Hammer Out A Future (Cart-Dragger Saga Book 1) Read online

  "And why would there not be?" the heavyset warrior asked. "Glory to Lord Maximilian and the Red Empire."

  Ruth spread her arms to indicate the landscape around them, in which nature struggled to survive. "Why would you do this, can you not see the cost of the empire's ambitions? Do you want the world totally destroyed?" In response, Allen nodded slightly.

  "The mistakes of the past will not be repeated. With the Four Virtues no longer in control, we will remake the empire the way it should have been."

  "And yet you're already killing people and taking things by force again," Cart-Dragger said. She tried to stand up from the wagon, but then the pain hit and she fell back.

  "Look at how hurt she is, this will be easy. Get them!" the enemy leader said.

  Scott touched her shoulder before drawing his longsword. "Stay down, Willow. We'll handle this."

  The imperial sympathizers rushed as a sloppy pack. Lars, Allen and Ruth met them. Scott was right behind, cutting down the first man who attacked Ruth from the side. "Helping me because I'm a woman?" she asked as she battered at another foe's shield with her mace.

  Scott looked around, ran up behind a man locking weapons with Lars and impaled him. "No, it's my style."

  "That's honorable," Lars said.

  "It's efficient, that's what matters." Finally a warrior engaged him from the front, putting an end to his miniature assassination streak.

  Cart-Dragger hurled a javelin through the leather-armored chest of a man approaching Scott, nearly impaling the foot of a fellow behind him too as the spear passed completely through. "As if I'd sit the fight out." She put another javelin through the face opening of a helmeted man coming her way, then the leader reached her cart. He jumped on, bringing the greatsword down. She snatched up her maul and blocked with one arm.

  His eyes bulged as she shoved him back. "Even so wounded, you are this strong?"

  She thrust the head of her hammer into his chest, knocking him off the wagon. "This strong and angry! You accept the leadership of that coward Maximilian Rouge?"

  "Coward?" He scooted back on his butt while she hopped down after him. One of his friends tried to get in her way; a backhand with the hammer made his cheek smack against his shoulder before he crumpled in a boneless heap. "He is a great warrior."

  "He's a coward to me!" Sharp pangs lanced through her chest, and she clutched it. Pushing himself off the ground, the man thrust at her. She turned sideways so the blade passed by her, grabbed him by the throat. "Now wait for him in hell!" She lifted him and brought him down on her knee, folding him backwards in half.

  The others had almost finished up. Lars broke a sword with a chop from his axe, which continued on to split the swordsman's chest. Allen speared a warrior through the gut, and Scott followed up by slicing his throat. Now outnumbered, the last two enemies tried to flee. Ruth put one down with an arrow in the spine, while Allen's thrown dagger stopped the other.

  Cart-Dragger leaned against the wagon in agony. "You didn't need to do all that," Scott said, coming to her side. "You could have asked for help."

  "Doesn't matter either way. Saved you some danger."

  "We could have handled it."

  "Probably, but I wanted to make the risk to you as little as it could be. You're like a little brother to me, you know."

  He looked a bit embarrassed, perhaps because he was in fact a year and a half older than her. His book smarts far exceeded hers, of course, but when it came to facing physical obstacles she had always been the big dog. Scott's brow furrowed with worry. "Maybe we should go back, though. If those guys caught up to us this quick, there are probably already imperial sympathizers in Galantria. In which case, our friends could be in danger."

  She frowned. "That's true... but if the ones we just fought were from the city, there's a good chance they've been there a long time and waited until now to make their move. I don't think it'd be wise for us to all sit around there waiting for them to make themselves known again when their master is out plotting to take over the world. We should put our trust in our friends to handle his minions at home."

  "Besides, those could have been the only ones there," Allen added. Not that it was likely, but it was at least possible.

  Cart-Dragger dragged herself effortfully back onto the cart, and they continued onward. After a week and a half, the land started to change. Long stretches of barren wasteland and desert were common everywhere, but the former imperial territory seemed preternaturally bleak even compared to those. A perpetual gray haze hung low in the sky, and infected everything below it with similar colorlessness. Though they traveled south, the air grew colder. Here even moreso than elsewhere, the world fell into disorder...

  Once a dry looking tree, appearing almost dead except for the tiny ghosts of leaves that budded from its branches, reached a gnarled limb down towards Cart-Dragger who lay resting in the wagon. Sensing it, she jumped up and hit the trunk with her hammer, cracking it in half. It crashed down, moaning eerily as it died.

  "Predatory trees," Scott noted. The empire had drawn out so much of the world's magic to power its war machines and control its elemental armies, it began to twist nature before reaching the breaking point. "I guess we ought to avoid making camp near large plants when we sleep."

  "Shouldn't you have gotten back to walking and dragging the cart already?" Lars asked as Cart-Dragger made to lie down again. "I wouldn't have expected you to take this long to recover given how quickly you did after the fight with Leviathan."

  "It's barely been three weeks. I was still hurting when I planned to leave again then, I just didn't want to lose too much time. I'm not really wasting any time if I stay down now while waiting to get to our destination." And, she supposed, she had often insisted on putting up a strong front when injured out of pride. Her pride had suffered a harsh blow lately.

  "It's not a bad thing for her to save her strength," Ruth said. "Hopefully she can get up all refreshed and blow this Rouge guy away if we meet him again."

  "I didn't blow him away the first time, far from it. But I hope I'll be able to find enough strength so the outcome is more favorable than before." She fell briefly silent, then asked, "So what were you doing so far west when we first met, if you're a former imperial?"

  Ruth gave a helpless shrug. "When I escaped during the fall of the empire, I took a ship off the north coast and ended up at the floating city of Velinthe. There I met Stan, and since we both felt it was too static and boring there, we decided to partner up and leave together. Everything that happened after kind of melds together, so I can hardly say how we ended up where we did. It has been over ten years. Mercenary work takes one all over the place, I guess."

  "So you've been to Velinthe?" Scott asked. Naturally he'd be interested, as the place was an architectural marvel that rich people used to visit just to experience. Cart-Dragger wouldn't mind doing so either if she actually had time to spare. "Where is it?"

  "I couldn't tell you exactly. Somewhere in the north sea. I'm not sure you'd like it there nowadays though. Eating fish every day for meat, all the people turning thin for lack of enough food. Of course, things could have improved since back then."

  "Or gotten worse," Cart-Dragger said. She felt bad for being the voice of gloom, but couldn't help it in her mood. "At least we know everybody isn't dead, if what Leviathan said wasn't empty."

  "I remember how she threatened to kill everyone there," said Lars. "What was it like for you back then, since your city seems to have been spared the worst? Were the times of chaos, well, less chaotic for you guys?"

  "I don't mean to make light of what you must have gone through," Scott replied, "but I don't know that we were as lucky as you might imagine. Hiding in Galantria, we fooled ourselves into thinking we might be safe. It wasn't until the earth began to shake and flaming rocks fell from the sky that we understood it could really be the end. It almost was."

  Allen nodded. "Even I can understand the difference between being prepared and not prepared for so
mething. If you had been there for the war like me and Lars, you would've known how big the danger was. The empire had thousands of God Soldiers, whose marching could be heard for miles. It was almost impossible to think they could be defeated, and still hard even now. Their four King Elementals, hundreds of feet long, could smash armies and navies all by themselves. Many thought they couldn't even be killed-" He gazed at Cart-Dragger. "That part might not impress you as much, though." They all shared a laugh.

  "Leviathan impressed me," she said. "One of the best fights I've had. And even as strong as I am, the empire at its peak sounds scary as hell. Which is another reason why we shouldn't let it be reborn. By the way, though, that was rather long winded and well spoken of you."

  "It seems like it was. Maybe my head can get better after all."

  "Perhaps being reminded of past experiences helps your old self awaken," Scott suggested. "We could talk about them more and see."

  Lars looked at Allen with a smile. "I talk about the past with him too. Maybe it's being in this crazy place, which almost birthed the doom of the world, which sparks his memories."

  "That would be good," Cart-Dragger said. "In that case, coming here would have more benefits than anticipated... makes it seems like less of a waste traveling for so long. Curious don't you think, that seeing even such a land could help someone."

  Ruth grinned. "Maybe it just shows we're made of sterner stuff."

  Now and then they passed the great metal husks of God Soldiers, and other times human remains long dead. Cart-Dragger's heart grew heavy to imagine the terror of those people, imperial citizens and invaders alike, just before the end. They came before a deep ravine. Looking around, they spotted a stone bridge that connected the sides of the chasm. As the men turned the cart towards it, Ruth said, "Wait, that one's unsafe. There's another way across past that cliff." She pointed towards a large rock formation running alongside the gorge. "Come on, follow me."

  They did, but found themselves walking farther than expected. "Is it really worth it going this off course?" Allen asked. "Maybe we could have just crossed using rope."

  "Yeah, but my cart..."

  "We could probably rig something up," Scott said, "unless the whole bridge is unstable and not just part of it. Is the ravine even that wide? I wonder if we might have been able to go around already if we went in the other direction, where there aren't cliffs blocking the way."

  "Guys, relax," Ruth said in a reassuring tone. "How do you feel we 'might' be able to get across faster the other way, when you don't even know the terrain? You worry about your engineering and leave this stuff to me."

  Cart-Dragger raised her eyebrows. "Honestly, this detour does seem a bit long. How wide is this chasm?"

  "Shit, you're siding with them too? I figured we girls should stick together."

  "I figure people who keep their eyes on the goal should stick together." She had thought she sensed some disingenuousness in Ruth's attitude, and felt more sure of it now. "Is the bridge even actually unsafe or..?"

  "Alright, alright! I guess you're too perceptive for me to fool. The bridge is fine as far as I know, although it could have been rendered perilous by the elements by now. There's just something I want to look at a bit away from the most direct route."

  "So you just lead us off course without letting us know what you're doing?" Lars asked. "How are we supposed to trust you if you act like that?"

  "She did tell me there was something she wanted to see here beforehand," Cart-Dragger said, "and I suspected it might not be exactly right in the middle of our path. Still, why did you try to deceive us instead of telling us what was going on? I thought we had an understanding that you would, just based on common sense."

  Ruth took on an apologetic look. "Sorry. That's what I thought when we first talked about it too, but after seeing how concerned you were about time I feared you wouldn't let me waste any. Would you let me?"

  "You shouldn't," Allen said, balling a fist. "Wrong actions should have consequences."

  "Come on, what harm have I really done? A few hours lost, we can make it up by pushing harder."

  "Just for your sake? We're already pushing pretty damn hard."

  "It's not like I don't help with the load."

  "Still, you're not the only one affected! Selfish of you."

  Cart-Dragger raised a hand. "Enough, calm down both of you. Well, how much farther is it to where you want to go?"

  "Only about an hour more," Ruth replied quickly, sounding hopeful. "And we really can get to the other side of the ravine from there, although it is the long way around."

  "Fine, if we're already that close let's go. And I'll get up and pull my cart again after, so the rest of you can used the energy saved to walk a little fast and make up time."

  "Including me?" Scott asked. "I haven't even been helping with the wagon, so that won't save me any energy."

  "Have you still not readjusted to traveling on foot yet? It's been weeks. Where's your pride?"

  "I... suppose I might be able to do it."

  "I guess girls do stick together," Allen whispered to Lars.

  Cart-Dragger snorted. "No! Ruth, if what you're doing turns out to be frivolous, I'm taking back what I said and you can drag this cart alone with me in it!"

  "But I won't be able to keep up the pace..."

  "You better!"

  Scott frowned. "Are you really going to make her do it? That might really waste time, and I doubt she could do it all day at all."

  Of course she wouldn't make Ruth push herself beyond her limits, and probably collapse or injure herself. But she had a feeling what Ruth sought wasn't really frivolous, and this was as good a way as any to placate the boys until that could be seen.

  They continued along the cliffs for about as long as Ruth had said before reaching a pass, which she turned into. Following her within, they came into view of a startling sight. Armored skeletons filled the gap between cliffs, many wearing traces of the imperial red, the rest the multitudinous colors of the nations that had opposed them. Given they were all hardened warriors, they reacted not quite as badly as some would; but even so, Scott blanched a little and Cart-Dragger didn't let her eyes linger on any one corpse for too long.

  "This is where my squad made their last stand," Ruth said. "We were supposed to demolish this pass so the Allied Kingdoms' soldiers would have one less way of getting through, but we didn't get here on time and when we arrived they were already coming." She stepped before a pile of rocks which Cart-Dragger realized to be a makeshift cairn. "My brother and I fought together in the war, and promised our parents we would return home to them. He died here with a pike through his lungs, and I learned later that our village had been wiped out by a volcano stirring beneath it during the cataclysm. So in the end, we both failed to keep our promise..." Cart-Dragger didn't know how she kept her voice even, but did know the reason she'd closed her eyelids was to try and keep from crying. Despite having known Ruth for such a short time, Cart-Dragger herself had to wipe away a tear.

  After a moment, Ruth opened her eyes and placed a hand atop the cairn. "I just wanted a stone from his grave to hold sometimes and remember him by. I used to have a dagger of his, but I lost it long ago. I wanted to come here and kept telling myself I would do it soon for the longest time, but survival took priority and I never got around to it. I'm grateful that working with you all has given me a chance to finally visit my brother... even if some of you aren't happy about it." She took the top stone off the pile and tucked it into her belt pouch.

  "I forgive you," Allen said. "We can all sympathize with that."

  "I didn't ask for your forgiveness. But thanks anyway."

  "If our families are watching us from somewhere," Cart-Dragger said for everyone, "they'd be proud of us for carrying on and making the best of what we have."

  Scott replied, "Mmm-hmm. And especially yours, right?"

  "Oh stop it, I was being serious. I just hope the common ground will be enough to keep Ruth and
Allen from killing each other." The two exchanged bashful looks, which was at least a start. "Anyway, now that that's over with, on to the heart of the empire."

  #

  They exited the other side of the pass and resumed their trek towards the ultimate fortress. Soon they saw a somewhat intact town up ahead. Darkness had already fallen over the land, and a rare drizzle dampened their clothes. "Think we could stay the night in there?" Scott asked. "It's been a long time since we got to sleep with a roof over our heads."

  Cart-Dragger replied, "A rotting roof over your head and moldy walls around you? That's about the condition I'd expect the houses to be in."

  "Still, they should offer more protection from the elements compared to being out here."

  She glanced over Lars, Allen and Ruth. Though they took it better than Scott being hardened mercenaries, they looked worn and weary as well. "Alright, if you all don't mind spending a night with corpses, we can do that."

  They walked to the settlement. It was in the state Cart-Dragger expected, huts decaying, walls caked with dust. The ground would probably have been overgrown with brush if it could support much plant life; as it was, only a few hardy weeds battled to survive. They didn't, however, see any human bodies or bones outside. Yet the very emptiness of the place sent a chill through Cart-Dragger. The inhabitants must have fled when the world turned upside down, but she didn't know how far they had made it or whether their bones lay buried in the dirt nearby.

  A large building at the center of town promised the most comfortable stay, since its exterior looked to have endured the test of time better than any other they saw. At first Cart-Dragger thought it was a church or temple, but Ruth corrected her. "The empire abolished religion, so this wasn't a church. It was probably the hall of respect where people came to pay homage to their leaders."

  Scott rolled his eyes. "That sounds almost like worship."

  "They didn't claim to be gods. Rather, we were taught that since there were no gods, the wise men who guided us were the ones we should look up to."

  Allen scoffed. "Wise to destroy most of the world including yourself in your attempt to conquer it."