34. The statues
34
The statues
Talon
W e started along the thin trail heading down towards the sea. The trees became scarcer and the space opened to another ruin. We paused as we passed an outlook that gave us an expansive view of the ocean. It was the first time I’d fully seen it since I’d travelled south.
“Looks like it’s not much longer to the shore,” I said, peering out. The air was clear, the fog that usually clung to the trees noticeably absent tonight.
Nidori settled on my shoulder. “There’s the island we’re heading for,” she said, pointing. I followed her gaze. There were a number of islands rising out of the sea, but the one she was pointing at was much larger than the others.
“Impossible to miss it, really.” Kaine was smirking to himself, but about what, I couldn’t guess.
We trudged on, winding past rock walls and fountains. We found ourselves in an old courtyard, overgrown hedges and weed-filled paths leading us towards a grand centrepiece .
It was a statue. Three figures stood, hand in hand, facing out to the water.
“It’s you!” said Nidori, fluttering up the closest figure.
I rounded to the front, peering up. It wasn’t an enferni, but the statue was built like me, towering freakishly over the other two.
She crossed to the next one. “And Kaine!”
I grunted. It was Kaine, in that it was a male figure that was shorter than the other.
“So, this one must be me!” she said, landing on the last statue. It was a woman, with long, flowing hair.
Kaine crossed his arms. “Bit big to be you.”
“Hush,” I said, elbowing him.
Nidori was quiet, stroking the statue’s hair. “Don’t worry,” she whispered to the statue. “I’ll win. I’ll be just like you soon enough.”
Guilt twisted in my stomach as she said it. She’d been cast out by her people, and even though he still hadn’t told her, she’d been trapped by Kaine. This was the one thing she had left to look forward to. And I was supposed to stop her from getting it.
“Let’s go. Night’s not getting any younger,” said Kaine, starting down the path again. I followed, and Nidori fluttered after us.
I slowed as I smelled something amiss. I shot Kaine a look; he met my gaze, a worried look on his face. It was the unmistakable smell of a particularly bloody death.
“Nidori, stay close,” I said.
She landed on my shoulder and wrapped a hand around my horn. “What is it?”
“Someone met a nasty end up ahead,” said Kaine.
I drew my sword, approaching the unpleasant scene slowly. The brush near the ground had been flattened by something large. Branches were broken on the nearby trees, and some were marred with giant gouges.
I mentally started a list of beasts or monsters that could leave marks like that.
The bodies were scattered throughout the scene, in various states of butchery. I crouched beside the nearest one, examining it for more hints. The smell grew more intense, and I grimaced as I swatted away some flies. Nidori left my shoulder with a yelp, retreating to Kaine instead.
Whatever it was had fed on them. I peered at one of the bones—blunt teeth marks. Not a predator, then. I blinked as I saw this corpse’s face; it was the woman I had met in the store. The rude one who had invited me to join her. My stomach turned, and I stood, turning away.
“Enjoying yourself?” asked Kaine. “I do love a good fight scene, but this is a little too…odorous for my tastes.”
“I was trying to figure out what did this. You know, in case we happen to run into it,” I said, folding my arms.
“And?”
“Some kind of large prey animal. More dangerous than predators if you get them scared. More than one. I’d guess we’re looking at some form of massive goat or boar.”
“They’re not usually nocturnal, right?” asked Nidori, peering at me with large eyes.
“No, it’s not likely. Which is good news for us.” I gave her a reassuring smile.
“Good.” Kaine eyed the broken branches. The highest were about twenty feet above our heads. “I’m going to hope for a goat. I’m not sure what any of us could do against a giant angry boar, except run. They’ve got skin like armour.”
“With any luck, we won’t have to find out,” I said.
Kaine kicked over an arm on the ground, revealing a hand glowing with golden eyes. Nidori twisted her face in disgust.
“Looks like they were competition. Good news for us,” said Kaine.
“Let’s keep going, please,” said Nidori. “I’m starting to feel sick.”
I nodded, lost in thought. I hadn’t liked this group, but this was a particularly undignified ending for anyone; splayed as carrion in a forgotten forest.
“Gladly.” Kaine set off down the path again.
I sheathed my sword and followed them, with one last glance at the clearing.
-
“We’re nearly there!” sang Nidori, fluttering down from the forest canopy. “The sea is close, but I don’t think we’ll be sailing before sunrise. Best to cross tomorrow.”
I nodded, not going to argue with getting to spend a bit more time with them.
“Find us a camp?” I asked Kaine.
We walked until he’d chosen a spot, and we set to unpacking. I did my perimeter sweep and sat down by the fire. Nidori was playing a quiet tune. Kaine was staring into the flames.
“One last night together, then?” Kaine asked.
“Oh. Almost forgot about that.” Nidori’s smile faded. “You sure we can’t all stay together?”
“Better not, love,” said Kaine, more gently. “You and me from here on out. Free that relic.”
Nidori looked at me, eyes wide. She fluttered over, perching on my knee. “Talon, you’re going to stay with us, right? I still need you.”
The words were like a dagger in my heart. Kaine was looking at me as well, a stiffness in the way he sat .
“I can't, little bean. I’m so sorry. If I had any say in it, I’d go with you in a heartbeat.”
I hesitated, searching for a plausible enough lie.
“It’s my oath. If I fail, it’ll be broken, and I’ll lose all the power I have. I’ll lose my purpose. Everything.”
Nidori hugged herself, her brow furrowed and lip trembling. “Sorry, Talon. I… it wasn’t fair for me to ask. I know you must have a good reason if you have to go.”
Kaine stood, walking over and taking the bottles of wine out of my pack. He straightened, turning back towards us. “So, let’s be honest, that’s really shitty. Let’s drink, enjoy our last night together, and forget about all that.”
He used his knife to break the seal and flick off the cork, taking a swig and handing it to me.
“Good boy,” he said, clapping me on the back as I drank. It didn’t burn like the whiskey, but it did have a bitter taste I wasn’t a fan of.
“No, thanks,” said Nidori, wrinkling her nose as I offered it to her.
“Do you not drink?” I asked.
She shook her head. “All that would give me is a stomachache,” she said, eyeing the bottle.
“To when you can join us getting shitfaced.” Kaine raised the bottle to her.
“Yuck,” said Nidori with a grin, turning back to her flute.