The Coward by Stephen Aryan

Author:Stephen Aryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780857668899
Publisher: Watkins Media
Published: 2021-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

The glistening spires rose high into the frozen air,

A beautiful nightmare surrounded by death.

And waiting within was the Lich,

The architect of an endless winter.

EXCERPT FROM THE SAGA OF KELL KRESSIA

BY THE BARD PAX MEDINA

At the end of another long and blustery day they finally arrived in Meer, the most northern settlement in Kinnan.

Throughout the morning Kell had noticed the scrubland gradually changing, becoming more level with fewer rocky growths. The hills became smaller while the temperature continued to fall. A constant flurry of snow followed them throughout the entire day, sometimes gusting straight into their faces, sometimes blowing hard against their backs. Everyone was wrapped up head to toe and yet somehow a little snow managed to get inside their clothes. Even Willow had finally covered up in a thick jacket and gloves but had decided to forgo a hat. Kell wondered if she felt the cold at all and was merely covering up to make them feel more comfortable.

Already hard underfoot the mud was replaced with a sea of frozen soil that crunched under the horses’ hooves. The permafrost stunted the growth of everything except the hardiest lichen. It sadly added no colour to the dull and seemingly lifeless tundra.

Across the plain, rainwater gathered in small depressions creating stagnant pools covered with floating yellow scum and insects. There were no birds, plants or trees and no signs of life except for biting flies. The featureless landscape extended to the horizon making it difficult to judge distance.

For three hours in the afternoon they rode across the blank tundra. The only way to know they were making any progress was the movement of the hazy sun overhead. Hidden behind a solid blanket of cloud it provided no heat and little in the way of light. They all travelled in a daze, seemingly trapped in a monotonous nightmare that was without apparent end.

Finally, as the sun began to weaken, the ground started to change. Broken rocks and jagged pieces of stone disrupted the featureless surface. It was now cold enough for the drifting snow to settle and deep banks began to form creating the illusion of hills and valleys. Gradually a black dot appeared on the horizon which slowly grew in size.

An hour later as they rode down to Meer the track became a sea of mud, churned up by the constant passage of travellers. As the entirety of the settlement was revealed they all took a moment to study it.

“What a shit-hole,” said Gerren. It was the first time the boy had seen it but Kell was in agreement. Ten years on and it was still the same festering pile of rotting buildings that looked as if they would blow away in a strong breeze. Crumbling slabs of basalt formed the walls of the dozen large buildings that were visible above ground. Their roofs were a jumbled network of rare and precious wood, waxed sheets, rope and hides which were constantly being repaired to make them waterproof. Icicles hung from every surface and deep banks of snow sat against the western wall of each building.

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