Chapter LX
Strategic gatherings
“The others should arrive in a few minutes, those were the instructions.”
As they neared the meeting point, Adriaas recognized Vulnic, Elchome’s brother, and Pemula, a joyful woman she had spoken with twice. They hadn’t socialized enough to be considered friends.
“These uniforms won’t fit. Whoever ordered them messed up something basic. Mine’s tight and Vulnic’s is too large. It's outrageous, the bare minimum to get right. How are we supposed to do our job correctly if we can’t be comfortable in our clothes?” Pemula’s complaints reached them as she approached.
Elchome turned, eyes wide, and placed a finger to his lips, hushing her.
“Pemula, would you keep it down, for furk’s sake? We don’t need the details of what’s wrong with your attire yelled across town. There’s nothing we can do about it but wait until Jetzim visits the camp in a few weeks, that or wait to see if someone else got your uniforms.”
She paced back and forth with anxious energy, stretching inside the tight attire.
Vulnic joined them, his long hair spilling over the shoulders where he carried his oversized outfit. He smiled at the sight of them.
“El, there’s no need to hush, brother. This part of town was ravaged more than a decade ago, and although we should be cautious, your behavior feels like an exaggeration.”
Elchome’s demeanor grew heavier and more serious than moments before. Adriaas could swear he even grew a few centimeters with the irritation building in his clenched fists.
“We don’t have to scream, either, Vulnic. Our duty as Kapas is to do whatever we can to keep a low profile. That’s how we survive, by being quiet and stealthy in the shadows. You should know that, my mature and talented brother.” His tone dripped with sarcasm.
“Agreed, you’re right, I’m being immature, sorry,” Vulnic said before turning to the others. “The boss’ bad mood is back, yet again, friends. What did you do to him, Zaraz, ruin his breakfast or complain about the Sephirot?”
“Don’t blame me, he came broken since before you lent him. If you knew about those traits and didn’t share with me, consider it your fault. Your parents might be eligible for a refund. Tell them to check the warranty once you leave Sectum.
Pemula and Vulnic laughed while Elchome shot Adriaas a piercing look. His reaction proved her point.
“See? You’ve been frowning since we left the camp, aging faster for free.”
“I’m not in a bad mood. In order to stay focused on our task, we must avoid distractions. Humor and small talk are among them.”
“You hate life going the opposite way to how you visualize it should go. It’s part of your talented and often annoying personality, brother.”
Pemula approached Elchome and punched him playfully in the shoulder before taking his hand in hers.
“It’s also one of those traits that makes him more attractive, don’t you think?”
Following Adriaas’ suspicions, they kissed passionately, oblivious to their audience.
Vulnic closed the distance between him and Adriaas, steering clear of the display.
“Oh, this is so gross and inconsiderate. Shame on you! Zaraz, how are you on this beautiful morning? I don’t understand why they have to do it so publicly. Believe me, we’ve questioned it often enough.”
She clung to his trajectory, and together, they walked away from the display of affection.
“I’m scared to my bones, Vulnic. No other way to express it. It feels like walking on a thin ice cap over a lake, unsure if it's weak or strong. This is the riskiest job I've ever been on since becoming a Kapa, and everyone else's carefree attitude gives me the creeps.”
“My feelings were similar during my first missions outside Green Camp. Once, we assaulted an entire camp of Elkrachets that someone stumbled upon in the mountains. Our odds were not in our favor when we took the bet. My being here without a scratch shows our success. We've had a few ups and downs, but nothing as bad as I could imagine. No fatalities on our side, only injuries and arrests. Your adrenaline will spike so high, we'll be celebrating before you even notice.”
His confident smile was contagious, balancing his brother’s grim expression.
Pemula might’ve sensed Adriaas's struggle because she approached after leaving Elchome to his thoughts.
“Your brother is getting dressed. It’s time to get going.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Stop trying to act like my older sister. Making out with my brother doesn't give you that right!” Vulnic retorted as he began undressing on his way up, carelessly showing off his muscles.
“Unlike you, I’m sure Zaraz appreciates her privacy, and I saw a perfect spot for her to change,” Pemula interjected, her tone both commanding and gentle, a complex layer that let Adriaas know she could trust her.
“What’s beneath these clothes men shall never see. Thank you for being such a doll, Pems.”
Adriaas appreciated the gesture and followed Pemula, curious about where she would lead her.
“The Xtracter has caused a loss of gentlemanly behavior in these sapiens. I apologize for their lack of decorum; it’s embarrassing for those of us who still appreciate kind gestures and attentions. Believe me, Elchome can appear dry sometimes, but it's just a shell housing a massive heart.”
Pemula’s aura of authenticity and empathy seemed almost tangible as if her Naadi were visible. They walked across a street and into a nearby park where only remnants of children’s games remained. The space offered protection for her privacy as Pemula guided her to the nearest women’s bathroom. It was a grim adobe space, abandoned but sufficient for cover. Adriaas didn't mind undressing with Pemula in the room.
“How did you and Elchome end up together?” Adriaas asked, her curiosity about their relationship piqued as she tried to understand love in times of Sectum.
“We did a few jobs together a few months after my transfer from Orange Camp. I didn’t care about him at first, yet somehow, time showed us that our paths were leading to each other,” Pemula spoke with a tone of infatuation, both authentic and cheesy.
“A true love story worth sharing in Virtual experiences for future generations to watch,” Adriaas said, her sarcasm thinly veiled. “Sorry for changing the subject, but these fabrics feel so odd!”
The guard's uniform was slightly tight around the curves, but she could move without issue.
“What a sight to behold. You were born to wear that uniform, hun, that’s what I call a nice rear!” Pemula exclaimed, causing Adriaas to blush, thankful the lights in the bathroom weren’t working. “In regards to the uniform, my guess is they are all wrong, considering the stiffness of its extremities, yours is a smaller size to, but it’s actually beneficial in your case.
“I place my faith in Malkuth, hoping it doesn’t break,” Adriaas said, stretching her legs and changing the subject by testing the limits of the dark grey uniform.
“We're engaging in criminal activity today. Have in mind it might not hold up to your expectations,” Pemula replied, keeping the mood light.
Elchome's voice came from nearby, “Gidit and Indictur are here, and they’re getting impatient. We should get to the bridge or we’ll lose our window.”
Adriaas hurried out of the bathroom, unwilling to cause any problems. Pemula followed closely, pacing fast, sharing similar concerns. They rejoined the group as the youngest endured the discomfort of the uniform without complaints. “We're ready, so don't keep us waiting any longer. Something tells me we still have some walking to do.”
“Let's stick to our plan and follow the river,” Elchome said with a serious tone.
Vulnic exuded energy while the rest were dragging their feet.
“I wish my kabbalah could record this blossoming day,” he remarked, his mood light and playful, in stark contrast to his brother's seriousness.
Pemula wore a joyful smile as she observed him acting like a playful little brother—jumping and being silly while Elchome tried to ignore him.
"Ready to catch some hyenas? These uniforms are too warm. Would they notice if we went nude on the mission?" Gidit called out from a distance as they approached each other, pacing with excitement.
Elchome demanded her silence across the fields and hushed her too, ignoring her comments.
The woman who had brought Adriaas to Silver Camp wore a charming grin.
"Calm your soul, El, nothing to worry about. Everyone’s dead or gone in here, don’t you see?" she said, positioning herself between Pemula and her while their leader judged her.
"It doesn’t mean there aren’t ears wandering around," Elchome retorted, his intensity enough to keep the atmosphere quiet.
"Let’s get moving and stop with the staring contest, shall we?" Gidit asked, ready to start.
Their group of six marched down the stone road surrounded by burnt adobe houses and a depressing landscape from the outer streets of Landica. After minutes of walking, Adriaas got used to their rhythm as a patrol and allowed her mind to wander to other thoughts. She could feel the emptiness of the ghost town, reflecting the number of imperials who had fled from Sabina’s rule. It was encouraging to know that imperials were hiding across the country, unwilling to kneel before a tyrant.
"Where is this cargo coming from, a nearby town?" Adriaas asked, aware someone would have to answer.
"It’s from Maferdia, the second largest and one of the richest cities near the Eslavian border. They won’t miss this cargo until later tomorrow," Vulnic responded, pacing near her. Privileged friends and family of the Elkrachets lived in wealthy towns in Imperia. Their allies enforced governmental policies outside the capital, maintaining loyalty to Sabina through fear.
"Is it one of those towns you can’t enter unless you have an ID?"
"You need an ID in every city, but I know what you mean. Maferdia has scanners that make it impossible for fake ones to work there. Some of the empress children live there, heavily guarded and surrounded by supporters to the empire," Vulnic explained.
Adriaas continued quizzing those who would give her answers as they walked. They moved between a forest tree line and cornfields parallel to a lake while Gidit and Indictur ran off. She knew where they were headed—to a bridge a few kilometers away, connected to a road called Servants Path, a circuit linking every town belonging to the Elkrachets.
The timbers in those woods seemed hundreds of years old, as tall as ten-story buildings and as wide as a standard M.I.V.—a fish-tank. The noise of a hundred species living in that environment filled their ears with vibrant sounds of birds, frogs, and insects.
Led by Elchome, the group pressed forward in a determined stride, their footsteps resounding with a mix of anticipation and resolve. Each member resembled a boxer entering a ring, mentally prepared for what lay ahead. The first part of their journey ended at a dark road of volcanic rock, The Servant’s Path.
At the woods-cornfield junction near the road, Adriaas and Pemula hid among the trees, invisible to anyone else. On the road, Elchome and Vulnic stood guard, ready to confront their target, their anticipation palpable.
Inside her chest, Adriaas could feel every heartbeat, whether from fear or excitement for the task at hand. Her training in the arts of stealing and assaulting was minimal, but by being part of Silver Camp, they expected it from her. The group understood they had a valuable package to secure that day, unaware of its true contents for security reasons. Their job was to ambush a royal carriage and take its cargo back to a strategic point, where it would be divided among the factions in Capahuento.
Stealing from the empire itself was a key strategy of the rebellion, inspired by tales as old as Robin Hood.
Moments after they had settled, the sound of wood wheels covered by metal rims rolling on the volcanic rock road emanated from the depths of the old forest. The hoofbeats of the horses pulling the carriage followed, distant and undisturbed.