The mountain looked too steep to climb. but they soon found carved trials to make the journey possible. but it was not easy. They have been climbing for two days and were only two thirds the way there. Safiya’s pack moa had difficulty climbing the stairs. whoever built this place couldn't have made it wider. Jezebel wondered
“we're almost there” Hector said
“ya I'm jumping for joy” Safiya said flatly
“it’s not that bad” Jezebel said
“for you!” Safiya said walking along a narrow stone path looking below
“I’m with Safiya on this I wish you could give us some of that demon strength and endurance” Hector said out of breath
“I’m tired too” Jezebel said Safiya gave a humph
“Let's take a break, we have been walking non stop since we left the dryads” Hector said
“We can go another hour” Jezebel said and was answered with groans of despair. Babies Jezebel thought
“Fine, we can rest.” They stopped when there was room for everyone to sit. There weren't many trees. The pine trees that were here were small due to how much stone and little dirt there was. setting their stuff down and taking a break Jezebel had to make sure the moa was doing ok. lightning could be heard behind her I guess a storm is coming but wait the sky is clear more lighting could be heard a little closer this time everyone look at each other
“storms moving fast” Hector said
“but the sky is perfectly clear” Safiya said
“There could be clouds but the mountain is blocking our view. lightning struck closer
“It's moving too fast,” Hector said stiffly, rising to his feet
“we should go now and find some shelter”
“But I’m too tired,” Safiya grumbled but she got up anyway. with Jezebel in the back pulling their moa along with Safiya in front of her and Hector leading them along. Thank goodness the trail winded with much more space to move around there even was some grass. lightning stuck even closer to the sound leaving a crackle sound in the air, what is going on? Jezebel grew worried.
Just then three huge birds of prey coming towards them and two of them shooting lightning out of their hooked breaks were as the bigger one created gusts of wind with its wings there was no cover for them so they hugged the side of the mountain hoping not to get struck or blown off. They flew past them blowing at their clothes but were safe at least. flocks of birds flow off the side of the mountain as the huge birds flew off into another side of the mountain. it was minute or two before they dare move
“what were they” Jezebel asked looking to Safiya and Hector
“the biggest one is a roc and the others were thunderbirds” Safiya said pausing before continuing
“My mother didn’t know much about them. I didn't suspect they were that big”
“we should move” Hector said walking along as they walked it occurred to Jezebel that if they are guarding the power. Then there could have been many adventures who failed to claim it. Safiya kept looking at the birds. They are large. Jezebel noticed. up the slope they went for about thirty minutes before they had to stop and catch their breath. Those birds were still flying near them but keeping their distinct are those sticks in their beaks? Her Legs dangled over the side of the cliff the sound of heavy breathing from Hector and Safiya. I’m tired myself so I’ll let them recover. We just have to beat Lord Falkner and whoever he brings for all of halfbreed kind. They will be treated equally even if I have to use the power of a goddess to do it. They got up and started walking again which was painfully slow then the birds flew closer to them.
They revealed themselves to be full avians with spears in their arms while flying. they soon found themselves on a much wider trail with grass on the sides of it as it leveled out onto a large platform of stone. Safiya looked up with distaste watching them fly while she could only glide. they tried to hurry along but they landed in front of us
“What brings a halfbreed to our mountain?” the chief said he was the biggest and had a feather headdress from his own feathers it seemed and had on leather pants and shirt with a jade necklace. Five stood beside him and three behind them
“we are but humble travelers seeking a home away from the other humans” Hector said in a friendly tone “but you are a human” he pointed out
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“yes but I want to live where I will and with whom” what is Hector doing? Jezebel thought they just seemed confused.
“I see, are they?”
“my lovers, yes that is why I travel with them yes and been out casted by human society” Safiya was glaring at Hector and so was Jezebel what are you doing!? They flew off and stayed near them
“What was that!” Safiya said
“they don’t like halfbreeds and so I needed an explanation on why I am with you they will be back I’m sure” Hector said flatly
“but lovers no one is going to believe that”
“look we need them to start looking at the wrong places”
“what does that mean” Jezebel said walking again
“It means instead of asking what are we doing here and why since we can’t tell them the whole truth they will focus on how strange we are” Hector said
“Fine I’ll play along if you think it would help” Jezebel said
“Of course you would be fine with this. I will too but not a second longer” Safiya muttered shaking her head they landed in front of them again
“We are sorry about your treatment but we don’t appreciate your presence especially that halfbreed” the chief said pointing at Safiya who was now glaring at him “and why are you going to the top of the mountain?”
“We are merely passing through” Hector said
“fine keep your business and halfbreed lovers we must be off its too dangeruss here too crowded and not enough food to stay here” with that they took off flying north leaving them alone
“do you think they will sing of the stranger and his two halfbreed lovers” Jezebel wondered upon hearing that Safiya hit Hector in the gut Hector let out a soft grunt in reply. They walked slowly up the mountain until nightfall.
Hector built a small campfire from pine tree branches around the small plateau. they stopped at which were all along the trail and stairs there were others but the avians didn’t want a halfbreed near them. Safiya brought out the supplies dried fruit for Hector as well as a piece of jerky, Safiya got the nuts and dried fruit and Jezebel got a handful of jerky strips, they ate sitting around the fire in silence
“Hector we need to know it is time” Jezebel said Hector looked uncomfortable avoiding eye contact “Hector” Jezebel said firmly Safiya leaned forward Hector got a faraway look in his eyes
“Alright, you should know, back about eleven years ago I went by king Hector'' Jezebel and Safiya looked at each other in shock. A king Jezebel thought Safiya had her beak open “I ruled what the demons rule over now and king Richard the two kingdoms were one I was known to root out traitors and there was peace besides the monsters even though the gods died nine years ago a man came to see me one day he was dressed in a black robe and claimed magic had not died but still lived on even with all the priests lost their magic”
“we” Jezebel asked Hector eyes focus on her
“oh I was hosting a feast with all of the eastern lords when he came in” Hector clarified he got that distinct look again “I never forget that night we laughed at him my wife and my five year old son was their as well and she laughed as well it was absurd but his smile did not falter only grew into a smug one. I know it sounds wild but I assure you its
True he claimed we all thought he was mad. He took out a golden goblet with black stones and it was full of some reddish black liquid. Drink this and you will have the strength of twenty men he boasted. I was curious thinking it was poison and I voiced my concerns with the court and they agreed. I challenged him about the poison he looked shocked why would I come here in full view of your court to poison you even If I ran they all saw me and they would catch him no problem I was suspicious but it made sense so I drank it he walked away as I turned into a beast I remember swelling and then all went blank but I later learned I killed all the eastern nobles and half of my kingdom fell into anarchy Lord Richard sized the western half”
“and the demons took the eastern half shortly after” Jezebel said
“What happened to your wife and son?” Safiya asked “they fled and became merchants after that I don’t know I haven't seen them again and probably never will and so I lived in the wilderness since only briefly stopping at remote villages to get news” Hector finished and fell silent he looked worn out as if he ran five miles just now
“Wait, this happened nine years after the gods died?. correct?” Jezebel asked “correct” Hector said
“Then where did the magic come from?” Jezebel wondered. Hector shrugged “was he a godling?”
“I don’t think so, why?” Jezebel fell on her back in thought not a godling and magic is dead then how? It appears there is magic left after all but what and how is a mystery
“we should get some rest” Safiya said “we have a long day tomorrow” with that they all tried to get some rest.
In the morning Jezebel woke up after trouble sleeping the whole night
“Want some breakfast?” Safiya asked Jezebel nodded she handed her some jerky “thanks. well now we know about Hector” Jezebel said
“Yes, I can’t imagine. No wonder he wants to get rid of it. he probably thought he killed his wife and son for a while” Safiya said looking at the ash of what's left of there fire from last night witch was blowing away
“you were right about Hector he is true”
“you are right too he is dangerous but we need to help him” Safiya looked up at her
“yes lets go we need to hurry” she went over and got Hector up
“the sun's barely up” he grumbled
“We need to move if we want to claim it” with that he ate breakfast, gathered their belongings Jezebel got her shield last holding on her shoulder and traveled up the mountain and at the end of their journey it took about one day of boring travel but at least Safiya and Hector got along and the fighting was brought to a minimal. They reached the top on the second morning. The sun had not yet risen. her eyelids were heavy and were all tired but nonetheless were excited we had to keep going. we just had to. Jezebel looked down at the last part of their journey with soberness then Safiya broke down in tears.