Aether Beasts

The city was buzzing with activity the next day, more so than it had been as it was the day of the arrival. The day the expedition would arrive and trade would occur. The people of this city would trade what they could for the scraps those in the expedition chose to give me, though if what Zirnai said was true, some would act charitably.

The decorations were up and ready, flags, banners, and other decorates moved in the breeze and packed everyone as close as they could to the main road where the expedition would arrive where people, on the sides of the street to the tops of buildings and even lampost.

There were city guards keeping people back from moving into the street and any other areas, and low walls. The crowd was lively, and the joy and excitement in the air, lifted my mood.

It was a bright day, the sun hanging overhead, and the air a gentle breeze. It was probably rather hot for some people, especially in those packed crowds and I didn't want to imagine the smell but we didn't have to worry about it.

The four of us were stood on a rooftop not too far, but also not too close to the road. We would watch from a distance and then greet the arrivals once things had calmed down. Nothing good would come of causing a scene in the middle of a crowd this large. Not only would people get hurt, but it was just unnecessary. The expedition would be here for a week. Plenty of time for us.

"Zirani, what keeps this place defended from things in the great scar?" I asked, not having thought of it early. The city had walls but against the beasts of the scar, they would do nothing.

"There's a wall ten miles from the city, a wall that stretched towards the coast," Zirani explained. "It's not manned, and the only reason it's there is mainly to deter the weaker hearts that might actually venture out. Most won't come close to the plains because of the lack of aether. The moment they sense the drop, they'll turn back. The smallest however might move further in."

"Then the wall was built because of an attack?" Misty asked.

Zirani nodded. "On one of the first expeditions, where there was no wall or gates, a few weaker beasts trailed the expedition and in the time it took the arcanists from my land to end them, they laid waste to a good portion of the city. The weakest beasts of the scar could tear through this city and its arcanists with ease, like a man amongst insects. Sure, enough will kill it in the end, through sheer numbers, but it would take a lot. There is also the fact that some might be attracted to the strongest arcanists in the expedition."

"I see," I replied.

The great scar truly was going to be quite the sight and a dangerous one at that. I couldn't help but feel a bit excited, not that I was going to try anything stupid. I knew enough to know I wouldn't stand a chance by myself in the scar, and against most beasts.

"Look, I think that's them!" Sandra pointed to the distance and I followed her finger to see a cloud of dust rising in the distance. We were at the edge of the city where most people were, eager to get the first glimpse, but there were people lined up on every side of the road, all the way to the center of the city where the expedition would stop and be greeted by the mayor and other influential people.

"A few minutes away," Zirani said with a mix of relief and worry.

I was confused until I sensed it. "Is that nature aether?"

Zirani nodded. "It seems my court has sent people."

"It's strong," Sandra murmured.

"They've sent a lord or lady," Zirani replied.

"And that's a bad thing?" I asked.

"Depends on who they sent," Zirani answered. "Either way they will listen to me. As princess and jungle queen, even as I am now, I hold authority."

"Zirani, will the mask work?" Misty asked worriedly.

Just before we had left the hotel, Zirani had drawn a very intricate array on Misty's back, far more detailed and complex than most I'd seen. Zirani had said it was required as the people from the expedition would spot simple masks and disguises from a mile away so we needed a better one.

"It will," Zirani assured. "Unless they do a deep scan or look too closely, but we won't let them. We need to make sure we get to my people before anybody else."

"And me?" Sandra asked.

"We will assess the situation," Zirani said with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. We will get through this. You have my backing and that is no small thing. The green court is one of the, if not the largest provider of goods in the lands beyond the great scar. Food, furniture, and many other things. I do not think they would anger or insult me especially not after they find out what I've done for you. They have a debt to me."

Sandra relaxed. "Ok, thanks."

"Who else can we expect?" Misty asked.

"Maybe a few representatives from some minor families and sects, a few larger groups." Zirani shrugged. "Not many actually care for the expeditions, and it's not really a big deal to us. In fact, I know some people use it as punishment. Of course, some scholars have come for study and research, and who knows, there might be a few this time."

"Do people ever stay?" I asked.

She frowned. "Rarely, very rarely. There isn't really much of a reason to. Some groups will take people with them from the plains, though most don't realize just how weak they are compared to the people in my lands. The arcanist you taught a lesson to yesterday is weaker than most children in my lands, and he'd be seen as a joke. Who knows, however, sometimes a genius is found worth investing in. You for example. Even if you were at the first stage, if someone found you, they would immediately attempt to recruit you because of the archvein bloodline alone."

"This is it isn't it," I said. "There's no going back after this. We'll lose a lot of control."

Zirani nodded sadly. "It's the cost. I will hold authority, but not as much as I would have, and mostly because of my mother. It won't be until we get to her that things become clearer. I know we've had control over almost everything, but this is the way forwards. We need to cross the scar and I need to introduce you to my people."

I knew what she was saying was correct, but I was still worried. Either way though, I would adapt and continue moving forward, no matter what. I'd come this, done so much for this opportunity. My journey up the mountain had reached its end in the plains and to move higher, I needed the lands beyond the scar, I needed greater challenges because as hard as things had been, I had learned from each experience. The way to the top was not one of ease. It was a road full of obstacles.

As the expedition grew closer and closer, the crowd grew quieter and quieter, until only faint murmurs and muttering could be heard. Everyone stilled and waited as the clouds of dust grew closer and closer at a far faster speed than I expected. Whatever vehicles they were using must have been fast.

"Dune Surfers," Zirani said, having read my thoughts. "Or some similar vehicle, made for both rocky and sandy terrain. Sturdy things, and easily powered with an abundance of aether in the scar."

"No airships?" Misty asked.

Zirnai snorted "I thought I explained this in the tower. Trying to fly an airship in the scar is suicide. The sky belongs to things that you don't want to challenge or anger, though I imagine there are a few expensive and specially designed aircraft that could. Even then though, personally I wouldn't risk it. Traversal of the deep scar away from an expedition is for those who have reached the stage of aether ascension. I was close before… everything."

"Aether ascension?" That sounded intriguing.

She shook her head. "We are far from that conversation, Aiden."

"Will it be a good place to train, the great scar?" Sandra asked, surprising everybody. Usually, I asked that question.

"Most definitely," Zirani said. "Though there are some difficulties I'll need to explain later. For now, you might want to pay attention. They're almost here, and I wouldn't want you to miss the spectacle."

"I don't think we could miss it," Misty said.

I turned back and saw that the expedition wasn't far off now. They were close enough that I could make out faint shapes, and it seemed that they were slowing down. The crowd was now almost completely silent, though I could sense the excitement in the air like an electric charge.

I stood beside the others as the expedition grew closer.

"Here they come."