Nixon was getting ready to leave for the village to the west, the other two following, when Aryu spoke only to Esgona.
“Whether you believe me or not, I can tell you for certain that I've never been south, I've never seen the army, and I am absolutely not associated with the one in charge of it. Although, for the life of me, I have no idea why I need to justify and explain myself to a coward.”
Esgona turned to him with a look of rage in his good eye but was instantly subdued by the Shi Kaze, which was back in his face. “How dare you! What right do you have! I have seen Hell itself trying to save everyone. Would you have died for us all? It seems like such an easy answer when you're on the outside looking in!”
Aryu smirked, an action that infuriated Esgona even more, causing him to hobble closer, just beyond the reach of the ancient sword. “I never questioned your motives in that regard, Esgona.” Esgona looked at him, full of immeasurable hate. “In that situation, I would have done the same thing. I call you a coward, boy, because that is what you are and why you were south in the first place.” Esgona’s fury died with astonishing suddenness, his face changing from red to white before their eyes. “Do you deny it?” Aryu asked. Esgona could only look away, growing paler by the second. Eventually, ever so slightly, he shook his head. “I thought not. Don't you dare claim sympathy for an action you had no right to be involved with in the first place.”
Pressed for time, Nixon wanted to wrap this up quickly, though he was curious what was being spoken of. He expressed his need for expedience to them both but asked for an explanation anyway.
“Esgona left on his quest like Johan and me, but instead of going north as we are decreed to, I'm willing to bet he doubled back and went south instead, far enough away from Tan Torna Qu-ay that he didn't worry about a local recognizing him. While Johan and I were slogging away in the depths of the Great Range and beyond fighting bandits and Dragon Stalkers, this coward was likely lounging on a beach letting time pass by. Does that sound about right?”
No response. Answer enough for all.
“So I thought. You brought them straight to Tan Torna Qu-ay. You brought this on yourself. At least this way you'll suffer for your cowardice. It's the least you deserve.”
Nixon watched the two in their moments of ill-gotten triumph and heart-crushing defeat. Aryu looked at Esgona like a man looks at a sick dog, disgusted at what he saw. Esgona could only look into the nothingness, denying none of it. Nixon wondered if either of these two young men could be saved.
Chapter 10
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Unsettling Developments
Johan stood on the edge of a town he thought he'd never see again. Off to the north he saw the tall and mighty peak the area was known for, reaching the sky with its white cap and imposing demeanor. Just to the west was the smaller peak, the one that not too long before had housed two young men for a night. A sacred night of reminiscence and reflection. A cold, miserable night now that he thought back on it; when the world was small and the quests were over.
Now he had returned, older and more miserable than that night that seemed so long ago. His home was destroyed, likely his good friend and brother Aryu as well. Their family and friends (or at least whatever they had that was close) were all lost. He was a beaten man as he began heading north again, eventually catching a ride with a small caravan back to this place. "No one left now,” an old carriage driver had said. “We held on as long as we could, but when we saw the explosions get closer, we couldn't wait anymore.” The old driver had offered to take him farther, though even he was unsure of the destination. Johan declined. If Aryu was alive, he’d be here as promised.
The town was far livelier than it was when he had left. Multitudes of caravans were in each direction, collecting supplies and preparing for the next phase of their trip. Overheard conversations led Johan to believe that no one really had an idea where to go. Many wanted to hide in the false hope of the mountains. Others wanted to go west, following the trail of the ones who had left before them. However, the army was known to be heading in a northwest direction. Time was all that stood between them and their eventual demise.
The reckless and foolhardy even said east but were soon shot down by shouts of 'madness' and 'stupidity!' Although it was known that most of the east was as peaceful and welcoming as any other, the stigma of it being full of Embracers was strong.
People filled the streets, some carrying items or children, others trying to barter and sell anything they didn't need wherever they were going. The desperate even attempted to barter children, making Johan sick. This small foothill town had become the major jumping-off point for miles around, and the sense of impending doom was palpable on everyone’s face. For many, this was the last stop before the real running began.
Johan laughed to himself. The foolish idea that they could run far enough and fast enough to avoid the fate of Tan Torna Qu-ay was ridiculous. Nothing he could say would dissuade any of them, and he was content to let them continue their descent into madness.
The inns were bare as Johan looked for a place to sleep for the night. It seemed no
