Talsi walked up to the fire, her boots kicking up plumes of black dust as she strode forward. The flames were low now. Around the fire was a ring of jagged, black stones. On the stones sat four men in ragged military clothing, with thick scarfs wrapped tightly around their necks. Their beards were messy and covered in dirt, and their hair was unkempt. Each of the men had their hands stretched outwards, trying to gain one last bit of heat from the nearly dead fire.
It had only been one year since the Empress placed her in charge of this ragtag lot. “The Plainwalkers” the Empress had called them. A damn stupid name, and one that Talsi was eager to change.
She took a seat on a stone near the men and stretched out her legs before kicking off her boots. “Water?” she asked.
The eldest, a scout named Midge, opened a satchel on the ground beside him, pulling out a small water bottle. “Here,” he said, tossing the bottle to Talsi. “May as well finish that, Chopper and Roots have a couple of bottles too. If we need more, I’ll send Gumpt over to the supply tent.”
Talsi nodded. “Very good, Midge.” She brought the bottle to her lips and downed the water quickly before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “You lot eaten yet?”
Chopper looked up. “Midge and me had us something hot before from the cook. The others ain’t had nothin’, though.”
Talsi looked back to Midge and nodded.
“Roots, Gumpt,” Midge said. “Go and get something warm inside you, we need to speak with the Commander.”
The two men stood and walked northwards, up to the main encampment. They’d soon come to a large picketed area filled with tents, workshops, kitchens, and blacksmiths. Despite the size of the camp, it had been set up so efficiently by the workmen, that it could be packed up and ready to move in next to no time.
Talsi moved closer to the two remaining men, taking Roots’ stone as her own. “Empress wants us to move out at first light,” Talsi said. “No more freezing your bollocks off out here, eh Midge?”
“That’s the best damn thing I’ve heard in weeks, Commander,” Midge said. “Where we going? Who we fighting?”
“Maybe we ain’t fightin’ nobody, Midge,” Chopper said.
Talsi smiled. “We’re to be going back through the Rift. All two hundred of us. And we’re to do it in a few hours time.”
Midge howled with excitement. “Finally. We’ve been out here so long I don’t think I’ve got any testicles left to freeze.”
“The Empress seems to be satisfied enough with our findings out here. Now it’s time to return.” Talsi always felt at home out on the plains, but part of her did yearn to return to Roiyon. It was the city at the heart of the Empire, with its tall spires and gleaming marble streets. The corner of her mouth curled upwards just thinking about it. “Midge, I need you to spread the word with the other Scouts. Chopper, speak to your soldiers. We don’t have long before the Rift opens. We don’t want to be stuck out here again, eh?”
The two men nodded. “On it right away,” Midge said.
Not long after, Midge entered his tent. About twenty others, men and women, were lying around lazily on straw beds, drinking and eating. A few people were sat around a table playing a card game.
“Midge, hows the bollocks doing?” asked Bones, a middle aged man one rank underneath Midge.
“No longer got any, they turned into ice and smashed when I sat down.”
The tent erupted in laughter. Bones walked up to Midge and handed him a dark ale. “Never met anyone as funny as you, Midge. Here, get this down you, old’en.” Midge took the flagon and downed half of it.
He placed the flagon down and spoke loudly. “Now listen up.”
“What?” a female voice called from a bed at the back of the room.
“I said listen up,” Midge replied.
“Eh?” The same female voice called out.
“I said … ah. I see what you’re doing there. You got me, Nails.”
The room burst out in laughter again. The woman called Nails raised her ale and winked at Midge, a broad smile on her face.
Midge chuckled. “Alright, settle down now. Listen. We’re moving out at first light. Message from the Empress. We’re going home.”
People were leaping out of their beds. “Tell me this isn’t some trick?” a young lad called out. “This is for real?”
Midge nodded. “I’m telling you now. This is no trick. I need everyone of you to pack your stuff up. These tents and everything else will be coming down in a few hours time. Then we set off for the Rift. Our work here is done.”
Everyone cheered. People were hugging, clinking cups and flagons together. Midge smiled. “We’re going home,” he said again softly, before walking over to his bed.
Outside the encampment, Talsi walked up to the Rift. It would not yet allow travel, not until the arranged time agreed upon with the Empress. Talsi inspected the portal, its inside ring was a solid black, and its edges shimmered and buzzed with white and purple sparks. Don’t you dare fuck us, Empress. This blasted thing better open in time.
Rifts were not something that could be used by anyone, and certainly not at any time of the day. They needed to have a purpose, and the opening time had to be agreed upon between two parties at least twelve hours before travel.
She took one last look at the Rift before turning and walking back to the encampment. As she walked, a memory of her time on the plain flooded back to her. Their battle with the Ten’Gralah, a strange and ancient race of skeletal creatures. The Plainwalkers had won that fight, losing roughly thirty or so men and women. If it had not been for Midge and his scouts, that number could have been much higher.
Talsi entered the encampment, and walked into the Command quarters, a large tent with several soldiers posted outside. Her second in command, Mitt, was stood around a large table with a couple of others. “Talsi,” he said, looking up at her.
“Is everything in order?” she asked.
“Seems so, yes. I have not long spoken with Scout Commander Midge, who informs me his crew are practically frothing at the mouth to get out of here. They’ve already packed up most of their belongings and are currently taking their tent down. Chopper is rounding up his lot, and Khorin here has dealt with the remaining miscellaneous staff. Everything is looking to be on time.”
Talsi paced the length of the tent. “Good. I want everyone in camp to be at the Rift at least half an hour before it opens. Is that clear?”
Mitt and Khorin both bowed. “It sure is.”
Talsi walked over to her bed, unbuckled her sword, and removed her outer garments. She lay on the uncomfortable straw, hands clasped on top of her stomach, and stared upwards. Roiyon. Home. She thought to herself, exhaling a deep breath.
Mitt walked up to her, and sat down at the foot of her bed. “Bet you’re happy to get out of here?” he said.
“You have no idea,” Talsi said. “I just hope we get out of here in one piece, and that damned Empress isn’t planning to screw us.”
Mitt frowned. “Why would she?”
Talsi sighed. “I’m not so sure. There’s something about her. I don’t think she appreciates what we do, or who we are. I just hope I’m wrong.”
Mitt stood. “Well, we’ll soon find out.” He turned and walked off, looking back at Talsi briefly.
Talsi stared after Mitt. She would remember this encounter.
The entire encampment of the Plainwalkers had gathered just near the Rift. Each division was separated and stood in neat lines facing the portal, their Commanders at the front. Midge had ordered a few of his Scouts to travel a short distance in each direction, to look for any threats. Talsi walked along the front of the lines and turned to face everyone. “So, here we are. Good to see you all stood so neatly. Especially your lot, Chopper.”
The other divisions let out a small laugh at that comment. Chopper had a confused expression on his face. “My lot’s always neat and tidy, Commander,” Chopper said, standing proudly.
“I’m sure. As you know,” Talsi continued, “the Rift is set to open in around half an hour. Chopper, your soldiers will be the last to enter. I want no tussling or fighting when you’re going through. Be polite, and let people go before you if you can. It’s not a competition.”
“She must think we’re children or summit!” said a soldier quietly to no one in particular.
A woman next to him nudged him in the elbow. “You’ve got the brain of a child, Rusty. Shut up.”
“Now-” Talsi cut herself off as she saw one of Midge’s men running towards her from the East. She nervously darted her eyes back to the Plainwalkers, then back at the running man. He was getting nearer now, sweat running down his face, his breathing short and raspy. “Shit,” Talsi muttered.
The man was trying to shout something, but Talsi couldn’t make out what. He neared her and then collapsed onto the black ground, his eyes bulging wide. Talsi dropped to her knees and lifted his head upright. “What is it?” she said. “Talk to me, now! What have you witnessed?”
The man reached out an arm and grabbed Talsi by her shoulder. “Ten …” the man gasped. “Ten’Gralah… coming.”
Talsi’s eyes darted from side to side. “How many? How far away? HOW MANY?”
The man licked his lips. “WATER!” Talsi screamed. “Someone bring me water, now!”
Roots ran out of file, clumsily opening the lid of a bottle as he ran towards the scene. “I got you, Commander, here.” Talsi snatched the bottle and poured the contents into the man’s dry mouth.
He moved his lips up and down, took a deep breath, and said, “Hundreds.”
The End of Chapter 1.
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