Page 43 of A Sky of Storms
“How sick was that, bro?” He laughed, slapping me on the back. I was amped to see he had survived, though I shouldn’t have been surprised. He was tough as nails; it would take more than a fall from a plane to stop him. “Not as cool as base jumping in the canyons, but still pretty epic.”
“It was alright.” I smirked, putting my hands on my hips and glancing around. Back home, base jumping from the southern canyon was one of our favourite things to do. The adrenaline rush was epic. “Seen any of the others?”
“Nah, but I’m sure we’ll find them,” he replied with a shake of his head. “You made it, Dick!”
“Yep!” Dick grinned, puffing his scrawny chest out.
Yeah, I was just as shocked as my second to see the little guy. “Heard the screeching?” I asked.
Flynn nodded. “Saw some dark wings in the sky.”
“We’ll have to keep a lookout for them too. In the meantime,” I said as a guy landed nearby, “eliminate anyone who attempts to get one over on us.”
Flynn followed my line of sight and chuckled, eyeing off the blond guy who was struggling with his parachute clips. My friend angled his head in a clear question of whether said guy was a part of my murderous equation.
Blondie smiled, gesturing to the clips and shaking his head. “A little help?”
I shook my head, walking away. “Nah, don’t think so.”
Flynn laughed. “I’d hurry. Whatever is making those screeching noises sure does sound hungry.”
“We need to find shelter too,” I said. He strode by my side with Dick trailing just behind, our boots making disgusting squelching sounds with each step. “If we are going to camp out here for a month, we might as well be comfortable.”
“Yeah, there’s no way I’m sleeping in this shit.”
I laughed, elbowing him in the side. “Not that different to your place back home.”
“Like you can talk bro,” he said, scoffing. “The only reason your room isn’t a shithole is because you still live with your mumma. When will you get your own place like the rest of us adults?”
“When the need arises,” I replied with a smirk. “I’m not moving until I have to. Why leave when I got it made at home?” I tapped my temple. “You’re not going to shame me for living with my parents when it’s the smart move, bro. Don’t be snarky because yours got sick of your annoying ass.”
“Harsh, man.” Flynn laughed. “Don’t hold back or anything.”
We spent what felt like a few hours walking through the marsh, finding allies and disposing of only one other competitor. We managed to find five of my followers, though by now, those who survived the drop were already dispersing through the area, so the last hour went by without spotting another soul. The fog had started to clear as we got closer to the tree line and once we’d cleared the marsh and were in the forest, that’s when I spotted the garrison.
The stone building was smack bang in the middle of the trees, towering a few stories high so that the top level was taller than the highest tree and would give a decent view of the surrounding area. A rampart was constructed around the outside, protecting the tower within. As far as I could tell, it looked dark inside, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t already occupied. I’d never been sloppy and I wasn’t about to start now, especially when the stakes were higher.
“Stick together,” I told my followers. “We move as a unit.”
Flynn remained at my side. Despite the following I had, I didn’t trust my minions to watch my back like Flynn could. We approached the garrison slowly and once I was satisfied no one was hiding around its perimeter, I gave the signal and we moved towards the building. Beyond the wall, we did a sweep, still finding no one, so we approached the only door at the base of the tower. Pushing it open slowly, I led us in, my eyes scanning the dark space. Flynn stayed close to my back and we scoped out each level. There were four in total; the bottom was arranged for hanging out and eating, and we found some cooking supplies piled on the floor. It was no fancy hotel, not that I expected or needed it to be.
In the Crimson Steppes we didn’t have much beyond our basic needs. We learned to make do with what we had and be creative for the things we wanted. It meant making something, going without, or taking what you wanted. Like my parents, I had never been happy with any of those options. I used my strength and fought, gaining enough respect that people now gave me what I needed. Members of House Mars were gods among the people of the Crimson Steppes. Who was I to turn away from their devotion?
I ordered a couple of followers to open a stack of crates piled to the side while the rest of us cleared the remainder of the tower. Shitty blankets were piled on the second and third floor, so we’d use those floors for sleeping. The fourth floor was just one big empty room with a ladder in the centre of it that led to the rooftop overlooking the trees. I stood on the roof, the cool breeze blowing through my red hair, and scanned the skies. What looked like giant bats were circling something in the distance. They screeched as one dove to the ground to whatever—or whoever—it was they were preying on.
We needed weapons.
Once those monsters were done picking apart the easy targets, they’d come for the rest of us. The harsh conditions of my home city had taught me to always be prepared for anything, and this trial was no exception.
I headed downstairs to find the crates had been opened and more supplies were in piles on the floor. Rations, med kits, and a couple of swords and daggers. It wasn’t much, but it would do for now.
“Not bad,” Flynn said, picking up a scabbard and handing it to me. “Better than nothing.”
I took the sword, strapping the sheath around my hips. “We’ll need more.”
“We can make some,” he said, selecting his own sword. “Some spears would be good against those bat things.”
“There were knives in the kitchen supplies,” piped up the man who’d been going through the crate.
