Beware the Ills: Part 15
Blue and I are looking for our window to leap. The hills will give it to us, but only for a moment. Only a few seconds will be needed.
The airship continues to thunder idly. The flapping metallic sound echoes through the eves. The lethargic and strenuous hum from the machine’s twirling engines confirms that it’s not truly meant to fly. It has some sort of leathery bubble-skin above its main deck, which captures air and sustains its weight. The skin’s coated in some sort of thin metal. It’s connected to the rails with round black chains. Inside must be some sort of cabin or structure to house the grunts. I usually cut this belly open, so they all spill out.
Typically, it’s red and dribbling disarray.
There are three large white hills before us. At the third peak we’ll reach the needed velocity. At that time, I will jump and use a tree at the base of the hill as some sort of leaping board. Blue will help launch me. When I break the ceiling of the trees, the bottom of the airship will nearly be within my reach. I’ll be able to stab the ship with my sword and gain a holding spot. The maneuver has happened before, and I am confident in its consistency. I’m looking forward to the view above the trees. The spectacle’s rare in comparison to our typical vantage points. We’ll get a view of the mountains and the Shingles from afar. It’ll look like a lost world riddled with stone giants.
Blue’s now keeping pace perfectly, he knows the moment of our maneuver draws near. His form, though bulky and huge, can move easily between the trees and needles. The thin snow falls and sticks to my hair in melting rings. Still, I’m not sweating. My body is unnatural. I’m inhuman, but I don’t know why. Blue’s fortunate, his coat deflects the snow and keeps him eternally dry. He’s a lucky beast. He can leap higher than me. We’ll try to alter the course of the airship back towards the trees and engage the force after it has completely appeared. His iron fur’s ideal for close combat, and on the deck of the airship you’ll need good balance and a calm head.
He has neither and always, sometimes.
The second white hill rolls close, the window’s coming, it’ll be lovely. I will not allow any mistakes, none. My weapons are ready. My sword, cloak, armor, and gauntlet. All are sharp, ready, and balanced. The trees are breaking before us now. We no longer care about dodging them. This all-encompassing feeling prepares you, and boosts the hidden forge in your chest.
Exciting, what machines will they have? What weapons, besides those clunky crossbows?
I’m running at top speed now. Blue starts panting again behind me, he puts his hands on my waist, and we run in unison, it’s difficult, but it can be done. We reach the top of the hill, and both leap into the air. Everything stands still slightly. This was a big leap. Blue pulls me back towards him, and leaps onto the trunk of a tree on the downward slope of the hill. He shakes and trembles in the air. Is it fear, or excitement? Is there a difference?
I’ll be releasing my novel Beware the Ills in segments every Friday. You can find out more about the book right here, or check out Amazon’s info. I love this book. Happy to simply share it.
#books #darkfantasy #fantasy #fiction #horror #novels #reading #steampunk #writing
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