[Book II Chapter 131] DYLAN: A Last Reprieve
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High up on the deserted castle, Dylan surveyed his surroundings. While the streets of Torris were empty, elsewhere was awash with frantic activity. Airships filled the skies, awaiting their turn to dock. That boarding process had been fairly efficient and was nearly over. What was occurring beyond the city’s walls was another story.
The wrecks recovered from the Shattering Rocks were tied to the ground across the landscape. There were at least a hundred of varying size and shape. One by one, they were loaded up and connected to a functioning airship. He spotted Nang assisting this effort with her mothsilk threads and felt relief seeing her so occupied.
It’d be at least another two hours before they were done. The crowds around the tents outside the capital were thick with those waiting their turns. Even at this distance, he could tell there was jubilation in the air. If only they knew…
Garreth Black had left last night to take part in the operation against Mount Gull. He’d return when the summoning pit was destroyed, but by then it’d be too late. That left them with Jayden, Leucothea, and the two immortals who accompanied the fleet. While normally this would be an impressive escort, there was none capable of holding Sekken back.
At least the bastard hasn’t attacked in over a day. An assault right now would’ve been a nightmare. This was ultimately a small comfort though, as the reason for the reprieve was clear: Sekken was waiting for a moment of even greater vulnerability. When this slow, lumbering fleet makes its way through the twisted lands.
The nation of Tulvin was at its end. In preparation for this evacuation, defensive lines had pulled back to the edge of the capital. Once they departed, the entire country would be claimed by the demonic beasts.
Dylan jumped on an airship rising from the docks. He then leap on another further out. There were so many it was child’s play to chart a course through the air. Eventually he reached the ones in formation to depart, running across the chains linking them together, and dropped down on the fortification denoting Tulven’s western border. In front of him was a dense, impenetrable fog.
He dove in. Free had volunteered to be on to be on lookout duty in the Twisted Lands. Apparently, she’d designed some a new type of insect for the purpose and was eager to test it out. No threats would approach undetected in the mist.
<
“I won’t feel at peace unless I try.” Dylan replied.
He found her where she’d said she would be, in a field by a lake on a large floating plateau. She sat cross-legged facing away from him, channeling so hard he’d sensed her from a mile away, and the grass around her was filled with thousands of round red flower buds. He stopped and watched for a minute.
<> Dowart mumbled. Dylan smirked. His mentor had developed a poor opinion of Free’s deformed creations. Despite his efforts to advocate on their behalf, the old ghost maintained they were simply too grotesque to justify their existence, no matter their utility.
“The evacuation is proceeding smoothly” He called out. “How fares the Twisted Lands?”
“Nothing to report.” Free opened her eyes and turned to him. “If Sekken is preparing an ambush, it’s further out.”
“What’s up?” She added, her face filled with curiosity.
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“Nothing much, just checking in.” He then fell silent before continuing. “You let me approach from behind without raising your guard. Why extend such trust, given the circumstances?”
“I consulted Sarah.” Free shrugged. “I don’t know what’s up with her, but her fate reading ability has soared to a truly dependable level. She foretold that you were telling the truth, and that’s enough until we reach Waceria.”
While he’d sent out a message to Yaozu Gao, it had been impossible to set up a call with the Ghost Corrosion Sect. Torris had a single long-ranged projector installed on Varon’s ship, and, during the last two days, coordinating the incoming fleet had taken precedence over all else.
“Is that so…” Dylan said. “How is Nang?” While he considered her a danger, he bore her no ill will. Her hostility towards him had been understandable given how incriminating the situation appeared.
“She’s doing great.” Free grinned. “I got her to confess her suspicions about Jordan Seers’s staff. I then convinced her to focus on the evacuations, saying we’d look into the matter together afterwards. So no need to worry for now.”
“I’m… impressed.” Dylan replied. He knew Free had been spending an enormous amount of time with their Radiant Sect companion, but he hadn’t realized how close they’d become.
“Also,” Free continued. “I asked her if she’d ever noticed a change in Bao’s personnality.”
This caused Dylan to hesitate. “Isn’t that a dangerous subject to breach?”
“Not at all.” “You should know that my mind works in windy ways and I go off on strange tangeants all the time. Conviently, this means none of my question ever seem unusual.”
“True…” Dylan admitted.
“Anyway.” Free resumed. “Bao’s personality did change, but it was several decades ago, when they were children. If your claims are true, the body-snatching happened when she was away for several weeks on a trip to a hidden realm.”
“I’m sure Yaozu Gao will be eager to hear the details once we reach Waceria.” Dylan replied.
The conversation slipped into lull as both parties fell into quiet contemplation. <
<> Dylan answered.
However, it was Free that spoke first. “How’s morale back there?”
“Joyous.” Dylan revealed. “Everyone is eager to finally leave this doomed country. You can tell the usual anxiety has almost completely vanished.”
Free rolled her eyes and shook her head. “What about among those who know of Garreth’s departure?”
“Bleak.” Dylan admitted. “To tell you the truth, the main reason we haven’t had many desertions is the belief that there will still be an opportunity for it later.”
Free grimaced. “You mean when millions are dangling as tantalizing morcels before Sekken’s hordes? True, with such a prize, the demonic beasts won’t care much about fleeing saints.”
Dylan’s stomach tied itself in knots. I expected this attitude. “What will you do if it’s a lost cause?” He asked.
“Excuse me?” Free frowned.
“If the fleet is overrun, will you fight until the bitter end?”
Free’s eyes lit up with a sad understanding. “You’ll be one of those fleeing.”
Dylan nodded. “I’ll remain as long as possible, but I can’t afford to fall here. I have someone to protect and a vengeance to see through. What about you? Will you throw your life away?” Or will you come with us.
“Of course, I don’t want to die.” Free sighed and smiled. “If it’s apparent the battle is lost, I’ll consider a tactical retreat.”
She’s lying. He’d been around her long enough to recognize the pattern. Although honest on most matters, she’d humors others with platitudes to spare their feelings. “Please tell the truth.” He prodded.
Free jerked at these words, then slowly relaxed. “Thing is, I’m an optimist. Right up to the bitter end, I’ll believe the most hopeless situation can be salvaged. By the time I accept a different reality, it is often too late. So no promises.”
“You can’t accomplish anything once you’re dead.” He said in flat, bitter voice.
Free stood up and dusted herself off. “I was planning this later, right before departure, but now is fine I suppose.” With a deep breath, she started to sing.
For a moment, Dylan was bewitched by the beauty of the otherworldly tune. Then he felt the air shifting under a subtle magical influence. High Sorcery…? The round red buds around them began glowing fiery orange, growing in intensity. One burst in a bright light, and the fog around them melted away. They stood in a field of yellow flowers, a clear blue sky above.
“The little darlings are sunberries,” Free beamed. “When it’s their time to bloom, with enough of them, they’ll summon the sun. Using that song on them is a trick I picked up in Vigil.”
“Maybe, instead of you pressing me to flee, I could invite you to stick around?” She gestured to the colorful landscape. “You never know what could happen.”
“I’ll consider it.” He answered. They both smiled. This time it was my turn to lie.