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Chapter 3. Job for mercenaries. Part 2.

After accepting a job, and gathering provisions, Lilith considered the path, which she could take to Devilium – town in Lucifer’s empire, where mercenaries were supposed to gather. Job only mentioned gathering of adventurers for the battle and specified meeting place in Lucifer’s empire town called Devilium. Lilith bought several maps, which described the route there. They could go by river and ocean route or by land. Going by land would mean passing forests and mountains, and was far more dangerous, but during her previous travels, Lilith had to spend a year on a ship, and now the whole idea of boarding another one, filled her with disgust. He chose to take a land route and, after gathering necessary provisions, decided to go by land.

They journeyed far since accepting the job. The vast grasslands stretched endlessly before them, a sea of gold waving in the breeze as they made their way towards Devilium.

The party rode on horseback under a clear blue sky, the sun beating down upon their backs with unrelenting force. Sweat dripped from brows and horses snorted in exhaustion, but still they pressed onwards, with grim determination, etched into every line of weary features.

As days turned into weeks, Lilith found herself pondering more frequently about true nature of task set before them. What could possibly lie beyond those looming mountains separating two warring kingdoms? The air grew colder and thinner as they approached higher elevations finally reaching foothills themselves, after long grueling climb. Here ancient paths crisscrossed one another amidst rocky outcroppings. They had to kill the horses, who could not pass the mountains, but it also allowed them to procure enough meat to get through mountains.

As they ventured deeper into the mountains, the terrain became increasingly treacherous. Jagged rocks and narrow paths made for a slow and difficult journey, testing the mettle of the creatures.

The air grew thin at these heights, making each breath an effort. The party had to stop frequently to rest and catch their breath, taking refuge in whatever small caverns or overhangs they could find.

Storm clouds gathered ominously above as days passed into weeks, without respite from harsh elements surrounding on all sides. Lilith pushed herself harder than ever before – driven by sense of purpose greater whole calling beyond mere survival now.

The mountain range seemed unending, labyrinth of twisted passages leading nowhere fast. But still they pressed onward, with Lilith forcing them to go on.

After ten days, they found a small clearing and stopped for a night rest. The night was cold and silent, broken only by the crackling of the campfire. Lilith sat vigil, her eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of danger. She was wrapping herself in her cloak. Lilith placed more branches inside a fire, to make it burn hotter. She could have ordered her slaves to keep watch, but, during her adventuring days, she got used to be one of the people who took her turn during night watch and decided not to change her habits. One of her men kept tossing and turning around, and she felt annoyance. It was Cian, the tuatha boy. He creamed and almost jumped up, but got wrapped inside his cloak and fell back.

Lilith looked at him. His forehead was sweaty and he was heavily breathing. She sighed and approached the boy. He looked scared and his look was unfocused.

Lilith approached him slowly, as she watched his nightmares play out behind closed eyelids. The tuatha boy looked so small and vulnerable like this – nothing like the fierce warrior he was during daylight hours.

– Cian, – Lilith murmured softly, kneeling beside him: – It’s okay. You’re safe.

Cian blinked up at Lilith, his eyes still clouded with the remnants of his nightmare. As he focused on her masked face, a flicker of recognition passed through his expression.

– Lilith? – he asked hesitantly, his voice rough from sleep and emotion: – What’s wrong? Why are you…?

He trailed off as realization dawned – this was no ordinary dream. He could feel the cold mountain air on his skin, smell the smoke from their campfire.

– I-I’m sorry, – Cian stammered, trying to sit up but still feeling disoriented.

– It was just a bad…a nightmare, – Lilith reached out and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder: – Ssh, – she soothed: – You’re safe now. No one will harm you here.

As Cian’s breathing evened out, Lilith leaned in closer, her masked face just inches from his.

– Tell me about your nightmare, – she murmured, voice low and soothing despite the coldness in her heart.

Cian hesitated for a moment, before beginning to speak, his eyes distant as he relived the memory.

– I was just a child…no more than five or six years old. My parents had taken me on an outing – we were exploring some ancient ruins outside our village, – he paused then swallowed hard before continuing: – We didn’t realize we’d ventured into monster lair, until it was too late. A monster attacked us…it… – Cian’s voice broke slightly, as he remembered the horror: – It killed my parents right in front of me, – he whispered, tears welling up anew behind closed eyelids: – My father tried to fight it off, but monster was too strong. I did not see it clearly, it was dark and monster was so fast. It all happened so fast. My mother shielded me with her body and they…they…

Lilith placed a gloved hand over Cian’s trembling one, squeezing gently in what she hoped was a comforting gesture, despite not truly feeling it herself.

– It’s alright, – she soothed, using her free hand to brush damp hair from his clammy forehead: – You don’t have to relive all the details now.

She sat back then, studied him closely through eyes that betrayed no emotion behind skull-like mask.

– What happened after? – Lilith asked quietly, curious about how such a young child had survived something so traumatic.

Cian took a shuddering breath before answering:

– I… I ran. I don’t remember much of it – just screaming and crying, as I fled into the woods alone in terror, – he fell silent, then closed eyes tightly, against fresh wave of grief that threatened to overwhelm him once more: – But somehow… Somehow I survived, – Cian murmured finally, opening eyes again to meet Lilith’s gaze.

Lilith listened intently as Cian recounted his harrowing experience, her heart (or what passed for one) twisting with sympathy at the thought of such a young child enduring so much pain and loss.

– You are stronger than you know, – she murmured, rising gracefully to her feet: – Now rest. I will watch over your dreams and keep any nightmares at bay.

Cian nodded wearily, already feeling exhaustion overtaking him once more in the wake of reliving such traumatic memories. He closed his eyes trusting fully that Lilith would indeed keep vigil, as she promised.

As sleep claimed him again, Lilith watched over her sleeping companion with an expression, carefully schooled into something resembling gentle concern behind skull mask – despite knowing full well emotions like sympathy or empathy were foreign concepts to one cursed as she. Yet still… Some small part deep within, stirred faintly at sight of Cian looking so vulnerable and peaceful in slumber like this. Perhaps remnant of kindhearted nature once possessed, before darkness claimed soul?

The thought lingered briefly, then was banished just as quickly, lest any hint of softness betray itself upon features, usually stoic and implacable.

Lilith settled back down onto her own makeshift bedroll, keeping close eye on Cian, all throughout long night – both guarding him from potential threats and battling her inner demons, threatening to consume fragile peace, found tonight amidst chaos and danger lurking ever nearby.

Next day they continued their journey. Few days later they encountered first people, which they saw in mountains.

As they approached the tiny valley, a sense of relief washed over the weary travelers. The sight of the small stream, flowing through it, was like an oasis in this unforgiving wilderness.

The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the rugged landscape and painting the sky with hues of orange and purple. But their momentary respite was shattered, when they noticed a group of people gathered in the valley below. Lilith motioned for her companions to halt, studying the scene warily from afar.

The figures moved about with purpose, setting up camp near the stream’s edge. They appeared human. Lilith narrowed her eyes, as she tried to make out more details in fading light.

– Stay vigilant, – she murmured softly, voice barely carrying above rustle of wind through nearby rocks.

Kragor nodded grimly, while Cian tightened grip on sword hilt, ever so slightly at his side, both ready to spring into action, should need arise.

Azael and Sharr exchanged uncertain glances, but remained silent for now.

Lilith considered her moves. According to maps, which she bought in Erden, this valley was a resting point for travelers. So, no surprise meeting someone here. Inconvenient – maybe, but not unusual.

– Let’s go, – she ordered and went towards the valley. She decided to approach openly, so that people downstairs would not mistake them for bandits.

They got noticed, but Lilith did not see anything unusual about their reaction.

One of the men went towards them. Lilith assumed that he was their leader. He stepped forward to greet Lilith personally, his grizzled beard split by a wide grin, revealing missing teeth.

– Welcome strangers, – he rumbled, gesturing towards empty spots near flames: – Are you here to take some rest?

– Yes. Just looking to make camp before full dark sets in.

The man snorted derisively then gestured towards opposite side of valley.

– Suit yourself, – he drawled, voice roughened by wind and weather: – But if you’re smart, you’ll keep watch close tonight – never know what might prowl these parts after sun goes down.

With those parting words, hanging heavy between them like unspoken threat, Lilith turned back towards her own party, waiting silently behind.

– Let’s bed down over there, – she murmured, nodding subtly at sheltered nook up slope: – And take turns standing guard, through night hours. Something about that lot doesn’t sit right with me.

As they made camp in chosen spot, Lilith couldn’t shake uneasy feeling, lingering amidst shadows, gathering thick around them. She glanced towards their neighbors. One of the carts attracted her attention. It was covered with dark curtains, concealing what was inside. But to her it looked like a cage, covered with cloth. She was slightly curious, but the night was coming and she was tired, and after a meal sleepiness overcame her.