Ruin Mist - 01 Keeper Martin's Tale by Robert Stanek

Author:Robert Stanek [Stanek, Robert]
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Ruin Mist
ISBN: 9781575455099
Publisher: Reagent Press
Published: 2007-03-14T08:00:00+00:00

Captain Brodst waited until Jacob was in the saddle then called out, "The

princess' condition has not worsened. There is still hope, but we must move swiftly.

Pray to Great-Father, all!"

With renewed vigor after the short reprieve and the captain's enthusiastic words,

the riders began anew. The ground did not level off immediately after the last of the

hills were left behind. Instead it seemed to slope gradually downward, its base

enveloped in a bank of swirling mists.

Captain Brodst passed a warning along to the riders at the fore. "Watch the trail

before you carefully!"

With great reservation and careful hesitation, they entered the gray veil of dense

fog a second time. The captain hoped it would last only until they crossed the

shallow point at the bottom of the long downgrade. For an instant he turned his eyes

to look down upon Adrina to make sure his heavy woolen cloak was still pulled

tightly around her.

"Soon," he said, "soon, we will stop. Rest, princess, rest."

Suddenly the crying whinnies of a frightened mare broke the air followed by the

frantic yelling of the lead rider as he jerked harshly on his mount's reins. "Captain

Brodst, captain! Quickly!" the rider-shouted.

The others behind him came to a similarly abrupt halt. Captain Brodst urged his

mount faster and raced to the front of the group. He was amazed at what he saw as

he approached the first rider. Ahead in the distance he could see nothing but water

and loose patches of dense fog. The road was gone, apparently washed away. His

fears rang true.

A voice reached out into the darkness seeming to stir even the hidden creatures of

the mire. "Bring up torches!" Captain Brodst cried out. "Hurry, you louts!"

A large gaggle of men stormed toward the captain. They raised their fiery brands

high into the air. The only response to this was a scattered reflection off the water, a

dingy yellow mirror of dull orange torch flames.

"It is only an illusion of the fog. The road is washed out at the bottom of the trail

nothing more. You there and you, move out!" ordered Captain Brodst.

Those he pointed to shrank back and his scowl deepened.

"Mount and ride out into the water," he ordered again, this time he pointed to two

palace guardsmen and made sure he had eye contact with them. "The trail must be

there. Find it and be quick about it!"

***

The chosen two entered the dreadful darkness of the lurking waters with reverent

care. Movements of their horses were slow and sluggish as the animals fought for

every step through the sticky goo of the mire.

They passed through layer upon layer of swirling gray. It seemed dark waters

stretched on endlessly before them with no hope of an end. Their mounts began to

sink deeper into the muck with each step. Soon the animals, having better sense than

the riders, refused to move further without constant coaxing and even then, they

became disquieted and whinnied their disapproval.

The chosen two respected the keen sense of their mounts. When the yearning for

a retreat out of the gloom became stronger than the urge to continue, they came to a

frustrated halt.

They puzzled

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