The Outcasts (The Spark City Cycle Book 3) by Robert J Power

Author:Robert J Power [Power, Robert J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DePaor Press
Published: 2021-09-06T16:00:00+00:00

35

Tracks in the Wastes

“These are cart tracks?” Lea asked, running her fingers across the cool ridge of steel in the ground. They were a pair, a few feet apart, as smooth as a flawless blade but as dulled as a forgotten relic. Stretching for miles. As Wynn described their function, she shook her head. Speed attainable but only able to move backwards or forwards? It made little sense. As he spoke, he tapped at a long shard of steel hanging down the side of his horse. If Lea didn’t know better, she’d have imagined it was a southern shield with all the fur ripped away.

“I didn’t travel too far along them, but it’s a fine path through unforgiving terrain,” Wynn suggested, and continued to tap away absently at the bit of metal. He appeared proud of his find. It was no sky road, but they welcomed any clear path in the wastes.

“A fine discovery,” she said, and he smiled.

Each of them took turns walking up and down the unnatural path, hopping between each carefully sculpted piece of wood, measured and placed evenly along the ground. Two long, endless strips of perfect steel winding out each way into the wilderness. It was a wonder.

“I’ve seen something like this before, under the city, in the dark,” Emir muttered. “With Erroh,” he added.

“They were not in the same condition,” argued Erroh.

“Smuggling,” Wrek said. “Swift movement of delectable things for the city.”

“They go all the way to the city...” murmured Roja, and ground her teeth ever so.

Lea ran her fingers through her hair and grimaced as flakes of brown mud fell in front of her face. She was a ruin. All of them were still covered in the light caking of dried mud. Staying clear of any fast-flowing rivers was not without its disadvantages. She was content to live with fewer dangers, but a girl liked to look her best doing so. Her one consolation was that Nomi looked even worse. Deep streaks of brown still covered her perfect little rosy cheeks. She hadn’t the grace to at least attempt to clean herself. Typical.

“From where?”

“Raven Rock. I’ve… seen them. Two or four people stand upon a rolling metal cart and take turns pushing down on opposite levers. They move more swiftly than a racing horse, even with a heavy load.” She looked around at the surrounding forest. “How did you think cofe entered Spark in such outrageous amounts?”

“How have the tracks continued to be maintained?” Emir asked. It was a fair question.

“A man could spend a lifetime out here, maintaining these tracks,” mused Wrek. “There must be quite the payment for keeping these beasts smooth.” He knelt in and ran his fingers through the clusters of weeds growing between each wooden panel. He looked at the wild undergrowth, much higher than the weeds, on either side of the tracks, seemingly trying its best to reclaim the wastes from the touch of ancient civilisation.

“It wouldn’t take a female that long,” Roja mocked.

“Aye, a fine point. Sometimes I forget I’m among such a group.

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