The snowline was within sight. Despite temperate latitudes the snowline on the Glacia mountains was relatively low when compared to the rest of the land. Alex had probably ascended only about a thousand vertical feet before reaching snow. Soon after came the cold, dry air and biting winds.
A fragile landscape…picturesque and untouched by war…that may soon change.
“Alex, how long do we plan on staying here?” Midna asked. “We’d want to get a head start on getting to the capital before Carmine finds us, right?”
“The way I see it,” Alex said, “they don’t have any idea where we’ve gone or how to track us. They’ll probably assume one of the animals in the woods got into their tent and chewed up the maps.”
“You really think they’re that dim? Come on, Alex. They’re soldiers. The first thing they’ll assume is that the enemy took their maps, and, now knowing where the capital is, would make a beeline straight for it!”
“Then let’s take a detour. If we take a route they don’t predict, we’ll throw them off track long enough for us to get to the Arctic Continent without them getting in the way.”
“They’ll realize something’s up before long, and go looking for us.”
“But the trail’s cold. How will they know where we’re going and where we’ve been? You’re worrying too much. We’re fine.”
“If you say so.”
These humans are evil…hunting for the wrong cause. They are the purveyors of war, bringers of death and pestilence…they must be punished for these sins…
The dark clouds above the mountains soon blotted out the moonlight, plunging the slopes into an even deeper night.
Yesssss…sweet darkness…
Something within Alex urged him to bring forth the Shroud. The pitch black, no doubt, gave it the nourishment it so desired.
Display your power. Let it be known that you are not one to be trifled with!
The black tentacles and serpent heads sprung forward, feeding off the blackness. They snapped at the air, the heads’ eyes glowing bright.
Such a wonderful feeling, isn’t it? I can feel your satisfaction, and you can feel mine…
“Goodness, Alex,” Midna said, startled by the sudden manifestation, “maybe a little warning next time?”
“It wanted out,” Alex said. “So I let it get some air. Besides, it’s not hurting anyone.”
Not yet.
The heads kept themselves “entertained” by snapping at each other every now and then. For whatever reason, Alex noticed the right head was far more aggressive than the left…perhaps just a detail only he cared to notice. For dark serpent heads, they seemed rather tame when not fighting. The left one stopped bearing its teeth after a while.
Malevolence is merely an state of pathos, like any other emotion. Peace is not beyond my reaches, as you can see…perhaps my calm state of mind is unfamiliar to you?
Unfamiliar, indeed. Almost suspicious.
You are wary of my serenity? I can assure you, your suspicions are unfounded. I am yours to command, if you will not forget. I can only plot against you if you wish me to.
Alex was too tired to care at this point, and let it go.
Peace, serenity. Certainly a pleasant change of pace from recent events, to be sure…
“Alex? Are you okay?” Midna asked. “You’ve been kind of quiet…”
“No, no,” he said. “I’m fine…just a little sleep-deprived is all.”
“Maybe we should find someplace to spend the night. Perhaps a good night’s sleep will make all the difference.”
“The nearest cabin is halfway up the mountain,” Alex said. “Old Jack Smithy’s blacksmith shop.”
“That may be a little too far,” Midna replied. Are there any caves or something of the sort nearby?”
“None that I know of,” Alex said, “but if we take some of the shortcuts, we could get to Smithy’s, err, smithy, in no time.”
“Well then,” Midna said, “lead the way.”
“Hey, Estacado!” Carmine shouted from inside his tent, “have you seen the maps?”
“Can’t say I have boss,” Adam said, just now finishing up his meal. “Why?”
“When I went into my tent, my pack was strewn all over the damn place, and the maps are gone.”
“Why does it matter? We’re not lost, are we?”
“That’s not what I’m worried about. What if Alex somehow got his hands on them? He’d know where the capital is.”
“What’s one guy gonna go against thousands?” Les asked. “He’d be killed miles from the walls before he ever had a chance.”
“Unless he pulls that messed up shit with the demons again,” Victor said. “He’d screw ‘em over good.”
“Enough,” Carmine said. “We can only assume the worst. Alex has probably stolen our maps and is heading for the capital now.”
“If you had your maps stolen from right under your nose, Carmine, then the fates have deemed you unworthy.... obviously,” de Sade hissed.
“Like Les said, he’s only one man, against thousands…could he be THAT much of a threat, even with the powers he has?”
“‘He is but one man...’ Famous last words of the many. If only I had a blade of grass every time I heard that uttered at me, I would rule the worlds.”
“Time to break that tradition. I’m sick of that little shit thinking he can mess with us and get off scot-free. It’s time to break camp. We’re going hunting.”
