“The Seven Great Enclaves are perhaps the greatest and most forgotten of the many dangers facing this Nova Rim. No doubt they are preparing for our demise—the council even has intelligence indicating there is some level of coordination between these disparate enclaves. If they were to revolt, we may have another Heretic Empire on our hands.”
—Opinion of General Ragus Malthrow in a JIAHC debate
Zaina was taken aback, unsure of what to make of what the woman had said. “What—what do you mean?”
The woman smiled. “The unmarked would have you believe we found one of Savon’s old Shatterers or some other superweapon—but if they knew what we’ve really found, the Synatorium would already have sent every army they could muster. What we’ve really found is so much bigger than any power buried beneath eons of dirt—that’s all I’ll say for know.”
None of that made much sense, but Zaina went with it. “Okay.”
“Now,” the woman said, “tell me, how did you hear about our little enclave here?”
“From another marked,” Zaina replied. “After Demelia was destroyed I went from world to world, trying to survive however I could—I found a small village where our kind are accepted. A few of the marked there told me about this place.”
“You didn’t happen to catch their names, did you?”
“No,” Zaina said, wondering why this woman was asking so many questions. “I didn’t stay there long.”
“Any particular reason you were in such a hurry to leave?” the woman pressed.
Zaina’s mouth twitched. She was having to come up with lie after lie—this wasn’t her strong suit. “I don’t know. It didn’t feel like home.”
The woman gave Zaina a knowing look. “It’s tough, when the marked and unmarked try to live together. I applaud those who do try, but too often the unmarked are unable to move past their suspicion, which always turns to hatred in the end. I learned that a long time ago.”
“You don’t think we can coexist with them?”
“I’ve thought it and been proven wrong too many times to keep believing,” the woman said, her voice tainted with a deep sorrow. “Well, either way, you chose the perfect time to come. I’m not sure how much you know about our situation, but let’s say we’re in the endgame of a very long struggle.”
“I don’t know a whole lot, to be honest,” Zaina said, hoping she sold it.
The woman chuckled and gestured toward the enclave’s mining project. “This must all be a bit much for you.”
“Yeah, it’s not quite what I expected.”
The woman nodded. “Desperate times, as they say. But I’m glad you found your way to us.” She stood, her leg giving a metallic squeal, and then turned to Zaina and asked, “And tell me—why are you here? What is it you want?”
Zaina thought about how to answer for a moment, wanting to be as honest as possible. “I came here looking for peace.”
“Peace. Well, I’m sorry for what you’ve found, but that isn’t quite the answer I was looking for.”
Zaina’s heart skipped a beat. She was beginning to think this woman was Sivanya—her calm elegance came with an air of authority. And if this woman wasn’t buying her story, she was in for a short—and rough—mission.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
The woman continued, “I suppose I should have asked how long you’re planning to stay.”
“I—I don’t have anywhere else to go,” Zaina said sheepishly. “I think I’d stay as long as I could.”
The woman smiled and extended a hand.
Zaina took it, and the woman yanked her to her feet. Not expecting the sudden pull, Zaina gave a yelp.
The woman stared into her eyes and said, “Very well, Zaina Quin—you’ve earned the benefit of my doubt for now. Forgive my intrusive line of questioning—we can’t be too sure when it comes to infiltration, which the unmarked have tried repeatedly and recently.”
Zaina’s head tilted—she hadn’t told the woman her name. She had only told Tarina.
“Are you Sivanya?”
“I was waiting for it to figure it out,” Sivanya replied with a coy smile. “You must have so many questions—and I have one more, too. Walk with me.”
Zaina stood and followed without hesitation.
Sivanya led her through the maze of mining equipment and tents, toward the temple at the heart of it all. The people sprinting or fast-walking through the narrow paths all parted for her and Zaina, and each one nodded their head or waved when they walked past. Most smiled. Zaina hadn’t known what to expect from a heretic enclave, but it wasn’t this.
“So,” Sivanya said, “here’s how we’ll do it—first, I’ll ask my last question. Then, I’ll explain our general situation to help you orient yourself to where we’re at—once that’s done, we’ll get to any questions you have.”
Zaina wasn’t exactly in a position to argue. “Okay, sounds good.”
“So,” Sivanya said, “do you have any fighting experience?”
“Some,” Zaina said. “I can fire a gun, if that’s what you mean.”
“Very good. I understand, given that your mark was given by the Eldritch itself, if you don’t wish to delve deep enough to summon your fang—many marked don’t want to explore their gifts that thoroughly, and we accommodate them as best we can.”
Zaina wasn’t sure how to respond—did getting her mark from the Eldritch make her different somehow? Should she not have said that?
Sivanya continued, “I ask because we’re always looking for more warriors. I won’t force you into anything—if you’d rather avoid combat altogether, we can find a role for you in camp. We’re in dire need on both fronts, so the choice is yours. Do know that being a warrior comes with a substantial amount of risk—there’s no shame in not wanting to fight, and I’ll honor whatever choice you make.”
Zaina didn’t expect her feelings to be taken into account. “Uh—can I think about it?”
“Certainly—but you may not have much time. I’m afraid our enemies are entering their endgame. Hence why we’re now rushing to ours.”
“Their endgame?”
“Yes,” Sivanya said, her eyes dark with a long-simmering fury, “they want to wipe each and every one of us out. Their leader’s been gathering reinforcements—mercenaries, pirates, and marauders from across the Nova Rim. It won’t be long before he decides to use the army he’s built. And now he’s got his crown jewel.”
“What’s that?”
“A lancer,” Sivanya said through gritted teeth, her voice seething. “Arrived only yesterday. No doubt those unmarked bastards reached out to the Order of Riiva—and they were only too happy to send one of their killers to help eradicate us.”
A pit formed in Zaina’s stomach. If only she knew the truth.
“A lancer?” she said. “Here? Are you sure?”
“There’s no doubt,” Sivanya replied. “Our scanners traced an incoming ship’s tags back to that fraudulent little cult—and if they’re bringing in a lancer, I’d wager we don’t have but a few days before the invasion begins.”
Zaina frowned. A few days. I hope not.
Sivanya chuckled. “Reconsidering your stay here yet?”
“No,” Zaina said. “I’ve fought for my home before, and I’ll do it again if I have to.”
“This will be a far different task than facing down the Eldritch,” Sivanya replied. “The Armies of Everus are upon us. And what’s more, a lancer—possibly even two—will be among their ranks. This will be the greatest test this enclave has ever faced.”
Zaina frowned. A question bit at the back of her mind, and she let it out. “Does the lancer frighten you that much?”
Sivanya’s brow furled, as if she was giving her answer honest thought. “Yes and no. Any lancer that comes here will die—of that, I have no doubt.”
Zaina tried to look like she wasn’t panicking on the inside—did Sivanya know somehow? Was all of this a game to her?
Sivanya continued, “The more important measure to consider is the cost. I’ve no doubt the enclave’s numbers are enough to kill a lancer, or two, or ten—but many will fall against such hateful foes. I’ll admit, their god has fueled their spite with power. But no—my greatest fear is still what’s been gathering outside my home for the past few years like so many pests. The unmarked. Their numbers will win the day should it all come down to open battle—of that I have little doubt.”
“Is there nothing we can do?”
With a wry smile, Sivanya gestured toward the enclave’s mining operation. “We can dig. Come, walk with me—I’ll tell you what’s going on.”