The Land Below our Feet III (Legacy)

APPREHENSION

The wet sand felt distinctively chilly against Souna´s bare toes as she stood staring blankly at the orange waves while the sun set over the ocean.

The bright glare that reflected from the swaying waters blinded her momentarily, and she instinctively squinted. Her right palm shielding her eyes to help them focus when a sudden and unusual movement in the distance caught her interest.

A horrified scream forming in her throat as the blurry object approached at an incredibly fast pace while she slowly began to make sense of what she was looking at, and she saw the enormous sea serpent dart violently towards her face.

The sound of her own yelling voice yanking her back to reality and waking her up as she sat up in bed, completely covered in a sticky sweat. A shiver running down her spine as she difficultly gulped down and tried to soothe her raw vocal cords a bit.

The dire apprehension that the last unsettling echoes of her night terror made her feel quickly being replaced by the sight of the morning light seeping through the window and the realization that the opposite side of the bed was empty and cold.

-s**t! – She murmured to herself while she began hurriedly putting her garments on and stumbled in circles around the room.

The grounds were swarming with a multitude of diverse colored bearings as every realm prepared to depart.

Ussiariah had his back turned towards her when she reached the courtyard, but the distinct sound of his powerful voice clearly reached her ears as she approached him from behind.

- Make sure to keep the surveillance on them just in case they get another stupid idea, Greghan – The warrior sternly ordered the captain that stood in front of him.

-Yes, Sir, I will – The soldier responded, obediently nodding at him – Yet I wouldn’t be too worried about those two. We’ve been informed that most of their former members have disowned them.

-Even so, the last thing we need is them gaining new adepts while we’re away – Ussi gravely retorted, shaking his head purposefully at him – Just keep a close eye on them and make sure that they behave.

-So, it is true then – Souna overheard a foreign voice proclaim in a condemnatory tone – Everyone is leaving Lowland’s gate, including yourself!

- King Ghroghl… Good day – Ussiariah sighed with a slight hint of annoyance under his cordial greeting – I trust you slept well.

-I certainly didn’t – The blond man boldly replied – How do you expect me to rest when you are leaving this land unprotected?

-Ah, but on the contrary – The warrior politely smirked, tilting his head to the side – You see, protecting our land is the main reason why we are doing this.

-Is it? – The monarch inquired with mistrust – Do you really think that after the s**t-show these people just went through, abandoning your main border and precipitating to defend the other from a still unconfirmed menace is the wisest way to proceed?

-Nobody is abandoning anything – Ussi chuckled carelessly – The Crimson Guard is staying right where it is.

-But you aren’t – The ruler muttered. Turning towards Souna and briefly acknowledging her newly arrived presence – And neither is the Queen! With the two of you gone, I fear that your coasts will be critically vulnerable to outsider attacks!

-So, why don’t you stay and guard them yourself then? – Souna sarcastically suggested, taking a step beside her husband – If you don’t trust the way we are handling things, you are most welcome to step in and help! You know? You could be on the defending side for a change… How would you like that?

-Well… Actually, that is not such an absurd idea as you might initially believe – The Argantean pondered, pensively scratching his chin with an arched brow.

-Oh, that will not be necessary, sweetheart – Ussiariah crisply intervened. Side glancing at Souna with narrowed eyes and surrounding her shoulder with one arm – We have it all covered, and I’m sure that King Ghroghl won’t want to leave his realm unattended for much longer anyway.

-As I’ve already said before, my entire realm’s existence depends on your welfare – Ghroghl emphatically announced with a glacial smile – There’s no point in returning to Argant if anxiety is going to be eating me up inside. So, it seems like staying here for a little longer is the best alternative for my peace of mind.

- And why are you suddenly so anxious? – Ussiariah inquired with piqued interest and a piercing stare – I get your desire to protect your investment, but I honestly find your concerns a little too excessive…

He paused. Taking a deliberate step forward and inching towards the blond monarch’s face.

So, what is it that you’re not telling us, Ghroghl? – The consummate warrior murmured, leaning into the young man’s ear – And don’t bother denying it, I can sense your fear.

-They’re just rumors – The ruler grunted after a hesitant second – There’s nothing concrete, only what my sailors have heard on their trips. But it seems to have gotten increasingly frequent lately, and I worry that the menace will come precisely while you are not here.

Taking a deep breath, the Argantean bit his lip and reluctantly carried on with his explanation.

-You see, our side of the globe is not particularly fertile, as you already know – The young king continued saying – So it’s no surprise that our neighboring nations have gotten a little jealous of our prosperity.

-And they too want a piece, I guess – Souna inferred in an annoyed tone – But that’s nothing new.

-Oh no, not the Tainshans – Ghroghl scoffed – They don't want a piece, they want it all, Your Grace. Trust me, they are not interested in cutting a deal.

-How are you so sure? – Ussi asked, intrigued – I remember my father told me about the Tainshans once, and he made them sound pretty civil, at least compared to Argant.

-Careful, Commander – The young ruler muttered – Remember your origins before slandering them… It is easy to judge from the privilege of a bountiful existence. But for those of us who weren’t so lucky, raiding was our only means to survive.

-There is always another way – The warrior strongly disagreed – As you have attested it yourself.

-Maybe, but it’s hard to see that when you are desperate to feed your own – Ghroghl shrugged off with a sad look in his eyes – And I also speak from experience when I say that.

The blond man sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, and giving him a sad look paired with a knowing nod.

-You are right – He sharply exhaled – Tainsh used to be a prosperous and mostly peaceful community, as their soil was the most prolific one among our islands, but that changed drastically around a decade ago when a volcano erupted and turned their fields into badlands… They’ve since resorted to raiding out of desperation, and the brutality of their pillage has only escalated throughout the years.

-So, the precariousness of their situation has turned them into beasts – Souna mumbled, with a pensive tilt of the head.

-Pretty much, yeah – The Argantean casually said – That’s what hunger does to some… And I wouldn’t be so concerned if I hadn’t talked to King Ulgiak myself. We crossed paths a couple of years ago, and I offered to put in a good word for him when I saw you, but he was not interested at all.

-He wants blood then – Ussi resolutely breathed out, crossing his enormous arms over his hard pectorals – Let him try.

-He wants a home, as his has turned into a barren landscape – The foreigner explained – He yearns for a place to call his own, and he is willing to take one by force. That is certainly against my interests. So, if you don’t mind, I would rather keep an eye on these shores while you are gone.

-You said that he has been wanting to attack us for years now – Souna pointed out – So, what has kept him from doing it yet?

-Well… For obvious reasons, we have kept your exact location a secret for as long as we possibly could – Ghroghl earnestly informed her – But the general notion of your whereabouts has always been in the public domain... And they say he has been plying these elusive waters for years, so it’s just a matter of time.

-Hmmm…. Basically, they haven’t come because they haven’t found us yet – Ussiariah concluded, pensively shaking his head.

-Yeah, but there are rumors that he has recently come across an ancient map – The Argantean nervously whispered – And if that is true, then they will waste no time sailing here at last.

-Fine, you’re staying – Ussi condoned, nodding at his Captain – Greghan will see that you get everything you need.

-Great! – The monarch smiled for a second before returning to his serious stance – Now, if you don’t mind, I would also like to send a unit of my men up north with you guys.

-To keep an eye on us? – Souna huffed sardonically at him – I assure you that there is no need for that.

-To give you a hand – The monarch politely replied, waving his arm and beginning to walk away from them – After all, it is in my best interest that both of your frontiers are kept defended as best as we can.

-Don’t look at me – Ussi muttered once the ruler had distanced himself enough, and he acknowledged his wife’s uncertain eyes staring at him – You were the one who gave him access, so, live with it.

-I know, and that’s because I just had the worst nightmare, Ussi… You know what that means – She winced – I felt like this was the right thing to do at the moment. I hope I’m not wrong.... Which reminds me, why wouldn’t you wake me up?

-Because I was hoping that you had changed your mind and decided to stay put for once – He jokingly said, pecking her temple.

-Ha, ha, ha, very funny, Commander – Souna chuckled – I would never do that. I’m going wherever you go, and you should already be used to it by now. So, let’s get moving, we have a long way to Bhertang´s coast.

-Oh, we do – Histya´s salacious voice agreed, and they turned to find her standing behind them along with the Mavaerian King and his queen – And something tells me this is going to be one hell of a trip.