Ascended

I ran across the roofs.

It had gotten dark outside, and I noticed that since I had the glasses on, the colors of everything looked the same. They weren’t overlaid with purple. I began to be very thankful for the exchange that I had made with Fyga.

There was almost no one up here. Probably because people were trying to leave through the gate, which was closed at the moment. When I got close to the wall arch over the gate where Master James and Gili were standing, I could see that Felge was right in front of the gate with his wagons packed tight. He knew that the Zombies were coming and had probably been about to leave when I got back.

“Master James!” I waved the folded map. “Master James, I have it!”

“Master Byler, what’s that?” Master James took the map from me. He looked at the goggles I was wearing and shook his head. He thought I’d shunned his advice. I couldn't tell him the truth. Not right now anyway.

“I got…” I looked at Gili.

“She’s been told that Fyga was working with the Touched and that we’ve detained her.” Master James unrolled the map and moved it closer to a torch. “What am I looking at?”

He must not want other people to know that Fyga was a Touched. Not that I blamed him. It was easier to keep her in our custody if she was just a human waiting to be questioned rather than a Touched that was a threat to the whole city.

I pointed at the three Touched listed in the corner. It read

Electric - mid

Earth - low

Fire - low

“Those are the Touched that are going to be leading the Zombies.” I pointed at the circled places on the map. “This is a map of the mine. Lewiu was having his men dig towards the places that the…” I glanced at Gili. I didn’t feel right saying the Master, “Zombies are also digging.” I pointed back at the other end of the town. “The attack is going to come from over there!” I pointed at the woods, “Not over there!”

Master James looked back at the mine, then at me. I could see that he was torn about verifying it or staying here.

“Go.” I nodded at him, “Gili can raise the alarm if she sees any Zombies.”

“What about Lewiu?” Gili grabbed my arm, “Do I need to send some boys to pick him up?”

I shook my head, “Sorry, he became combative and I had to put him down.” I saw the shock on her face and felt that I needed to elaborate. “He was promised to be turned into a Touched and had already started the process.” I shook my head, “It couldn’t be helped”

The guard captain nodded her head, “I see.” She pointed at my face, “Your eyes must be doing better.”

I touched the goggles, “I took a pair from Lewiu. I assumed they were going to be destroyed anyway. ” I tried to smile, “The light still hurts, but they help. At least I can see better until I’m fully healed.”

Gili nodded. I wasn’t sure if she was going to be upset about my theft, but she apparently decided that it wasn’t worth making a fuss about.

I looked at Master James, “We need to hurry. I have no idea when they’re going to breach.” I hesitated, but decided to add it and hope Gili didn’t want to send soldiers with him, “I also haven’t found Narder.”

Master James shook his head, “Come on.” He motioned towards the mine.

“I have something I need to verify with Felge.” I nodded at the merchant below us, “It’ll only take a minute.”

“Don’t take too long.” Master James took off.

“I won’t.” I mumbled under my breath. I hoped that Lewiu was going to be very cooperative.