Page 19 of Empire of Wrath and Ruin
"If the Empire knew about this place, they'd throw everything they have at destroying it. A civilization this advanced, hidden all this time..." I shook my head. "No wonder they've kept it secret."
Septimus nodded, his scholar's mind clearly racing with the implications. "Makes you wonder what else we've been lied to about."
As we approached the city gates, I noticed the change in our reception. The rural villages had regarded us with curiosity mixed with suspicion, but here at the threshold of their capital, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. People stopped in their tracks, pointing and whispering. Some spat on the ground as we passed. Others shouted what could only be insults, though I couldn't understand the words.
"They hate us," Antonius observed.
I didn’t blame them.
As we approached the outskirts of the great mountain city, the scale of it became even more impressive. Buildings carved directly from the living rock rose in graceful tiers, connected by a network of bridges and staircases that somehow managed to appear both functional and beautiful. Water flowed through carefully engineered channels, powering what looked like mills and other machinery.
"They have running water," Jalend muttered beside me. "Even in the upper districts."
The engineering required for such a feat in a mountain settlement was staggering. In the Empire, only the wealthiest districts of our largest cities enjoyed such luxuries.
Our captors led us through increasingly populated areas, and I couldn't help but notice how the people reacted to our presence. The locals stopped their activities to watch our procession, their expressions ranging from curiosity to open hostility. Children were pulled back by protective parents, and more than one person made warding gestures as we passed. I couldn't blame them—we were the enemy, representatives of an Empire that had been trying to exterminate their people for generations.
As we entered what appeared to be the main thoroughfare of the lower city, the crowd grew denser and more vocal. Rotten fruit splattered against my shoulder, followed by a stream of what could only be curses. I kept my head high, refusing to show any reaction that might be interpreted as weakness.
The guards tightened their formation around us, not so much protecting us as ensuring we couldn't escape in the growing chaos. I noted their efficiency with professional appreciation even as I searched for potential weaknesses in their defence. So far, I'd found none.
The crowd's hostility grew with each step deeper into the city. More projectiles flew—not just rotten food now, but small stones and clumps of dung. One struck Septimus on the temple, drawing blood that trickled down his pale face.
"Enough!" I heard Sirrax growl in the Talfen tongue, his voice carrying an authority I hadn't heard before. The guards exchanged glances but made no move to better protect us.
We were herded through increasingly narrow streets that wound upward, the gradient becoming steeper as we approached the mountain proper. The buildings here were grander, with intricate carvings decorating doorways and windows. Despite our predicament, I couldn't help admiring the craftsmanship—these weren't crude structures but works of art that had clearly taken generations to perfect.
"Where are they taking us?" Jalend asked, his aristocratic composure finally beginning to crack.
"Somewhere we won't be easily found," I replied quietly. "The question is whether that's a prison or an execution ground."
"They're going to tear us apart before we even reach wherever they're taking us," Antonius muttered, ducking as something that looked suspiciously like animal dung sailed past his head.
I kept my eyes forward, scanning the path ahead for any sign of where we might be headed. The city seemed to spiral upward,each level more imposing than the last. At the very top, that temple or palace gleamed like a black jewel against the sky. If Sirrax was right, that's where they'd be keeping Livia.
"Look there," Septimus whispered, nodding toward a group of figures watching from a balcony several levels above us. Unlike the common folk hurling abuse, these observers wore elaborate robes and stood with the unmistakable bearing of authority. "I'd wager those are their leaders."
I studied the figures on the balcony, trying to gauge their importance by their dress and demeanour. Their robes were richly decorated with symbols similar to those we'd seen in the tunnel, and several wore what appeared to be ceremonial jewellery that caught the sunlight. One figure in particular stood out—a woman with white hair bound in elaborate braids, her posture radiating authority even from this distance.
"We need a plan," I muttered to Septimus, keeping my voice low enough that our guards couldn't hear. "If they separate us, whatever happens, I don’t think we should reveal Jalend’s identity.”
Jalend looked over at me, his eyes widening as he suddenly realised the tenuous position he was in.
If these people discovered they had the Emperor's son in their grasp, our situation would become infinitely more complicated. They might use him as a bargaining chip—or worse, make an example of him.
"We're just mercenaries who took the wrong job. Nothing more."
"And if they ask about the dragons?" Septimus whispered.
"Say nothing. Let Sirrax and Tarshi handle any questions about that." I risked a glance at our Talfen companions, who were being treated with markedly more respect than the rest of us. Tarshi especially seemed to command a strange deference from our captors, though he looked as confused by it as I felt.
The crowd grew more agitated as we approached what appeared to be a central square. The projectiles came faster now, accompanied by shouts that needed no translation. I felt something wet strike my cheek and fought the urge to wipe it away. Show no weakness. Show no reaction. Something sickening churned in my stomach, the shouts and jeers bringing back memories of the arena sands. The dawning realisation that I was once again a captive. I forced the thought away. Livia. We were here to rescue Livia.
As we were led inside the building, I allowed myself one last look at the city rising above us. Somewhere in those heights, the woman we had all come to love was waiting. And despite the odds against us, despite being captured and bound in the heart of enemy territory, I felt a spark of hope.
I prayed to all the gods that we had finally found her. Now we just had to figure out how to get her back.
7
