A short time later, Sedom returned, taking a moment to pause and examine the men she was about to travel with. She watched Rosanheer feeling as if she knew the man. But from where did she recognize him from exactly? She had killed so many Marisheio all of their faces became a blur. Why was this one man's face sticking out in her mind?
“Ready?” Sedom asked. She grabbed a pack of weapons and supplies, tossing it over her shoulder.
“Your direction, Chadon,” Qilo said as he motioned for Sedom to take the lead.
Sedom led the group through Gathow and into the tunnels. When it was obvious they weren’t following her into the tunnels, she paused to wait for them. “What’s with you?” she called back.
“We’re walking?” Rosanheer asked, confused.
Sedom nodded, wondering if the Clove man was insane. “Why wouldn’t we?”
Rosanheer glanced back to Gathow. “We thought we were going to take a ship in,” he admitted.
“Any of you know how to fly a Narkoy ship?” Sedom asked plainly, more out of curiosity than anything else.
Qilo raised his hand. “I think I could manage. I flew a ship based on Narkoy technology while I was with the Rycal,” he stated.
“Rycal?” Sedom grumbled, recognizing the name of the Mandicien military. She hummed to herself, amused at his statement. “Well, maybe another time. This is a short walk and I’d rather not draw attention to ourselves.”
She continued walking, this time, she could tell the men were following her. Zion hurried up next to her. “Where did you say you know these men from?” she asked as if to accuse him of something.
“You meet interesting people in my position,” he hinted. Sedom glared over at him. Even though it was dark, she knew he could feel her eyes on him. “Asa hired Qilo before when I was with her. Rosanheer was part of the Undergrounds team, sent here to help the Dormin clean up…” he paused, wondering if he should continue. Sedom moved on ahead, causing him to believe it was good he stopped.
Vines covered the entrance of the tunnels leading to the forest. She had cleared away the vines only days before, but because of the unusually heavy fog, the vines were growing at a rapid rate. She removed a knife with a thin, six-inch blade and began cutting away the vines.
“Step aside,” Qilo called.
Sedom turned in time to see him coming towards her with a much larger blade. She readied herself for fending off an attack, only to have Zion hold her back. Qilo used his blade to cut through the vines far faster than it would have taken Sedom.
Zion squeezed her shoulder. “Learn to trust a little.”
Sedom shrugged off his embrace. “That’s hard to do with a knife like that coming at you,” she returned in his native tongue.
Qilo held up his blade. “What?”
Sedom circled Qilo as he slid his blade back into its holder on his belt. It wasn’t until he did that she realized he was carrying a blade at all. She shook her head, frustrated that she failed to realize he had a weapon of any size on him, let alone a machete. She was becoming rusty hiding out in Gathow.
Without explaining her actions, she continued outside.
The three men held back a moment. Qilo turned to Zion and Rosanheer. “Okay, mind squeezers, mind telling me what the hell just happened?”
“The blade. It freaked her out,” Rosanheer mentioned. He hurried out of the tunnel after Sedom.
Qilo turned to Zion. “You deal with this on a daily basis?”
Zion shrugged. “Considering all things, this is one of her good days,” he joked.
Rosanheer hurried to catch up with Sedom. “Sortec, a question for you,” he started. Sedom nodded, waiting for him to continue. “We’re going after a woman called Ratisha, right?” he questioned and Sedom nodded in response. “She’s Marisheio?”
“Clove,” Sedom corrected.
Zion ran over to the two, his eyes heated. “We’re risking our lives for a Clove?” he questioned harshly. Sedom nodded without giving him any emotional response. “I thought—“
“You’re not paid to think. You’re paid to shoot and keep your mouth shut,” she barked as she turned to all the men. “That goes for all of you. If you can’t manage that, leave.”
She continued on, secretly curious if they would leave or if they would follow. She barely knew Zion and as for the other two, she hadn’t a clue who or what they were. They looked like mercenaries, but a few of the things they said caused her to believe they were something else entirely.
Rosanheer ran over to Sedom, attempting to keep up with her then remained quietly walking beside her. “Walk this forest much?” she asked, mainly as an attempt at idle conversation.
He watched the trees as if searching for someone or something. “Can’t say that I do. You do know this forest is haunted by the Harp, right?” he mentioned.
Zion chuckled behind them. “Doubt we’ll have any problems with her today,” he said.
Sedom held her arm out in front of Rosanheer, holding him back. Moments later, several arrows buzzed passed them, landing across from them into a nearby tree.
“How sure are you?” Rosanheer asked, with concern.
“He’s sure. Come on, I want to reach the flatlands by sundown,” she called, waving them to follow.
Only footsteps into his journey, the branches beneath Rosanheer’s feet collapsed, sending him tumbling into a cavern below. Below him stood a large pit with long, wooden spikes stuck in the bottom. Zion grabbed hold of him, hoisting Rosanheer back before he fell further into the pit.
“Watch your step,” Sedom called out over her shoulder.
Rosanheer grabbed hold of Zion and then
