Snippet #2483676

[Co-written with SkullsandSlippers]

94th Day

Sanctum of the Timekeepers

The Sanctum was a massive multi-tiered structure that sat outside of Solaria. It was one of many throughout the landscape of the Ba'Gatha, they served as source of knowledge, and a record of time. They had been around since the beginning of time, the time which they began recording. Since the beginning of time, the Timekeepers established themselves as an entity of scholars and record keepers, beholden to nothing and no one, except time itself. It was their duty to measure time, and keep a record of all the happenings in the desert.

The Sanctum worked like it did any other day. A company of Keepers were incessantly transliterating and replicating older pieces of knowledge, as well as recording new pieces that came in daily from scribes of the cities. Each city had a group of scribes who would deliver a set or records on current events to the timekeepers. The timekeepers in turn would translate the events to the days on which they happened into a general record of history. Because there was no other method of telling time outside of the timekeepers, independent historians were often far and few.

The halls were damp, and mostly dark except for the little of holes of sunlight that marked the great dials that measured the length of day.

Two men walked down a corridor of the labyrinthine sanctum. Both were defined by baldness that had been around since the beginning of time, pointed ears, glowing blue eyes that seemed to never blink, dry hairless faces with many trenches and wrinkles, robes that covered them completely save their heads, and single emblems etched on their foreheads.

"Keeper Kel," the first spoke, leading the way through the dark hall.

"Yes, Keeper Umian?" the second one replied, as a flash of sunlight hit his pale face.

From a glance, the first Keeper seemed experienced, by the way he walked, the way he talked, and the many wrinkles on his forehead. The last was an indication of age, and perhaps seniority. The second one was the opposite, save for the wrinkles, for his face and eyes were sunken in like a pouch as well. To be a Keeper, as they addressed one another, was to live a monastic life, a life of austerity.

Nobody really knew much about them, some claimed that they were as old as the sands themselves, others said that they came from the sands. Despite the legends, the Timekeepers were easily accessible by those who wish to know of events past and present that have been put down into the memory of the sand.

"What day is it?"

"The 94th day," Keeper Kel replied.

"The 94th."

"The deserts will see much strife."

"Much strife," Keeper Umian echoed behind his senior.

---

Dunes Between Solaria and the Sanctum

The sun was warm, not hot. The sands were soft. A straight road once led to the Sanctum of the Timekeepers from the city. The path had been covered with windblown sand, quiet and still. Between Solaria and the Sanctum of the Timekeepers was open territory. Open in the sense that marauders roamed the sands freely.

In the distance, a large cadre of Solarians could be seen making their way along the hidden trail. Several of the group were mounted on yakolas while their escorts went on foot beside them.

Faeran and Aureliar rode in the back, while Alleara and Estios, who was the head of the escort detail composed entirely of Sunfires, led in the front. Greks and Vallon kept pace on foot along with the other guards. Their bronze armor gleamed in the desert, while their short white capes fluttered in the wind. The Sunfires noted that it was odd seeing a bird ride another beast, in reference to the Vaul delegate, but they kept their mouths shut.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Aureliar whispered.

The portly delegate returned a nod, his mount groaned slightly upon its next step, to which the Vaul said nothing more.

Alleara was dressed in a lightweight dress and a parasol over her head to keep her from the warm sun. They were lucky that the temperatures were of a more moderate nature on this day. She had gone home from the Custodians of the Dead to inform her parents of her new task as the Queen's liaison and investigator for the old queen's death. Her father had been thrilled, her mother wanting to boast and preen in front of her friends. Alleara had left them to pack a small bag. There was a journey ahead of her and she wished to be ready. She had her books, ink and pen as well as some coin for the journey. She would not go empty handed.

Now she walked the sands with the others, their guards around them. She had never left Solaria. She was excited at the prospect of new places but fearful. Alleara had, since her childhood heard stories of the horrors that happened in the deserts outside of the city. Now she traveled with men she only knew by name but not by character as well as an entourage of guards. She felt out of place. Scientists, inventors were meant to stay in their labs, not travel the world. For her own peace of mind and his, her father had sent her with a firearm and powder. She could use it, she just hoped she would not have to.

The guards, their escort of Sunfires seemed very competent and Alleara reminded herself that these were the best in Solaria.

She walked at the front of the group with Estios. Behind her were the two delegates. She still had not decided if they were truly helping with the investigation or doing what they could to hinder her as they gave the impression that they did not like her. Alleara didn't blame them necessarily. This position was as much a surprise to her as it was to them and she could understand the men not taking too kindly to a young woman who suddenly questioned everything. Still she thought that their duty to the queen, a desire to solve the issue of the murders would overrule all. Perhaps they have other agendas or perhaps they are simply miserable men who do not like their incompetence pointed out. Alleara truly felt that things had been overlooked in the original death reports, pieces were missing and the original investigators missed connections or at least possible connections.

I need time to sit and make notes, to see where the connections lay. She adjusted the strap of her bag that crossed her body. It left her arms completely free though it rubbed slightly as she walked. It was a necessary thing though, she would not be caught without her notes this time and money as well as her firearm ensured that she was prepared for anything that might delay them.

"It's funny to think that she would know how to use that," Aureliar observed from afar, in reference to her rifle.

"It won't do her much good," Faeran remained terse.

When he felt necessary, Faeran could assume a cold and calculating mask. After some time had elapsed, the Vaul delegate asked that the group settle in the shade for a brief respite before continuing on their day's long journey to the Sanctum. Estios agreed and the group rested behind a large rock that shielded them from the sun at an angle. The wind picked up and bits of sand followed its call.

Most of the soldiers stood on guard as they snacked on part of their rations.

Alleara found a spot to sit. She removed her bag, her firearm and placed her parasol next to her on the ground. Her hand slipped inside the bag to remove one of her books and she quickly began to jot down a few notes, things that had come to mind as she walked. The shade was cooler than the sun and easier on the eyes. Around her others were sitting or standing and eating. She had no appetite simply wished to make notes before the thoughts drifted away like the blowing sand.

"Already at work I see?" Vallon said as he stood before her alongside Greks, it seemed as though the two were nearly inseparable.

"Just some notes. Observations and such. Everything might be a piece of the puzzle. It would not do to overlook something." Alleara did not look up right away from her book. She finished scribbling her sentence and then raised her eyes slowly to look at the two men. She felt as if they were watching her every move and found it very disconcerting. She would not let them know that they unnerved her though and after a moment went back to work though there was a slight shake to her hand as she wrote.

Estios, for his part, remained standing, watching the sands, waiting for any marauders. He could see Faeran and Aureliar conversing with another Sunfire corporal, who he did not recognize. There was something off about it, and perhaps he would have known more had he listened in on their conversation. Yet his mind was elsewhere. Their break was brief and they were immediately on the road once more. They had not reached the halfway point to the Sanctum before Lord Faeran spoke from behind.

"That's far enough."

Alleara adjusted the parasol over her shoulder as she turned and looked to Lord Faeran. Her eyes flickered to Estios who was still beside her as he had been the entire journey so far. Far enough? "Are we taking another break?" She inquired.

Estios remained silent as he turned to face Faeran.

The two mounted delegates had their eyes set upon the young noblewoman. Their beasts lightly bucked as though the men were ready to off.

"You've been quite the thorn in our sides for some time now," Faeran turned to Aureliar, "Who would have thought a lowborn noble such as her could have convinced the queen to believe her lies?"

"Quite surprising," the Vaul ruffled his feathers before he addressed Alleara directly, "Your journey has come to an end, Lady Delegio."

Alleara was unsure for a moment what was going on. She shook her head as if to assure herself she was not dreaming. Lies? I have not lied and I convinced the queen of nothing she asked for me...

At those words, half the soldiers rallied around the two delegates, unsheathing their swords and readying their bows. An invisible line had been drawn in the sand. The other Sunfires, those who were still loyal to the queen and to their duty of protecting the lady, drew their swords slowly. They were unsure of the situation, but it would eventually dawn on them.

Captain Estios looked at the two delegates, "What is the meaning of this?"

"Captain," Faeran paused for effect, "I apologize that it had to end like this. You will be remembered as a hero..." he paused once more, "Or a traitor."

"And that fate lays with the rest of you as well."

The men were talking as if this were a simple matter, as if discussing what meat to have with dinner. It was as if the decision was already made and she was but a bystander. She realized with a sickening feeling that she was going to die, here in the sand. They meant to get rid of her. The were ridding themselves of a problem because she was delving into things they didn't want people to know. Her eyes flickered between them. "You can't do this."

"Oh, but we are," Faeran said, almost with a hint of joy.

One of the loyalists had raised his sword "Protect the queen-," his sentence was cut off as an arrow lunged into his throat and sent him onto the ground. The swords unsheathe and screams fell onto the sand as both sides raced at each other. Another arrow would have came toward Alleara had Estios not dove in front and activated his solar shield. The situation seemed hopeless as her guards, those still loyal to her, were outnumbered.

"These dogs! How much did you pay them?" Estios roared, it seemed as though he had discarded his earlier taciturn nature.

The tide rose ever higher against them, as the traitors began to nearly surround the loyalists. The sand was bathed in blood and metal. Arrows zipped by nearly as quiet as the desert wind and found flesh.

Greks found himself cornered by two traitors, he proceeded to parry their blows, before returning his blade. Just as one fell, the other was about to strike at his unguarded side, but that never came to fruition as Vallon dove between, piercing the traitor's armor with his sword. The man slumped to the ground dead. They saw that the battle was nearly lost, as even the captain himself was nearly surrounded trying to defend Lady Delegio.

"No!" Alleara pulled her rifle from her back as Estios darted in front of her. She realized that it was only his quick thinking that had saved her life, an arrow deflecting off of his shield. "What do we do?" She called to Estios as she loaded the firearm.

Around her men were dying, struck down by the very men they served with. She quelled the tide of panic that grew in her. She had wanted to help, to solve the queen's murder but never did she think it would lead to the slaughter of good men. "They are killing them!" Alleara lifted the now loaded rifle. She took aim. I have to kill them. She shot. It hit one of the traitorous Sunfires in the back. He buckled to the ground and she proceeded to load the rifle again. Her eyes darted about a little as she readied herself should she need to run.

Greks and Vallon sprinted to the captain and the lady, by now the traitors were nearly surrounding them.

"Captain! Let us handle them, you need to get her to safety," Greks said as he blocked off an arrow with his sword.

"But we can't leav-" another arrow flew by that nearly clipped Estios had he not ducked in time.

"We'll hold them off for you and her to escape. Don't let our sacrifice be in vain," Vallon charged back into the fray.

"But you won't escape them. There are too many." Alleara raised her rifle once more. "No! Wait-" Her voice caught in her throat. "They will kill him!" She looked at Estios, fear in her eyes. They were killing them and it was because of her.

"As long as you survive, Solaria may see another day," Greks said to the noblewoman, before he turned to the captain," It was an honor, sir. Now go!"

And with that, he too charged valiantly toward his doom.

"No...no..." The tears formed in her eyes making it hard for her to see her shot.

Estios had nearly lost touch with reality until another arrow strafed by, and he knew what he had to do.

"Comon' let's get out of here," he grabbed Alleara by the arm and pulled her into the winding canyon that was behind them.

Aureliar noticed their escape, "Damn you fools, after her!" he commanded several of his men, who pursued quickly.

A hand grabbed her and pulled her. Alleara's feet moved automatically. She was running, doing her best to keep up with the man who held her tightly. Run! Run! Her mind screamed even as her heart wanted to break for the men that were being killed.

"Take my shield and give me your rifle," Estios barked at the woman, he was now fighting for their lives.

Alleara handed him her firearm and took the offered shield. She was warring between crying and screaming. This wasn't how things were supposed to be. They were murderers and she knew in that moment that this was not the first time the Lords had conspired to commit such and act.

As the pursuers chased after them into the cramped passages of the canyon, Estios swung around and fired a round at them, a shot to kill, a shot to warn, and perhaps a shot to slow them. The two continued run through the narrow corridors for sometime, trying to sidetrack or even lose their pursuers.

After some twisting turns, Estios pointed into a crevice leading down another a path, "In there," he whispered.

Alleara did as he said and moved into the crevice. She was very, very aware that this man was all that stood between her and certain death. Her feet hurt, her muscles ached and her face as dirty as her hands now but she didn't care. She ignored all discomfort. What was a little pain in her legs compared to the lives of the men who had charged in to protect her?

As she went in, he traveled a bit further and threw down his helmet in the sand and made some tracks to confuse them, before he rejoined her inside the cramped little confine. They watched and waited for the soldiers to pass by, quiet and still with bated breaths. Adrenaline continued to flow, as Estios gripped the rifle tightly.

Alleara closed her eyes and listened as footsteps ran past them. The longer they stay there, still and hidden away the more her panic drained and left her shaking. She did her best to wrap her arms about her to still the movement. One moment she was travelling, working out the mystery in her mind and the next there was blood and bodies. Her stomach lurched a little. What if no one had helped her? You'd be dead in the sand like the others....

They waited for some time, a very long time it seemed, before Estios believed they could leave their hiding place. Just as he was about to stand up, a familiar voice could be heard throughout the canyon. The echoes bounced off the walls, it was the same hated voice as before. Both he and noblewoman would know the voice to be that of Faeran's.

"Lady Delegio! Captain Estios!"

The captain tensed up as he held his breath, his eyes darting about, waiting for the traitors to suddenly appear.

"I have one of your soldiers here!" the echoes gave his voice a guttural effect that only made him seem more ghastly.

"Tell them your name!"

There was a brief pause, silence.

"You can't speak?" he began to laugh.

"His name is Vallon," he cried out again.

Alleara looked at the Captain. Her eyes were wide with fear. She didn't know where Faeran was but he seemed to know there were somewhere near by. He used the canyon to his advantage she could tell, the acoustics causing his voice to bounce and echo. There was no way for them to know exactly where he was without looking. Her heart stopped as he stated he had one of the guards with him. She shook her head. He is sick. Out for himself and willing to do anything to keep his power. She dared not say a word only released a shuddering breath.

Then there was the unmistakable crack.

And the captain lowered his head for a time.

Alleara jumped at the sound. It echoed around her and she didn't think it would ever stop echoing in her ears. She covered her mouth, pressing hard to stifle any sound she might make. She didn't understand how someone could so coldly snuff out the life of another. Her eyes moved to the man beside her. Those were his men, loyal and traitors alike. They were his men and now they were dead or had turned on him. She wanted to comfort him but she didn't think he'd want that and certainly not from the woman who had caused all of this.

Estios took a single breath before he reclaimed himself, and peered out of their hole in both directions.

"Comon'," he gave her a hand to pull her up before they continued.

Alleara took his hand and stood so that she could follow. "Captain..." Her voice was just a bit above a whisper. "I am sorry about your men. They...there is no excuse for what has happened." She couldn't bring herself to think about her parents, about what they would tell the Queen when they returned to Solaria. She would be named traitor, they would say it was her doing. Alleara could feel it in the pit of her stomach. They were involved with the murder of the queen or at least the events leading up to and after. There were secrets they wished to remain hidden and the Queen asking her to investigate and her thoroughness threatened to expose them. She recognized them for what they were murdering traitors who were afraid that the truth would mean the end of their power and positions.

"Don't be," the captain said plainly, he understood that she felt guilty, but he knew it was misplaced guilt.

He knew they had other things of concern than guilt, for it was possible that the delegates had sent hunting parties after them. A return to Solaria would be ill-advised as by then they would be walking straight into the jaws of death. They had to find another way, should they continue to the Sanctum? He did not know.

She forced herself to look at Estios, there was guilt written all over her face. She knew that if she hadn't been sent to do a job that his men would still be alive. She was angry at the men who attack them and angry at herself. Had to solve the mystery. Had to go looking for answers.

"Let's get out of this canyon," he said to her, then he looked at the shadows of the canyon to determine which direction was east.

That would be the direction that they would go.

Alleara nodded and followed. Though he told her not to feel guilty at the moment the lingering sound of the man, Vallon's death haunted her. "Where will we go? If I can get to the Queen I can explain what happened. She is the reason I am doing this journey. She requested it. Surely she will believe me. I have to stop them before they spread rumors. They will stop at nothing to hide the things they have done." She watched as Estios looked at their surroundings. "I have to fix this. I have to show the kind of men they are."

"The path back to Solaria is fraught with marauders, and perhaps by now they have already ridden back and reported to the queen with lies," Estios shook his head, "At this point..."

The captain was unsure what path they should take. He was lost in the winding canyons.