Chapter 33: Profane Night

“I have nothing left to say to you… You have forsaken us, Bhal.”

***

Year of Wrath 1231, Season of Waiting D.53 Sunset

Illy:

     The stone's power was keeping her walking, a quiet order to the clan to engage in a full retreat. Each step felt like defying death, each heartbeat a misery, a fate unwanted. Only dimly aware of the world around her, she couldn’t bring herself to look at the fallen. Cori had taken Yvet’s body from her, his blood staining the winter coat as well as the dress Kari had given her. Thoroughly ruined, yet another thing she would lament, but not now. 

     As the clan stumbled back to the sanctuary of the Ancient Forest, back to the protective wings of the Harpies, survivors carried the dead. Not a sound was made, no tear shed, no condolences. There was an unspoken fury, as their eyes drifted from the fallen to Ilgor, to the road ahead. She wasn’t watching, she wasn’t paying attention to the signs of fealty they were giving her. 

     It was too much, she knew full well that Yorm wasn’t going to come quietly, repent for his crimes. Accept that he was a fool, he would demand exactly what she didn’t want. Her shoulder burned despite the immense amount of power healing her body a hundred times over. Eyes as if they had never slept, ringing in her ears as the world sounded so much louder. Hearing things far below the earth, she thought she could hear the clouds move as the stars in the quickly darkening evening sky. 

     She didn’t know if it was the stones, or if something else had happened. But, the noise was both irritating and a comfort, something to drown out the sound of the Family. What little sound there was, save for the shuffling of feet through thick snow and the clink of metal from their weapons on their armor. 

     That woman began walking by her side, hands folded, ears drooping low. “I’ve made it a bit of a tradition for anyone that has used that power to offer them knowledge.”

     “I want to know who you are. I want to know why you have followed me since my indoctrination into the uncaring hands of Bhal. I want to know why you appear in my dreams, stalk me like a specter in the night.” Illy belted out, not entirely aware that not another soul could see the woman. 

     “I am someone you’ve always known, yet have never met. I…” She began. 

     “I am tired of hearing that from you, who are you. On top of that, why do you know the name of our first Priestess, Rythia?” In no mood to hide her emotions, as they seemed to cause this being some actual physical pain. 

     “I know her because I gave birth to her. I gave birth to you all, your ancestors and the ancestors before them. I am…” Her mouth disappeared before she could speak again, her eyes speaking with a long suffering annoyance.

     “What just happened to you?” Ilgor asked. 

     It was a moment before she spoke again, her mouth seemingly tearing a new before doing so. “My name is…” And it happened again. 

The woman shook her head as her mouth appeared again. “Dear sister, so wonderfully cautious, yet problematic. One name my children, your people, gave me was The Great Mother.”

     “You gave birth to Rythia? To us all? I don’t understand, but you mentioned a time limit. Why?” Illy huffed out as the clan reached the escarpment that marked the border of the Ancient Forest and the forest of the Outerfields. 

     “She was my first child, and that became her title as well. The time limit is an issue that became so after I was killed. Each of those stones is a piece of me and has a finite amount of power in them. I will admit, I enjoy speaking to you this much, I never get to exist in this form again for this long. Before the power fades as the Caster uses my power.” She stared up at the darkening skies, a blissful yet sorrowful look in her eyes. 

     “I am using a power that belongs to you? It’s used up, from the form I usually see you in, you seem to slowly be regaining some of your life. What would happen if you took all this power I was borrowing to heal yourself? I have no need for it, blessedly I didn’t need to do much to terrify that man.” The woman faced Illy and grabbed her hands. 

     “I have never been offered my own blood by any who have burned it away. I would be grateful, Daughter. Though, our conversation will end the second I do so, I can only exist in this form for short periods of time, and only to you, for now.” Her voice was jittery, like she was holding herself back from just taking that power. 

     “Will I be able to speak to you like this again if I find more?” She asked, for whatever reason she too enjoyed the comfort this being brought. 

     “Yes, though I believe we will be able to speak more often should I find the strength. There are more things we need to discuss, many many more things.” She smiled, and for just a moment, a quick short blessed moment, Ilgor could almost forget the horrors of what had just happened. 

     “Then I give, to you, what is rightfully yours.” The Great Mother reached up and put a thin hand on Ilgor’s chest, pulling it away thick brilliant strands of night sky came with it. The woman’s form changed back to that of the corpse, though you could no longer see her ribs, and her tail was flesh again. No longer able to see the vertebrae, her hair also seemed to grow back some more. 

     “Thank you, Illy.” And with that she faded away, like dust on the wind. Like a drunk waking up in the dirty streets of the night, the reality of the world around her crashed back down in a dismal wave. The task she had ahead of her, the lives lost, the innocence truly shattered. 

     “Should we be worried she was just talking with herself like that?’ Cori asked Ghet, who was currently being carried by Knoll as he bandaged up his leg. Wouldn’t be walking on that anytime soon. The three had already given orders to all the Raiders to not bother Ilgor with asking to be healed, she needed some time to process, as well as the fact that this was nothing new to Veterans. Field medicine was something Kari drilled into their heads long ago. 

     “No, we’ll be concerned if she keeps doing it in a few days.” Ghet hissed through his teeth as he unceremoniously took the flask from Knolls hand and doused his leg in it. “I talked to myself to help me through the process after what happened with the Orphans.”

     Both Knoll and Cori turned to look down at Yvet’s lifeless face, like a child in her arms waiting to be put to bed. “Shame, he had only wanted to share his life with her. Damned shame.” Knoll’s voice, surprisingly tender and quiet to the ears used to hearing his rage tear his throat in a fight.

***

Yorm:

     He was busy barking orders at the clan to hurry along with fortifying the defensive positions around their gorge in the Harpy territory. There were only a few of the massive logs left to be packed with clay and entrances to be trapped. The blacksmith hammering away with several of the children making everything the clan needed with a speed he didn’t think possible. His pride at the children for having learned such a useful skill so early in life made his chest warm.

     Though, he was anxious at the smoke rising from the distance, hurried along to the remaining raiders and aided them belting up their armor. He assisted with making sure all the blades were oiled and free of frost to keep them from sticking in their scabbards. The sound of gunfire bellowed off from where the frontal assault had been. 

     Yorm ran to see if the trenches Ghet had suggested were almost finished. The family was exhausted, winded, but still feverishly digging away. Yorm grabbed a shovel with them and continued to dig with them. A sound like the clap of thunder echoed through the trees as they were finishing the trench, the two ditches meeting. An eerie scream filled the air as a concussive blast washed over the area, followed by an unending humming that was recognized as Ilgor’s own voice.

     A few of the raiders in the surrounding trees sounded the alarm. A quick series of whistles, followed by another message. The frontal assault was returning, Yorm barked the order for the gate to be opened, putting all the strength he had in his voice to make it carry through the din of the wind through the trees and the sound of that humming.

     He ordered everyone back inside the spear walls and to stand ready to close them as the front line had finished filing into the safety of their fortifications. Looking around Yorm saw that the ladders were ready to be used up to the lookout post next to the gate. 

     Tired, sore, he trotted over and clambered his way up to see what the scouts were seeing. The family at the front line was starting to filter through the treeline. A presence made his skin crawl, something about that humming was filling him with energy. But, something in his gut told him he would not be enjoying it for long. Many were carrying others, on their backs, between two or just being dragged along. Many more were covered in dirt, and blood, injuries as plentiful as the dead.

     Yorm didn’t need to be told that those being dragged along with the others were dead. A grief filled his heart as he watched as they passed through the gate, a loss of two to one. He didn’t notice that they were being dragged in pairs, each member of the family hauling two or more through. Only seeing the trails of blood they left behind.

     He did notice that those still left standing had that spell effect around them. The same one Hob described Ilgor doing to those Gnomes in the city, their eyes bright, glowing softly in the overcast light. Their energy seemed endless as they gently set down the fallen family in the middle of the sanctuary to return to the gates. 

     Yorm climbed back down and pinpointed a grievously wounded Cori carrying Yvet. She didn’t even have the time to close his eyes before needing to escape. “Where is Ilgor?” Yorm asked, a mix of fury and sadness and worry making his voice tremble with the turmoil. “What happened? We had a solid plan, what went wrong?”

     Cori laid Yvet down next to Til, an eerie calm on her face as she turned her glowing eyes back on him. She pointed back through the gate at the small figure encased in light stepping through the treeline. A look of awe and horror on her face. “Yorm, we tried to tell you.” Was all she said to him. 

     Yorm ran outside the gate to get a better look. He noticed three things at the same time; first was that Ilgor appeared to be far more real than the world around her. Her eyes ablaze with a strange and ethereal fire. Second, she was supporting Hob as they walked back to the sanctuary. The third and final thing, there was no one following them. The last to return home so it would seem, a fight to the end.

     No army, no battalion, no chase. Confusion washed over him, ‘why wasn’t there an attacking force haring them? Why was Ilgor the last one back? Why was Hob with her?’ He looked back to find that he was the only one near the gate, the others either preparing themselves for a possible counterattack, or watching him. Some had their guns drawn, pointing at him. Not one single member of the Clan pleased to see their Chief. 

     What was happening here? He turned back to see that Ilgor was far closer than when he had looked away. Noticing that she were also no longer walking, but hovering just a few inches off the ground and gaining ground quickly. A ghostly tail trailing behind her, like an echo of something seen in smoke. Her eyes focused solely on him, like a demon from a nightmare, an owl about to strike. The snake that had finally chosen to strike. 

     She never took her eyes off him as she floated over to Cori and handed Hob to her. Turning to Yorm giving her full attention, setting back down, walking over to him. Kari’s staff clutched in her hand, the prayer beads that graced its branches, now broken as each tap of the staff to the frozen earth became the tick to the clock of time. “Ilgor, what happened? What happened to you, what was that?” Yorm asked, nervousness creeping into his voice.

     She dispelled the effect on the family with a slight hand movement, they all dropped to their knees. Tired and sore, huffing from a now felt exhaustion. “I’m sorry everyone, but we needed to get everyone away from the Garrison, I will make this all better soon.” She addressed the crowd, some faces relieved, many more just screamed “we will be fine”.

     “Yorm” Her voice was soft, but edged with steel. “I told you, I kept trying to tell you to ease back on your hostility toward the travelers on their way to the city. I tried everything to break you away from your tendencies, I tried everything to get you to see we played with a fire we knew not.”

     “I will not apologize for following the path Bhal set before us.” He said, his usual anger back in his voice. 

     “I told you not to attack anyone that looked too high profile. We knew for weeks that the Delegation from the Caliphate was coming, we knew weeks in advance that the hurricanes were going to force them to travel in from the south.” She stepped closer to him, “And you refused to listen.”

     “I did what was best for the clan.” The simple statement, sparking a fury in the priestess’ soul. An anger that would not cleanse her mind. 

     “I am sorry, Yorm.” The fire around her eyes faded away, and that ghostly tail faded away. She drew her saber from her side, and slid into a guard stance. “I didn’t want this. I challenge you, for the right of the Chiefdom. They want your head, and your head alone. The humans demanded the guilty be brought to them.” Her voice carried throughout the valley and into the sanctuary so that all would hear.

     Yorm hesitated, but drew his ax. “By what right do you challenge me?” 

     The old ceremony began again, from time in memoriam, as all the past Chiefs had earned their right to lead. “By right of might, by right of competency.” Her voice sounded hollow as she lunged at Yorm with an inhuman speed. 

     He had not seen her fight for some time, not since she became the new Mother, not since she led her most recent raid. So he was taken by surprise at her level of swordplay. Quickly parried away her thrust and swung back at her, whiffing the swing entirely as she danced away. 

     She was back on him, swinging her saber down at him while he was prone. Managed to roll on his back, blocking the slash with the haft of the ax. He slid the beard of the blade down to catch her sword and flung it away from him, jumping back to his feet, his disarming maneuver only earned him a slash across his forearm. “And what would you say would be best for the clan now!” She bellowed at him as she stabbed at his hands, trying to get him to drop his weapon. 

     “What would you have us do now? The City only waits at our doorstep because I spared their Garrison, as I spared the lives of those I raided!” He feinted to try and get her to open her guard, but his feint met only a solid defense as she countered with her own. 

     “Bhal would lead us through, he would expect us to endure! He would expect us to seek a home in a more sensible position! His glory will be won!” He huffed back at her, throwing a hard swing at her side. She pranced back out of the range of his swing, and slashed back at him. Landing a small cut on his arm as he didn’t move in time to miss the strike completely.

     He staggered, “And what would you have had me do, Ilgor! I knew we needed to grow strong, I knew we needed more to survive the winter, I knew we needed more to…” Yorm felt Bhal’s eyes bored into him, seeing deep into his soul. Maybe he was just imagining it, maybe he felt the call of his god too strongly. 

     “Look at what we have done now.” Her soft voice, slowly walking toward him, sword held in a high guard. “Look at the progress the clan made using not the tactics of old. Look at what your lack of foresight has brought us. See the consequence of your actions, and behold the sorrow you have caused.” 

     Looked around, and for the first time it dawned on him. She ordered the wall to be built, he didn’t even question where all the prepared lumber had come from, not the materials and tools that were here to accomplish the tasks. She had constantly preached a more tempered hand, she constantly challenged his ideas with other alternatives. The Family wasn’t hungry, they were terrified. All looking at him with blame in their eyes, like a poison it filled him.

     With a sinking heart, the implication settled in. She had said she didn’t want this, but she had a plan for it nonetheless. He raised his ax in a low stance, his pride at losing still holding sway over him.

     He didn’t have the choice now. Either he proved he was stronger and defeated her, and lose the trust of his family. Or she won, and proved she was the one to lead them. The tragedy of it was not lost on him, as he spoke. “You know, when you were born.” He swung at her, she ducked under his swing and tried to disarm him.

“I felt the winds shift when I was a younger man. I saw a new child born into the Family and I was happy to see you grow and play with Hob, Yvet and Til. I enjoyed watching Tek and Ysry raise you, their happiness I felt in my bones.” Her disarm didn’t work as he dropped his arm to knock her down. 

He now noticed as well the small gusts of wind as she moved out of the way by pirouetting to the left, where he would be slower to move. “I knew you as the happiest, most curious child I had ever met.” He saw the tears start to fall down her eyes as she leveled her thrust.

He swung down, knocking the strike to the side. She only danced backward into a better position. To his right now, where he would have to make a large slow movement to block anything she did. “Yet, I was still concerned when Mother had chosen you. Even after I voiced my concerns about you, I knew one day my fears would come to pass.” 

She got inside his guard as he swung down at her. She had pulled the knife he had given her when she first became a raider out from a small sheath and pushed his blow to the side. “And I see that I was right to fear you. I see that I was right that you would challenge me one day.”

Her thrust with her sword struck home as it sank deep into his chest. The blood began to soak the ground as it fell from his wound. “And yet, I am still happy to see you have grown so strong.” He said as he fell back, his ax rattling as it hit the hard earth. 

His vision started to black out. “Yet, I will not repent for my actions. For I still did what I saw best for the family.” He said as blood burbled from his mouth. 

     She fell to her knees as he closed his eyes. Feeling numb, feeling filthy at what she had done here. She was absently aware of the hot tears stinging her eyes, as she watched Yorm’s stop moving, and heard his heart stop beating. Her breathing was sluggish and rhythmic, as the adrenaline faded from her body. The exhaustion of the fight kicked in, coming in waves. Each is more debilitating than the last. The Family was silent, the only sound was the wind through the trees. A haunting howl of the crime she had committed here.

     She rose slowly, dropping her saber to the ground. The clang of the steel caused the crowd to flinch, that awe and fear still on their faces. Saw her reflection in the pool of Yorm’s blood, and saw that there were burns around her eyes, small black marks appearing, mimicking the fire in a bizarre pantomime. 

     Cori and Knoll approached her as she reached for Yorm and tried to drag him off back to the frontline of the Garrison. “Ilgor, let us help.”

     “I told them I would come with the one who had caused the attack. They agreed to listen to us if I did so.” Her voice sounded hollow.

     “Then let us help you, Chief.” Hob said. 

     “DO NOT CALL ME THAT” Her voice caused a shockwave, knocking down Hob and a few of the others that didn’t brace themselves for it. “I wish to do this alone, so the blood may stay on my hands, not yours…”

     She began again at dragging Yorm's body toward the frontline. Cori said nothing but grabbed his other hand, and refused to look at Ilgor. Out of fear, or concern, she did not know. Knoll followed them as they made their way back to the tree line. 

     “Have the Family begin preparing the dead, please. I will be home soon, I promise.” She told Hob as he tried to walk along with them. Pausing just long enough to see her face haggard. He nodded and trotted back to the clan and spoke softly to the remaining members.

     Dragging Yorm’s body across the forest floor, trying to get through the snow drifts was a futile effort. Knoll scooped Yorm up as if he weighed nothing, Cori propping Illy under her shoulder. “Mo… Chie… Illy, you need to rest.”

     “I cannot rest, not until this is done. Not until I have secured our Family’s safety. Not until I have…” She started, but Cori only hushed her. 

     “No rest for the wicked. I understand. Blood on your hands alone huh? I don’t think so, girl. We’ve shed as much blood as Yorm has, we are just as guilty as him in my mind. We could have stopped him, Knoll could have anyway.” The hulking form of Knoll shrugged. 

     “I don’t want to lead, I don’t deserve it.” Was all he said.

     They walked in silence for the rest of the trip. Not even a bird singing, the dark barely even slowing them down. Nothing rustling in the undergrowth, no deer or elk to run off. No beast of the forest to hamper them. Illy, opened Yorm’s eyes and began a prayer that the two Veteran Fighters thought him entirely underserving. 

     “Child, lost to us. Gaze now at the glory of the skies, and remember your place in them. Find peace in the light in the darkest nights.” Her broken voice cut through the silence. “I’m sorry Yorm, there isn’t time to give you what you are owed. You said you did what you did for what your thought was best for the clan. Well, now I do the same. I’m sorry, Father. You will not join the Family in death, I cannot give that to you.” 

     They broke through the tree line to see a much larger force than the one that had been there when they retreated. Dozens of garrisons, full armament, artillery arrangements, Gunner fox holes and fortifications already set up. Banners of the Glacian King fluttering high in the light of arc lanterns. Illy cast a light over them, illuminating the trio and Yorm. 

     An Officer pointed a search light at them, followed by dozens more scanning the treeline. “So you honor your word!” A voice she had never heard before spoke. Like liquid velvet, it washed over them. Ilgor spotted the General she had threatened standing next to a figure in the most regal attire she had ever seen. 

     A heavy iron crown rested atop his head, hands held behind his back as he stared down at the approaching group, a throng of soldiers falling in rank behind her as they passed through their defensive line. “Do you need any healing? I apologize, I do not know how to address you. I am King Lucas Berthelot. I give you my deepest condolences for this vile act that has occurred here.” He bowed low to the trio. 

     The two Veterans looked at Illy, making signs of loyalty to her and her alone. A motion of the fingers through the air in the shape of the clan symbol, it only contorted her face in unshed tears. She wouldn’t show weakness to this man, not this one. “I am the High Priestess and Chief to the Skullbrood Clan. I am Ilgor, daughter of Tek and Ysry. I have healed my Family from injury, they like I, need rest.” 

     “I would say I would liked to have met you in a much more fitting setting. Though, I should say as well, I do not take kindly to being ordered around. Though I did find it amusing that my Chancellor relayed your message with the utmost importance.” The air of power from this man was condescending, yet polite in a way. 

     Ilgor’s eyes burned with the remnants of the Stones she had used, causing many of the soldiers as well as many of this King’s Officers to back away. “I made a reasonable request. It would be impractical for my Clan or myself to appear before your gates as we were. Humanity proved here today that they have no issues with killing us. I believe I made it very clear to your “General” that I wished to speak with you.” The unspoken aspect of her threat needn’t have been repeated. 

     The king laughed, a deep belly rattling chuckle. “The pluck on you! I enjoy speaking with someone with some spine! Very well! What did you wish to speak with me about, Mon Amie?” A simple wave of his hand, and a sturdy table was brought forward, scribes and parchment laid about the heavy oaken table. The king had a bottle of wine passed to him, poured four glasses of wine, handing each of them one. 

     “We brought you the one who had given the orders to attack and kill the Delegation that was sent here from Zybtine.” She almost enjoyed watching his eyes widen as she knew exactly who they were and where they were from. “My culture demands that the Raid Leaders, especially the Chief, have their orders obeyed while outside of our village. I expect you can understand that very well. As such the raiding party was in no position to disobey him.”

     “He rested his elbows against the tabletop, swirling his wine. “Why tell me this, then?”

     “Because you will not have their heads as well as his. Your men already murdered more than a few of them in the field below us. As well as many other innocents.” Her voice rang out as she decided to allow her powers their full effect. There was not an eye in this crowd that wasn’t on her, the King giving her his full undivided attention. 

     “The event that has transpired here is being dealt with, given the history between our peoples, I hope you can understand why I won’t be offering more than an apology at this time.” He spoke like the Sorcerer, layered, leaving things just barely said to leave room for accusation later. 

     “I will give you the body of our Former Chief for you to bring to the Sultan of Zybtine.” She tested her luck here, making it clear she knew far more than he thought she might. “You said yourself that might be enough to calm him down long enough to negotiate another summit.” 

     “Oh my! I’ll have to find whoever has been feeding you information! I do wonder who told you this?” He asked as if she would willing tell him such information. 

     “We have large ears for a reason, we hear many things whether we are told them or no.” A vague threat, but one that kept him just uneasy enough to believe it. 

     “Very well, you will hand over the guilty party, and you ask what in return. I did say we would give you a chance. But I can sense a negotiation without being told it is.” He set his wine down, as several scribes readied themselves to begin. 

     “I want no retaliation. I, my people have suffered under the incompetence of your men. Yours, King Berthelot. We acted in self defense, not out of malice. I would also like to extend an offer if you’d be willing to hear of it.” She was tired, eyes heavy, wanting all this to be over with. But she saw a chance, she knew this man was fond of this type of thing.

     “Oh? I’m more than happy to offer a nonaggression treaty, so long as your people never again engage in raiding the roads, sea or air. But, what is this offer?” The glass of wine already raised to his lips. 

     “I want for our village to be recognized as an official settlement by your kingdom. I wish to become part of Galus, a trade agreement.” The two veteran goblins stared at her, open mouthed. 

     He laughed again, a smile now plastered on his face. “You certainly know how to keep things interesting! Very well! At a later time we will discuss details of this arrangement in the Palace, my my my how the tides turn.” 

***

Ilgor:

     I wearily made my way to the workshop we had fortified for Caleb. Stumbling up the snow covered mossy rock wall, past the river still burbling under a tine layer of ice. His once humble fence, now a great bulwark of felled trees and stones. The boys sure did their job well, the wooden cabin inside offered a great respite. Running my hand along the woodwork that Caleb had taught me to carve, the smooth surface of it brought back nice memories. I found him working away at his anvil and three of the older boys watching. I didn't even hear the hammer ring on the metal. 

     The boys noticed me first, running up to me, worried expressions on their faces staring at the blood on my dress. "Mother! Are you alright? Are the others? What happened in the village?" They all asked me at the same time. Celeb turned to me, face softening, but noting the blood as well.

     "Run back to the village, I want to speak with Caleb alone, if you would" I hushed them. I tried to soothe their nerves. 

     "But" The oldest boy started to say.

     "Now. The village is safe once more. The Raiders will tell you what you need to know, sweet child." I looked all three in the eyes. My eyes, their fathers and mothers eyes, my family's eyes. "Do not come back until the next morning after the next. Please let Hob and Ghet know I'm here. They can find me later." I commanded them. They hesitantly obeyed, and ran out of the workshop, still looking back at me, their worry still there. They didn't know yet. 

     Caleb walked up to me and offered his hand. "You look dead on your feet, Mother. I can see your knees wobbling. Are you alright?"

     "No. I'm tired. No, that isn't the right word. I'm beyond exhausted." I fell to one knee, Caleb caught me before I hit the ground. "Dead to the world at the moment." I chuckled a little. The tale of what I had done, what I planned to do next, my regrets on the matter. He always was a good listener.

     His face turned from horror, to acceptance, to worry, to curiosity throughout my story. "I...I don't know what to say, my friend. So this all, was what? A lie? But, to bring your family the happiness they deserve"

     "No, I never lied to them. I couldn’t stand idly by, I knew Yorm’s old guard wouldn’t accept my claim unless I did it their way. I… I… Don’t want to talk about it. Caleb, I'm sorry, I'd hate to impose." I started.

     "Of course not, Mother, anything" I put my hand over his mouth and leered at him.

     "Not today, please, Caleb, not today." I sighed, "I want to be away from my family for a moment. I want to be alone for a moment, I don't want to impose, but could I stay here for a night?" I finished, sitting in his seat in front of the forge fire, my eyes starting to grow heavy. The fire reflected in my eyes, the memory of that feeling like they were burning once more.

     "You can take my bed tonight then. I can find other accommodations, are your eyes alright?" That understanding face of his was always a godsend for me. Being a little startled as he picked me up and brought me towards the cabin door. "You look a tad tired, I figured I'd save you the trouble from getting up from my awfully comfortable stump of a chair."

     I smiled, going with it. "Thank you"

     "Think nothing of it." He opened the door, setting me down at his bed, told me if I needed something, to just holler for him. The door clicked softly on silent hinges, not a drop of oil on the wood. The boys sure did a good job for him.

     Looking around the finished cabin, thinking of all the work the boys and myself had given him to finish this. Weeks of back breaking working, hauling material, helping him carve out the logs to fit together. I wasn't sure where he got the glass for the windows, but he had painted over them. I assumed he was painting his home back in the eastern coasts of Zybtine. 

     There was a field of bright crimson poppies, a far off horizon accentuated by fluffy clouds on a windy day. In another he had painted his wife, long passed, and his son. He had never told me much about him, always dodged the question when it was brought up. Her face was sweet, angled like a fox’s, her dark auburn hair caught the light from the fire in the hearth. His son, like him, was square jawed and stern. The polite smile on his face, patience evident in his eyes. He had the same hair as his mother.

     He had intricately carved designs in every last furnishing in his home. Subtle swirls and weaves on every inch of wood. “Ever the craftsman he is” I thought, as I set my staff to the floor, too tired to even remember to whom it really belonged to. The last thing I remember as I passed out on that soft bed was that his home felt like him.

     I had the most vivid dream I had ever had, even more so than the nightmares of my Ceremony.

     I awoke in a grassy clearing, the wind gently blowing across the field of clear emerald and golden wheat. It whispered softly as the wind brushed against the long stalks. Sitting and looking around at the massive old alder and maple trees surrounding my little field. Strange, it felt like the clearing was far too small to have a breeze running through it. Stranger still that the foliage of the leaves were covering most of the sky, but a thick field of grass was here. It felt familiar though, I noticed five stumps lying in the middle. “Why is that familiar?”

     It was pleasant regardless, enjoying the sound of the whispering grass for a long while. I pulled my knees up to my chest and listened. I thought about my time these last few days, and the actions I had taken. I didn’t want it, I didn’t want to be Chief. I didn’t want these nightmares, who was that woman really, I felt like she hadn’t lied. Only left quite a bit out. I would have to remake the Clan, I would have to do better than any before me, there was no retreat.

     Looking up to see a small orb of starlight hovering just at the edge of the tree line. Standing up, I walked over to it. Strange, I wasn't afraid of it, it felt familiar in an odd way. I was curious, but as I drew closer to it it started moving backwards, deeper into the forest. Only now did I see the branching paths just beyond the tree line. The orb seemed to be directing me down one of them as light danced in a brilliant shifting arrangement as it filtered through the branches.

     We passed through the maples in full color. Brilliant hues of red and gold, the branches far above my head. Stretching out to hold up the sky like vast arbor arms. Though, I couldn't guess how far they seemed to shrink and grow in the shifting light filtering through the leaves. The flaming orb turned sharply on a path I didn't see until the last second.

     The tree line broke into a canyon that seemed to have an endless amount of water pouring in from the side. The massive lake just beyond it dumping into the canyon, the monstrous misty waterfall dazzling the scene. Though, the light hitting it did not make a rainbow, I thought it was odd, but then again, everything seemed odd at the moment. The world seemed to shift from crystalline colors to matte pastels at random.

     I spotted the fireball again on the far corner of the canyon, quickening my pace to keep up to it. It began to move away from me once more, suggesting I should follow. We walked along the shoreline of the lake, the clear blue water showcasing the smooth pebbles lining its bottom. Its shore was made entirely of rounded amber colored stones with the occasional inclusion of dark blue marble. I liked the way it sounded under my feet, that soft grinding, echoing with the waves on the shoreline. 

     I could see thousands of little fish among the waves, all brightly colored and lively. There were small pools to the other side of the shore where the waves seemed to be filling them. Walking over to them and peering in. Those were the same fish, except that the pools were deep enough I couldn't see the bottom, only fish and shimmering water, though I thought I could see a series of pipes lining the walls of the wells further down. I looked up to see the orb on the other side of the lake. 

     "Can't you let me enjoy the view for a moment?" I asked it, "I would like to explore at least a little.” The orb pulsed, and changed color and emitted a few different colors of light. As if it wanted me to keep going, like it had something important to show me. 

     A voice filled my mind, echoing and far off. The lilting chime of a young woman, familiar, yet not. “No, not a dream.”

     "Fine, so be it." My words fell from my mouth with a sigh.

     I ran to the other side of the lake, huffing from the effort as the orb stayed still waiting for me. It pulsed again and began moving. We traveled up a mountain side, past the tree line, past the snow line, and to the peak. It never got cold, I never got tired from the climb. I should stop saying it's strange, but this little world never ceased to surprise me in little ways, like something out of a fairytale.

     I turned back and saw we were far above the clouds, their endless shifting forms transfixing. Time seemed warped, I could see thunderstorms rise and fall off in the distance, great arcs of lightning traveling from towering spires of clouds. "Why bring me through all this, is this a bother to you?" I asked the fireball.

     It began moving back down the mountain, in a different direction now "Not much of a conversationalist, huh?" The fireball pulsed. "Fair enough."

     We descended past the cloud layer and back into the snow line. Trudging along through the thick snow well past my thighs, eventually it cleared away to bare rock and a slight breeze. It was warm though, humid, and thick. The tree line was tropical, full of towering trees of mahogany and teak. The thick vines hanging from the trees had every color of songbird I could think of and many more I didn't know existed. A Bluejay hopped from branch to branch, chirping wildly at me, the image of a Dwarf I had met flashed through my mind.

     The fireball disappeared down the winding path through the jungle. I lost sight of it, and began running. I couldn't find the fireball, where had it gone? I just heard birdsong around me, and couldn't see the fireball. I picked a random path and sprinted down it. Frantically looking every which way for where it had gone. “A fireball that bright didn't just disappear, could it?” Then again this dense jungle could hide anything in vibrant moss curtains and vine laden tapestries. That Bluejay followed me, trying to get my attention.

     I picked a new path this time and tripped, I grabbed onto something and pulled myself back up before I hit the ground. The vine I had been holding onto broke and I fell through a moss curtain of bright orange. Landing hard on my tailbone, and a flock of brightly colored birds flew past my eyes. After the immense flock had passed I saw a new path with the fireball sitting patiently there in the middle of it. The Bluejay fluttered back and forth, chirping wildly at me.

     I glared at it, but continued walking towards it. It moved away as I got closer again. We continued for quite a while through the thick jungle. Still, I never grew tired, I noticed my tailbone didn't even hurt. Though, what did I honestly expect from such a strange land? The jungle suddenly broke and we were staring down into a deep valley.

     In the center of the valley was a magnificent city. A grand palace stood at its center, made of polished brass. Everything from the walls on the towers to the massive vaulted rooftops. I could see the carving in them from even this distance. Endless weaving patterns, I was never able to pinpoint where one weave began and another one ended, though I could recognize many of the runes as they were similar to the ones in our holy book. Along its top most tower was a terraced garden filled with flowers of unimaginable color. Funny, I thought it looked like a crown. 

     I saw another massive domed cathedral along the palace made of the same polished brass. Only it had beautifully ornamented strained glass windows. I could see scenes of the world's creation, I couldn't understand them, I only knew that this is what It was. I thought I recognized great hands hammering away at coils of space. I saw in another window that I thought showed these same great hands forging the flows of time. I was engrossed by the whole thing. Mesmerized, captivated, enamored with the scene before me. 

     I tore my eyes away from the center of the city and began looking at the neighborhoods and grand fountains scattered along the streets. Each house had a high vaulted roof like the palace did, the brick work painted to be a new mural done for each resident. A million unique paintings, not one remotely similar to each other. A million facets of existence and emotion explored in them. I thought this was even more interesting than the palace and cathedral. 

     "What is this place?" I turned to ask the flaming orb. I was shocked senseless when it actually spoke to me. 

     It was a far off echo of an echo. Distorted as if as a clap of thunder heard under the water. Only this sounded even farther off. "Sweet Child, a place you need to find"

     The orb began moving again. We walked down the valley through fields of wheat, orchards and vineyards. Many other plants that I knew nothing of, strange and exotic in color and shape. Why wasn't anyone working in the fields? Where were the farmers, their families? The place seemed deserted. The little houses overgrown with ivy and wild grapes.

     The flaming orb only continued towards the city. The brickwork murals dazzling my eyes. I wanted to stop and view each one, but the orb only continued. It would really seem like it wouldn't let me enjoy the lovely nature of this world. The only noise echoing off the walls was the sound of my staff. “Now when did this get here?” I was certain I didn't have this at the beginning. The tap of the staff sounding mournful in this beautiful empty city. Like I was marching towards an end to which I didn't know.

     We got closer to the Cathedral and I could start sensing that something was watching us. Though, it wasn't a hostile one, I couldn't feel any malice in these unseen gazes, not like if you were stalked by a beast. I looked around trying to see anyone, but I saw nothing. Only more empty streets and market stalls still full of fresh fruit and shiny wares.

     The orb stopped by the front gate of the Cathedral and moved toward a small garden off to the side of it. The trellis full of orchids and morning glory. The arches dotting each of the intersections of the paths in the gardens were adorned in soft green ivy. The stones themselves were a vibrant granite that I had never seen before. The stones caught the light like kaleidoscopes. Throwing spears of soft light in all directions. 

     I finally came to a stop when I finally saw someone else. She was talking to another much taller man. I could really only describe him as massive with faded blue skin. There really was no other description for him. Just massive. I couldn't understand what they were saying, It sounded far too much like-bird song to me. Full of soft lilts and warbles, so many subtle changes in pitch. 

     The Giant reached down and touched the woman on the shoulder and pointed at me. I couldn't even see his eyes, though I knew he was looking at me. The woman turned and I felt icy in my veins. I couldn't move, I was paralyzed from the shock. She was me.

     It wasn't me though, I was me. How could this be? She looked different from me, she was the same height, and our faces were identical. Though she had skin like the night sky. Her hair was also a dark and rich auburn in color, along with a swiftly swishing tail. I knew it was me though. 

     She smiled at me and cocked her head, her smile was perfect. She was relaxed in her posture, perfectly at ease. She wore a poncho of a thousand different colors, almost entirely made of patches of different fabric. It was also embroidered in the same way the palace walls were, an ever changing and weaving pattern. She tried to say something, but nothing came out of her mouth. 

     Her eyes grew sad, and seemed to peer into my eyes. Our eyes. The most unnerving part was just how she looked at me. Into me, like she could see my past, present and future in them. Her eyes just seem far more clear than mine. She felt so much more real than me, like I was an imitation of her. I started walking up to her and reached my hand out.

     She raised her hand, and shook her head, her braid behind her mirroring the motion. A tear fell out of one, and passed though my hand. I finally realized, I was the one that wasn't here. Then how could she see me? How could the giant? What was this place? Why did she look so sad? Could she really see into my soul like that? 

     She shook her head again, and pointed in the direction I came. Was I supposed to leave? Her smile seemed far more broken now, as more tears fell down her face. She pointed more vigorously in the opposite direction. I was confused, I just stood there, my hand still out stretched toward her. She fell to her knees and cupped her hands to her face and she began sobbing. 

     What was going on? I heard a noise behind me, and there was another woman there now. She was old. I heard a bird song behind me, and I turned again to see the fireball pulsing softly. I heard the old woman in perfect clarity behind me "You need to wake up Ilgor, you need to wake up.". The woman never opened her eyes, with hair like billowing smoke. Pointed ears like the Dwarves had. 

     I awoke with a start and I gasped, sat up too quickly. My staff on the ground, grasping for it wildly, I just wanted the comfort of it. The soft glowing coals of the hearth, a stark contrast to the sudden wave of loneliness I left. Something wet hit my thighs and I realized I was crying. That was a dream, wasn't it?