III
Felix, flanked by his personal guard, led the way with Teresa, Violet, and the rest of the Azure Knights following behind in two columns. Balboa brought up the rear, keeping a close watch on their backs along with the best of their soldiers. It was a clear winter day, but beneath the boughs of the Black Sea, it felt like nightfall. The world that took form out of the constant interweaving of roars of life and murmurs of death felt unreal.
Scarcely any time had passed since they’d entered the forest, but even highly trained soldiers had sweat beading on their foreheads. The sight would have shocked the Crimson and Helios Knights. Their experience fighting the undead probably had a lot to do with why they were still in control of themselves.
“—being watched.” Violet heard Teresa whisper from beside her as they walked. The other woman’s face was tense. Violet didn’t have to ask what she meant. Following Teresa’s gaze told her everything.
Atop an unnaturally contorted branch, melting into the darkness, something was staring at them.
A monkey? Violet wondered. Ugh. Or not. The only part of it that resembled a monkey was the head. It had the body of a lizard grown to the size of an adult human, and skin that looked like swords would bounce off it. Nothing like this had lived in the forests Violet knew.
“I don’t sense any hostility from it. You can leave it be.” Felix’s voice was soft but clear. They had been in the Black Sea for some time now, but he was still his regular self, and though he trod cautiously, Violet could tell that he was more preoccupied with the safety of the Azure Knights than his own well-being. Perhaps that was normal for a person in his position, but they were not in the world of normal. Being there was like being forced to spend every moment on a tightrope where a missed step meant death.
“I wonder if Lord Felix has been here before,” Teresa wondered aloud. Violet had already been wondering the same thing. All the warnings he had given them before they went in had been new to her—even a hunter who knew the forest like the back of his hand wouldn’t have known most of it. His descriptions had been too real to be only book learning—it made sense to think they were based on experience. Why it was necessary for them to brave realms unexplored by humans, however, remained a mystery.
“He hasn’t told you anything, Lieutenant Teresa?” Violet said, then privately chided herself for asking a stupid question. Teresa wouldn’t have asked in the first place if she’d known anything. Violet had to admit it was probably the petty jealousy she harbored toward Teresa that had made her say it. And as expected, Teresa just shook her head, looking troubled.
“Well, let’s not dwell on it. Right now, our mission is to make it out of this ocean of trees alive.”
Teresa’s expression turned hard. “Agreed. We mustn’t put any further strain on Lord Felix,” she said. Her gaze was fixed on the man walking directly ahead of them. Violet found herself slightly envious.
On and on they walked. Here beyond the realm of civilization, there was no place for humans to linger. The Azure Knights walked day and night, stopping only for rests that could hardly be called rests, until at last, they arrived at the far side of the Black Sea. Along the way, they encountered many dangerous beasts, and more than a hundred of their number were injured, but not one of them had died. Violet called it a miracle. Felix had to agree that the numbers seemed that way, but miracles were slippery things—nothing more than a series of fortunate events.
Felix knew the truth behind what Violet called a miracle. It was the result of the beast repellent Lassara had taught him, which had worked even better than he had expected, and above all else, the assistance of Lassara and Silky helping them from the shadows.
Yes, I know, he thought as he felt the familiar impact on his backside. He nodded to silently signal that he understood.
Felix called over Violet, who looked relieved. “Continuing this way will take us out of the Black Sea. Can I leave you in the lead?”
Violet’s expression shifted back to one of unease. “Yes, ser, of course. But...”
“Thank you, Lieutenant General,” Felix said, then walked away from the path.
“Ser!” Violet called after him, startled. “Where are you going?!”
“I’ll be right back. I’m counting on you.” Felix melted away into the darkness.
Soon, night would fall for the third time since the Azure Knights had entered the forest.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login