It was depressing work.
But the Farmlands’ pastoral nature, while continuously delightful, required little extended attention; it was the perfect opportunity to focus exclusively on his Heart and all its weaknesses, which is why he was jolted out of his meditative reverie when Evelyn called a halt.
“What’s going on?” he asked of nobody in particular, and leaped off the road onto the high shoulder that bordered a broad ditch. A group of Great Souls was approaching, some six in number, each with a House Kraken patch sewn over their heart, their manner alert and their presence serious.
No dazed farmers these, nor nervous Emberlings out on patrol.
This group meant business.
Scorio eyed the Dread Blazes. They didn’t seem alarmed. Wary, uncertain of how quickly word might have spread from Bastion as to their doings, he leaped back onto the road and rejoined the others.
“Relax,” Davelos said quietly so that only their group could hear. “You’re getting the rare honor of meeting Druanna on the road. Just stay quiet and everything will be fine.”
Not exactly reassuring.
Their group had stopped, content to await the Kraken patrol’s approach, and this afforded Scorio ample opportunity to study the new Great Souls.
Though in truth his gaze was drawn and held by their leader.
Druanna.
He’d not heard of her, but now he wished he’d spent more time studying the House elites. She was tall, in her early thirties, athletic and strikingly handsome. A full mane of black hair fell past her shoulders and her skin glowed with a warm golden hue. She moved with an easy grace that hinted at her strength, and her presence was such that the other five Great Souls seemed to fade into the background.
“Pyre Lady,” called Davelos, his voice rich with cheer. “It’s a pleasure to meet you on the road.”
Pyre Lady?
The House Kraken patrol stopped a good dozen yards away. Druanna placed her hands on her hips and studied them with frank directness. “Manticore. We’ve met before, I believe, but I don’t recall your name.”
“It’s Davelos. Dread Blaze and Class of 869.”
“And I’m Evelyn, Pyre Lady. Same rank and class as my friend.”
Druanna nodded, taking in the information, then looked past them both to scan the Emberlings and Tomb Sparks behind them. “You’re quite the group. Where are you headed? Are you on Basilisk business?”
“To the Fiery Shoals.” Davelos linked his hands behind his back and squared his shoulders. “And on an independent contract. I’m glad to report we’ve had no trouble thus far.”
Druanna smiled. “You’re on House Kraken land, Davelos. I’d imagine not. But be careful from this point on. Each year the fiends grow more active and my resources scanter. I can’t guarantee your safety as once I might have the closer you get to the Golden Circuit.”
Davelos bowed his head. “I appreciate the warning. Any danger in particular?”
“We wiped out a herd of irontails yesterday, and tracked down and killed a lone thunderjaw before that.” She smiled again, but the expression didn’t reach her eyes. “Those, at least, you won’t have to worry about.”
“A thunderjaw?” Evelyn’s surprise was evident. “On the Rascor Plains?”
“This was well past the Circuit and into the Mist Valley.” Druanna sounded dismissive. “I’m sure the White Queen would have taken care of it if we hadn’t. What news from Bastion?”
Scorio couldn’t help but tense, though Davelos and Evelyn remained completely at ease.
“The commoners are discontent,” said Davelos.
“Rising up in the streets.” Evelyn shrugged one shoulder. “Not sure what they’re hoping to achieve. Most of the violence seems limited to Ward 4. Chancellor Praximar and the Council seem to have it well in hand, though.”
“I see.” Druanna frowned. “I’m sure it’s nothing they can’t handle. Still. Unusual times. Be safe out there.”
“Thank you, Pyre Lady.” Davelos bowed his head once more. “We shall.”
They all moved aside so that the patrol could pass them by. Druanna studied them as she strode past, and for a fleeting moment, her dark gaze locked with Scorio’s. He fought to keep his expression neutral, and then she was gone.
Evelyn pulled them all forwards, not letting them gawk, and it was only once the patrol was gone from sight over a distant bridge that they slowed down the pace.
“A Pyre Lady?” Jova voiced Scorio’s amazement. “On patrol?”
Evelyn looked back with a wry smile. “Oh, she’s not just on random patrol. She’s in charge of all security for House Kraken land out here. And given how most of the Farmlands belongs to either Hydra or Kraken, that’s a huge responsibility. I don’t envy her. It’s impossible to be everywhere at once.”
“But,” protested Scorio, “why is she out here while Praximar’s running all of Bastion? Isn’t she just as powerful as he is?”
Davelos let out a bark of laughter. “I’d put all my octs on Druanna in a fight between the two.”
“You would?” Jova turned to gaze back behind them. “What can she do?”
“It’s not fair, really.” Evelyn sighed dramatically. “Some people are reborn with minor or utilitarian abilities. Others, like Druanna, manifest the power to summon a twenty-foot-tall obsidian golem with six swords that’s invulnerable to damage.”
“She what now?” asked Leonis.
“My reaction exactly!” Evelyn laughed. “And she can cause blades of black glass to sprout like grass from shadows. And she can grow four extra arms of her own with which she wields six perfectly coordinated swords.”
“And she’s gorgeous,” said Davelos, shaking his head in bemusement.
“Like I said.” Evelyn shrugged. “Just not fair.”
Now everyone turned back to stare down the road.
“But I don’t get it,” insisted Scorio. “Why is she on patrol duty if she’s that powerful?”
“I think she likes it,” said Evelyn. “It’s a question of temperament. Just like Pyre Lord Daron of House Chimera oversees their main trade route into Bastion, or Valtaire of House Hydra watches over their House’s land.”
“Valtaire’s a Pyre Lord?” asked Naomi.
“Sure is.” Evelyn fluttered her eyes. “And as easy on the eyes as Davelos finds Druanna. It’s that perfect stubble that he always has and his gentlemanly ways. I can’t imagine that he and Druanna haven’t, well.”
Davelos gave Evelyn a warning glance.
“But Pyre Lords can go deeper into Hell,” said Jova. “Why are they defending the Farmlands?”
“Because all wealth flows into Bastion through the Farmlands,” said Evelyn, as if it was the most obvious point in the world. “You let the Farmlands fall and not only does Bastion starve, but all the treasure and resources that feed the Houses and keep the Academy running dry up.”
“That,” added Davelos, “and there are a lot of people on the Farmlands proper. Thousands of farmers, along with hundreds of Great Souls spread across its breadth to ensure their safety. Neither Druanna, Valtaire, or Daron would countenance their being killed. They’re good people, far as that goes.”
“Huh.” Scorio twisted about one last time, but the Kraken patrol was gone from sight. “Fascinating.”
Lianshi half raised her hand. “House Basilisk doesn’t own farmland?”
“They did,” said Evelyn, hitching her pack higher and picking up the pace. “But they lost it all to hostile takeovers once their Imperators died assaulting the Pit. Not that they had much to begin with. Farmwork isn’t quite Basilisk’s style.”
“Anyways, enough talk,” said Davelos. “Let’s press hard for a spell. With Druanna having just come through here we can afford more speed at the expense of our necessary caution.”
“More speed?” protested Leonis. “We’re already going all out.”
To which Davelos merely snorted and then began to pull ahead, Evelyn easily matching his pace.