Page 109 of A War of Embers

Probably. I have no idea how to communicate our presence with the High Lords and Ladies. Maybe, like how Zeke can feel them, they can feel his power and know where we are. Still, how we get from here to there is beyond me.

We keep walking towards the edge of our maps. Realistically I know there’s uncharted territory beyond the mountains that no one ventures to. The stories we’re told are that life from the Blood Sea is what originally sustained us before the Blood Witch cut the connection. But everyone had already established Districts by that point so the need to further expand was unnecessary.

Personally I think the easiest way to control a massive population is to keep them contained. The mountains work as a natural barrier to stop many from going past.

Along with the High Lords and Ladies supposedly killing anyone they seem unworthy from getting too close and the uninhabited land is left useless. As far as Tellus goes, this is the end of our map. I don’t know if Rowan even knows what lies beyond the Wraithlands and Cliff of Embers. I could see the landscape drawing out in the distance, looking sparse but lively.

“I really hope they decide to see us soon,” I grunt. The more time we’re out here vulnerable to everyone, the more likely Lady Gwenyth will know of my return. At any moment I could be turned into a mindless killing machine. The anxiety of our situation sends a shiver down my spine.

Zeke frowns as he points towards something up ahead. “Is that a pyre?”

If it is, it’s a poorly lit one. I squint, making out a flame in the distance at the top of a hill. There’s no one nearby, no sound of life to give away who lit the pyre for travelers.

An uneasy feeling settles in my bones. Like a black band wrapping around my heart and lungs, seeking to find my souls. I wish I knew more about my magic to be able to combat the sludge coating my insides. Something I’ll need to rectify as soon as we return to Aïdes.

Climbing closer to the pyre, I can make out a large heap of black ore, somehow not melting, but burning a bright orange with flickers of yellow and red. Sparks fly off as we get closer, angry and lifeless as they aim for our feet.

The pathway continues on, still climbing through the mountains into the unknown. Thick trees line the path, stopping a few yards behind us so the pyre doesn’t light everything. A rocky patch of cleaned debris sits off to the side and I step over towards it, intent on sitting down on the log while discussing a plan with Zeke on if we cannot find the High Lords and Ladies.

Except the moment I step near the log, my entire body seems to plummet downwards, as if I jumped off another cliff. However the fall only lasts seconds, sending me down about nine feet into another clearing.

I know I didn’t step off a cliff mere seconds ago. The land looked solid beneath my feet. Suddenly a cloud of dust blooms as Zeke lands next to me in a crouch.

“Are you okay?” he demands.

I breathe out sharply from my nose to control my heart rate that’s fluttering in my chest. “I’m fine.”

“I think we found the Godlands,” he announces.

My gaze jerks from the imagined cliff towards where Zeke is looking ahead. Although we’re high in the mountains, the place before me reeks of wealth and status. Much like the cities in Aïdes, gold adorns the houses of luxury. The trees abruptly stop at a cliff’s edge not too far from us, showcasing the Blood Sea bathed in darkness and the lights from the Blood City and Bone City.

Zeke steps in front of me, blocking the way for me to move forward. Frowning, I lean around him to spy a lone figure walking towards us.

The man looks elderly, in his seventies or eighties, with wispy white hair, vibrant violet eyes, and his weathered hands glow a familiar shade of neon blue all the way down to his fingertips.

I stare, my mind blanking as I watch him continue forward at an unhurried rate. He has a godlike soul, like I do. Like Rowan does. Realm blessed.

“I don’t remember the last time I saw an immortal in the flesh,” the elderly man comments. His eyes crinkle as he stares at me. “You wouldn’t have made it past the wards if you had ill intentions.”

So there really is something up here to kill those seeking the Godlands. Still, Zeke and I remain quiet as the man draws closer. Eventually he stops several steps away, turning his attention to Zeke briefly.

“A dragon shifter.” He smirks, his thin lips nearly disappearing behind his teeth. “Your kind walked this land far before we got here. But you aren’t a dragon shifter.”

“Aren’t I?” Zeke’s aloof tone rankles me.

Stepping to the side, I eye the old man and then Zeke. While I know he’s most likely being a dick because it’s his default personality, the fact the High Lord knew I'm an immortal and he's a dragon leaves an unsettling taste in my mouth.

Turning back towards me, the man smiles. “You are nervous. Don’t be. If we meant any harm to you, you would already be dead.”

“Somehow that’s not as reassuring as you think it is,” I deadpan. Placing a hand on my chest, I introduce ourselves. “My name is Keres, I am originally from Cinnabar District but now reside in Aïdes within the Blood City. This is Zeke, he’s escorting me until we return to Aïdes.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Keres and Zeke. I am Samuel.” He doesn’t offer out his hand in greeting but smiles pleasantly instead. “Have you come to seek answers about the questions of your origins?”

“No,” Zeke bluntly retorts.

All Samuel does is smirk at the dragon. “Of course not. I assume only Keres has an interest in her past.”

“Actually, I want to talk about my future,” I interrupt. “I have immortal souls inside of me that I would like removed.”

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