THE APPLE OF SNAKES

lxx. righteous battle

Nerluce waited for them on the border of the Hebikoti Clan.

The western border of the Hebikoti Clan ran alongside the Azum River which. It was not a particularly wide nor deep river this time of year, though even if it was, it wouldn't be any trouble for a magickian to cross. A bridge could be built of stone or ice. Or the water's flow could be stopped entirely. Magick altered the physical world. Therefore, physical barriers were of little consequence to magickians.

On the eastern side of the Azum River was a small, stone wall. It could easily be stepped over, but it provided a border marking. Unlike the southern border, the Hebikoti Clan had never been attacked from the west. There was no threat in that direction and therefore no need for an artificial border to prevent magickians from crossing.

The Azum River stretched for almost three hundred miles until it reached Tilica. Three hundred miles of territory and only one person to guard it. It seemed like an impossibly large amount, especially considering that there was no point in the largely artificial border that made it uncrossable to Ethera's forces.

Yet, Nerluce sat, lax and waiting, on the stone wall. 

Water spirits played, inventing and reinventing the Azum River's currents. Nerluce smiled and looked up. The sun had almost completely set. The air was thick with the smell of rain. A storm would be upon them soon. It would be best to get this fight over with before it hit. Rain would lessen visibility and create confusion for the numerous troops of Ethera while doing little to hinder Nerluce who was by himself and therefore making it impossible for friendly fire.

Were they really so naive as to expect him not to be waiting for them? Did they not realize he'd know the direction they were coming from? Or were they so stupid as to think their attack would be a complete surprise? 

He scoffed. If war was a game played alone, Nerluce would never be able to stand up to Ethera's forces. But war wasn't like that. Even though Nerluce fought alone, he was not alone. The Hebikoti Clan's spies existed not just in Ethera, but across Itoroh. They kept Nerluce well informed about Ethera's movements.

Considering the direction they were heading, Nerluce narrowed the range from three hundred miles to about thirty. And then he looked at the maps and thought about his opponent, the High Priestess. She was a mysterious woman. Little was known about her and even less was known about her magick and motives. What Nerluce did know was that she was both incredibly cautious and incredibly prideful.

Those traits did not mesh well together. But it did make it pretty clear where she would choose to cross the Azum. It was likely that the river would be crossable - either through magick or otherwise - but the High Priestess likely wouldn't want to take that chance. She would prefer something more traditional. Something guaranteed to allow her across. That and she would see it as a more legitimate means of attack.

In the three hundred miles it spanned, there were only three bridges. Kosuke Bridge was the oldest and the biggest. Its back arched towards the sky, like a preening cat. Its sides were patterned with the symbols of river gods. Nerluce had already said his prayers to them. Its cobblestone was empty at the moment - Nerluce had declared the bridge out of order and no one had dared question him.

It was best if no accidental collateral damage was incurred.

Nerluce spread the dark, star-speckled fan he'd been given by the Wolf Woman and waited. The sun sunk lower in the sky. Nerluce frowned. It was possible they'd stopped earlier than he'd anticipated. He'd burn them out of their tents if he needed but Nerluce did not like using such brutish methods. He wanted to give them the chance to return home.

But just as the last bit of sunlight faded from the sky, just as he was about to give up, Nerluce spotted them on the horizon. He fanned himself a couple more times before standing and stretching. Well, he supposed he ought to greet these visitors to the Hebikoti Clan and to warn them that crossing the bridge cost a heavy toll: one's own life.