Into the Deep Wood

Sudraj began three leagues south of the Midtrade City. As the second largest state, it spanned from the desert mountains on the southwestern side to the deep-rifted canyons on the eastern. Mostly comprised of dunes, mountains, and fairly arid regions, the source of life for Sudraj was a distributary of the Crimson River. Every one of the Seven Sister Cities was built along its banks.

The two came out of the Deep Wood more than ten leagues west.

Crossing the main road, they continued on through the wilderness, leading to the nearest White City. Since the war began it was the first to go. The residents of Sudraj grimly began calling it the Fallen City, its true name going unspoken in mourning.

Val had traveled to this part of the world before. They had ridden through these deserts when they escaped the city upon Aisultan’s death.

Here, Ivan had been at his best yet. He knew every trail, every hidden source of water, every patch of life where they could rest. They were only four days away from the Fallen City where they had come out of the woods - the path behind them almost immediately becoming overgrowth and dense woods again.

Ivan’s mood had been foul since the incident. He spoke little and even less about what had happened in the Deep Wood.

Val had become increasingly nervous that it had been too much for him. She knew only that, for the first time, she felt not only the creature she meant to - but all the creatures around. It had not been within her control, and once she did, it was almost as if she could not stop. It was a surge of everything around her seeing her, reaching for her, crying out to her at once.

She recalled the way the Hag spoke during the years that she was trapped in the Glade. Most of her deranged ramblings had been very casual about using ‘we,’ Now, Val began thinking that perhaps that had not been a coincidence.

When the Hag had called to her sisters, Val heard all the voices. All the Nothing-touched, all at once. What if the Hag, the ‘Mother’ as they called her, had been connected to them all the time? Always hearing their whispers, always mixing with her thoughts. No wonder the Hag had gone so completely mad.

Shuddering at the thought of it, Val could see the small, still-beating black heart in her hands. It was as if she had been in a trance. Everything around her was so dark. Just shapes. Just the Hag suspended in a web of gold and silver - Korschey’s display of dominance over the Nothing for the entire court to see—the macabre reminder of his power.

She remembered it so vividly. At first, biting down on it had some resistance. Then, as she broke through the outer membrane, her mouth filled with blood and forced her to gag. The smell was pungent and horrific, like that of a dead, wet animal. She remembered the way her body seemed to reject it. The way everything inside her screamed to rid itself of the poison. Everything, but a small voice at the very back of her head - whispering words she could not decipher as it faded away.

Then, black.

She did not feel ill upon waking up. In fact, she felt nothing at all. She had expected the repulsion and feeling of decay to linger in her for days, but, there was absolutely nothing. As if it had never happened at all. Were it not for the blood on her chin, she would have thought it to be the final of the visions and nothing more.

“Is that it?”

In the distance, the sun reflected off a thin strip of bright white.

“Yes.” Ivan nodded. “We won’t stop there. We have to avoid its walls. It is a city of only ghosts now, and Korschey keeps too close of an eye on his masterpiece. He expects Batyr to try and take it back.”

Val looked at it curiously as they passed. She could only see a handful of standing white towers, and make out something like a tall wall.

“We are less than a day from the Second Sister, Nashtuun.” He pointed in a vague direction to the south of them. “There, we will find a military outpost.”

Once they passed the Fallen City, Ivan led her to the Crimson River, where they could follow its currents. Despite his mood, the air had been charged with hope. They were so close. Nearly there. It had taken so long and had been such a turbulent journey.

She saw that his exterior had been harsh, but inside, she could see an almost child-like excitement. This was his land, his home. Beyond the White Cities was his family. His mother, father, and brother. He would get to see them again soon.

She felt his happiness radiate through her and could not help but smile. She had not felt this way as long as she could remember. When she had come home to her mother it had been different. It had been behind a veil of grief and the sense that she no longer belonged.

Here… there were olives. Here was… Ivan.

And, whether she wished to admit it or not, he had long since begun feeling like a future - like he had been a refuge –a constant among a raging winter storm.

A part of her even dared to think perhaps it was more than infatuation. But, the word would just not come.

But… with the way he’d been acting toward her, she was not sure that it mattered much. She was broken, Nothing-touched, and he was naive to it. But perhaps not after what happened in the Deep Wood.

When Nashtuun appeared in the distance all semblance of a bad mood had left Ivan, and their pace picked up. Far outside the walls, they were met with five men on horseback who took them inside the city.

It had been beautiful there, although fairly blinding with the white stone buildings, and Val had to shield her eyes as they walked through its streets.

They were taken to a barracks connected to what looked to be a large governmental compound. Val was left in a room with food and drink while Ivan disappeared with the soldiers.

She sat, bored, not daring to read her journal or take out Arachne. She could not do anything that would jeopardize how these people saw her. The way Ivan initially reacted when they met spoke volumes about the cultural view of the Nothing. Of her.

When Ivan returned, it was with a decorated man in a long, robe-like garment fastened with a belt and a leather strap across his chest. The high collar of it had several golden pins along both sides.

“Welcome, numisrah. We are glad to have you here. I am sure it has been a long way.” The man said. “You will rest today, and in the morning, we will take you to Barzah.”

“What did he call me?” She asked immediately after the man departed, and Ivan laughed.

“Sorry, not a whole lot of people speak Common here. It’s far more widely used in the capital.” He said. “Numisrah means ‘sister in god.’ It is a polite way to address a woman. Respectful.”

“Oh.” Val nodded thoughtfully. She had never been anywhere that Common was not a primary language.

Ivan fiddled with his fingers a moment then looked up at her with a certain purpose. He stood, and then knelt on one knee by her chair, taking her hands in his.

“I owe you an apology.” He said. “Valeria, I have not been kind to you.”

She could only look at him, her eyebrows slightly raised.

“What happened in the Deep Wood…” He started, visible discomfort in his eyes at the thought, “I was not prepared. I don’t think anyone could be prepared. It had been too much. I have seen war, and men died a gruesome death within my reach - and on my sword. But I could have never even thought…”

“What happened?” She asked.

“I’d rather not speak of it.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. Maybe one day.”

He kissed her hand and stood.

“We have to think of what to tell my commanders in Barzah.” He said. “Of you. Obviously, we cannot tell them everything… but they have to know that Korschey has bound the Daughters of the Nothing. I just don’t know how we can explain coming by this information.”

“The right people will listen.” She said. “We have come across many who knew more than us of the Nothing-touched. They will know what is possible. They will know that what we speak of is true.”

“And that you can… manipulate them?”

“The right people will listen.” She repeated with a smile.

“You have a lot of faith in men.” He smiled weakly. “Perhaps more than I. But, I trust you. I will get you in front of the right people, I promise.”

“Ivan,” she asked as if remembering, “do I also need to wait for you to introduce me here?”

“No,” his smile widened and gained a certain mirth to it, “Batyr might be a donkey’s ass, but the White Cities have always been free. Free to choose their ruler, free to conduct themselves as they will - down to every last person. You needn’t be afraid of that here.”

They got the best night’s rest in a long, long time. In the morning, they were placed with an escort of twenty men and set out for Barzah.

Val curiously examined the soldiers around them. They had not looked quite like she remembered from the Midtrade City. These men were rougher and more weathered. The bone structure of their faces was extreme, with ridges and curves. They carried weapons that had seen both use and utmost care.

It was a short trip. The sky had only begun to redden with the first of the evening when they arrived a the iron gates. Just like Nashtuun, Barzah was made almost entirely of white stone. It was very strange for Val, who spent her entire life among wooden houses, now seeing absolutely none.

When their guard stopped at the citadel, they were met outside by several lightly armored men. One, distinguished by his finer clothes, moved forward and shook Ivan’s hand.

“The scoutmaster returns.” He said, smiling.

“General Asim, All-Father, save you.” Ivan greeted him.

The General’s eyes went to Val, considered her with great interest, but he said nothing about her presence there.

“I got word of what happened. I was sorry to hear about your men.”

Val was looking at Ivan. Scoutmaster? His men?

“They were good men.” Ivan nodded, and she saw the uncomfortable tensing in his shoulders. “There are urgent things that have to be discussed, General Asim. I am eager to do so as soon as possible.”

The general nodded.

“The commander’s quarters have stood empty a while now. You’re welcome to them if you do not yet have accommodations.” He said.

“It is greatly appreciated.”

The General turned to leave but doubled back, his eyes on Val.

“Numisrah, I do not mean to offend, but in the interest of both the safety and sanity of the other men, you cannot stay in the barracks.” He told Val.

“General,” Ivan stepped in, “I have to insist that you hear what I have to say before sending her away.”

“Who is this woman to you, Ivan?” The general’s curiosity had obviously been stirred.

“Afraid I cannot speak of it outside these walls.” He nodded at the citadel. “Forgive my boldness.”

The General nodded.

“I fear the captains will be deep in their drink by now, but I will call for council.” He frowned, still. “Ivan, had I not the trust in you, this would have been a very different situation. I hope that you do not disappoint.”

He nodded to Val and went up the steps, followed by his men.

“What will you tell them?” Val whispered to him as they ascended the stairs.

“Trust me.” He said.