Storm God, chapter nine
The Ruins of Tenebris
“…Thus the Skithiar won free of the fences of Sko, and sailing through the Emptiness, made for distant Tenebris. For five loops of the sun, the spheres of the heavens danced their eternal spiral dance, and all aboard gazed upon the evershifting veil of stars in wonder, for none had passed this way for many an untold age…”
-The Elder Zorath, The Book of the First Time
The Skithiar sailed through the Emptiness for nearly five loops of the sun before it was drawn into Tenebris' orbit. Darkness hung heavy over the colossal sphere. Its atmosphere clung to it like a haze, streaked with purple clouds, and bone white coastlines snaked across its surface, dividing black rocky continents from churning, crimson oceans.
“Where should I land?” Zera called from the helm.
Vorn studied Tenebris from the prow. Where indeed? Then heat pulsed in his forehead and something drew his attention.
“Do you see that white circle near the equator?” He called back, pointing.
“Yeah.”
“I think that’s a city. We should land there.”
“Is that a good idea? If this place is aligned with Tarneb, the inhabitants might not appreciate our presence.”
“Maybe not. But vantarite is rare, even here. A major city is the best place to start looking.”
Zera nodded, taking the ship down into Tenebris’ atmosphere. For the first time, Vorn felt something stirring within the piece of Sko that was bound to the ship. It pushed against the air outside, unwilling to mix itself.
The Skithiar strayed close to a wisp of purple cloud and the piece of Sko lashed out against it, straining against the binding.
Vorn muttered a word of power, reining it in. It struggled against him.
“Keep us away from the clouds,” he called to Zera.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Vorn and Sko contested wills for a moment, then they dropped below the clouds and the shell of atmosphere stilled.
The city below them was built entirely from the white coastal rock. A circular wall enclosed it, and wide promenades ran between its squat, flat-roofed buildings. In the city’s center sat a circular castle built of five concentric ringed walls, each taller than the last, with steeple roofed halls running between them and a great spire in the middle.
As they drew closer, it became clear that the city was a ruin; the masonry was cracked and crumbling, and rubble lined the streets.
Zera brought the Skithiar to land on its outskirts, just beyond the yawning stone archway which was its southernmost gate.
Nothing stirred within, nor on the dark plain without.
Thalsi gave Vorn a questioning look as they made their preparations to disembark.
“Yes, it could be a trap. I’m not sure though.” He looked over the weathered stonework of the walls. “It doesn’t look like anyone’s been here for sometime. It might simply be abandoned.”
She cocked an eyebrow.
“I know. But I’d still like to have a look around.”
Then Vorn turned to the line of Lowlanders standing to attention with spears in their hands.
“We’re with you, Stormtamer,” Kaberim said.
Vorn nodded. “Thank you, your loyalty is appreciated. We don’t know what we will find here, but whatever happens. Stay close and watch each other’s backs.”
“Stormtamer!” the Lowlanders said as one, saluting.
Vorn nodded again. Then he, Thalsi, and Zera led the way down the gangplank and into the city.
Ariana, her attendants, and Zera’s crew remained behind.
As they advanced into the city, they glimpsed tiny rat-like humanoids, scattering to hide amongst the rubble. Then everything fell still.
Vorn and Zera went at the head of the company, with the column of Lowlanders behind. Thalsi brought up the rear, with her hooked spear ready. An uneasy silence descended over them.
They came to a plaza with a great mound of debris at one end and what might once have been a statue standing in its centre, although now it was so weathered as to be unrecognisable.
“What manner of people would’ve lived here?” Vorn asked as they crossed the plaza.
“Who can say?” Zera answered. “I’ve heard mortals of various kinds inhabit many of the Outer Worlds. Perhaps they lived here as well?”
“What happened to them?” Kaberim asked in a wavering voice.
“The turning of the ages sweeps us all away in time,” Vorn said to a pulsing of warmth in his forehead.
As they neared the mound, something moved.
The company froze. Waiting. Watching.
Vorn raised a hand, gesturing for the others to remain in place, then he shuffled forward, axe raised. Thalsi advanced with him.
They went forward several paces and a vaguely human figure emerged, with his head bowed and his hands raised in supplication. He was thin and aged, with a long grey beard bound into a single braid and skin coated with dark, iridescent scales. He stood shorter than Vorn and his kin, yet taller than the humans, and was clad in a robe woven from faded black and silver thread. An amulet in the likeness of a coiling dragon hung from his neck, carved from what could only have been vantarite for it was so black it almost seemed a void in reality.
“Hello, friends,” he said softly, looking up at them. His purple eyes had vertical reptilian pupils. A shiver passed through Vorn’s spine as memories of Tarneb came unbidden to his mind.
Zera stepped up beside them and the Lowlanders formed up behind.
“Please, my friends,” the man said, eyeing their raised weapons. “You have no need for those. I mean you no harm.”
“Who are you?” Vorn asked.
He hesitated for a moment, staring off as if lost in thought. “Zermayix,” he said at last. “That was once my name, although I’ve not heard it said for a long time. Once my people were prosperous and my sires ruled over them as great kings. But…” He shook his head. “That was long ago… long, long ago. Now there are few of us left and I’m little more than a humble old man.” He blinked. “But where are my manners? You’ll have to forgive me. It has been too long since I last received guests. Please.” He gestured towards the crumbling castle at the city’s centre. “Come to my home and I’ll do what I can to make you welcome.”
“Actually, we’re here looking for something,” Zera said.
“Oh?”
“Vantarite,” she said, nodding to his amulet. “Do you know where we can find some?”
He smiled. “Yes, of course. Come and eat. I’ll make all the arrangements for you.”
Vorn gave Zera a questioning glance. This seemed too good to be true. Zermayix had a strange feeling about him. Zera shrugged. “Seems harmless enough,” she whispered.
“Very well,” Vorn said. “But we are in need of haste. How long will it take you to find the vantarite for us?”
“We can discuss everything around the feasting table.”
Vorn nodded. “Kaberim, send a runner back to the Skithiar, have them be ready to depart at a moment’s notice.”
“Right this way,” Zermayix said, bowing.
If you have any feedback regarding the story, either positive or negative, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m always looking to improve.
Thank you for your time and attention, I truly do appreciate it.
I'm curious to find out if Zermayix is playing coy because he wants warn them of something in secret, or he's luring them I to a trap.
I'm picking up some potential double agent energy for sure, haha.