“The living High Lady requests the help of the Forgotten,” Jala corrected. “The ones that are so feared in the Darklands that my guide refused to cross their borders. The ones that even Death’s demons will not approach.”
Axis’s expression changed a bit with her words and he took a step closer, his head cocked to one side in a parody of her own. Jala straightened in the saddle and felt Valor tense behind her. “For the love of god don’t draw your sword,” she hissed to him.
Valor let out a long breath and nodded though it was obvious he didn’t want to agree with her. “I trust you. If you believe this will work, I will have faith,” he whispered.
“Don’t have too much faith. If he raises that axe, draw your sword,” Jala replied quickly in a hushed voice as Axis continued to advance. He moved with quick bursts that seemed unnatural to watch and Jala could well imagine what he must be like when fighting. His simple walking was covering twice as much ground as a living man would.
“Who is your guide who would not cross our boundary?” Axis asked, his voice low. He had stopped walking several feet back from them and seemed more curious than hostile at the moment.
“Fiona Veirasha, a legend among the people in the sunlit world,” Jala replied loudly, so that all that were gathered could hear. “If Fiona Veirasha fears you, how could I possibly fail to remember the Forgotten? Even if you choose not to help me, I will remember you all.”
Axis shifted where he stood and gazed around at his people once more. “Axis.” He breathed the name, almost seeming to savor the sound of it. Slowly he looked up at Jala again and the same distrust as before crossed his features. “What would you have of us?” he asked.
“I go to face Death. I confront her for her corruption. I ask that the Forgotten help me breach her city. I do not ask you to face the Dark Lady herself. That is my task. I ask only that you help me with her minions that guard her. The demons that already fear you.”
“I think had you asked for anything else I would have let my people rip the flesh from your bones and added your skulls to my armor. For this though…” Axis paused and gave her a hideous parody of a grin that stretched his gaunt face horribly. “For this, the Forgotten will help. Death has wronged many here and we will gladly pay her in turn,” he hissed and hatred filled his voice. Turning away from her, he held his arms up and turned in a half circle. “Come forward and tell your story, the High Lady has a name for you all she says,” he called in a loud booming voice that seemed to shake the trees around them.
The mists parted revealing hundreds of forms. Most were ghostly and translucent, but some held the solid form as Axis himself did. They moved forward quickly swarming around the horse and all began speaking at once in a range of voices from yells to harsh whispers.
“I hope you are really inventive with names,” Valor whispered as he shifted again in the saddle.
“Me too,” Jala replied quietly. She had never expected there to be so many. The sight both impressed and saddened her. To have so many to help them breach Death’s city would be more than she had possibly hoped for, but to know so many had been utterly forgotten by everyone was incredibly depressing. “One at a time please, I cannot understand you all at once.” She spoke loudly as she carefully swung down from the horse. Valor dismounted quickly as well and stood by her shoulder, keeping a close watch on the dead surrounding them. She wasn’t sure what exactly he planned to do against so many, but she knew if any of the Forgotten moved against her, he would fight.
The dead grew silent and then all began speaking at once again. With a sigh, Jala held up a hand for silence and the air grew still once more. “You, tell me your story. Not all of it, mind you. Tell me what you remember best about the sunlit world,” she said as she pointed to the blond haired girl with the cold blue eyes.
“I remember pain. I remember yelling. I remember cold, hunger, and dark rooms,” the child hissed, her gaze unwavering on Jala.
Bloody hell Jala thought as the child stared up at her with those hate filled eyes. There was no good name for such memories so she chose the first one that came to mind from the child’s words. “I name you Misery for your suffering in the world above and thus I will remember you,” she promised and hoped she would never have to remember another child in such a fashion again. “You. Tell me what you remember best,” Jala said motioning to a slender woman with dark hair and darker eyes. It was going to be a very long night. Of that there was no question.
Chapter 5
Merro
Sunlight filtered down through the clouds granting feeble warmth to the day. Emily moved to sit on the edge of the flat roof and watched the people below scurry about their errands. The town itself had grown considerably in the short time they had been here, but still there was so much to be done before the snow fell. With a silent sigh Emily turned her gaze toward the northern road, hoping, but not truly expecting to see Jala returning. Sunlight flashed on the hillside and she froze, thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her, showing her what she wished to see. Valor’s armor flashed like that in sunlight. Leaning farther over the edge she focused her vision, willing to see the flash of light once more.
“Well this pair doesn’t work,” Sovann said with a disgusted sigh behind her. There was the sound of him sorting through his bag and more mumbling.
Emily ignored him and continued staring hopefully toward the distant trees. Another flash came followed by several more. Faint shapes were visible now, just coming down out of the trees. Far too many to be Jala returning, her hopes sank even as her curiosity grew. “Sovann,” she called quietly.