Part 32 (1/2)

I can't see anything from in here, Otoku complained.

Will that stop you from hearing the wind?

It will stop me from seeing the light of the sun. We don't get that chance often, you know.

I'll walk you as soon as I get a chance, Simon said, finally straightening and taking a look around. The bulk of the Damascan army stretched out behind him, though there was a little roped-off section here for Naraka Travelers to enter and exit. In front of him, the gleaming city of Enosh actually made quite a nice view.

Otoku huffed. Do you think I'm a dog?

”Come on, Simon,” Indirial called, after he exited the Gate. ”Follow me. We need to report in.”

Simon followed Denner and Indirial. Denner had met them in the House and returned with them to Cana, where they had picked up a Naraka Traveler in the palace and*according to orders delivered by Indirial*reported to the a.s.sault force.

Apparently, Damasca's preparations had finally ended. It was time for them to attack Enosh.

For the Valinhall Travelers, it was time to face the Wanderer once again.

The a.s.sault force, Simon couldn't help but noticing, was enormous. His view of Enosh was somewhat skewed by perspective, but it seemed like the army King Zakareth had arrayed against his enemies would be enough to swamp the city.

Rows of white tents drowned the rocks and plains south of Enosh, stretching far enough for Simon to wonder if the back of the army reached all the way to Myria.

He would have expected the thought of Myria to inspire homesickness in him, but to his surprise he felt nothing of the kind. There was nothing there for him anymore.

It was an uncomfortable realization.

Here and there among the white tents, an otherworldly shape broke the monotony: a towering blue-leafed tree with mists flowing across its roots, for example, or a jagged crystalline rock formation that gleamed in the sun. Those, Simon a.s.sumed, marked the Damascan Travelers.

The rows of tents were patrolled not just by groups of soldiers, but also by golems: animated creatures of rock and metal with gems embedded in their heads. They took all sorts of forms, from giant animals to striding warriors to rough-cut, barely humanoid figures.

Not long ago, Simon had fought some of those creatures, and he could attest that they were exactly as tough as one would expect from beings made entirely of living stone. He could almost pity the people of Enosh.

Except it was their idea to release the Incarnations, which would make mere stone golems look like paper dolls. So maybe they deserved it.

Simon wasn't sure. He had resolved to leave himself out of the fighting; he would engage in combat against summoned creatures or Incarnations, that was it. He had no desire to spill any more human blood.

When he had told Indirial that, the Overlord had simply clapped him on the back and told him, ”Good luck.” He sounded as if he really meant it, but his smile was sad.

Simon wasn't sure what to make of that.

After what seemed like an hour of marching through the camp, Simon and the other Valinhall Travelers reached a crimson tent made of enough fabric to cover every home in Myria. The Damascan flag flew from the tent's every peak, making the air above snap and rustle.

A word from Indirial put the guards at ease, so Simon and Denner were allowed inside. The guards made a point of staring Simon down, which he ignored.

Not long ago, that sort of posturing would have irritated Simon. Now it seemed petty.

Leah sat at a desk in the center of the tent, wearing an intricate dress of gold, black, and crimson. Officers, messengers, and Travelers swarmed around her in a cloud, presenting her with pet.i.tions and receiving orders either written or verbal. She spoke constantly, her blue eyes moving from one person to another as she addressed each problem in turn.

As Simon walked over, he saw Leah pull a crystal ball out of nowhere and gaze into it while light flickered in its depths. After a moment, she spoke, and several people went running.

Indirial finally reached Leah's side and bowed, as did Denner.

Awkwardly, Simon followed suit. He considered just standing there without moving*he had never been forced to bow to Leah before*but there were too many people around. It wouldn't be worth the fuss.

Leah inclined her head graciously and the other two straightened, so Simon mimicked them.

”Valinhall Travelers looking for a.s.signment, Heiress,” Indirial said.

”That's true for the other two, Overlord, but you're needed in command,” Leah corrected him. Without taking her eyes from Indirial, she scratched a signature on a piece of paper and handed it out to the side. A servant s.n.a.t.c.hed it away and hurried off, presumably to deliver it.

”Your pardon, Heiress, but I had thought*”

Leah sighed and rubbed her head. ”Stop speaking that way, Indirial. You don't have to.”

Indirial grinned. ”Well, it's been too long since I've seen you all regal and commanding. I thought you might want the support.”

”Not from you.”

”All right, then. I think I would be more use on the front lines. My men know their business*there's nothing I could contribute in a command tent that I couldn't do on the front lines. Honestly, it would probably be good for morale to see me fighting for them.”

”What if the Incarnation shows up?” Leah asked.

”So much the better,” Indirial responded. ”I'm ready for another shot at him.”

No, he's not, Otoku said. Inside, he still looks like a waterskin full of sausage meat. It will take him weeks more before he's healed, even with the pool.

Simon stepped forward. ”He's not ready,” Simon told Leah. ”He's still injured from his last battle.”

He didn't look at Indirial, but Leah did, raising an eyebrow.

”No one ever goes into battle without a few wounds, Leah,” Indirial said reasonably.

”Don't patronize me,” Leah said. ”a.s.sume command of your men. I need another Overlord behind me anyway.”

Indirial shot Simon a frustrated look, but he bowed to Leah and marched away.

”That man is almost as old as my father,” Leah said wearily, ”but you'd never know it. Anyway, I have an a.s.signment for you two.”

She snapped her fingers off to the side and a boy in a messenger's uniform hurried up, bowing before her.

”Tell my brother I need to see him,” Leah commanded, and the messenger ran off. She never so much as looked him in the eye.

Was this who she had always been? Simon had seen her give commands before, but she had never been so...dismissive.

Leah saw his look and gave him a casual grin that reminded him of the old Leah, back in the village. Not that she had grinned much then either, now that he thought about it.

”Does it surprise you, seeing me do my job?” Leah asked.