Chapter 7.4. Long journey.
Lilith stood waist-deep in the river’s cool waters, her fishing line bobbing gently atop gentle currents. The sun beat down mercilessly from a cloudless sky overhead, but here at least some relief could be found amidst splashing spray.
Azael and Sharr waded nearby – each man focused intently upon their own bait, as they awaited for any sign of movement below. Kragor sat patiently on the bank behind them, his bulk casting welcome shade across sandy earth, where Cian knelt, sharpening daggers with meticulous care.
– Think we’ll catch anything today? – Azael asked idly – tossing another morsel into churning eddies: – The fish seem to have grown wiser since last week’s haul.
Sharr snorted and shook his head.
– Patience, my friend. These waters hold their secrets close – but we shall pry them open, given time.
Azael grumbled something unintelligible in reply, then turned back to his own line, with renewed focus.
Lilith smiled softly at this familiar exchange, eyes scanning river’s surface for any flicker of fin or tail. It had been weeks since they left that barren valley behind – weeks spent following these winding banks northwards, towards distant lands.
The journey was hard but not without its rewards: fresh fish daily, thanks to Azael and Sharr’s patience; plentiful game hunted by Kragor amidst lush forests, flanking their path. Even Cian seemed more relaxed here than amongst manticore-infested hills, his warrior soul finding peace in simple rhythms of travel.
But still, there was an undercurrent beneath easy camaraderie among friends – a sense that this respite could not last forever. The river would eventually run out just as surely as their provisions must be replenished from time to time. And then? Then what?
– Heads up! – Sharr called suddenly – voice taut with excitement: – I think I’ve got something big on the hook here!
Lilith’s head snapped around instinctively, towards her companion, hands tightening reflexively upon rod in anticipation.
The fishing line snapped taut suddenly – reeling out at breakneck speed as Sharr fought to maintain control.
– By the gods! – he swore, feet scrabbling for purchase against slick stones below.
Lilith and Azael moved into action without hesitation – wading towards their struggling companion, with arms extended in aid. Together they managed to guide him back onto solid ground, where Kragor awaited ready to lend his own considerable strength.
-What’ve you got there? – the minotaur rumbled curiously – eyes fixed upon rapidly diminishing spool: – Some kind of giant catfish perhaps?
Sharr grinned triumphantly, as he at last brought whatever prey had been hooked into view – a massive silver carp thrashing wildly amidst frothing spray. Its scales gleamed like polished armor beneath sun’s relentless glare, gills flaring frantically, against encroaching land.
– Not quite, – Lilith said softly with a rueful chuckle: – But it should make for an excellent feast tonight, nonetheless!
They made short work of preparing that catch then – gutting and cleaning flesh, before skewering chunks upon sharpened sticks, to cook over crackling campfire flames. The aroma of roasting fish soon permeated air around them, mingling with woodsmoke on warm breeze.
As they ate their fill beneath starlit skies above, Lilith found herself pondering what lay ahead: the lake whence this river sprang forth; the dangers lurking amidst its depths.
And beyond? Only time would tell. For now? They had food and friends alike – two things precious enough in this harsh world.
As Lilith and her companions crested the final rise, they beheld a sight that took their breath away. Before them lay an immense expanse of water – so vast it seemed to merge with horizon itself, like some shimmering mirage.
The lake stretched as far as eye could see in either direction, its surface dappled by sunlight into patterns of silver and gold. Gently rolling waves lapped at rocky shores on all sides – their murmur mingling with distant cries of seabirds wheeling high above.
Azael whistled softly beside Lilith, blue eyes wide with awe.
– I’ve never seen anything like this before, – he marveled quietly: – It’s incredible!
Kragor rumbled agreement from behind them, hooves clacking on stone as he stepped closer for better view. Even stoic Cian seemed impressed by grandeur unfolding before his gaze – a rare smile gracing usually impassive features.
– Well, – Sharr said briskly after moment’s contemplation of vista spread below: – We’d best be getting down there, if we’re to cross this thing any time soon.
The journey across that massive body took nearly week – seven long days spent paddling tirelessly through ever-changing currents and winds. They slept fitfully upon makeshift rafts at night, eyes never fully closing for fear of drifting off course.
But eventually, they reached opposite bank where it sloped gradually upwards into grassy meadowland beyond. Exhausted yet elated, the group made camp amidst tall grasses beneath wide sky.
As the party pushed onwards from lake’s edge, rocky terrain soon greeted their weary eyes. The land rose and fell in jagged ridges – a harsh landscape of stone and scrub, where little grew, save hardy lichen clinging to cracks between boulders.
For days they traveled thusly – picking their way carefully over treacherous footing beneath scorching sun. Kragor’s bulk proved an asset here, allowing him to clear paths through tight spots too narrow for others.
Azael and Sharr scoured ahead constantly – searching out easier routes or warning of potential dangers lurking behind each new bend. Lilith moved amongst them like ghostly wraith – her magic ready at hand, should any threat arise too swiftly, even for keenest senses.
But no foes troubled their passage through this desolate place. Only wind whistling mournfully between crags above and occasional scuttle of lizard, seeking shade from blazing heat below.
The forest beckoned in front – dark green wall rising against azure sky like fortress awaiting besieging horde. And so with one last look back towards barren wastes left behind,
Lilith led her companions forward once more, into shadowy depths awaiting within.
As they entered the forest, dense woods seemed to close in around them, sunlight filtered greenly through canopy overhead. Twilight came early here, amongst gnarled trunks and creeping vines – an eerie half-light that played tricks on the eyes.
Lilith kept a wary eye out for signs of danger, as they pressed onwards – listening intently for any rustle or snap beyond natural forest sounds. Azael and Sharr scouted ahead, while Kragor’s keen senses watched their rear flanks.
Cian moved silently alongside his mistress, blade at the ready, but expression unreadable in deep shadows. The days stretched into weeks, with no end to that seemingly endless green expanse.
The forest seemed to go on forever, its twisted boughs and dense undergrowth thwarting every attempt at progress. But Lilith and her companions struggled onwards, through that suffocating green expanse.
Food grew scarce again – only Lilith’s hunting skills keeping them from starvation amidst those shadowed woods. They slept fitfully when they could, always alert for any hint of danger lurking just under next turn.
The forest took its toll both physically and mentally. Tensions rose with each passing day, spent trapped beneath that oppressive canopy. Lilith felt her patience wearing thin, even as exhaustion gnawed at weary limbs.
Then at last, after what seemed an eternity lost amidst tangled roots and snaring vines – they broke free. The trees thinned abruptly to reveal a glimpse of open sky above, sunlight dazzling against watery expanse before them.
– The stream! – Lilith breathed in disbelief – voice hoarse from disuse: – We made it!
Sure enough – there lay Slother, its stone walls and towering spires rising beyond shimmering currents. Azael let out a whoop of joy, while Sharr clapped Kragor heartily upon his broad back.
– Well done, – the minotaur rumbled, with rare warmth in tone – dark eyes gleaming: -We’ve earned this respite!
As they approached that welcoming sight, Lilith couldn’t help, but feel a sense of pride mingling with relief.
The town was finally in front of them. Slother rose before them like some ancient stronghold, its sturdy walls of massive stones towering above. The town sprawled out behind those defenses – a maze of narrow streets and tall buildings that spoke of both trade and war alike.
Mercantile banners fluttered from rooftops high overhead, their colors muted by distance but unmistakable in their symbolism: wealth, power, commerce – intermingling with imperial emblems, signifying military might.
Azael whistled lowly, as he took in that imposing sight, blue eyes narrowed against glare of midday sun.
– Quite the place, – he remarked drily to Lilith at his side: – Think they’ll let us in without a fight?
Lilith didn’t answer immediately, her own gaze scanning over fortified gates and guard towers manned by demon-soldiers in gleaming armor. But after a long moment she shrugged, long black hair sliding over slender shoulders. like liquid night itself.
– One way to find out, – she said finally – voice calm yet resolute: – Let’s go introduce ourselves properly.
With that, the party began their approach towards those forbidding walls. As Lilith and her companions approached the gates of Slother, they were met by a pair of imposing demon guards. The creatures stood over six feet tall, their red skin glistening in the sunlight. Sharp horns protruded from their heads, and long tails whipped behind them.
– State your business, – growled one guard in a deep voice that seemed to rumble from within his massive chest.
Lilith stepped forward, reaching into her pouch to retrieve her mercenary tag.
– We seek entry for trade and rest, – she said calmly, holding up the copper token, bearing mercenary guild seal. Azael and Sharr followed suit, displaying their own tags.
The guards examined each carefully, eyes narrowing suspiciously as they scrutinized the details engraved upon them.
After what seemed like an eternity, the guard, who had spoken first grunted, his heavy brow furrowing.
– Mercenaries, – he said finally – tone still wary but conceding defeat in this matter: – You may enter – but be warned. Cause trouble here and you’ll answer to us.
The gates swung open slowly before them, with a groan of rusted hinges,
revealing the bustling town beyond.
As Lilith and her companions passed through Slother’s gates, they found themselves enveloped in a bustling scene unlike anything else. The town pulsed with energy – demon traders haggling loudly over wares, mercenaries of various races mingling amidst stalls, selling everything from weapons to exotic foods.
Azael sniffed appreciatively at the aromas wafting past on warm breeze, eyes gleaming as he took in sights around him.
– This place is something else, – he murmured.
Sharr nodded in agreement, his keen gaze darting between shadowy alleys and rooftops above, where laundry flapped lazily in sun’s golden light.
– We’ll need to be careful here, – the snakeman cautioned quietly – voice low enough for only their party to hear: – Belphegor’s influence runs deep.
Kragor rumbled assent, his bulk causing passersby to scatter as he moved through throng, like boulder rolling downhill. Lilith herself remained outwardly calm, but inside her mind raced with thoughts of how best to navigate this den of vice and sin.
– Let us find lodging first, – she said finally – tone brisk yet not unkind: – Then we can plan our next move.
With that, the group set off into Slother’s maze-like streets.
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