Ascended

Narder was dead.

I didn’t have to go very far into the mine before I found both the Bokor and the dead Zombie. The infection had taken over and he had transitioned into a Zombie, which was why Master James had removed his head. The older man was looking deeper into the mine where it split in three different paths.

I looked down at the Zombie and shook my head, “I was hoping he hadn’t changed.”

“I’m glad I got to him before he got out.” The Bokor was looking at the map. “If we can hold the Zombies here, then we should be able to keep them out of the city.”

“Do you think that they’re really going to come from this way?” I looked at the tunnels, “What if this is all a way to throw us off?”

“Come here…” Master James started down the tunnel on our right. We ran for a few minutes before we came to the end. “Shh.”

Neither of us made a sound, but there was still noise in the tunnel. The sound of digging was coming through the walls.

“This is the one that is the strongest, but it’s coming from all three of them.” He shook his head and started running back.

“Can’t we collapse the tunnel?” I nodded at the support beams.

“I don’t know enough about how to do that to be sure that I wouldn’t bring the whole thing down on top of me.” He shook his head, “But one thing I do know is that they are coming through this way.”

He kept going until he was out of the mine. “We need to stay here and buy as much time as we can for everyone to get out.”

I heard a door slam and saw that there was still a light on in one of the houses. “Are there still people staying?”

Master James shook his head, “Some of the miners and others are insisting that they aren’t leaving. I think it’s close to around a third of the population thinks that this is just an elaborate ruse to steal their homes from them. Or they’re working with the Touched.”

I heard a loud noise from inside the mine. “You should go.”

“What?” Master James had his sword out and looked at me.

“If we can’t hold this horde back, then the caravan isn’t going to stand a chance. And just giving them a head start isn’t going to be enough. They need someone who can cover ground quickly to defend the whole caravan, which means you have to go with them.” I forced a smile, “besides, it would mean going backwards for me and Val.” I nodded towards the gate, “Go, I’ll…”

I stopped as Val and Eveth started running towards us.

“She woke up and insisted on coming to help.” Val nodded at the younger woman, “Are they coming this way?”

“I think they just broke through.” I nodded at the mine, then looked at Eveth, “Are you feeling okay?”

Eveth blinked and I noticed that her green eyes were now white, but otherwise she didn’t look any different.

“I feel…” The blonde let out a deep breath, “I feel different, but I don’t know how.”

Master James looked her over and shook his head. “You should come with me, so that I can examine you. We don’t know what that crystal may have done…” His voice trailed off as he touched her face so he could look at her eyes.

She pulled back and moved behind Val, “I’m a Wrangler. “ She pulled out a sword, “My job is to keep the Zombies away from the city. And that’s what I’m going to do.”

Master James looked like he was going to argue, but instead he looked at Val, “Byler knows a lot about the Bokor and our traditions. Let him teach you how to act because the people are going to assume you’re the leader.” He looked at me, “Keep going on your route. I will try to meet you at Port Town in a month. If I don’t show up, assume that the Council is not going to accept you. You should be able to get on a ship and head to the western side of the continent from there. That should give you at least a head start from the Hunters.” He looked at Eveth, “I hope to see you…” He nodded, “All of you again soon.”

I watched him run towards the front of the city. Once he was gone I turned back to the mine.

“We don’t let anything get past us.”