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“At least it was, until the Empire moved in,” Caelan prodded.
Andy nodded. “Yep. It was all done quick one night. They moved in, took out just enough of our soldiers to claim the base, and then kicked everyone out. Like a damn cuckoo bird stealing a nest.”
“But they haven’t bothered the town?”
“No, but they haven’t done any patrols like our military. The creatures of the Ordas have figured it out and have been prowling closer and closer to the city after the sun sets. It’s dangerous out there now. There are a good number of us that have made Shallow Edge our home, but many are thinking of leaving if the Empire isn’t kicked out soon.”
“Have you heard anything from Sirelis? Are they sending anyone to deal with the Empire?” Drayce demanded.
“They’ve sent enough to keep an eye on the bastards, keep them in the base, but not enough to really deal with the Ordas problem. There are rumors the Empire is trying to creep into Caspagir in other places, and that’s where the army is focusing their attention.” She took another bite of her sandwich, but her enthusiasm had definitely waned. “For now, it seems we’re on our own.”
“I’m sorry about your problems with the Empire,” Caelan said gently.
Andy flashed him a crooked smile. “I appreciate the sympathy, but the Empire is causing problems for everyone. We’ve just got to figure a way to finally kick their asses back to New Rosanthe for good.”
“With any luck, we’ll be out of Shallow Edge tomorrow, reducing the chance of our presence causing any problems for the town,” Rayne replied.
Andy nodded. “Just watch out for the patrols. They sweep through the town a few times a day. Not exactly sure what they’re looking for, but they like to harass people now and again if they’re bored.”
10
Eno Bevyn
The next morning started with coffee, sausage sandwiches from Rayne—under the excuse that he wanted to use up the old before picking up some more at Andy’s shop and not because Eno had managed to flirt his way into Rayne cooking—then finding a ride to Sirelis.
Rayne argued that he would speak with Warner at the service station about potentially buying an old clunker off him. But there was no way in hell he was going to let Rayne out of his sight when the Empire was lurking so close by. Yes, the odds of Rayne being recognized by soldiers were pretty slim, but Eno was still feeling raw from the previous night’s discovery of the Empire’s attack. For now, he needed to be sure everyone in his party was safe.
As Rayne stood with Warner by an old van that was likely better off rusting in a field than trundling down the road, Eno hung out beside the gas pumps, his face turned up to the early-morning sun. There was a crispness to the air that would soon be burned off by the summer heat. The air was dry, mixed with heavy scents of gas, oil, and dried grass.
He gazed toward Andy’s shop. The sleek, old-fashioned diner stood between the service station and the general store. While the gas station was empty, there were a few cars parked in front of the diner as people grabbed breakfast. Another was sitting in front of Andy’s shop. He wasn’t sure if that was Andy’s car or maybe a customer.
Otherwise, the town was nearly as quiet as it had been when they’d arrived the previous day. It was eerie in a horror movie kind of way. He’d grown up within Stormbreak. The constant hustle and bustle of the city was normal to him. The only time he didn’t see it was when he was on training missions that required camping in the wild. Those were nice breaks, but this kind of stillness would drive him insane. He preferred the low hum of conversation and the rush of traffic.
He had to imagine Rayne felt the same way. Rayne had mentioned growing up in Stormbreak as well, his family heavily involved in the political scene in one way or another. Was he as unnerved by Shallow Edge? Sitting on the border of the Ordas, the oppressive feeling of being trapped in the middle of a wasteland pressing down on them.
Last night, after Caelan and Drayce had retired to the one bedroom, Eno had created a pallet on the floor with his sleeping bag, leaving the sofa to Rayne. It hadn’t been nearly long enough for his tall frame, but it had to be at least a little more comfortable than the floor. Rayne had thanked him and gone to bed, not speaking another word.
Eno had lain there for a couple of hours, debating a dozen different things to say to Rayne, but nothing seemed right. Rayne had a family he was worried about, a prince to help navigate this treacherous world. What the hell was he supposed to say to that? His own adopted parents had passed away five years ago, and he had no memory of his birth parents.
