Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 90
After a meal of dried fruits, vegetables, and meats, they began their ascent over and into the Kedg`Noth Plains, a grand and vast plateau, filled with strange creatures, native only to this area of the world. The plateau lay high up over the Norst`Kin Forest on a flat land, where a consistent frigid wind moved relentlessly across the face of the land year-round.
Before ascending the narrow trail that led up and onto the plateau, they bundled themselves tightly with winter clothing that Aria had pulled from her pack.
“Finyat, I believe a set of this will fit you well, seeing we are about the same height and weight.” Aria helped him with this specialized clothing that blocked the wind well.
There were many buckles and straps for adjusting the sizes of each part of the one-piece set of clothing. The suits were light and thin, yet surprisingly enough, they kept everyone warm enough to bear the cold. If not for this, they would have been thwarted in their mission, or long delayed.
They each had to change out of their armor, fitting the winter suit underneath, taking some time, but Sekali saw the importance of making sure everything was perfectly in order. The very nature of the winds which blew white mists over the plateau above them, told of misery and death to the unprepared.
At length, they ascended the path that Grisham had led them to. Shrubs dotted the trail up to the top of the path where the Kedg`Noth Plains began. In some places they rose like long shoots of grasses as thick as Sekali’s arm.
They traveled late into the evening under a star-filled sky which gave its light in the dark hours. The stars blanketed the sky, shedding a light nearly as bright as the moon. As they marched in silence, strange noises filled the air about them. The wind bit into their faces, forcing them to tie up masks which Aria provided for them, for it was nearly impossible to inhale the cold air.
One morning, as the light of day illuminated the skies, before the sun rose from the east, as the stars could still be seen faintly in the sky, Aria led the company through an area thickly dotted with Kedg Weed. As they traveled, they heard a sound of heavy breathing, and the impact of something moving quickly through the area, though they could not see what it was before it was upon them, so swift was its attack.
A strange beast lumbered toward Aria, fierce in its wrath as it bore down upon her. Its large slanted eyes were filled with fury as it attacked, swinging at her, striking her on the shoulder as she tried to fall back before its sudden attack. She had only time enough to half-draw her blade as she ducked to one side, trying not to let the beast strike her in the head.
Sekali saw Aria forced to the ground by the creature that looked similar to Grisham, yet its snout was much shorter. Its snow-white fur hung in an armlength blanket about its entire body. It stooped slightly, its long, muscular arms reaching to the ground. It used its hands to help it speed along, giving it an astonishing swiftness.
The creature roared in fury and dropped down on Aria heavily as she screamed in pain. Sekali rushed forward, drawing his blade. Finyat and Uther also instantly engaged the beast, brandishing their weapons and advancing to help Aria. Finyat wielded two short blades, moving around to its back as it straddled Aria’s unmoving body. Uther roared a challenge and rushed in against a beast at least four times his height. Sekali knew what Uther would do; this was his usual method of attack, and this time Sekali used it to his advantage. Uther’s challenge attracted the beast’s attention, giving Sekali a moment to circle his way into its more vulnerable side, as Finyat vanished from sight. In this fashion, Sekali found an opening and struck true into the side of the massive beast, as Uther swung wildly at it, missing his mark twice. As Sekali’s blade sunk deeply into its side, Uther was backhanded out of sight. So powerful was its strike, Uther did not even scream or make any sound as he was flung off the ground.
Sekali ripped the blade sideways from his foe, attempting to do as much damage as possible. Instinctively the beast spun on him, but backed up, holding its side, screaming in fury and pain. Sekali readied himself for its charge, but he did not wish to engage it, so furious was its rage. Yet it did not charge; it slowly backed away, vanishing into the windblown frost, screaming in pain and misery as it retreated.
Staying his ground, Sekali waited, not daring to take his eyes from the direction the beast had withdrawn. It was swift for its size, and powerful, and he took no chances with such a foe.
After some time, Uther staggered back into the area, shaking his head and hitting the side of his neck with an open hand. With the back of his arm, he wiped blood from his mouth and grunted in pain. Uther’s eyes fell upon the still figure of Aria and quickly knelt beside her, concerned. Sekali stood on the alert as Uther placed his ear to her mouth, checking for breathing. As Uther checked Aria, her arms snaked up and around Uther’s neck and she hugged him tight. Uther recoiled, startled.
“Since you will not accept a big hug when I beg for one!” She laughed and then winced in pain as Uther grimaced.
He stood, yet concerned for her, but did not go near again. Sekali glanced down at her and smirked as she slowly regained her feet. Uther growled, pretending to be offended, but could not help sighing in relief. She was alright. Sekali wiped away a bit of something that blew into his face, still on the alert, laughing.
“Aria, are you hurt?” Uther jumped to her side and steadied her as she staggered.
“Luckily, no. I played dead. That thing was too strong, and it surprised me.” At that moment there was a distant shriek. Aria lifted her left arm and circled her elbow a few times slowly, testing her injury. Sekali watched, concerned.
“How’s the shoulder?”
She winced. “I think it’s only bruised . . . maybe sprained a bit. My armor took most of the impact, but not all.” She grinned at both of them as Finyat jogged back and stopped beside Uther, panting.
“It is dead. I did not see it in time, m’lady. I would take any harm that comes your way.” He blushed as she lifted the back of her hand to his cheek, smiling.
“I know you would, Finyat. But remember, it is my job to take on your difficulties while I am Blood Sworn. You must understand this.” He nodded and lowered his eyes.
“I understand, Aria.” She laughed quietly and looked around, as if expecting another attack.
“Well, thank you Finyat of the Shallant Pack.” Soon they were all traveling again, but this time Aria led them in the manner of sneaking and stalking. She bade them follow her every move as they continued their journey, once again, across the frozen plateau.
The journey through the Kedg`Noth Plains was less eventful as they sneaked across the wind-torn plateau through the large Kedg Weed, moving along with the utmost of caution.
At times as they traveled, they could hear the sounds of creatures calling out, or battling in the distance, obscured by the ever-constant sea of frost, flowing across the earth. At times they would happen upon the partially devoured carcass of a slain creature.
Sekali wondered, amazed at the danger present within this land. Even the Wastelands were not so filled with such a multitude of creatures as this. And he knew that without the ever-flowing frost shielding them, it would be revealed just how populated this place was.
Aria’s skill at evasion was astonishing. She led them through the region with no more encounters, but was very quiet and did not speak. Sometimes they backtracked quickly at her signal, and at times she would crouch low and wait for hours before moving on.
And so they all traveled in silence until nearly one moon had passed, and they reached the ledge of the far side of the plateau, overlooking a vast sea filled with great mountains of ice, always floating within the Northern Arctic Sea.