A Soldier's Life - 376 - Unearthed Secrets

Chapter 376: Unearthed Secrets

The obfuscation stone got warm intermittently as we moved through the woodlands. It occurred to me the stone may also be a beacon. If a mage could not look in a specific area, they knew it was an area of interest. The stone should have acted as a blind spot for any clairvoyance spell. But they found our camp when I had ranged away from it, and they most likely had a clear trail to follow.

If we could push hard enough, we might be able to seek shelter with the Shiunyuet tribes. From what I read, I wasn't as confident as Karina that they would welcome us. After a day and a half of pushing hard, the tree line quickly faded into hilly, rolling grasslands, with only clusters of large shrubs dotting the landscape. This terrain provided an advantage for our pursuers to spot us, but it also allowed us the chance to see them. There was good news for us: we were leaving behind the muddy forest floor for drier grasslands. It would be harder to follow our path, but still not difficult for a competent tracker. 

As the sun dropped below the horizon, I raised my hand to halt my companions. A monstrous black beetle was consuming a patch of bushes in a shallow valley below us. I signaled them to move to the right to avoid a stag beetle the size of one of our horses. Stag beetles were a pestilence to farmers. A single beetle was able to devour an entire field overnight. Their burrows were extensive and usually had more than one of the creatures. If we successfully circled the stag beetle, maybe we could draw our pursuers into it.

As the others rode past me, Lexi gasped on seeing it, “Will it attack us?” 

I educated the girl, “No, they are herbivores with terrible eyesight and olfactory senses. If they do detect you, they will attack you, so keep a distance. You also need to be careful when you see one, as it means there are probably more nearby.”

Blaze turned in his saddle, speaking in a controlled tone, “You are prophetic, Eryk. There is another up here to the right.”

I moved to the front with Blaze, pulsing earth speak as I went. The problem with having such a massive range for the spell was that it was hard to process so much information every time I used it. Normally, I just discarded the feedback deep below the surface. Now that I focused straight downward, I could see the network of large tunnels beneath us.

I reached Blaze, and another slightly smaller beetle was mowing the grass, pulling up large clumps and chewing. “Tighten everyone up. We're already in their domain. I will lead us through, and hopefully, our pursuers will be slowed by the nest.”

“Do not attempt to fight them; their shell is extremely thick, and you will not be able to damage it, even with runic blades. The Empire usually sends mage commander companies with an elemental affinity to handle an infestation of these beetles,” Castile informed everyone.

“Then why did we have to handle the one that was eating the potato field?” Benito asked. “I thought elemental mages were fire, water, air, and earth.”

“Because no one else was going to help that farmer in the middle of nowhere,” Castile replied with calmness. Benito nodded like Castile was dispensing sagely wisdom.

After a quarter mile, I led us safely clear of the tunnel network and set up camp in the dark a few miles beyond. Although I was still in good shape, the Earthers were struggling, and my companions were showing fatigue. I didn’t like camping in the open, but we had no choice.

We only set up half the tents, and I handed out meat buns for dinner since no one had the energy to prepare food. I sat facing the direction we had come from, resting my weary body. “How far until we reach the Shiunyuet?” Karina asked as people spread out on the ground.

I looked up at her, “We are already in the Territory of the Shiunyuet. That forest was the northeastern border of the Principality. There should be a trade road in the next day or two, but I am not confident exactly where we are, only that we have been heading in the correct direction.”

“How did you do it?” Karina asked, sitting next to me. Neptune’s Tear was on the horizon and giving us decent light tonight.

I looked over at her, confused. I had done many things that she probably didn’t understand. “Do what exactly?”

“Survive. Adapt. Turn into…this.” She waved her hand, indicating my entire body.

I chuckled, as no one from my past life would have thought I would have become what I now was. I answered her in an amused tone. “I was dazed and confused upon my arrival and soon found myself in a wagon off to be trained as a soldier. I guess I had to decide between being shell-shocked, angry, or focused on survival,” I said, looking at Castile talking with Blaze at a sentry position.

“I wouldn’t say I was lucky to be forced into the Legion, but I was trained to survive. Once I joined Castile’s company, I formed friendships there, and they accepted me. I kept a lot from them, but I returned that friendship by putting my life on the line many times, and they did the same for me. They are more than friends now—I guess you could say they are my brothers. Except for Benito; he is more like a cousin.” I smirked.

“I feel the same about Anika and Teresa—felt that way about Teresa,” she corrected herself about her dead companion. “I see Lexi and Evie as my daughters and would do anything for them—even give my life.” Her words were emotive and seemed genuine.

It felt like the right time to ask. “Why is it important you go to the Shiunyuet clans?”

“I told you already. It is likely the best place for us.” I gave her a knowing look, even in the low-light, that I knew there was more to it. She let out a long sigh. “One of the tribal leaders, Matron Lucette is rumored to be an otherworlder.”

I was now very interested, “From Earth? Why would you keep this information from me? I would have understood.”

“She is human, yes. I am not certain she is from Earth. But she is also rumored to be a necromancer.” Karina searched for my reaction. When I had no reaction, she continued, “The Shiunyuet revere all women with all magic.”

I sat back slowly. Necromancy was outlawed in most countries and usually a death sentence. Even the Telhian Empire killed strong necromancers and regulated those weaker in the affinity. From my readings, undead plagues spread rapidly and could kill tens of thousands in days. An undead army was one of the few things that could bring warring nations together to stamp it out.

“Which of you has the necromancy affinity?” I asked after I puzzled it out.

“I didn’t say…” She stopped as my eyes locked to hers.

“It is time to tell the whole truth. Is this why you are being pursued so fervently?” I said accusatorily.

“No. I have not lied to you since we met. We are being hunted for the crimes of another,” she replied angrily and loudly enough the others overheard. Anika stirred, and I could see Castile and Selene ready to intervene.

“Then tell me the whole truth; do not keep anything from me,” I said in a more reserved and conversational tone. 

Karina eyed Anika and announced, “Everything is fine.” Anika relaxed, but Castile and Selene did not. Blaze moved casually to give himself an opening to intervene as well. Benito, Lesna and the children were off by the water and had not been privy to this interaction.

Karina leaned in closer. “We have been through a lot since we arrived. When we finally got to Yuetsen, we gathered as much information as we could. We learned necromancers are killed no matter their age.” She let out a long breath. “Evie animated a rat skeleton one night. She has been drawn to dead things ever since. What you do not know—our friend Teresa—” Karina choked up a little. “After she was killed by the people hunting us—she rose from the dead to defend us.”

I looked to Castile and almost brought her over for this conversation because I was out of my depth. I looked at the blonde girl who was giggling as Lesna had illusionary pixies flying about her. “If you are thinking of killing her, you are going to have to go through me,” Karina said determinedly. She clenched her fist.

“Finish your story,” I said, non-plussed.

“Teresa saved us, killing two of them. We would not have lived if she didn’t. We did not realize she was actually dead until we saw her fatal wounds, and she couldn’t speak—Evie was controlling her.” I had kept my eyes locked on Karina, waiting. “Teresa was gone—and just an animated body remained. Evie had Teresa dig her own grave and lay down in it, and we covered it up.” Tears were coming down Karina’s cheeks as she spoke the words. “I promised Evie and Lexi I would get them home. And I will keep trying until I draw my last breath—and maybe even after.”

“I have to tell Castile,” I said, standing. Karina tensed. “Don’t worry, I will not harm Evie.”

I motioned Castile to follow me a short distance from camp. We paused, side by side, staring into the moonlit landscape. “Did you hear everything?”

Castile chuckled darkly as she sensed my mood, “No. I do not understand your language.”

I sighed resignedly, “Evie can animate the dead.” Castile was sufficiently shocked, remaining silent for a time. 

She tentatively advised me. “Necromancers lead dreadful lives in the Empire. Those who aren't killed for what they will become are interrogated weekly by the Truthseekers to make sure they are on a righteous path. Her life wouldn’t improve much in Gramney if she were discovered. The Duchy of Manch either kills or exiles Necromancers from what I heard,” Castile said candidly.

I nodded in understanding. “We killed a necromancer—an orc boy in the Caliphate. I couldn’t raise my sword to do the deed. I don’t think I could kill a child now either,” I said heavily.

Castile could see my indecision. “We need to find out how strong she is. She is too young to even have magic, but if her affinity is stronger than sixty, she can create permanent undead, which is a threat to every living thing in Desia.”

“Is there a way to strip her of the affinity? Or maybe she can learn to control it?” I replied.

Castile looked at me with pity. “No, taking it from her would kill her. Lesna is already teaching the girls how to manipulate aether.” Surprise crossed my face. We had only been with them for a few days, and my focus had been elsewhere. Castile seemed amused by my reaction. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Eryk, but both children have better aether shaping skills than you.”

I huffed a short laugh, “You really know how to hurt a guy.” Castile cracked a brief smile.

“If you need me too…” She let the words hang.

I shook my head, “It is much too early for that. Once we get to safety, I will assess her. Maybe this Matron they are seeking will have answers they want.”

The camp was tense as we all settled down to rest. Secrets had been revealed, and now the trust we had built over the last few days was on trial. The four Earthers slept close to each. Castile and I decided to keep the information about Evie as a necromancer secret from the others for now.

When we were saddling the horses in dawn’s gray light, Castile suddenly spoke aloud. “Our pursuers have stumbled into the beetles.”

Everyone huddled around Castile, but her focus was elsewhere. “They are five miles back—I count fourteen, but one is severely injured by one of the beetles.” Castile’s remained focused. “One is a large, angry, bald human.”

“Samael!” Lesna cursed. “How did that ogre’s ass recruit so many adventurers to help him!”

My thoughts threaded things together, and I cursed myself for not thinking of it last night. I spun to Karina, “Did the ones that escaped see Teresa?” Her guilty look told me all I needed to know. Harpies tits. They were hunting a necromancer.

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