The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

SAFE

Sehira was finishing drinking from a stream of running water when she heard the leaves rustling behind her, and she rushed to pick her gun up, c*****g it in the direction of the sound.

-It's just me – Iktan said, stepping out of the grass with his arms raised in the air and making his way towards the creek as she put her weapon down – I am thirsty too, that's all.

She stood there watching as he leaned to drink from the crystalline liquid, wiping her mouth with her forearm.

-I am sorry – She muttered in a low voice – You startled me, that's all.

-Yeah, I know. You have been a little jumpy lately, haven't you? – The scrawny ex-priest chuckled, standing back up and reaching for her shoulder. The girl instantly recoiling at his move.

-Oh… - He mumbled, frowning a little and retreating his hand – Forgive me, I did not mean to frighten you…

-You didn't – Sehira sighed out sadly, taking another step back – I just don't like being touched.

They remained standing in silence, facing each other for a moment, before she broke her eye contact and sat down near the water stream, her sight fixed ahead.

She felt him sit beside her a minute later, with his fingers fidgeting nervously at the edge of her sight before he cleared his throat awkwardly and began timidly talking.

-Listen, I know that you were hurt, and I am deeply sorry, because I never did a thing to stop it… I should have, and instead I let it happen before my very own eyes.

-Don't blame yourself, Iktan. It was not your fault. You couldn't have done anything about it. You would have just gotten yourself killed – She replied, giving him a half smile – Besides, I did what I had to do. I am not a helpless child. I chose to play my part. It was the only way to free our land.

-I am aware of that – The former priest spoke tiredly, tentatively directing his finger towards her cheek and pausing a few inches away from it – But I can see the cost was high. It pains me greatly to realize you feel unsafe around me.

-It is not personal – Sehira shook her head, exhaling out loudly – You are still a man, and I don't feel safe around any of your kind.

-Well, for what it is worth, I am an incomplete man – Iktan whispered bitterly, pursing his lips and averting his sight – There is no need to feel that way with someone like me.

He stood up and grabbed his weapon, then started dejectedly walking back to the campsite, his steps pausing a short distance away.

-Anyway, the King wants to see us – Iktan called out before resuming his pacing – So… maybe you would want to hurry up.

The ruler sat in the middle of the large tent, flanked by Zhengo, the stolid, bald warrior with a braided beard and a ringed septum that was his captain in charge. As well as his first lieutenant, the intimidating statue that everyone referred to as Mandhiel The Ape.

Mandhiel took a quiet glance at Sehira as she entered the place, followed by Iktan, Yoe and Dabe. His face full of scars grimacing with contempt at the sight of the young girl and her crew.

-King Ishtun – She greeted him, bowing briefly, while holding her firearm in her right hand – You wanted to see us?

The young monarch nodded and turned his attention to his captain, gesturing for him to speak.

-We were told by the Yahurian that you were both held prisoners in Lowland's gate by the invaders´ leader – The warrior spoke gravely, his gaze traveling from Iktan to Sehira – So you know what he looks like, don't you?

-We do – Sehira agreed – We know exactly who that monster is… And what he can do.

-Good! – Ishtun intervened, taking the lead in the conversation – Then you would be of use. We need you to take your men and go ahead to Mavaer. You will be moving a lot faster than our full infantry can.

-We have intel that indicates the outsiders will soon be resuming their expedition – Zhengo explained – So, we want you to take a couple of horses and ride them to the city. Scout the premises and let us know if Njál and his full army are still there or if they have already marched to Midland's gate.

-Fine. How do we do that? – Iktan asked, tugging at his clothes, rapidly making calculations – I assume we would be able to get there at least half a day before you do. Do you want us to ride back to meet you and brief you about our findings? Or…

-No – Ishtun interrupted him – I need you to stay near the city limits. We don't have room for error. We are going to be requiring real-time updates of their whereabouts. We are striking either way, but our strategy is meant to be entirely different for each possible situation.

-There is a hill east of the city, with an advantageous view of Mavaer – Mandhiel spoke, his rough voice disrupting the calmness – It is called Skullan Mount. Once you know whether the troops are still in place or not, climb to the top and keep watch. If Njál is still there with his entire army by dawn, light a fire and cast some smoke. We should be able to spot it. Let it burn for a few minutes, then put it out and hide.

-What if he had already marched to Midland's gate? – Sehira questioned him.

-Then you don't light any fire, and we will know the city is undermanned – The monarch chimed in.

-How would we know if you are already around spotting our signals or not? – She inquired again, biting her lip.

-You won't – Zhengo nodded at her – So you must stay up there and keep signaling every morning until you see our troops marching towards the city.

-And what do we do if they happen to be leaving at just that moment? – Dabe interjected with genuine curiosity – It could happen, and you might prefer to avoid running into them if they are already on their way out.

The monarch frowned and scratched the sparse hair covering his chin pensively for a moment, before finally replying.

- Well, if that is the case, light the fire, keep it going for a moment, put it out… And then immediately light it up again. We will make sure to wait for this before we make our move.

-Understood – Sehira agreed – Then I believe we must leave immediately if there aren't any further instructions.

-You must – Ishtun sighed, extending his hand at her – And thank you. Now, be careful and don't get caught. We depend on you for our success.

With that, Sehira´s squad bowed to the Mavaerian men and went out onto the field. One of Ishtun´s lieutenants was already waiting outside the tent with two readied horses. Dabe and Yoe swiftly hopped onto one while Iktan mounted the other and helped Sehira up.

They carried only the essential supplies to ensure their survival out in the woods. So, they were counting on having already covered a fair distance by the time the sun went down that evening.

The four members of the scouting group progressed in silence, all of them immersed in their own thoughts as their beasts paced steadily through the rough terrain.

Iktan´s back felt sore after a full day of their journey. His muscles were unable to stop tensing at the feeling of Sehira´s arms around his torso as they rode.

His mind finding it difficult to keep focus on the landscape as the girl held tightly to him and made him wonder if she was uncomfortable or if she felt unsafe traveling like that. It was the least he wanted her to feel.

He had thanked the gods with relief when they finally stopped and started getting ready to rest, Yoe and Dabe lighting a fire and beginning to prepare their meal.

-You look worried – The girl commented as she passed beside him, carrying a pile of bark towards the fire-pit.

-I am just thinking about the mission, that is all – He lied to her and forced himself to keep collecting twigs.