Page 55 of Nixx
I let out a deep sigh. I had indeed been waiting to speak face to face with Liamm to probe him about Nurr and his power moves in the North.
“What is your father's position on Nurr? Can you tell me more without betraying your father's trust?”
“As you know, our territory in the East is mostly insular. Our many islands provide us with secure habitats, but we are dependent on the plains for sufficient fruits and vegetables. And these plains can be overrun by gortachs at certain seasons. Nurr is more or less threatening to push the gortachs back to our plains and kick them out of his plains. Unless an agreement was reached between our two peoples.”
“What about cooperation between people? Our territories have lived in peace for decades. Because, among other things, they respect each other and work together on common problems. Nobody needs an openly declared conflict between two territories. It will not bring anything positive.”
“Yes Nixx. But regarding the gortachs, you know how dangerous they are. And our Heartland being located on the islands, our villages in the plains are more threatened and harder to reach and defend quickly in case of a gortach attack.”
“But isn't that Nurr's unavowed goal? . . . to annex your villages in the plains?”
“In any case, there is no evidence of this. It seems difficult to condemn Nurr on possible intentions rather than on proven facts. My father does not wish to make an enemy of him. He is in an age where maintaining peace is essential.”
“I understand. But preserving one's peace now will not necessarily preserve peace later.”
“I agree with you on this point. But as long as Nurr has not knowingly broken the rules of good conduct with our Bastion, my father will not engage against him. For now, his only clearly stated goal is to push the gortachs south to protect his own villages. This can be understood.”
“Push the gortachs back to your own villages which, as you said, are more isolated from the Heart of your Bastion. A good cooperation would be more to push the gortachs back to the far north, with the help of your eastern and western neighbors.”
We are both meditating on the consequences of Nurr's vicious maneuvers to endanger eastern villages to better defeat their leader, when Rymm contacts me.
“Nixx, three gortachs are reported approaching the Middlelands. I am informed that Nurr's men are pushing them in that direction.”
I stand up abruptly.
“Liamm . . .”
“I know,” he interrupted, “I've just been informed.”
“Zakk, where are Eleny and Sarah? Gortachs are approaching.”
“The last time I spoke with Eleny, they were on the edge of the camp. Many people require the services of your companion as a healer.”
“Lokk, Rymm, find Sarah!”I order them, overcome with panic.
I get out of the tent and fly away with a quick stroke of the wing. Alas, the information has been widely disseminated and the confusion is total. The Erians can easily get out of range, but their possessions are on the ground and many are trying to salvage what they can before rising to a safe distance.
I desperately look for my companion's fiery hair, but see it nowhere. The sky is now invaded by Erians, carrying their precious goods. On the ground, the camp swarms with people running in all directions. Impossible to know if my companion has hidden under a tent.
“Nixx, Eleny lost Sarah.”
“Zakk, get your girl to safety. I'm looking for mine.”
My heart is now beating wildly. The clamor around confirms the approach of the gortachs better than anything. The warriors have equipped themselves and I have prepared my crossbow.
Unfortunately, the skin of these behemoths is so thick that only a blade passed directly under their throat can overcome their resistance. Arrows or bullets will certainly only annoy them more.
Failing to find my companion, I decide to go near these monsters, to make sure that she does not find herself in their path.
When I arrive at the edge of the camp, it is absolute chaos. The gortachs destroy everything in their path.
Sarah
