Champion of a Lost Cause

The eastern road narrows between flooded ditches, its ruts shining beneath silver mist. Effruin travels alone; Vas remains in imperial custody, and no rider follows him.

A frail young man stumbles from the reeds. He has copper-toned skin, short brown hair, and a rain-dark blue military coat torn at the shoulder. His pale face is drawn with exhaustion.

Numet raises one trembling hand, clutching a bloodstained military signet in the other. His boots slip in the mud, and he catches himself against a leaning mile-stone.

Something heavy pushes through the reeds behind him. Water churns in the ditch, stalks bow one after another, yet the mist reveals no body, weapon, or face.

Numet’s fingers tighten around the bloodstained signet. Behind him, the reeds shudder again, and dark water spills over the ditch bank.

He swallows against exhaustion, eyes fixed on the mist behind Effruin. The hidden pursuers spread through the marsh, careful now, as though they have found the trail.

A low whistle answers from the reeds. Numet flinches, and the signet slips in his wet grasp before he catches it against his palm.

Effruin steps between Numet and the reeds, lowering his stance despite the ache in his shoulder. His remaining hand hangs ready, and his gaze fixes on the mist.

Six figures emerge from the marsh, their dark coats marked with ash-gray cords rather than regiment badges. Mud veils their boots, faces, and drawn blades.

Their captain advances first, a broad-shouldered middle-aged man with a shaved scalp, iron-gray beard, and black river-stone hanging at his throat.

The captain raises two fingers. The five followers spread through the reeds, sealing the road around Effruin and Numet as the mist curls low around their ankles.

Effruin drives his heel into the flooded road. The earth answers with a deep crack, buckling upward beneath the Ashen Oath followers nearest the ditch.

A jagged shelf of mud and stone heaves three of the attackers off their feet, scattering blades and throwing them hard against the reeds.

The upheaval breaks the encirclement, opening clear ground beside Numet. Effruin's wounded shoulder jolts painfully, and fresh blood seeps through his rain-dark coat.

The captain's order falters as his followers struggle in the torn mud. Numet stares at the broken road, still gripping the signet, while the mist fills with shouted confusion.

His threat rolls across the flooded road with the force of a drawn blade. The broken earth, his bloodied coat, and his unflinching stare make the boast impossible to dismiss.

The five scattered followers halt among the reeds. One lowers his sword; another glances toward Ashen Oath captain, measuring the distance to safety instead of an attack.

Yet Ashen Oath captain's voice has lost its command. He closes his fist around the black river-stone, then signals his followers to withdraw from the torn road and give Effruin a clear path.

Effruin turns from the retreating Ashen Oath and gestures Numet along the eastern verge. The frail young man follows, clutching the signet beneath his torn coat.

They leave the exposed road and cross into a stand of dripping alder. Effruin chooses ground by instinct, favoring high roots, clear sightlines, and stone at his back.

A roofless milestone shrine gives way to a squat stone watch shelter sunk into the hillside. Its doorway stands open, but the interior is dry, shadowed, and empty.

Effruin leads Numet inside and positions him behind the fallen lintel. From there, the road and marsh lie visible through gaps in the stonework.

Outside, the Ashen Oath disappears into the mist. Rain taps the shelter stones while Numet steadies his breathing, and Effruin keeps watch over the empty road.