Book 5 - Chapter 24 - Specter of the South (1/2)

Everyone was stunned by the sudden and unexpected turn of events.

Before today, average wastelanders saw mutants like Rhino as the peak killers of the wastes! He’d been nearly superhuman, with skin like iron and fists of steel. Anywhere he went Rhino would be top of the food chain.

What did they learn? Red Scorpion’s godslayer could take out a man like Rhino in only a few moves. The sort of power the godslayer called went beyond was these simple folk could grasp. A powerhouse qualified to do as he pleased anywhere in the wastes. And yet… this stranger with Sand Viper, who looked hardly strong enough to lift a sword, killed the godslayer with hardly any effort at all.

Was he even human? With that sort of capability, what was he doing playing second fiddle to Sandspire’s Governor?

In truth, it was Sand Viper who was most shocked of all. He was very familiar with how strong the godslayer had been. While perhaps not as strong as a veteran demonhunter, he was certainly comparable to a typical Elysian demonhunter. When it was revealed that Red Scorpion had a man like that with him, the Governor was sure his people would be eliminated. The outlaw’s dreams were in his grasp, starting with the murder of Sand Viper. But it was snatched away.

Cloudhawk stepped forward with a placid expression on his face.

Red Scorpion and the others took a nervous step backward.

They were afraid. How could they not be? Even the savage sweepers weren’t mad enough to fight a man like him. This almost frail-looking stranger commanded a power wastelanders couldn’t even comprehend. His presence took control of this situation firmly out of their grip.

“That’s all you brought...”

Red Scorpion’s face was a mask of rage and fear. “You… you stare all you want! I’ll tell my master what I saw here. Next time you and everyone else will die! Sandspire will be razed to the ground!”

They were just words, the final taunts of a man who knew there was nothing left to do. Red Scorpion didn’t imagine he could get away, not from a man like this. But when Cloudhawk gave his response the words surprised him.

“Alright. I’ll let you go – I want to see what sort of power is hiding behind you.”

Everyone gaped at him. What?! Let him go? What a stupid thing to do! Everyone – even Red Scorpion himself – couldn’t believe their ears.

“Make you sure also tell whoever is pulling your strings, that the troublemakers they sent to Greenland have also been dealt with. Our accounts have yet to be settled. Tell whoever they are to remember. Remember that from now on Sandspire is part of Greenland territory. And if any of you are seen around here again, I will personally make sure you never have the chance to leave again.”

Sand Viper’s face was white as a sheet. Cloudhawk was dragging his city into the mire with him. It was a bold-face provocation of the southern powers!

“Change is coming. Let’s see how long you last.”

Red Scorpion spat the threat, glaring daggers at Cloudhawk. Its impact was lessened when he fled with his people in disgrace.

Sand Viper and his people watched them go. The Governor was displeased with the result. Why not just kill the man?

“He’s a small fish. We can’t learn anything even if we grabbed and tortured him. Killing him wouldn’t make any difference either. “Cloudhawk explained his reasoning, then continued after a brief pause. “So better to give him some use. Make him bait, maybe we can snag a bigger fish.”

“But-”

“You disagree.”

Sand Viper looked into Cloudhawk’s bandaged face. While his own expression remained calm, inwardly he was stricken with fear. If Cloudhawk wanted to kill him, no one would be able to stand in his way.

“I – I wouldn’t dare. I don’t even know what your role in Greenland is.”

“That’s on me. I failed to mention. I am its Governor.”

Governor? This unassuming, humble-looking man was Greenland’s Governor? His doubts were allayed when they returned to Sandspire and found the old man from before. In addition, he’d brought with him a beautiful and erudite woman.

The old man he had personal experience with, but the woman was also well known. Hellflower was a famed wandering Seeker in the South.

She’d stayed in Sandspire for a while, about ten years ago. In that short time she established herself as one of their preeminent scientists. He was surprised to learn that now she spent her days in Greenland City. Judging by the way the old man and Hellflower treated Cloudhawk, his claim of being the city’s Governor were proven true.

This did not put Sand Viper’s mind at ease. Whether it was Cloudhawk, Hellflower, or the old man, none of them were to be discounted. Their presence in the south did not portend smooth days ahead. Highlighting that was the increase in representatives from mysterious powers to the south.

Why were the barren, isolated southern wilds suddenly the focus of these antics? Sand Viper couldn’t even begin to guess was tragedies loomed on the horizon, but one thing was for certain. Red Scorpion was right – things were changing.

The old drunk piped up with great interest after Cloudhawk explained the situation. “What sort of place are we dealing with down there? I don’t even know, Skycloud has no intelligence on the area.”

Cloudhawk turned his attention to Hellflower. “What do you think?”

“Hey, I’m just a scientist.” She rolled her eyes at him. “I ran with Wolfblade and Abaddon, but their secrets are their own.”

“Is that so?” Cloudhawk was ever more suspicions of Hellflower’s words.