Shield of Fire

The tension - felt like stretched rope - between the group. Everyone was looking with shock - one at Crini and one at the noble Sopolian - with their breaths held. Crini’s hand was holding the handle of the sword tightly, her knuckles turned white from the pressure.

Tadal - who was standing next to the woman - gave a cautious look at Crini, not to draw further the line on this, but Crini rolled her eyes annoyed in response.

“Look,” she opened her mouth to speak. “I don’t know who you are and it doesn’t make a difference to me. We are all the same here.”

Their heads snapped back to Crini. The Sopolian woman had still pinned her eyes on her, provoking her.

“Back then, when the worms attacked us, we all fought with the same strength and courage within. When a threat strikes, it will not make exceptions to whom will attack, it will just do it. Here, under the burning sun and dried lands, we are all the same. So, yes, I don’t know your name but when I do, it won’t make any more difference than give me the ease to address you.”

The Sopolian female opened her mouth to speak but immediately closed it after. There were no words to speak and her face was depicting clearly the anger within. But Crini was right, and she knew that. She was a strange species that no one had ever witnessed before in Ethnos and she was in the same position as everyone else. Fighting for her life like everyone else.

“I’m Triana, duchess of Sopolis.” the woman said with a low defeated voice, her face transforming into a neutral mask. “As much as I don’t want to admit it, you’re right. We are all the same here.”

“Well then, nice to meet you,” Crini said inclining her head politely. “The other one behind you will he do the honour to tell us his name or does it have to be some incident resulting in a fight to learn it?” Crini’s tongue couldn’t hold back the irony. But soon she changed the words in case someone’s been offended. She didn’t know how far Ethnians would go with humour if they had any. “I’m sorry but it’s obvious that I’m not from around here, so it is the first time I see you all…”

The man standing behind Triana and Tadal, approached in front. He had the basic features of Jato and Loftak, so Crini assumed he was Qatonian. He looked neutral but his overall posture seemed like he was afraid.

“I’m Poinary” he almost stuttered.

Definitely, he’s afraid. Crini thought.

“All right, as I believe we’re done with the acquaintances, we may move forward, what do you say?” Triana spoke. This time her voice was much calmer than before. “Zoiki, where should we go next?”

The Sopolian holding the metallic box containing a projection of our map came in front, standing proudly. Apparently, he liked his new role very much. He took the box out of his trousers pocket and held it - palm up - in front of his chest level. Using a finger in his other hand, he swiped the surface at the top and the map was brought to life.

The yellow dot - that appeared the first time we opened it - found its place on the map. This time, Crini thought it seemed a bit closer. Zoiki was true, the map was showing in real-time their environment. Unfortunately, the weather had not changed. A massive ball of fire was floating at the very top of the projection.

This time the map was looking a bit different from before though. A series of lines - starting from a point that must be their location - was spreading before them. Four of them in total. But only one of them was heading to Encree. The path was passing from the north border of a sharp-edged mountain in the north, then heading northeast following a diagonal line - though something that seemed like a series of caves or tunnels - and then the path was diving southeast, following the circling of a huge crater.

“We have to consider our options and fast,” Lura said sternly. “We’ve lost quite some time quarrelling and we need to find shade as soon as possible. Not all of us could survive under that prolonged exposure to the sun and heat. Shall we take the path heading to Encree, or should we cut short way and make a path of our own?”

The group nodded their heads in unison but no one was making a start to say something. Until Koniaak decided to take the lead in this meeting.

“All right, what do we know about the mountain?” she asked with determination. “Any threats that might have it as residence?”

Ada and Ezpa brought their hands near their faces in a perfectly synchronised movement, rubbing their chins with their index finger and thumb. Everyone’s eyes fixed on the two Aniveans, looking at them with anticipation.

“If my memory’s correct, there’s a small group of Garros but they’re usually found at high altitudes.” Ezpa finally opened his mouth to speak. “I don’t think that they would be a problem to us, though we should not put our guard down.”

“What are these things?” Crini turned to him with puzzlement on her face.

“They’re flying creatures, covered in metallic scales. They don’t see but they use their cries as a system to navigate. Their ears are getting the echo of those cries so they can fly without the need to see.” Ada’s gentle voice resonated from beside her. “Usually, they don’t bother unless they feel threatened. So, when we’re there we should move with caution. Any wrong act may be perceived as a threat and then the whole flock will attack.”

“Sounds like another lovely day” Crini amused herself.

“You can keep talking on our way to the mountain.” Triana intervened. “Get your things and we move now.”

The order found them all obliged to it. After they picked up their things, they began their way north following the path towards the mountain.