The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

SIGNS

-Well… It seems like they got the Commander's message – Sehira observed as the four of them admired the view of Mavaer city from a prudent distance – They were so cocky back at Lowland's gate that they didn't even bother to guard its gates… Look at them now.

-Fear is a powerful thing – Iktan sighed, placing a hand over his forehead to shield his eyes from the radiant sun – Njál must be sulking in his own insecurities now that he found out that he is not getting a free passage through our lands at all.

-So, what do we do now? – Yoe asked, looking down at the silent city – How do we find out if he is still there with his entire army?

-We search for a weak spot – Sehira replied, taking a deep breath – Then we wait for the night to come and take a closer peek.

They had arrived just after noon and positioned themselves at a vantage point at the top of Skullan Mount where they could observe the entire city without being bothered. But at that distance they could not be sure whether the place was swarming with enemies or just being guarded by a small crew, so they would have to go down there and see it for themselves.

On the bright side, they had been moving at a pretty fast pace. So, according to Iktan´s calculations, they should be at least a full day ahead of Ishutn´s army. That gave them enough time to properly scout the terrain and get a good insight into what was really going on inside those walls.

They had remained waiting for the sunset and scanning the surroundings, trying to find a way in. Dabe had noticed a vulnerable spot at the back of the city that was patrolled only once every half an hour, which gave them a good window of opportunity to climb the wall and sneak in.

Yoe and Dabe were fairly athletic for being humble tradesmen, they were in good shape and jugging over the wall shouldn't be that much of a challenge for them. Iktan and Sehira, on the other hand, had agreed to act as surveillance and cover them as much as possible once they were inside.

They had found a large enough tree, which they had used to climb up and perched themselves on the top branches, silently scoping the area as the two men hurriedly ran towards the unmanned part of the wall and started going up the rope that they had just anchored to it.

It took a few minutes for Sehira to spot their figures on the peak of it as they began their careful descent. Both of them moving stealthily and soon reaching the other side. The girl letting out a relieved exhale.

-Okay, they are in – She whispered to Iktan, who was seated a few feet away on a wide branch -Keep an eye on them, I am going to look for possible obstacles ahead.

As soon as they laid a foot inside Mavaer´s grounds it was clear to Dabe and Yoe that the place was packed with soldiers, the noises of them training and laughing in the distance alerting their ears. But they had to make sure and get a clear idea of how many they were. So, they pressed forward, keeping themselves unseen and carefully pacing towards the palace with the aid of the surrounding shadows.

-There is a small group coming their way – Sehira announced, aiming at the approaching soldiers as she bit her lip – If they fail to hear them first, we will have to start shooting rounds.

-Wait – Iktan advised her – If we do that, we might end up bringing more trouble upon them. Let us see how they do first.

-Fine – She replied, holding her breath and silently watching the scene unfold as the unassuming warriors seemed to be chattering animatedly, nearing the pair of incoming men. Her finger hovering over the trigger as she braced herself to fire.

-They heard them – Iktan announced, calling for her attention – Look! It is fine, they have already hidden.

She sighed, looking worriedly down at the small crowd of men passing mere inches away from the dark place where the tradesmen hid, and then kept walking away. A few excruciating moments elapsing before they went on the move again and started approaching the palace. Her lungs barely collapsing the moment her eyes caught the familiar sight of the man standing at the entrance of it.

-He is here – She mouthed, feeling every hair on her body stand, her gun aimed at the hateful figure and ready to shoot – They all are.

-Stop! – Iktan whispered-yelled at her – I know what you are trying to do! We can't do this, not now!

-Why not? – Sehira replied, stubbornly keeping her firearm pointed at the disgusting tyrant – I have a clear shot! I can take him down!

-If you do that, you'll give us away – He reasoned, his arm instinctively darting at her, even if she was out of his reach – Are you seriously willing to sign their death warrant? Because that is what is going to happen if you pull that trigger.

-I just want him dead! – She whimpered, her finger still in position, a steady stream of tears beginning to cloud her vision.

-Trust me, I want him dead too, all of them! – Iktan responded, his hand still extended towards her in plea – But this is not about us… You cannot be so selfish, we must follow our orders, and we need to stick to the plan. The last thing we need now is to put them on alert before our troops can even get here.

-I know that! – Sehira sobbed bitterly, finally looking away from her target and wiping her tears – But why does it have to be so goddamn hard?

-It is how life is… Hard – He mumbled, letting out a strained exhalation – There will be other chances, I promise. But for now, we stand down.

Waiting for Yoe and Dabe to climb back and return safely had been overwhelming. But they had managed to escape unscathed and with a pretty good idea of what they were dealing with. Most of Njál´s troops were still in the city, but they seemed to be preparing to leave soon.

-The question here is when – Iktan had mumbled distractedly that night as they shared a scarce meal at the peak of Skullan Mount.

-No – Dabe retorted – The question is whether Ishtun´s men would even stand a chance if they are faced with this quantity of warriors. They outnumber us! We are clearly at a huge disadvantage right now, and you know that.

-Let's not jump into conclusions yet… - Sehira voiced out in a severe tone from the spot where she'd been sitting all night, silently watching down at Mavaer – Let us see how this plays out first.

The next morning, Yoe had overseen the lighting of the fire and let it burn generously before swiftly putting it out. The message was clear: The enemy was in the house.

They had then hidden until they were absolutely sure that they hadn't been discovered by Njál´s men and waited for the battle to start. But nothing had happened that day. So, that only meant Ishtun´s army had not yet been near the city outskirts to spot their signs.

-They should be here by tonight at most – Iktun presaged confidently, nodding at them with a serious look on his face – Tomorrow we fight.

The sun was rising and Sehira kept her eyes fixed on the city gates as Yoe had finished putting the fire out that morning when she saw it. The undeniable turmoil stirring inside the walls… And she just knew it. A harsh laughter erupting from her at the irony of such a taunting timing.

As much as she hated it, and no matter how badly she wanted it to be over, she was aware that sacrifices should be made if they were going to give King Ishtun a real chance of winning his land back.

-Yoe! – She called out loudly, forcing her tears away – Light that damn fire up again immediately and keep it burning! That piece of s**t is marching north, and we are going to let him do it.