{"id":138,"date":"2010-02-05T13:30:20","date_gmt":"2010-02-05T20:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/atfmb.com\/Evermist\/?p=138"},"modified":"2010-02-11T21:35:11","modified_gmt":"2010-02-12T04:35:11","slug":"chapter-twenty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/atfmb.com\/Evermist\/2010\/02\/chapter-twenty\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter Twenty"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2010, Patrick Hester.\u00a0 All Rights Reserved<\/p>\n

Chapter Twenty<\/h1>\n

Elias’ first view of Evermist was indeed through a misty fog that had rolled in while they crossed the channel.\u00a0 Like the dream, the temperature had dropped, the wind had died and the only sound was that of the oars in the water.\u00a0 Unlike the dream, there had been no attacks by giant trees; only a sailor high up in what Narut told him was the eagles nest, shouting something every few minutes until someone out in the fog started shouting back.\u00a0 Then a light appeared in the distance that would wink in the fog.\u00a0 Each time the light appeared, the ship shifted her course slightly towards it.<\/p>\n

As the mists parted, he saw an impossibly tall wall of black stone that stretched as far as he could see left and right and high into the sky.\u00a0 Far above, on the edge of the clouds, he could just make out a keep carved within the rock of the Wall.<\/p>\n

Eli stared up, finding it difficult to swallow.<\/p>\n

The Seaspray<\/em> slid in next to an ancient stone pier that stretched far out into the water.\u00a0 Several buildings were clustered here, but Eli found his eyes creeping back to that impossible wall.\u00a0 However it had been made, there did not seem to be enough stone in all the world to have built it, and that bothered him more than he could say.\u00a0 He squinted, trying to see the seams of the stones or some sort of discoloration that would indicate stones from a different quarry the way bricks sometimes looked.\u00a0 There was none that he could see.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Suddenly shivering, he pulled his coat tight.<\/p>\n

Narut stepped up beside him as he stared.\u00a0 “They’re tying off.”\u00a0 Elias nodded, taking his eyes from the wall and running along the pier were he saw men in uniforms gathering and pointing at The Seaspray<\/em>.<\/p>\n

“Looks like we’re here,” he said idly.<\/p>\n

“Looks like.”<\/p>\n

“We’ll get through this,” he added.\u00a0 Narut clapped him on the shoulder.<\/p>\n

“Together,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Together,” Eli agreed.<\/p>\n

Eli and Narut made their way down the gangplank and looked out where several men were shouting out squad names.<\/p>\n

“There,” Narut said, pointing to a man with a dark, short beard that only framed his mouth.\u00a0 Eli followed him over.<\/p>\n

“Fourth squad to me!\u00a0 I am Sergent Klen!\u00a0 Form up!”<\/p>\n

Eli fell into formation with the other men of his squad.\u00a0 There was a nervous silence once everyone settled down.<\/p>\n

“Welcome to Evermist,” said the sergent.\u00a0 “We’ll be spending the night in barracks L, then moving out at first light to make our way up the Wall.\u00a0 It will take the better part of the day to get to the summit and the keep.\u00a0 It will be colder on top than it is here by at least half if not more so keep your thermals at hand.\u00a0 Questions?”<\/p>\n

No one spoke.\u00a0 Eli looked around at the other men and saw blank expressions reflected in their faces.\u00a0 He felt much the same.<\/p>\n

“When you hear the bell chime four times, report for chow – building S.\u00a0 For now, report to your barracks and get settled.\u00a0 Dismissed!”<\/p>\n

Eli shrugged his duffel over one shoulder and his rifle over the other as his friends stepped up.\u00a0 Everyone looked at each other, but the silence stretched on.\u00a0 Narut was the first to start walking, then the others fell in around him.<\/p>\n

They were finally here.\u00a0 Evermist.<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 2010, Patrick Hester.\u00a0 All Rights Reserved Chapter Twenty Elias’ first view of Evermist was indeed through a misty fog that had rolled in while they crossed the channel.\u00a0 Like the dream, the temperature had dropped, the wind had died and the only sound was that of the oars in the water.\u00a0 Unlike the dream, […]<\/p>\n

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