string meat that needed drying along the lower branches. Though, the trees were especially unimpressive compared to the vast desert that lay out before them, visible from the height they were at.

Varia could see miles of Nihal. The elevation surrounding the Giant’s Breast, at least in this particular stretch of it, was high. He could see the dunes rising and falling in gentle slopes, illuminated by the moon and stars. Glistening water in the far distance, where the river in the gorge emptied, could be spotted, dotted with tall, skinny trees, black against the silver of the sand. Even from there, he could see distant glows of orange. Fires of travelers, soldiers, even small towns. It was humbling, being reminded that he was so small compared to the country, to the world. It was sobering to know that though this massive country that lay for miles and miles before him made him feel small, he had caused enough pain that would reverberate and be on the minds of many generations.

Mal’Dyr also sat on a high point in Arcturus, but where Nihal had rocks and dunes, Arcturus had mountains and forests. Standing on the ramparts, gazing out over the ice… all he could see were the dark, sturdy trees. Nihal was empty compared to the other places in the world, and that emptiness was far less lonely near the gorge. Instead of dunes taller than houses, he could see beyond them. Jagged peaks jutted from the sands. Clouds passed over the moon and threw shadows over the lands below. Red sands were silver in the soft light.

Nihal at night was beautiful. Varia had spent many nights on a march just gazing up. The stars were familiar, yet unknown to him. He wondered if they changed, how many had others like him, laying on their backs and gazing up. He wondered if there were any people staring back at him, beyond sky and deep into that abyss.

He lay on his back that night, just out of the reach of the fire. His small pack was bunched under his head, and he stared up. It was criminal that he had not taken time in this short journey into Nihal to gaze up. This time, he knew the name of at least one star. Of Varia the Wanderer. He searched for her, and nearly gave up after so long, but then he saw her. Glowing brightly in the center of a cluster. Surrounded by the stars she gathered, in her own world so far beyond their own. She built something beautiful. He wondered if they would be able to build something as grand as she. He hoped they could, he hoped that Arcturus would be healed. He wished to wash the scourge of the council from the ice and to be free.

What would he do with freedom? He was not sure still. He wished to travel, but… things were complicated now. He also wished to stay with Maddox. Could he stay? After he waged war on his homelands. After he brought Maddox, his former enemy, to the ice for the first time since he was old enough to be a threat. Would he build an Arcturus that he would wish to stay in?

He was pulled from his musings when Maddox flopped next to him with a grunt. Sabre still lingered by the fire, prodding at it with a long, pointed stick. Brom tended the horses nearby, but had remained quiet for most of their journey. Maddox tended not to flaunt their closeness, which Varia appreciated, though Maddox did have a habit of staying close. Varia wondered if his presence made Maddox feel safe? Varia certainly felt something when Maddox kept near, though he would never admit to Maddox or to himself that he enjoyed the closeness.

“The fire is bright.” Varia murmured, breaking their comfortable silence. Now that his eyes returned to the flames, he was again reminded that anyone near could see it.

Maddox looked to him briefly, hands fumbling with the cork of his water skin. His gaze moved to the fire, then up to the sheer rocks near, watching the flames flicker twisting shadows across them. He hummed, but it was Sabre who spoke first.

“There is likely no one near. Those who may see would not make it to our camp before morning, if they would even risk travelling the gorge.” Sabre said from where he was crouched, though he did not turn to face either man.

Varia snorted, eyes narrowing. He would have made the trip if he saw a fire on a march. He often did. It was necessary. Any one of those fires could have been Nihalian troops, or worse, Maddox. Maddox would often light fires during their fights, to keep Varia’s shadows at bay, but to also lure him into a trap. It worked, sometimes, but Varia knew Maddox’s game well enough. He had an advantage in the dark, but Maddox had the advantage of light, of luring Varia into a battle where he decided. Many times he threw men at those bright fires for them to never return.

Regardless, there was likely none that would so willingly march towards fires this far north. Legion was not up here. Their concern was reserved for bandits, and bandits would be easy to dispatch. Still, he turned his head to Maddox, eyeing the other and Maddox recognized the look.

“We will have a watch during the night.” Maddox said loud enough for the others to hear, then to Varia. “I will watch first. You should rest.”

Varia had to be content with that. There was not really another option, and besides, he was terribly tired. He spent many years in Nihal, more here than in Arcturus. But the heat was never something he would truly get used to. He could handle it easier now, but the more they hiked upwards, the worse it became. He relented to Maddox and lay back down properly, closing his eyes.

He wished to watch the stars more. To learn more about them, to learn their names and stories. But he had time. They would not be leaving Nihal for quite a while. The next night, perhaps, he would lay below the stars all night. Maddox would not wake him to keep watch this night, he knew Maddox well enough by this point to know he always concerned himself with Varia’s sleep schedule, or lack thereof. It didn’t matter, he could use the sleep.

He was awakened when the moon was still high, the land still dark. Someone touched his shoulder, sliding their hand over it to shake him lightly. He could smell Maddox near him, could feel him so close. He could hear the way he breathed, and knew it was him. Gods, he was insufferable. So concerned for him resting, but always waking him with his own needs and wants.

Varia grumbled, swatting his hand backwards. “Not tonight, you foul creature.” He hissed under his breath. The fire was doused, he realized then, and he could still smell the smoke. Why had he put it out?

Then he heard it. The sound of a night bird. He recognized the sound, but knew it was not truly a bird. Varia’s eyes opened and he found himself staring out into the darkness. He could see under their cart, but saw nothing, but stone and sand.

Then, he heard the sound again. It was human, that he knew. He slowly shifted to sit up, glancing to Maddox who crouched near him. Brom was awake as well, crouched low near the horses, along with Sabre. Both were armed. Maddox pressed his finger to his lips to shush Varia, and slid his sword into his lap.

The hooting sounded again, and Varia grasped his sword, slowly rising to his feet, though he, like the others, remained in a crouch. He had cover near the cart, as well as he would get. He looked to Maddox again, and Maddox held four fingers to him. Four different men, making the bird calls. That didn’t mean there were only four, there were likely more. Bandits, most definitely.

The attack came suddenly and viciously. The bandits were in camp, at least two dozen of them. They did not plan for the party to be awake, but did not falter when that is what they found. Blades crashed together, and Varia was surprised at the charge. There was no hesitation in these men, and they were large and were armed much like soldiers would be.

The bandits howled and whooped in Nihalian, a low form Varia had heard before, but struggled to understand when his blood rushed to his ears and his mind began to hum with adrenaline. These men were aggressive, but Varia was small, lean and fast. He was immediately dropped into a defensive stance, his posture stiff and secure.

They were too close to the cliff side, the path between them and the drop so narrow there was no real way for Varia to lash out in his own aggressive fashion. Immediately Varia and Maddox controlled the fight, the bandits, while they responded to the group being awake easily, were ill prepared for the fight at hand.

Next to him, Maddox’s sword slashed faster and swifter than he would think him able. Had he forgotten how Maddox fought? Varia was no stranger to battle, even less to sword play. Maddox had always been superior though, and Varia was reminded of that now. Maddox was a beast besides him, one of the greatest swordsmen he’d ever seen. Only the slightest slash and shove, and the bandits were tumbling past them and into the dark of the gorge below.

A man swinging a large hammer leapt at Varia, and he ducked, sword singing as he severed the man’s foot at his ankle. The man stumbled back, screaming. The shadows darted upwards in sharp and wicked spirals, impaling those that Varia fell, tearing and lashing out at them. Maddox was a better swordsman, but Varia had a clear advantage in near every battle they shared. His shadows spread and stretched, engulfing men that he otherwise didn’t pay any mind too.

Varia lost himself to the battle. Each man that appeared in front of him, he cut down. His right was covered by Brom, his left by Maddox, and Sabre… he was not certain where the Nihalian was, but he did not care. This was a battle, not with elves, not with demons, but with men who knew not who they were, or did not care. A true battle.

A large man was suddenly before him, towering over him and casting a beautiful, dark shadow. The man wielded a broadsword near as long as Varia was tall. Their blades clashed, and Varia was pushed back. Then, he realized just how close to the edge he was. Despite himself, despite all of his training and what he knew, he glanced back. The gorge wasn’t as deep in this place as it could be. He could not see the water, but it was near enough to hear it. Still, a drop of any kind into the roaring waters below would be deadly.

The man pushed again, and suddenly the ground around them began to crumble. He cursed himself in every language he knew for taking his eyes from him for even a moment. What did he expect? He had been watching the ground crumble and crack for days, noting how unstable it seemed. The gorge grew in size every year due to the sides collapsing, of course this would happen.

Varia lashed out with a hand, snatching the collar of the man, yanking him forward, and then back. The bandit screamed as he fell further, quicker than Varia over the edge. And then Varia scrambled. He grabbed for everything, anything that would stop the fall. He could see Brom leap back and turn around with wide eyes. Brom reached for him, but was too far. Just barely, so close…

Then, Varia’s hands grasped the now visible root of the tree they had stopped near. Desperate, he let his sword drop, grasping with both hands to hold on. He heard the creak and groan from his weight, and watched more and more sand and rock tumble from between the intertwining system. He was losing any footing he once had. His boot caught a rock, and for a moment he began to pull, then that rock tumbled down and he fell again, sliding further down the root than he had been.

Suddenly a strong grip wrapped around his arm. Varia turned wide eyes up and found a pair of emerald ones staring back at him with the same fear he felt. Maddox caught him, and was half falling from the ledge himself to hold him. He could hear fighting still, but was too low now to see if they were winning. It sounded like they were, but more pressing was the drop.

“I’ve…. Got you…” Maddox hissed, strained. Varia reached to grab Maddox’s forearm, still holding the root in the other. Maddox had his other arm looped through the roots, and it seemed for a moment that he would be able to pull him up.

But then, the tree jerked, and Maddox was suddenly dangling from the roots as well, no longer grounded. The tree began to lean, the sound of splintering wood and cracking reaching both of them from over the sounds of battle. The tree began to heave. It was small, weak and dead, and could not handle the combined weight of Maddox and Varia, on top of the still crumbling cliff.

Maddox turned his head, meeting Varias gaze suddenly. Varia stared back, and saw a flash of… something. Something he did not like.

“I can’t sw-“ He started to shout it, but before he could, Maddox had grasped Varia tightly, and used what little footing he had to suddenly kick them both off of the cliff.

They were suddenly free falling. The tree was above them now, and also fell from the cliff, plummeting after them. Maddox yanked Varia into his chest, arms around him.

Then, the river met them with a mighty crash.