River of Fate Omnibus: Books 1-3 by David North

Author:David North [North, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: High Peak Publishing
Published: 2024-02-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter twenty-four

Attacking the Cult

The preparations to assault the valley began in earnest. They could have done more reconnaissance, but nothing suggested the cultists had an overwhelming force. An attack would show them what the cultists were made of. Verse didn’t want to return to Whitestone only to have to come back here. He wanted to tear the cult out by roots.

They split into two teams. Verse and Lieutenant Goran were in one and Elder Isea was with the disciples in the other. The elder had many tricks up her sleeve and the best chance of escaping with the disciples if needed. The main defensive barrier was centered on the white pillar at the edge of the valley.

“That doesn’t look like imperial construction,” Goran frowned as he examined it. They were moving closer now, which made it easier to see the details of the pillar and the entrance to the valley.

“It looks like...” he trailed off for a moment as he searched his memories. As a cultivator, his memory was nearly perfect. “It’s very similar to some Italith monuments that were erected during the pre-Imperial wars, before the founding of the Empire. I’ve seen one before to the north of here, when I was with the Eighteenth Legion.”

“The Empire has existed for more than twenty thousand years,” Verse replied, remembering his history lessons as his attention fixed on the pillar. It drew his attention at the same time as it seemed to blend into the surroundings. A curious contrast. “Do you think that has been there this entire time?”

“It’s possible,” Goran replied, nodding slightly. “The Italith were one of the smaller dynasties that lived in the area of the Empire before its consolidation. They were famous traders and researchers. Their skills are legendary.

"The 18th was sent to settle a border dispute and there were two of these pillars at the edge of a village. The Legion Commander ordered us to leave them alone, under the theory that old ruins are more trouble than they’re worth. A scholar would know more.”

“Is it a defensive artifact?” Verse asked, his attention focused. If it were an artifact, perhaps its age would work against it. “Maybe this is why they put their camp here.”

“We’ll find out,” Goran replied as he summoned a talisman into his hand. It was a sheet of paper furled into a scroll, and unlike regular talismans, it resonated with a sense of resonant energy from the Aligned realm that felt like a sun in Verse’s senses. Its energy that was balanced and overwhelming, as if the heavens and earth were contained inside. A bright violet character sealed it shut in a web of energy. “I’m sure the scholars will disapprove of this. They appreciate having new things to study.”

“Do it,” Verse replied, his conviction unwavering. It was a shame to destroy artifacts from the past, but stopping the cult was more important. “The scholars can study the pieces if there’s anything left.”

With a flick of his wrist, Goran broke the seal on the talisman.

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