Brett 8 | planet-helen-project

VIII.

The silver tower of armor stared at him, his human shape was vague under the massive armor.
“You’re going to need to see it yourself.” Jun grabbed the reigns off Mightyhorn and swung himself up gracefully. Even on his hart, Jun and the suit of armor were matched in height. He was a giant. Toren seemed relieved, and turned his hart toward Harvesthome.
“Toren, go run ahead. Tell the Survivors that help has arrived.” The hart took off up the slope of the pass with expertise, running on scared legs. Jun moved slow, alongside the man who marched quickly. Jun was surprised at the marvelous speed of the man, now that he was behind the tower all he could see was the length of his blue flapping cap, and the complex metal runes alone the boarder of his helm. He moved with a pace that seemed inhuman, but his small force of troops followed in step; their pace a slow hike just to keep up with the tower’s steps.
Twice Jun had to spur Mightyhorn to keep up. The metal flashed in the sunlight, the affect startled the deer into thinking there was danger. Jun wondered if the metal-man knew what an affect he had on the world around him.
Because he marched like he didn’t give a fuck about anything.
Stomping obstacles, marching uphill, tearing through brush, on and on.
He was a fucking automaton. Jun hated that he was so impressed. He supposed if anyone would wipe out his efforts, it may as well be a man of true power. To make the deal even more intimidating, Jun had to stare at the five-foot pole hammer strapped across his back. Something crafted completely out of the unbearably heavy quitte, must have weighed a ton. Jun believed the man could probably wield it in one hand. He carried it in one place across his back for the entire two hour march up the slope into the valley. The metal tower walked the entire way, never slowing his constant pace.
Even Mightyhorn had worked up a sweat in the heat of midday.
When they entered Harvesthome, Tarna was clear in the sky; Corna in full reign. The hottest part of the day.
Still the giant marched on, his army of well trained swordsmen slowly lagging behind.
Jun was tired from the midday march, he hadn’t foreseen anything that had so far occurred. He could only wonder what would happen; the only good sign was that the man believed him enough to let him live. Would the little army lay waste to the town before he even had a chance to rise? Was Jun just letting him in to destroy?
No. The Harvesters were hidden safely in the Queenwood. This could still work.
If things should turn sour, Jun knew the likelihood of survival was nil.
When they entered the valley, Harvesthome appeared to be in a state of repair. The metal tower came to a halt, his bells and sheets of metal swaying in the light breeze. The Autumn-grass was long, longer than it had a right to be. Overnight the grass had doubled in height, Harvesters were forced to cut it; taking one day’s thresh with the major part of their population into the Queenwood. Just that one day of Harvesting had yielded an enormous crop, Jun was relieved they managed to salvage some of the crop. Jun had feared the Autumn-grass would not have grown back in time, but now that he looked out across the valley he understood the implications of his last action. He had somehow destroyed the balance of the valley.
“Justice. Explain this.” The word made Jun flinch when he realized that the iron tower was referring to him. Jun wore the cloak of Prime Justice, the weight of his fabric was an unhappy reminder of a youth once known. What he would have given to have been Prime Justice when he was young. If only Hal could see him now, impersonating Justice to take the unwary by surprise. He could almost see the look on his face.
“Woodsmen. They raided during the threshing, killed all the Harvesters—“
“That’s not what I mean.” A massive hand raised, clattering slates of plate rattled like a child’s toy. “The SiphonTree. It’s gone.”
Jun was abashed, the tree? Jun wanted to laugh? “The what?”
“The monstrous tree over yonder hill, the one that pierced the sky. Don’t play a fool boy.” The man growled, obviously irritated. “I have marched north from the city Scigfried, a length of distance you could not even begin to fathom. I have marched unabashed for the week, straight through. I have turned down hospitality, luxury, and wealth; all so I could reach this town currently.
“Where is the SiphonTree.” The voice was like a demon, impatience churned with rage. Jun couldn’t believe the turn of events, the absurdity of it told Jun there was something bigger at play here. Jun hated being left out of the loop.
“It was destroyed; during a storm. A blast of lightning from a cloud darker than night struck the bark so hard…I’ve never heard anything like it.”
“Impossible. The SiphonTree has been hit countless time with lightning, I find your tale to be tall.”
“Perhaps a dozen times per storm, this we all know in Harvesthome. But this storm was different. It came out of the Darkness of Dal Niente. None of us saw it arrive, as if the floor of Rentis-Sphere cracked itself.” Jun had to think quick. Keep it simple, tell the truth, obscure the details. “It’s an ill season, all the Harvesters feel it. First the Woodsmen raid our land, killing our Harvesters; then the sky opens in mid-darkness. The explosion. It was bright enough to light the sky.” Jun remembered the flare, felt the heat of the glow warming his skin.
“I know this. We saw the flash from Scigfried.”
Looks like Jun had got the attention he asked for. But now that company was on his doorstep, he didn’t know he felt like being so hospitable. He stifled the urge to jibe, then thought better of it. “Then perhaps the storm was good fortune? You never would have arrived if the Tree hadn’t burned.” Jun smiled at the irony. He could almost taste the metal-mountain’s blood.
“The death of the SiphonTree is nothing to be celebrated. Believe what you will, Justice. This was no act of fortune. The SiphonTree was destroyed.”
Jun tried his best to look confused, then quickly switched to shock. The man probably wasn’t looking, but with a helm that big it was impossible to tell. “How is that possible?” There was a long silence, the men were starting to breach the Knife behind them. Jun felt the urge to run, this can still work.
“I’m not sure. These are strange times Justice. Dark times.” The man turned back the train that dragged behind him, pushing Jun slightly aside. “ALL TRADE FROZEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.” The voice was amplified somehow, deep and commanding. There was no complaint from the traders Jun could see, only the worried glances and hushed whispers of rumors. There was so much mystery; Jun had to fight to keep his stories straight. “Justice, you spoke of a Massacre. I see now that this is no jest. I suspect your people have fallen prey to an organization that aims to throw the world off balance. I also suspect that such an organization may be beyond your wealth of knowledge. I must speak to Prime Justice immediately.”
Now here was an unexpected twist. Jun smile inside.
“That would be me, sir.” The metal man turned.
“You sure you are not a jester?”
“We lost our last Prime Justice before he could select a ward. With more than half wiped out, and the half remaining fleeing to the north; we were left with few options. But you can rest assured; I am the best choice we have. I guarantee you that.” There was a long pause, Jun stared into the helm. “Sir.”
“How many Justices fled North?”
“A dozen, possibly more. It is difficult to tell, the Woodsmen have been known to steal bodies.”
The metal-tower thumped his chest as this, the sound was solid and sharp; like two houses being smashed together. “Vile monsters! Only the most unnatural disturb the dead. These Woodsmen must be executed, the fleeting Justices must be castrated; no man may ever flee from battle.” And with that the massive structure of a man marched into the valley. Jun spurred Mightyhorn forward, keeping pace with the giant. “I must know details.”
Jun smiled wickedly. Details were what he did best.
“Scigfried Regional Grand-Judge, Linnsey. Kregg Linnsey, for my peers; which none of you are. According to the respect owed to my standing in Scigfried’s social strata, and the blood-bound honor oath I have sworn to my family’s name: You may call me Grand-Judge. Anything less is reason for execution. My mission has been entrusted to me in secrecy, discussion of this topic is cause for execution. As a province in the Northern Region of Olmeer, Harvesthome falls directly under the laws and bylaws produced by the Father cities to the South: Scigfried, “Horus”, and Solstice. Any violation of a law withheld by these cities, is right for execution.
“As Grand-Judge of Scigfried, I am entitled to any information, resources, and cooperation that I deem necessary. To resist my command of any of these topics allows the process of execution. Insubordination, fraternization, theft, gambling, adultery, dishonesty, rebellious actions, assaulting, harassment, and sheltering of an enemy shall yield immediate execution.
“I asked once before, now I ask once more.
“What happened to the SiphonTree.”
The room was blanketed in silence; the Harvesters dressed as Justices sat in pure terror. The Grand-Judge had refused to remove his helm, when he sat, the chair buckled under his weight. After first speaking, it collapsed; but he spoke on regardless. According to Scigfried battle-lore, this man was a legend; the Harvesters knew to tread carefully.
Without Manala, the meeting was going poorly.
No one would dare speak after such a man.
And women were not allowed positions of power.
Of course that didn’t stop Sana. Sana the insane, some had called her; but it wasn’t impossible for a woman to become a Justice.
“The only reliable eye-witness accounts are the vaguest. These claim to have seen a spark of light, just as Dal Niente took reign. Some say it was lightning, others say it was an explosion, or an eruption.” She stared hard at the Grand-Judge. “The more stories we gather, the more confusing the tale becomes. The explosion that followed, the initial ‘spark’ as we are referring to it, was like Corna itself had risen from the soil.”
“Silence. I dare not take the word of a female. Unless men call it true.”
“It is true! I saw it myself.” “She speaks the truth.”
“Tis true. The sky changed colors, just like day!”
Jun cringed, things were not going well at all. It would come to blood within the hour.
“You expect me to believe this tale?” The rage was starting to bubble.
“Yes.” Sana was unabashed, she wasn’t going to give in. “You come into our town, demanding truth; then question us whenever we tell you something. If you aren’t going to believe us, then you have already made up your mind. You claim to want truth, but what you really seek is accuracy.” She cocked her head, almost playfully. Totally serious. “What would you like to hear us say?”
Silence. The helm didn’t move at all, the man a statue of potential death.
“What would we tell you, but the truth. You are our allies, we need your aid, and have nothing to gain from lying to you. If you expect us of lying for a particular reason, then say it.”
“Mathuis Betheloo claims a revolt.”
The Grand-Judge just poured ice into the water; and everyone just froze.
“Mathius Betheloo, lives?!” Jun had to interject, he let his honest rage fill him. “He lived, we died. He left us. Abandoned us!” His words were directed toward the Harvesters, he prayed silently. They just stared at him blankly, unwilling to improvise.
“Mathius Betheloo ran at the first sign of trouble. If you can look into my eyes, and tell me that Mathius Betheloo is an honest and brave man—“
“Enough. I will not bear slander from a woman. Betheloo is an imposter to honor, I’ve known his kin for generations. Each was a little more sheeswae than the last. His crime of abandonment, in any situation, shall be subject of decapitation. But to claim a man a liar, is to know a liar; to be a liar.” They were being judged. This wasn’t a meeting at all; it was a hearing. “I have lived for such a time that I know the ring of truth; only lies are told from your mouths.” Jun felt a cold sweat break out of his neck.
“You are mistaken. I said Mathuis was dishonest, I did not call him a liar. There was a rebellion.” Sana’s words slapped everyone across the face, what was she doing? Jun suddenly understood her nickname. “Harvesters haven’t always been the most content of people. When the Woodsmen attacked, things took a turn for the worse. They slaughtered all those who would not join them, leaving only the wounded and women and children. Many of the Harvesters joined them, for fear of being killed.” Sana looked around the room slowly, challenging anyone to speak against her. Thankfully, they all kept quiet. “They took…my daughter.”
There was an even longer silence, the man made of metal seemed to contemplate. Jun hoped that Scigfried’s sense of chivalry hadn’t died with the passing generations. After hearing this, the knight would be honor-bound to help. The only problem was, Grand-Judge Linnsey seemed to be aware of everything. He only stared at her, massive metal helm unmoving. The silence dragged out.
“Very well.” The man stood and the plume on his helm scraped the ceiling. “Harvesthome has been dealt a truly horrific hand; I pray that the lost have a safe sending. That being said, people die. Let their judgment be left to those who see all, and let the living watch over the land. As Scigfried Regional Grand-Judge, I claim Harvesthome to be under the emergency protection of Scigfried; capital of the North.
“However, my mission does not end here; and the current state of the SiphonTree now makes Harvesthome an expendable-venture. Inhabitants seeking refuge from their assailants have two options; remain a province of the North, or seek refuge at the Capital. Be warned, if any locals shall remain present in Harvesthome, they are forfeiting their right for refuge. I shall pass North of here, to the Grand-Plateau, and I lack the forces to leave a defensive position—“
“What?!” Jun couldn’t hold back anymore. This is what they wanted, they couldn’t very well have an armed guard at Harvesthome; it would ruin their plans. Yet despite this, Jun couldn’t help but remain agape. “You’re neglecting our safety! If the Woodsmen return—“
“Then you are a fool for staying, and a fool for rejecting the option of refuge in Scigfried. Flee or stay, the choice is yours, the result of your choice shall choose the fate of your generations to come.”
“What about the Harvest? We can’t just leave the Autumn-Grass like this; it’ll take over the town, or even rot!”
“And without lives to Harvest the grain, who do you propose to feed.” The amplified voice was painful in the close quarters. Jun couldn’t give up, not before he knew more. “My judgment is final, the village of Harvesthome is forever changed. Flee or risk attack. Those are your choices. Venture south, or stay to guard a dying people. Those are my choices.”
“Ours is not a choice! Stay and feed the Region, or flee to save our skin? Are you asking us to be cowards in the face of adversary?!” It was Sana’s turn to be angry, her face was turning red in rage. “If we don’t Harvest, half the Region will starve. Their lives will be on your shoulders!” The man just nodded.
“Indeed. But if another SiphonTree falls, the continent of Orphan may suffer devastation.” The man stopped, everyone was stunned. Confused. Jun found the kernel of truth he had been searching for; and he was entirely in over his head. “Do not press matters your simple minds cannot bear to comprehend. Remain present to your duty if you feel so bound by honor. But hear this: Scigfried will not come to your aid, you must go to their safety. The matter is finished.
“Furthermore, my journey North leaves me in need with resources that your town has little use of. As a province of Scigfried, I expect the wagons to be loaded with foodstuff and emergency supplies by the start of the Cornath day. To handle supplies and materials, I will also accept volunteers for my train. Two dozen men at the least, ready to leave at the start of the Cornath day.”
There was a stunned silence from the Harvesters, but Jun had been prepared for this. Only a mind like his had known that any form of aid from the outside world would only result in more anguish. He clenched his teeth, part of him was relieved to hear the armed force would be moving away so suddenly. Yet another voice spoke to him, one that wouldn’t live this down. Typical, the cities were using Harvesthome as a pawn; using their livelihood as a half-way point, in order to further their mysterious actions. It was reasons like this that Jun suddenly found himself wondering if his thumbs could fit through the eye slits on the other’s helm.
“You force us to flee, by demanding our numbers. You claim we are a province of Scigfried, yet we’ve never seen or heard or housed an emissary, politician, noble, or monarch from your city. You expect us to take your word and risk our lives to further a cause that you are refusing to inform us on?” Jun was trying not to turn red. “Send for help! There is still time for the Harvest! If you leave us undefended, the Woodsmen will return to finish their job. Innocent people will be massacred, their lives on your shoulders.”
“This concerns me not. The state of your village does not concern Scigfried, or my men.”
“You are our protectorate; you are obligated to help us!” Someone shouted out.
“Scigfried needs our crop, just as much as Solstice! You can’t leave us to die!”
“You are nothing more than bandits, sacking our town of all it’s worth. And you do so when we are most in need.” The wave of arguments erupted and seemed to fill the Hall, the man just let the words wash over him.
“You must reconsider.”
“Enough. My judgment is final, my forces shall rest, collect our resources, and venture North. If you will not aid us in our venture, we will cut you down where you stand.” Then the man was up and moving. Jun leapt to his feet and followed after him as he squeezed sideways through the doorframe. The man’s stride was so monstrous that Jun had to jog to keep up.
“Harvesters have been sacrificed for generations; murdered, massacred, and completely neglected. Someday you may regret your decision to refuse us aid, I pray a prayer of sending for all the lives that will starve this winter. I hope you find the time to do the same.” Jun stopped following, and the man continued on; plates of armor creaking and chiming as he walked.
Regional Grand-Judge Kregg Linnsey; another name for the long list of people Jun swore he would kill. Yet, all in all, the terms had turned out better than he expected. If the armed forces had remained in Harvesthome, it would have greatly delayed their progress. It could have diffused their moral; but this sort of injustice would boil their blood again. Already Jun was planning on what to do next. When the Scigfried forces moved out in the morning, Jun would make sure that two dozen of his best men went with them. The loss would certainly hurt their cause, but to risk encountering the Grand-Judge again would derail all their operations.
There was so much to be done.
“What the fuck, Jun.” Sana was livid, a characteristic vein bulged on her forehead. “We can’t let this happen! I won’t allow our efforts to fall to shit!” Jun had commanded the honorary Justices to begin carrying out the Grand-Judges orders, and he had faced an overwhelming opposition. They thought he was betraying their trust, and condemning their sacrifice. Of course he wasn’t, but explaining his intentions would take valuable time that they didn’t have. Jun could sense the strain of trust. How much longer would he be able to command people who wouldn’t listen to him? Thankfully they were behind him for the moment; after all, no one else knew what to do.
“We have no other option. If we resist their demands, they will kill us. We were able to manage the Justices, but they were nothing more than glorified militia; untrained law keepers. These men are Scigfried warriors, trained in the art of killing. You think we’d stand a breath’s chance underwater?” Her glare sharpened, green eyes glowing brilliant.
“Then we find a way to fight back! We can’t let them make off with our Harvest! Without it we won’t be able to survive winter. And what about Solstice?! Have you forgotten the traders? They’ve seen the state of things, and they aren’t normal. Word will spread.” She paused. “You have a plan. Tell me.”
“We play along, for now. The ‘survivors’ that Linnsey knows of, will accompany the traders back to Solstice. Linnsey gets his two dozen, and leaves north on a wild Gunge-chase. That leaves Harvesthome empty. So who is left to fill it?”
“Manala, naturally.”
“Right. So she’ll move in and continue progress. With the Autumn-grass growing the way it is, they can manage another Harvest, maybe even two before winter hits. Manala builds, studies, scavenges, recruits, trains; she does whatever it is she sees fit. With our ‘Justices’ in Solstice, they’ll think the problem is solved for the time being. Eventually, they will venture north to reclaim the Harvest, but where does that leave us?”
“Vulnerable to attack.”
“Wrong.” Sana didn’t like being wrong, she scoffed and crossed her arms. The jerkin of forest green seemed more attractive on her than he had ever known it to be. Thinking back, Jun had never seen a female Justice. Times really were changing. “With Solstice believing the Woodsmen are at large, they will protect the Knife. There is no way else into their town, so they won’t be prepared when we rot them out from the inside.” Jun reached the stables and pushed the large swinging door open. “We take Solstice just as we took Harvesthome: we turn their workers against them.”
“Taking the Continent by storm huh? Think you can accomplish that with millers and farmers?”
“No. But it’s a start. And shut your mouth, the last thing I need is Sana the insane questioning my rational.” Jun entered into the second stall on the right, and was not surprised to see Hyatt Mejini with his hart. The man was quiet in contemplation, so focused that he didn’t notice the other’s enter. Jun turned to Sana, and saw her staring at the hart with eyes wide. Jun did a quick double take, but the look had vanished and Sana was focused again. That’s odd.
“Hyatt Mejini.” The man nearly jumped out of his skin; Jun smirked, Hyatt would have made a good Justice. “We have to talk.”
“Yes sir.” Jun cringed. Sir. He hated that, but for consistency’s sake he let the term slide. He was Prime Justice after all. The thought of Hal’s bleeding skull made his stomach roil; if only Hal could see him now. If only.
“Hyatt, I need you to lead the volunteer force to join Grand-Judge Linnsey.” There was a long silence. “I trust your bravery and commitment beyond any others present for the task.”
“I had a feeling you would say that.” Mejini scratched his head. “You sure I’m the right man?”
“Yes, but not only because I can’t trust anyone else with this.” Jun held at his hand, and the other’s dark brown eyes followed. “Ghielrout, super affective against armor.” Jun smiled, Hyatt grinned, and Sana snickered. They were like three giddy children planning to sneak off at night. “I figured you would know how to use it?”
“Oh course.”
“I also assume you understand it’s not for you.”
“As tempted as I am…”
“Boys.” Sana interjected. “The moment I feel confident in our cause, I realize we are led by a bunch of boys. I’ll let the children scheme, but when you need a real man to do some killing, come find me, okay?” Sana spit over her shoulder, and gave Hyatt a wink before leaving the stable. The two stared after her, Jun for one was not in the least bit confused. Hyatt seemed distracted, Jun wondered if he had chosen the right person.
“Hyatt, take care of this for us.” Jun leaned in close. “Our survival depends on you.”
“I promise. I’ll kill them all; if not, make sure of their death.” Hyatt gave the man a smile, slapping Jun on the back. He looked excited by the task, perhaps coming to terms with his potential death. “I’ve killed before, and I can again.”
“I knew you were perfect for this.” They even had a good laugh.
When Jun left the stable, it had begun to rain.
Winter. Approaching much quicker in the North, and hit much harder. The rains were the start of things, heavy and cold. The Autumn-grass would start to bend, and the plants become sodden with the moisture. They start to rot, large fields of grain turned to brown mush overnight. A winter rain in Harvesthome meant the end of the Harvest.
Jun had never known a rain come so early in the year.
Jun had never seen clouds like the ones that floated overhead. So massive that it rose like a mountain in the black sky. For a moment Jun forgot what time of day it was. He stared up in the foreshadowing drizzle. This was going to complicate things; with the Autumn-grass, and the Harvesters hiding in the Queenwood. They wouldn’t have any food; Manala would be left with a starving population. But Jun couldn’t stay behind, he had to see to Solstice personally. He was actually excited about being forced there sooner than he had prepared.
It was an open invitation through the gates. He couldn’t pass that up. Manala would find a way, but Jun had his eyes set. He could see the death already. The prominent cloud above seemed to somehow ruin all of this excitement in a single sight. Why the fuck now. Jun imagined the gods above laughing, perhaps even pissed at the destruction of the tree. But he couldn’t care less. It was a fucking tree after all.
The first flash of lightning was so bright that a collective gasp arose from the town.
Crack
Jun faintly remembered that sound. If left a popping sensation in his ears, and made his skin hot. The thunder immediately brought him back to reality. “Shit almighty!” Hyatt and a few others shot glances to him. “This is not good.” The clouds rolled at such a speed that it seemed to be un-natural. Jun wondered if Rentis-sphere had weather like this. The next thing he wondered was when the wind was going to subside. When it didn’t, he knew something was wrong. The weather of the first rain was unbelievably destructive. The wind blew so hard, Jun was half pushed, half-clinging onto the side of the barn. Shit. This is not happening.
CRACK.
Everything stopped.
The wind. The rain. The howling and thunder. The flashing.
The flashing was the only thing that moved; pulsing like a beacon of unbearable light. Jun moved away from the barn, and walked out into the weather. He moved through drops of rain hovering like slowly stretched spheres of water. The rain hadn’t stopped.
Time had.
That’s when Jun noticed the steam pouring off his body in long slow white trails.
He couldn’t believe it.
He was dead. That had to be it. It was the only explanation.
But the rain hit his cloths and made them wet, and the chill still hit him. His head felt light, his body moving through the horizon without making a single sound. The flash of explosive lightning remained frozen in the sky, twisting and snapping slowly. Jun started toward it, feeling stronger and more confident with each step. He stepped around the corner of an adjacent building, and saw a solitary figure standing tall in the weather.
Grand-Judge Kregg Linnsey. He was standing in the middle of the road in the middle of the storm. Like a massive shining golem he remained still in the chaos. Rain smashed his metal with such a sound that only a deep hum could be heard in the moment. Jun didn’t approach at first, confused by the world he found himself in. Was Linnsey frozen too? Was Jun even moving? Was he dreaming? Was he dying?
Jun stepped out into the center of the road, walking through the floating raindrops. He was soaked through, the rain absorbing into his clothes and hair. Behind him, he left a clear trail; the flare made the water glitter. Jun had never seen anything so beautiful; when he turned back to the Grand-Judge he was only inches away.
Massive hammer raised in hands above his head.
Jun instinctively flew into the man’s reach; striking the breastplate with a palm-thrust.
And remembering the metal-plate shortly after. He didn’t have time to feel the pain in his wrist; the massive metal arms encircled him in an accidental bear hug. The massive man simply dropped his weapon and squeezed with his trunk-like arms. The air threatened to leave his lungs. He was fighting to slip free, but it was hopeless. Jun was caught in a metal trap, and for a moment he didn’t have an idea what to do. He had absolutely no control. Fear crept into his bones and threatened to take over his rational.
And it made him laugh.
“I shall crush you to death. I will smash the life from your body, because I did not trust you; and even now I see you move during the cloudbreak. I do not believe you are a Justice. I do not believe that you are a human. Tell me your name so I can remember our strange encounter.”
“You will not get my name, because you will not kill me.” The words drooled out of Jun’s mouth, his wide eyes saw the world in a bright glow. His heart hammered, he knew he was close to death; his head spun, he saw things he knew didn’t exist.
“You are in no position to give commands.”
“I’m not commanding you. I’m telling you. You can’t kill me.” His eyes rolled back into his head, and the most heinous of laughs erupted from his lips. He had lost complete control of his body; but some part of his mind remained on, aware of what he was doing. His vision blurred, he tried to blink his eyes, but couldn’t even manage that. It was doing that on its own now. The thought of losing control terrified him.
Jun tried to scream. But nothing came. He just continued to smile.
“If you are trying to anger me, you have succeeded.” The metal arms pushed together, and Jun felt the strain on his bones and joints threaten to give. “It’s a damned day when Justice is lead by Rentis-brood. Die painfully, creature. You shall not be missed.” Jun felt his shoulder pop out of joint. He was being crushed to death, but he could only laugh. The air being pushed out of his lungs left in a single blast. There was a snap, then another; but Jun passed out before he hit the ground.
The world turned black. Jun saw something stir in the shadows of his mind.
Then immediately came to, his sides shifted as bones popped back into place. He stood up slowly and cracked an evil grin. The mountain was walking away, Jun couldn’t believe he was alive. He opened his mouth to call out to the man, but at the last second he forced his will back into her body. And the world slammed back in to place around them. The rain tore down in streams of fury. Everything was black, but the clomping of footsteps alerted Jun. The wind threatened to blow Jun off his feet. Time had returned, and Jun was lost in the darkness. When had it become Dal Niente?
Just looked up to the sky and saw a circle of orange Tarna behind a veil of raging clouds. Even full in the sky, it seemed like night. All Jun could see was pure black darkness, and the shimmering sphere of Tarna. Jun stood still, the pain burnt in his lungs when he tried to breath. What the fuck just happened? The world was a roaring twisting inferno of hot water and cold air. Jun stumbled to his left and got blown off his feet for a moment. He managed to land on grass, but a following gust of wind smashed him against something hard. He pushed himself down and tried to grab hold of some refuge. There was a hand hold just above him, but when he reached out to grab it the wind blasted him down into the mud. His face went under and his ears got covered; the sound of rain striking the water was deafening.
He tried not to panic, but was faced with the fact that the wind was forcing him into the mud. He couldn’t even twist, the pain in his neck and arm was enough to make him cry out. He gagged on muddy water, yet the wind still pushed down. If he stayed like this, he would be dead within the minute. The panic started to slide in again, and he fought against it with all his might. Jun struggled to maintain his composure, and fought to remain conscious.
But just as he started to fade out, he heard a voice; clear even underwater.
Seems like everyone forgot about me.
CRACK
Jun exploded from the wind tunnel and burst out into the street. The rain frozen in midair, Jun looked up to see the crack of lightning arching into the hillside not far off. It snapped back and forth, flaring in brilliance and making his ears pop yet again. There was a moment of nothing, no sound, no movement. A moment of no time. Jun pushed himself to his feet, and stood tall as the mud dripped off him. He wasn’t short of breath, his arms and chest had expanded back; and he felt strong again.
He glanced down at his arms and saw the glow he had become accustom to seeing. He looked around and the Metal-man was nowhere to be found. The light from the flash was bright enough to illuminate the entire town, being much closer than the last. Jun felt the water on his skin grow warm, His hair started to dry; despite the frozen rain.
Jun felt his skin grow hot, as if he were baking under the hot Cornath day. So he ran into the nearest building, and was surprised when he stumbled into the Bounty. The room was empty and dark, but light flared in through the windows and open door. Chairs were smashed against walls, flipped, jammed into walls, even frozen in midair. Jun pushed past the objects and glanced down at Deon behind the bar.
The man’s eyes were wide, but non-seeing. He was scared, unsure of what to believe. Jun had a mission to accomplish; he had a region to face. He couldn’t be stopped here, he could be crushed. He had grown too large for that, some miracle granting him immortality. His face was a wide grin, he hadn’t been able to hide. Deon was frozen in time, and Jun just stared at him for a moment.
The light flickered on the walls, and Jun felt whenever they played across his skin. When had this happened? He smiled with the sense of strength and power he felt coursing through him; but couldn’t explain its source. He had to get into hiding, if the Metal-giant saw he was alive, he would make certain to be more thorough the next time. A part of Jun wondered if he could even die. At the moment he certainly felt invincible. The very thought was dangerous.
When he grew tired of looking at Deon, he rounded the counter for what he had originally came for. Behind the bar was a small kitchen with crowded pits and disorganized objects. Jun moved through the chaos, and turned the handle on the pantry located in the corner. A short hallway led to the room where Manala had created her emergency council room. Of course she called it Jun’s council, but Jun had become much more familiar with the term; Manala’s web.
The room was small, and circular; and seats cut out of the walls. With this design, the circular shape of the room could be made to look like a small silo from the outside. The first time they had met in the web, Jun had felt oddly panicked. The room was not meant to hold all the Primes at once, but with the seats recessed in the walls, the room was deceptively spacious. By moving one by one, they could fit a dozen people in the small room. Jun had always felt trapped in here. The light of the flare outside cast his long shadow down the hallway, and Jun could almost feel the walls close in around him. The light flaring behind him was enough to light the seats of the small room, but there was no-one here.
Jun froze, how could they be? He had traveled nearly quarter a mile in just seconds. But now that he was supposed to be dead, he didn’t know what to do. The room seemed to close in around him, and the light behind him slowly started to fade. The feeling of confidence and reassurance disappeared, and the sound of the rain picked up. Down the hallway Jun could here chairs flying around the tavern. The room was dark and hot, he rested in his seat and waited. He calmed his nerves, and took deep breaths to steady his racing heart.
His mind raced still.
Was he truly invincible?
Or was he insane?
Crack
The sound was much farther off, but the flash was enough to light the room for half a breath. In that space of time Jun felt the meaning of true horror. It gave him time to determine his surroundings, and see all the people sitting an arm’s reach away. His body felt like it was dunked in ice.
Jore Jun, his neck shredded from the shot wound.
Ellis Tuln with her head half missing.
Deah Harven, three fletched arrowheads protruded from her chest.
The little girl, throat slit by the Justice.
Nola Harven, his mother, black-fletched feathers sprouted from her chest.
Hallen Alwice, with his head cut in two, and blood pouring down his face.
The flash flickered twice. On the first, he saw them all; eyes dead and vacant. On the second he saw them all glaring at him, eyes still dead; but filled with hate and horror. Mouths open. Then the room was shrouded in darkness. And that’s when he heard the voices.
“We’re not going anywhere, Jun.”
Sana Lanson was nowhere to be found.
When he first awoke after the tempest, her absence wasn’t noticed. The entire town was on the surge of upheaval. Morendo just going clear in the sky, and still Jun felt late to wake. When he stepped outside into the growing dawn, Jun noticed the standards fading over the hills to the North. White hands flapped farewell on blue-silk backgrounds. Jun watched in silence, his heart hammering in his chest. He couldn’t believe it, he had survived the night; part of him still wanted to rationalize the events.
Of course he shortly gave up the task.
There was no time for that sort of thinking after all. He was quickly left to gathering his belongings and fleeing with the Solsticean Traders. There wasn’t time to communicate with others, there wasn’t time to gather information; to think and plan and develop. He had lost the chance to plan, and was being forced into action. He grabbed a sack, and looked at his belongings. There was not enough to even fill the small pouch of burlap.
That’s when Jun realized he hadn’t eaten in three days.
When Sana didn’t reappear as Harvesters and ‘Justices’ started to gather up, he still wasn’t surprised. The only thought that gave him concern was the storm; many had died in the ‘cloudbreak’, most were traders who had been too proud to ask for shelter. Jun didn’t mourn their deaths, after all he had survived more than just the storm. And he wondered what else may have happened in the process. But there wasn’t time to reflect, since apparently the traders had turned tale at the first sniff of shit.
Jun had to trust Manala to know what to do next. Would she rebuild? Did she have the passion he did? Or would he lose everything to a twist of fate? A glance off into the horizon was hopeless, the Autumn-grass showed no signs of growing back, though it was too early to tell for certain. Jun wondered if he was leaving behind a famine; he considered how many would die because of him. But he clamped down on the sentiment and tried to remember their faces. Many more would die, he couldn’t let their sacrifice soften his resolve. Best to remember them in honor, then honor them in mourning.
By the time Corna was above the horizon, the Harvesters were all rallied and the traders were done grabbing what they could. This was the first time Jun felt Sana’s absence, he relied on her to rally support behind him; but without her, he felt like another face in the crowd. He hadn’t exactly succeeded in winning the Harvester’s trust; without the support of the rag-tag council, how could he possibly hope to maintain control outside of the valley? He couldn’t rely on Hyatt Mejini; he had traveled north with the Scigfried forces. He didn’t trust Manala to follow through on his plans, and the others hardly cared enough that he had almost died multiple times now.
Maybe he needed time away from his people.
Maybe they never really were his people.
He resigned himself to a sigh, glancing around one final time. No Sana, no Gather brothers, no Jore Horpe, no Prime Harvester or Builder. Jun was alone, charging into Solstice long before they were prepared; yet still unable to say no to the opportunity for revenge. Something inside was telling him this was the right move, so he felt oddly at peace. This wasn’t the end of his revolution, it was only just beginning.
When a trader made a direct move to approach him, he shook the uneasiness. There was still work to be done. “Hoy, Justice!” The trader waved, golden bracelets clattered in the morning din. “A moment, if you’ll have it.”
“No time for moments, better make it half.” Jun replied walking passed the Trader who turned to catch up. The man was rotund, thick black stubble coated his two chins where his head was bald under the funny shaped hat that only covered half his head. He struggled to keep up, waddling painfully after Jun who, in return, showed no sign of slowing.
“Right then, half a moment.” The man was already panting. “You sure this is the whole lot? Seems rather sparse to be all.” Jun didn’t like the man’s tone.
“Are you referring to the crop, or the survivors; Peddler?” Jun turned on the last word, spitting venom. The other man bumbled to a halt and smiled, gold teeth matched his bracelets.
“Please, please, call me Majore! Majore Jeleps, at your service.” The man waited for a response, but Jun just turned and continued on. “Whoa, Hoy Justice! I see the weather has dampened our courtesy—“
“I don’t have time for courtesy, and I don’t have time for inquiries; your half-moment is up.”
“Then perhaps I can purchase another?” Jun heard the clinking of metal; coin. He turned on his heel to see the short fat man palming a coin purse of some weight. Jun would have assumed it to be full of damaged half-grains, but the sound was distinctly metallic. Hands, lots of them. Jun was suddenly interested, but played impassive. “There’s a good man! Ah! Barter, the universal language!” The other’s smile was treacherous, Jun was getting into bad company. “I was referring to the crop, but you bring a good point by mentioning your people. I could have sworn I saw more yesterday eve.”
Jun swallowed hard, feeling suddenly baited. “The tempest may have claimed lives, perhaps the two dozen that left with Scigfried should be considered as well.” The man chuckled, hopping the purse in his hand.
“Ah, yes, I supposed that’s true. Though I believe there were more Traders than Harvesters caught in that Rentis storm. But enough of that, as I am sure my second half-moment will soon expire.” The man tossed the purse to Jun, but was dismayed when Jun didn’t bother to catch it. It hit the soft wet ground with a dull chink.
“Let’s set something straight. My devotion goes to my people, I do not have time for swindlers cheats and money lenders. I have spent the entirety of my youth executing your kind. Liars. Now speak straight, or I will return your offering with interest.” There was a brief pause, before the fat man guffawed.
“Well! Fair enough, a man with no humor often makes the best deal! I’ll be blunt with you then, only because I can respect a man at the end of his rope.” Jun fumed, but kept his expression in check. “That purse is yours, if you escort me safely back to Solstice.” Jun waited for the rest, it eventually came. “If you escort me, personally. Don’t want any Woodsmen making our trip an adventure now.” The man smiled, Jun could see through the façade.
“My responsibility is to—“
“You’re people! Absolutely, and you are completely right. It does seem selfish of me to ask such a thing from a law official. And you do seem so honorable, perhaps I was wrong to think three dozen Chalice could buy a little extra security…” Jun had to lock his jaw from keeping it agape. Three dozen Chalice? Jun had never even dreamed on seeing that much money, yet this stranger was willing to throw it away. There was something incredibly wrong with this interaction.
“I hope you realize you are attempting to bribe the Prime Justice, a most heinous crime.”
“And a sin too! Haw Haw! Mr. Justice, I am a Trader; not a priest. My first major export was my morals! All I am asking is that you remain with my caravan, keep an eye on my slaves, and make sure no Woodsmen slit my throat during Dal Niente.” Jun bent down and retrieved the purse, it was a soft skin; dyed purple with some foreign berries. The string holding the pouch closed was strong, when Jun opened it he saw the large nickel goblet embossed on the coins. Chalice, just one was worth a hundred Hands. In his whole life, Jun had only seen four Hands; they were the ones given to his mother when his father sold himself back to servitude to repay an old debt. Jun stared into the pouch, the weight alone was heavier than the rest of his belongings. But these coins had blood on them, Jun could almost taste it. The only question was, whose blood was it.
Jun cracked his most wicked smile and pocketed the purse.
“Looks like we have a deal, Mr. Jeleps.”
“Please, call me Mojore!” The man gave Jun a hearty pat on the back, his bracelets tinkling. “I feel we will become fast friends, Mr….”
“Hal. Hallen Alwice.” Jun’s smile darkened, and the fat man laughed.