***

  I left his tent frustrated and preoccupied. There had been an attack here, and this is obviously the reason why the Emperor ordered the construction of a fortified outpost in this lost place.

  This makes sense.

  However, Laval said that the Valkyans had not been behind this murderous offensive.

  Who else could it be?

  This question is haunting me since then, and his refusal to give me more explanations is just fueling the wildest theories in my mind. I will not share them with you, as they would make you laugh from the comfort of our cottage in Keeroonah. If I were there with you, I would also be mocking my running imagination.

  Yet, I’m down here, in this desolate oven called the Karabia Desert, surrounded by thousands of soldiers, and I can’t help but wonder how safe this place really is. It could be that I am overreacting due to the stress and fatigue of a long trip.

  I hope I’ll feel better and think clearer after a good night sleep.

  I love you,

  Sigurdur

  Letter 3

  My lovely Alanos,

  Yesterday has been very busy, and I fell asleep immediately after coming back to my tent, not managing to gather the energy to write. I’m doing so this morning, before heading for breakfast. This might be the best time of the day, down here, when the sun is giving us light but the heat is not overwhelming yet.

  You can’t imagine how hot this place can be. By noon, my tent is warmer than the forge of Wilwilis, the bladesmith I used to spend most of my time when I was a kid (did I ever tell you about my childish desire of becoming a blacksmith?)

  Outside, things are even worse. The sun is incredibly strong here, and my skin is already burnt wherever it’s not covered. If you were to see me: I’m redder than a crayfish!

  The conditions are hard for everybody, but I’m the only one coming from the northern parts of the Empire and I suffer from the heat more than most of the men.

  Thinking of another day in the desert is not a thrilling prospect, but even this will not spoil my good mood.

  You see, my dear, I started to work yesterday and it came as a relief.

  ***

  I slept well that night and woke up refreshed. I hadn’t forgotten the strange conversation I had the previous day with Laval, it’s just that it didn’t seem to matter so much anymore. I was still curious to learn more about the villager’s disappearance, but getting information didn’t feel it as necessary as before.

  For the time being, I could keep on going without knowing.

  When I got dressed, I was already sweating because of the heat, and I took the decision to do everything in my power to make my stay in the Karabia Peninsula as short as possible. And the only way for me to leave this hellish place is to finish this damn fort.

  “There’s no better time than now to do what you have to do” was one of my late father’s favorites, and it stuck to me. I had no reason to postpone more the beginning of the construction, so I started right away to study the blueprints sent from Otezalp.

  I will not bother you with the technical details, but I’d like to share one more thing with you. It quickly became clear to me that the fort has to be incredibly solid. The technics and materials used are made to last for centuries, even in the toughest conditions. This comes with a hefty price, and this proves that this construction is of uttermost importance for the Empire if they are willing to put so much money in it.

  I feel proud they chose me to make it come true. The rewards we will get from this project when I’m back home could be more than we ever expected. I might even be called to the Imperial Palace to work there. Do you imagine what our life would be in Otezalp?

  But I’m erring, and there is no point yet in making wild plans for our future. Let’s take things step by step.

  I spent the morning studying in my tent, until the heat became unbearable and I had to go out. This was not better at all outside, but finally I could enjoy some fresh air. Well, some air at least, as saying it was fresh would be a lie.

  I met some of my crew and got reassured about their skills. They are all experienced workers, who contributed to many different projects through the Empire. We listed the materials and tools we already have, and started to organize the various teams.

  Today we plan to take some measurements as to decide the exact implantation of the future building. If everything goes well, this should be over by late afternoon.

  This means that tomorrow, we will begin the construction of the fort.

  ***

  My love, my cheerful tone might lead you to think that I’m happy to be here.

  Do not be mistaken.

  My good mood comes only from the fact that each day I work is a step closer to you. If the Emperor were to send a new engineer to supervise the works and relieve me from my functions, I would happily leave this place and run back to you.

  No professional challenge, no promise of great reward is more important to me than my beautiful wife. I miss you so much…

  Lovingly,

  Sigurdur

  Letter 4

  Love of my life,

  We’ve been working hard in the last days. Things are moving forward even better than expected and I’m starting to believe that I might come back home earlier than we both hoped. The terrain here is perfect to build this fort, and I must admit that the Imperial Engineers did a good job with the blueprints. I do not need to make a lot of changes on their design.

  Also, it goes incredibly fast when you have thousands of soldiers helping with all the carrying and moving. This way, the skilled workers can focus on the more complicated tasks and everything runs smoothly and efficiently.

  However, I’m not writing today to tell you about my job. I want to recount some strange events that took place earlier. I do not fully understand what happened.

  ***

  Today was especially hot, even by the standards of the Karabia Desert. With some of the men, we decided to take advantage of our lunch break to refresh ourselves in the welcoming water of the bay. They have a beautiful color, no waves, and seemed particularly inviting after hours of hard work under a burning sun.

  We headed towards the shore and started to undress, when a dozen soldiers came to stop us, shouting that this was a forbidden area and we had no business there. They were incredibly nervous about it, and I just couldn’t understand why they were making such a fuss for a simple dip in the sea.

  Despite their threatening attitude, I didn’t back up and argued calmly.

  “My men and I need to cool off a bit after long hours of working under the sun, and I do not see any valid reason to prevent us from doing so. I am well aware that the access to the Karabia Peninsula is now restricted, but as you might have observed we are already here. We’ve all been sent by direct orders from the Emperor, and I do not think you wish to go against his will.”

  “I doubt you’ve been allowed to go in the sea, Engineer Gustavson,” answered one of the soldiers.

  “If this were the case, you need to clarify the situation with Colonel Laval. But our instructions are strict, and no civilian is permitted in the vicinity of the shoreline,” added another one.

  I was stunned. I couldn’t imagine what all this was about. We are allowed to roam freely in the camp where weapons are kept, but can’t go on the beach? This doesn’t make any sense, and I said so.

  “Engineer Gustavson, the beach is no place for you. So please, head back to the construction site immediately. This is for your own safety.”

  I gave up. There was no point in discussing more than this, it was obvious they wouldn’t let us have a swim. I didn’t know why, but their orders appeared to be strict, and they had no intention to make any exception for us.

  “We are all on the same side, soldier. We will do as you ask and go back to work. We have much to do anyway. But I request some explanations. Inform Laval that I would like to meet him later on to discuss the matter.”

  “This will be done, Engineer Gustavson. Now, please, follow me back to the camp. It’s time to leave this beach, we’ve been here far too long already.”

  A couple of hours after, when I was supervising the positioning of a supporting beam on what will be the western wall of the fort, I received a message from Laval.

  Engineer Gustavson, now that you’ve settled in Worldsend and that the construction is started, time has come for you to understand what’s happening here. This is a matter that I would like to discuss with you unofficially. I believe that a conversation between educated men sharing a bottle of Polobrag is the best way to do so. I would like for you to join me in my tent after sunset, when we can talk quietly.

  As you can imagine, my dear Alanos, I was quite surprised.

  I didn’t expect for Laval to ask me for a friendly conversation over a bottle of liquor. I wonder what he has to tell me. Soon, I shall know. The sun started to disappear behind the horizon, and I’m about to go meet him.

  I’ll let you know.

  With all my love,

  Sigurdur

  Letter 5

  Alanos!

  I beg your pardon for my shaky handwriting. It is awfully late, I am tired, and my brain is fogged by the liquor I drank. This Polobrag is excellent, but strong!

  I’ve had the strangest conversation ever with Laval, and this was not only because of the alcohol. I would laugh at all this, if I were not convinced that he is damn serious about it.

  Perhaps he’s crazy, I don’t know, but it’s true that his story explains everything. Or maybe not. It’s hard to think clearly.

  Let’s try to stick to the facts, as I recollect them.

  There have been attacks here, all right. Many more than I imagined. It’s not only the villagers who were killed, but also guards from Karabia and soldiers of the Empire.

  Thousands of them, it seems! Do you believe it?

  Well, I also had doubts initially. Until Laval told me:

  “Sigurdur, do you think the Emperor would send such a great armed force here and order the construction of a fort in the middle of nowhere, if he didn’t have a good reason for it?”

  “Do you have any idea what’s the cost of all this operation, Sigurdur? Do you think it’s cheap to have water and food for so many men in this lost desert? Do you believe that the Imperial Army is bored and has nothing better to do than to patrol an empty piece of beach? Do you assume that your mission here is a mere frivolity and that Worldsend Garrison is not a matter of life and death for the citizens of the Empire?”

  I admit that his speech had its effect on me.

  Our Emperor Niklas the First is not the kind to waste resources for no reason. And if he decided to do so, it would be by erecting some grandiose monument in the Imperial Palace, or something else that could be admired. He would try to impress both His subjects and His opponents.

  But this fort (Worldsend Garrison, this is the way they call it) is just a military building, lost at the tip of the Karabia Peninsula, where no one ever goes. Laval must be right. It’s being erected to defend the place against an enemy. The biggest question remains, however.

  Who is this invader?

  ***

  I put the question many times, and Laval dodged it repeatedly. This is only after the fourth or the fifth glass, when the bottle of Polobrag was almost empty, that he asked:

  “Do you believe in demons, Sigurdur?”

  “No, sir.”

  “In monsters, maybe? In strange beings hiding in the dark?”

  “No, sir. I stopped believing in giants, werewolves and other kelpies when I reached my eighth birthday. We have plenty of tales up there in Keeroonah. We leave close to the Frozen Lands of Cuatemoc, after all. People made up stories of such creatures to scare children and explain the disappearance of those who got lost in the icy wilderness. Only fools believe them, that’s what I think. Those who went hunting for fox skins and never came back, haven’t been killed by hungry giants. They most likely wandered off the track, erred for a while and froze to death.”

  “You’re a rational man, I see…”

  His last sentence trailed off; his gaze lost in the contemplation of the amber colored liquid in his glass. He didn’t speak for a couple of minutes, and neither did I. I knew he was about to tell me more, I just had to wait.

  “I guess you will have trouble believing that Worldsend has been repeatedly assaulted by invisible flying eels coming from another world, then. No matter how much I warn you about their terrible jaws, their sharp claws, and their malevolent intentions, you will dismiss my words. Telling you that they come from the sea and that this is the very reason why the shore is forbidden will not be enough for you to accept the fact, I suspect.”

  It took me a few seconds before realizing that the man was pulling my leg, and I started to laugh. A colonel of the Imperial Army making such jokes, who could have imagined this?

  “I see you don’t take me seriously, Sigurdur. I can’t blame you; all this is hard to accept.”

  He paused for a moment, looking at me. I stopped laughing. It became obvious to me that he had not been making fun. He truly believed in his story. I started to wonder if Laval was having a go at his bottles of Polobrag more than he should. Could it be that the person in charge here was not as reasonable as he seemed at first sight?

  As if he had been reading my thoughts, he then added:

  “You can consider that drinking this liquor gave me hallucinations and that I lost my mind, this is of no importance for the moment. But will you at least acknowledge that the tip of the Karabia Peninsula is a dangerous place where a great number of good people perished in the last year?”

  I did. As I said, the Emperor wouldn’t have wasted so many resources building this fort (Worldsend garrison, it’s called Worldsend Garrison) for no reason.

  I nodded.

  “Good. Then, can I count on you and your crew respecting the rules of this camp? Will you stay far from the beach? Do you acknowledge that the Imperial Soldiers presently stationed in the Karabia Peninsula are your best protection against a potential enemy attack?”

  “Yes, colonel, I do.” Then, I added with a smirk, “I’m sure that while you are here, we will not be eaten by some giant fish with big teeth.”

  He didn’t appreciate my joke.

  After a long silence, he told me that he was tired and that he wanted to get some rest, dismissing me. And now, here I am, writing to you.

  My head is spinning.

  Colonel Laval is convinced that flying fish-demons from the underworld are threatening us. Strange that such a man believes in folk tales, no?

  It’s late. I’m going to bed.

  Love,

  Sig

  Letter 6

  Alanos, Alanos, Alanos,

  How I wish I were home right now, by your side, having a bowl of your mushroom and onion soup. This would make me feel better.

  My head is pounding, the heat is absolutely unbearable already, and the light is too strong for my tired eyes. Clearly, I drank too much last night. And, on top of it, I didn’t manage to sleep well. I had nightmares, if you believe it. I haven’t had any for many years. Since I was a child as a matter of fact.

  You want to know the worst? I dreamed of flying snakes with huge jaws…

  ***

  They were everywhere, raiding the camp. With their claws, they were slicing soldiers in half. Men were disappearing between their jaws. There was blood all over the place, everybody was screaming. I wanted to try to save them, but I didn’t how what and I remained immobile while men were dying around me.

  Suddenly, I felt something bumping on my right arm.

  I looked at my elbow, and saw it covered in blood. It was not mine. I had been hit by the head of a decapitated soldier. It was now lying at my feet, motionless, with its mouth forever stuck in a silent scream.

  Then my nightmare became even worse.

  One of those monsters was after me.

  It was hovering a meter above the ground, coming rapidly for me. I saw its jaw opening widely, the razor-sharp teeth getting closer and closer… I woke up before being swallowed in this abyss of darkness.

  I do not think I screamed, but I was drenched in sweat.

  I was scared, Alanos. At that moment, alone in my tent, with the images of my nightmare still vivid, I felt fear as I never did before. Not even when I was a small child afraid of the werewolves hiding in the dark woods.

  It took me time to regain some grasp on reality. Until the first light started to appear, actually. Only then did I succeed in accepting that it had only been a dream. I have no doubt that the crazy stories Laval told me yesterday had more effect on me than I thought. The man looked serious. I guess he managed to persuade a small part of myself that, maybe, there was some truth in his tale.

  Damn Laval. Damn Polobrag. I’ll never drink again.

  One of the foremen is looking for me. I have to go. I must work and finish this fort. Then I’ll leave this place and forget about the crazy colonel and his childish horror stories.

  Missing you deeply,

  Sigurdur

  Letter 7

  My dear Alanos,

  Things have been very strange around here in the past days. I hear screams at night and during the day I can feel the tension among the combatants. Most of them are not helping us with the construction anymore. They are getting prepared, it seems.

  Prepared for what? They wouldn’t say.

  All of them, no matter if they were simple soldiers or high-ranking officers, had been pleasant and available so far. Now, it is impossible to get an answer from them. They barely say hello, and Sergeant Pablo—who is the person officially in charge to supply the site with material—, even happened to be surprisingly rude when I asked for help to carry stones for the foundation of the Northern door.

  “Stop messing around Sigurdur, and finish this bloody fort! This is our only chance!”

 

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