The Indivisible and the Void by D. M. Wozniak

Author:D. M. Wozniak [Wozniak, D. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Speculative fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: D.M. Wozniak
Published: 2019-02-14T16:00:00+00:00

Entombed

We ride hard to the northeast for a quarterbell, passing up the line of golden light to ensure a buffer of darkness remains between us and them.

I want to head them off.

But as we near the line of trees, one small, motionless flame glows at the center of them. It is meager, unnoticeable until the last moment. Barely strong enough to cast a cobweb of wide shadowy lines in all directions.

Someone is there, waiting.

This is not the approaching army—we’re too far in front of them. But it could be a scout.

I approach cautiously.

The lowest branches of the millionescents hang high enough off of the ground that I can lean over and grasp my horse’s neck to pass through and underneath them.

Only then, under a towering ceiling of dimly glittering gold, do I finally see who it is.

The one-eyed Colu sits on horseback in the center of the road, a raised lantern in his hand. Covered in leather armor and a vest of chainmail, he looks at me, a surprised but tense look upon his red-painted face.

“You came back,” he says gruffly.

I nod, peering down the length of the road in both directions.

The section of dirt path we’re on has a gentle curve to it. It’s about ten yards wide and nestled between two rows of tightly-packed, alternating millionescents. They function as sheer walls, seemingly extending to the stars—almost like being inside of some grand effulgency temple. The branches begin about ten feet up. Nearer to the ground I can see past thick trunks into the darkened countryside.

Chimeline and Blythe silently enter the road behind me.

The first signs of the approaching army appear in the distance: a faint, yellow glow upon the trees up ahead, and the distant ring of metal.

Before I address Colu, I quickly turn to Chimeline and Blythe and point in the direction they came from. “Do you remember that cluster of pines we passed a moment ago?”

They both nod.

“Hide there, until this is over.”

“But, Dem—”

“Do it,” I forcefully whisper, and then I softly add, “Please. I don’t need complications.”

“He is right,” Blythe adds. “Only swords and black arcana will be used here. Words of peace and forgiveness will not.”

Their horses flap their lips together in seeming agreement.

She nods hesitantly, and they both turn their horses around and head into the night.

“Dem?” Chimeline asks, turning her body as it disappears into shadow.

“Yes?”

“Be careful.”

I nod and turn to Colu. “Are you alone?”

He shakes his head. “I have twenty skullmen flanking these trees,” he says. “Ten on each side.”

I look around in all directions. “I didn’t see them.”

“They’re hidden. And it’s a good thing they know who the three of you are. Else you’d be dead by now.”

I nod. “What’s your plan?”

“I was going to stall them with conversation. At my signal, my men would take out as many as they can with darts.”

“How many?”

“If they’re able to take down two each, that’s forty Prainise. Which should be about half of them.”

I take a deep breath. “And then what?”

He hunches his shoulders.

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