The God of Jesters
Chapter 182 - 3.12.3 Eagle Claw Remira

Chapter 182: 3.12.3 Eagle Claw Remira

It was midday and the sun was barely visible anymore. People say that the days are longer in the north, but they usually forget to mention the clouds that would usually fill the sky, hiding the warmth away.

But this was nothing in Remira’s view, all of it was nothing but a mere illusion in her eyes. The green pastures and the mountains would soon become the home to death, to cold.

In her own village, it snowed for four months straight, four months of nothing but preserved food and broth, four months where there was rarely the cacophony of children playing in the snow.

In those four months, some families would leave their village and go to warmer areas, just to escape from the cold.

Just like she did all those years ago.

"Remira, I am glad you are here." A voice said in Remira’s head, causing her to look around for a bit, making Farhad, who walked behind her take an offensive posture, ready for any attack. But she soon said "False alarm!" Before moving on.

She can’t fall for it, she won’t listen to voices in her head no matter what happens, not when her opponent was a being that can manipulate people’s memories and mess with them, and although low, there was a certain chance that her companion was under that being’s influence.

This is the reason for her need to keep up a guarded act, even if she feels bad for the boy, she has to think clearly and know where to draw the line. She will help this boy, not for him or his sister, but for her own revenge. But it doesn’t mean she would trust Farhad, not completely at least.

The little episode he had where he gave to his bloodlust was too unbecoming of the boy she had learned about. That was not Farhad, and considering the details she had, it was not hard for her to consider the other option.

Meaning, there was a chance that the Jester might be using Farhad as a proxy to influence her somehow.

Which was far-fetched when one considered the blood that flows in her body. Jester would die if he ever comes close to it, the First Knight is a being that even gods dread. So how can a dream parasite like Jester ever dare to touch it?

All of her thoughts were jumbled at this moment, but one thing she was sure of was her goal. The whisper in her ears won’t startle her, Farhad won’t stop her, and the guys that were behind her, this terrain will become their graves.

’Two kilometers.’ She thought to herself, recalling the gunshot she heard not too long ago. Although far, in this peaceful jungle, it was not hard for her heightened senses to pick up the one odd sound that stood out from the voices of the animals and critters that lived there.

"We are here," Remira said, looking at the steep mountain. "You wait here, I need to map out our surroundings." Then she handed Farhad her sword.

"This?"

"The lighter I am, the faster I climb." With those words, she jumped with full force, leaving a few cracks on the floor, and causing Farhad to step back in horror.

And when her body started to slow down in the air, her hands turned like the claws of an eagle, which stabbed deep into the mountain rock, which she used as a platform to push herself further.

Appearing like a cat who made great strides with each jump.

While the rubbles that broke in her wake, included some giant stones, that fell on Farhad, who was just below her, unprepared.

"She should have given me time." He said with a sigh, while moving away from the small stone avalanche, while he waited.

On the other hand, Kareem who had caught up to the two, looked at Remira’s climbing speed and was left speechless.

Even though he was in the same realm as Remira, he couldn’t imagine himself recreating the feats he had just seen. The strain, pressure, and control required to achieve something like this are not within his reach.

"Good, we can put her danger a bit higher than we expected, she would be like a bullet on the battlefield if she gave up on protecting her target." It was easy to see how dangerous she was. So it was good that they learned something about her before striking.

But while Kareem had such thoughts, the very same man who had shot at an owl before wondered. "Boss, why not capture the kid now, he seems unprotected."

"Learn some patience, Patrick, the woman is not an easy opponent and she probably knows we are after her. I bet the moment we go out, she would crash on either one of you without a moment’s notice, turning you into some good Keema." Kareem said, with a laugh that loosened his specs a bit, which he hurriedly pushed back in its place.

Leaving Patrick, a bit surprised and horrified. So he understood Kareem’s point. "We will strike tomorrow after confirming their strides."

"Remember men, preparation is a recipe to success." Unlike before, Kareem was focused and didn’t seem angry at his companion’s stupid questions. Asking a question at this point is good, it shows that his men are involved and able to think for themselves.

Even if that thinking might have led to startling their enemies, it doesn’t matter.

******

She was a kilometer above the ground and the mountain went on for a few more hundred meters, but there was no need for her to climb further, as she could already see where she was as well as the surrounding area.

Though she didn’t forget to look below from time to time, to check on any accidents that Farhad might find himself in. But to her relief, nothing of such like happened. He just kept looking toward her, trying to find a silhouette, though he could barely make out anyone so high up in the air.

Although it would be a lie to say she wasn’t disappointed that her pursuers didn’t bite the bait. Which could mean only one thing. ’They probably haven’t caught up.’

She thought, before finally focusing on the mountains and recalling the information she had read on Radiant Hall’s report.

Yes, she actually didn’t remember the location of her village at all, she was too small and traumatized for that, not to mention, she never went out of her village and the time she did, it was to escape from the undead plague that hit them.

Making it impossible for her to know where her village used to be.

Added on the fact that Cynark has done its best to remove any mention of the name Drischals from the annals of history. Including their home which got consumed by a freak plague. Leaving only a few survivors who prefer to not talk about it.

A village lost in time.

"Found it," Remira said, looking toward the twin mountains to the north. Which, although not uncommon in these parts, was still the closest to the railway tracks, and just like the reports said, she had to move in that direction completely straight.

"It would take a day to reach the speed at which we are moving." Remira then turned to look at Farhad, who was more of a baggage to her at this point.

She, on her own, can shorten this journey to a few hours as long as she puts some effort into her legs, leaving their pursuers in dust. But Farhad was the problem and she can’t leave him behind.

Not when he was an important part of her own calculations. "I am waiting for you, come."

"..." She ignored it again, before making her descend a bit more amicable. Which was nothing more than jumping from the height and creating a crater when she reached the ground, her impact created an explosion, sending stones and dust flying all over the place.

Startling Farhad who had already made some distance after seeing her fall, but was still pushed back by the impact. "Captain, you alright?" Farhad asked with a worried voice, as he couldn’t see deep into the dust cloud.

"I have found the direction, we move in five minutes." She dusted her clothes while walking toward Farhad, before putting her hand forward, and asking for her sword back.

"Of course." He said, before giving one look at the hole on the ground and then leaving the place.

******

’This... the losses will be heavy if our plan fails.’ Kareem thought to himself while ignoring his companions who were asking about what that "sound" was. But he can’t say specifically what it was.

"Just a rock fell down when she was descending." Unlike his men who were mostly adepts, he was a Master level Knight, so his sight was much better than theirs.

Which he was glad about because if his men had seen what he saw, they might have lost some morale and he can’t afford that. "I have seen their direction, everyone, take your pill, we have to be ahead of them to set up the ambush."