CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX—ON TO THE ISSYKA MOUNTAINS

The mists cleared by midday and Debaku joined them on a dry grassy hill. The skies were clear with a possible storm looming on the horizon.

Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled from the black clouds.

Shiro pointed at the mountains ahead. They were short, jagged things with deep passes. He suspected navigating that area would be confusing. “Those are the Issyka Mountains, yes?”

Ali nodded. “I believe so.”

“They do not seem very inviting,” Debaku said.

Ali glanced at the Mar’a Thulian. “Since when does something like that bother you? Are you not a famous adventurer?”

Debaku chuckled. “I do not pretend to know about my fame. If I am well known—“

But he was interrupted by the sound of a distant horn.

They all glanced toward the direction of that sound, and on the grassy steppe, saw what appeared to be an army arrayed in neat lines and marching in lockstep with vast hosts of men on horseback in the flanks.

Ali made a sound of astonishment. “Look!” he said, pointing.

“Is that a city?”

Ali nodded. “I believe that is Kandichar.”

How do you know this city?” Debaku asked.

“It’s on the map,” Ali said. “And besides, it’s the most northern satrap in the empire.”

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“I see why they wanted the passes to be guarded,” Shiro said. “They do not wish to have their army flanked while they siege that city.”

“And we cut our way through their men,” Ali said. “They will be very angry with is.”

“Indeed,” Debaku said. “I suggest we make for the mountains where your friend is at.”

“Agreed,” Ali said with a nod.

“What if we don’t find him there?” Shiro asked.

“Well…” Ali said, obviously thinking for a moment. “We can find the nearest adventurer’s guild and see if Razul has updated his status locations.”

“And if he has not?”

“Then we can wait until he does, or we can turn back—go it alone against Darius.”

“Mmm.”

He didn’t like that. They had wasted enough time already just coming up here. And they still ran the risk of Razul not deciding to go back with them. Attacking the emperor’s palace and failing surely meant death.

Jessamine, he thought. What are you doing right now?

Jessamine turned her head and averted her gaze as the slave’s neck gushed blood over the tiles.

The body fell wetly to the floor.

“Do you see?” Darius said. “This is your doing, Jessamine.”

She wanted to bare her teeth and snarl. It took every bit of her resolve to ignore Darius’ monstrous action and to pretend she cared not a whit for the slave’s life.

Hurry, Shiro.

“Come,” Ali said, and pulled on his mount’s reigns to force the animal to turn around. “Let’s not waste time here. I would prefer not to be discovered and attacked again.”

“Hai.”

“We better find Razul,” he added. “I do not think it is very far. The gods know we will need him for your quest, Shirl”

“But we do not know where he is even at, Ali.”

“So,” he said with a shrug. “Then we ask around. You know there are towns and cities in that mess of jagged peaks, yes? Besides, I told you what we will do.”

Shiro shook his head. “I did not know there are towns.”

“It will be easy. Trust me, my infidel friends.”

Debaku lifted a skeptical eyebrow. “I do not know if I can trust you, Ali al Bashur.”

“And why is that?”

“I do not know you well, but something tells me that you would rather pretend to be right when you are wrong.”

Ali laughed. “I am arrogant, man, but I am not that arrogant.”

“Hmm. We will see.”

Together the group set out for the Issyka Mountains, those black storm clouds looming on their horizon.

“Gods,” Ali said. “I do hope there will not be a blizzard. I am freezing as it is.”

“Then we can kill some more men and warm ourselves.”

“Ha!”