Chapter 29: Ratlings

By the time Charon woke, the camp had been packed up. The food was gone, as were the pews, rearranged to fit the hall. The campfire was also missing, every trace of the flame and ash hidden. Liam was happy to explain why. "It’s so the other bastards don’t know we are using this as a base. If they learn, they might try and jump us next time we wander through. I say let them try, but the High Elders don’t care what I think." Annie rolled her eyes. "That’s because you tried to kill them the first time you met." Liam shrugged, disinterested in her excuse. "They had it coming. Those old idiots wouldn’t know how to win a war if it slapped them on the ass. Far as I see it, the moment the other colonies declared war, we should’ve burned every town they had." Darius flashed him a look, but the heavy bags under his eyes made it hard to read. Emerius yawned, sharing similar bags under his own eyes, evidence of their feud going into the night. The one good thing that came out of it was a begrudging respect between the two, even so far as Darius returning their weapons. Charon patted the dagger lodged in the chain around his neck, as well as the sling holding the tome around his back. Liam looked at the vine-wrapped book, perplexed. "The hell you have that thing for?" Charon just smiled. "It’s something I like to read. It was with me when I came here, maybe it will give me some clues to my past life?" It was an outrageous lie, but no one else seemed to notice or care, except for Annie, who kept glancing at the book. ’I hope she works up the courage to ask me about it. That’s an easy conversation starter!’ Throwing a pack around his shoulder, Darius gathered the group at the hall’s entrance. His sword was drawn, as was Liam’s battleaxe, but Annie and Red were bare-handed. "We will be setting out at a brisk pace. I have currently planned for two stops, one at the halfway point and another at Rooks Ridge. It will be a difficult crossing during this season, but we should be able to make it." His gaze then turned to Charon and Emerius. "During the journey, we may have to stop to fight. If that happens, Liam is our spearhead, followed by me. If either of you is good at fighting, you can join me, but the goal is to always keep Red away from the conflict." ’He avoided mentioning Annie. Can she not fight?’ It felt at odds with the spectacular sword she had showcased the day prior, but that was a mystery for another day. ’Protecting Red makes sense. She looks weak, but her element makes her very valuable. If she gets injured, it could hurt the group’s ability to detect other humans preparing an ambush.’ Glancing at Emerius, he saw a contented smirk on his face, clearly expecting to impress the group with his swordsmanship. ’Figures. I would be proud too, I guess.’ It was strange how he would be relying on others to protect him. Back at the orphanage, he was usually on his own, or with Roger and Davos, and they happily let him take the lead. But here? Here, he was somewhat of a burden. Unable to fight, or heal, or offer utility like Red. ’Even my element won’t let me help, the Warden is too weak to do anything.’ Part of him felt like he should be happy that others were willing to risk themselves to protect him, but the truth was, he hated it. ’I should be able to protect myself and others. What kind of hero is too weak to help himself? No, this isn’t right. I need to be stronger, so strong that I can save trillions.’ His thoughts were interrupted by the group setting out, Liam in the lead as they walked down the tunnel and out of the God Marked. The sun was still high in the sky, making Charon question if it had ever even set. ’Does the River Acheron have day and night cycles?’ He was sure the rest of the group would know, except Emerius, but he didn’t want to embarrass himself further by asking a stupid question. ’I’ll know for certain soon.’ The first leg of their journey went by without a hitch. On the other side of the God Marked, the jungle returned, but it didn’t last long. It led into a long rolling plain, with crumbling stone buildings dotting the landscape. As they passed, Annie explained that they had belonged to a group of mages that had tried to colonize the region. For some unknown reason, they had been wiped out, all traces of their existence having been destroyed. Except for the stones. Charon watched them with wonder as they strode by, a thousand possibilities filling his head. ’Could they have fought an ancient monster? Or was it treachery from within? Perhaps they simply died of disease?’ Whatever the cause, he couldn’t help but consider how many stories are hidden in the River Acheron. ’It’s a place full of the strongest souls to have ever existed. Putting all those people in one place has to create some interesting effects! There could be entirely new aspects of magic that are common here, but unknown back home!’ It also sparked a new question: how were there so many powerful people? Annie, Liam, Darius, and Red made four, but they had mentioned a place they call the Fort, referring to it as one of many colonies. That inferred the existence of hundreds, if not thousands, of powerful souls. ’How had so many died recently? I feel like I would’ve heard about this.’ The war against the Elves flashed through his mind, but he disregarded that, feeling it had to go deeper than that. As he walked, the book bounced against his back, reminding him that he could learn the answers just by unlocking the secrets within. ’I need to find the Fortress of Souls. There has to be information there!’ He looked at Darius, then Annie, debating whether to ask either of them about it. ’No, asking something so specific will raise questions. These people can’t be trusted, especially if Emerius thinks that their magic is suspect.’ His warning about the Blood Reaver, Liam, was enough to make him cautious about them all. As they were crossing one of the hills on the plain, Darius suddenly stopped, alerting Charon and snapping him out of his musings. Emerius silently drew his blades, moving up beside Darius as the two scanned the horizon. Watching the two leaders, Charon drew his dagger and took a step towards Red, giving her a confident nod. ’Yeah, I’m the best protector she will ever have. Sure, I’ve never used a knife, but it seems simple enough. Stab them with the sharp side.’ A minute passed in tense silence before Darius released a slow breath, turning to speak to the group. "Ratlings, at least two dozen. They seem to have noticed us. Prepare for combat, two minutes out." Liam hefted his waraxe, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "About damn time! I’ve been eyeing up the skinny one for hours now, good to get me an easier outlet!" Charon looked at the barbarian with wide eyes. ’Is he talking about me? Am I the skinny one?’ The brute moved in front of Darius and Emerius, who flanked him to either side. All three had their weapons ready, the sun reflecting off them and making them shine, especially Darius’ sword, which already glowed. The dark-haired man looked at Emerius, his eyes darting from the swords to the wielder. "Are you very good with those?" Emerius moved his head from side to side, his eyes not moving from the horizon. "No." Darius just shrugged, putting all his focus back on the incoming battle. Just as predicted, the enemy came in two minutes, moving like a pack. Looking down the slope, Charon counted about thirty short, hairy creatures racing towards them on two feet. They had elongated snouts and beady eyes, with whiskers that constantly shifted in the wind. In their hands were makeshift weapons, from rusty metal swords to daggers, axes, and even spears. They murmured and screamed, their shrill cries echoing across the plains. Darius’ booming voice cut above the hordes. "Liam will break the line! I will push to the right, Emerius to the left! If any get past us, Charon and Annie will take them out! Let none get close to Red!" The sound of feet slapping against dirt soon filled their ears, the ratlings almost close enough to smell. Liam cackled, his waraxe raising above his head as he prepared to leap into the fray. "Today is a good day! Let blood be spilled, let skulls be broken, let the Halls of Haima feel the offering I give!"