The heavy footfalls of Colin's boots along the wooden floor of the library echoed throughout the room. Throm studied the warrior carefully. Predictably, Colin's rate of alarm had been steadily increasing since he had learned of Sanria's departure. His decision to follow and approach Sanria was already apparent in his body language.
'Where did she say she was going, exactly?'
Throm continued to study the man as he divulged the information that would soon put him on a course to Sanria.
'She'll probably be on her way to Torregiano. After that I believe Baldur's Gate and Waterdeep.'
Colin's frustration was evident in his voice as well as the increased speed of pacing as he glared at Throm, shaking his head.
'Just when things seemed to be coming together. I'm sorry, but there's no way I can just sit up in this house and not care that she's out there by herself with all that we've seen. You convinced me that this threat was big enough to go into the rift, yet you are fine with just letting this happen.'
Throm leaned forward upon the table as he nodded earnestly.
'Shall we pack up the ship, and bring her back by force then?'
Colin waved him off, his frustration clearly mounting as he detected Throm's sarcasm.
'No, don't you worry, you carry on however you want. I can take care of this. Thank you for the information.'
'What would you do?'
Colin turned to Throm, signs of a cool anger simmering just beneath the surface evident even to the sorcerer.
'I told you, I'm going to make sure she's safe. After that... we'll see. It wouldn't be the first time I've been a guardian. But maybe you've forgotten how.'
His comment hit closer to home more so than Colin could have known. He was right in ways he could not have known. Throm was accustomed to moving people about, as pawns on a chessboard, but even in the worst of times he had not made habit of doing so with friends. He had always drawn an invisible line in the fabric of his moral state, separating friendship from the cool calculating voice within him that always seemed to get things accomplished efficiently.
'If you must keep tabs, then do so. I know deep down I would feel better about it. But by blundering in, announcing that you don't respect her freedom to get away. Does that truly serve her...or does it serve you?'
This earned him another angry glance from the larger man.
'I'm not you Throm. I can't just sit back and watch things happen. I also won't slip about following Sanria like some king of thief, and I won't operate based upon assumptions.'
Throm nodded, reverting mentally back to his original plan. Colin was a man of action, Throm could respected that. His concern would lead him not to dance around the issues, but rather to charge directly into the heart of them. Throm knew his own concern was no less, but there was always a plan to be executed. A contingency for contingencies. While both may in truth have the same goals in mind, they were opposite sides of the coin in nature. But it would be both sides that would be needed to see this through.
'I hope you will keep me informed as well. I'll be leaving here as soon as I catch up with Thasmudyan. I will be staying at the Blockade east of the city.'
Colin issued a somber nod which did not necessarily commit to or against doing so.
'Well, time's wasting. I need to make preparations. I have a lot of ground to make up.'
The warrior departed, leaving Throm to scratch out the location of potential hidden caches upon a piece seconds before the man in black slipped back into the room, chuckling in sarcasm though speaking quietly so as not to be overheard.
'Long time no see.'
Throm folded the parchment and handed it to the man returning his comment equaling his tone of sarcasm, in the process.
'It has been indeed.'
The Cetra cast a glance at the doorway after Colin.
'It's good to know I still have friends out there. Ensure he doesn't know you're following.'
'No doubt.'
The man nodded and once more took his leave. Throm sighed, alone to his thoughts once more. He had but one more task to complete before leaving the manor. His gaze drifted to the small necklace that still lay upon the table. He would need to see to it's safety, and for that he would need Thasmudyan.
Contingencies
Little galaxies, each one containing perhaps hundreds of worlds. Be they symbolic or literal Throm knew not. The only thing he knew was that the necklace they had found within the cave inside the rift was a powerful artifact, and according to Kaliadra may perhaps be capable of travel to other worlds not reachable by standard arcane means. The journey back had been uneventful, the return home more so. Sanria had left after perhaps a day after their return, and Throm couldn't blame her. As glad as he was to have everybody under the same roof, he imagined the manor had become quite stuffy as of late. Even with the knowledge that she would be outside of his immediate protection Throm was secretly glad that she was headed east. It was probably safer there than it soon would be in Westbridge.
Throm stood from the table where he sat within his library and walked slowly over to the map which covered the northern wall of the room. Most of it had been filled in thanks to efforts combined between the topographers at Melancholy's and his own personal travels. He inwardly mused which parts me might fill in next, turning away only at the sound of a polite cough in close proximity. He smiled at the darkly clad man before him
'Apologies my friend, the older I get, the more I tend to drift off into other worlds.'
The man laughed, his leather armor creaking slightly at the movement. Shaking his head so as to neither confirm or deny Throm's statement he spoke in a voice that betrayed years of smoke inhalation and soft spoken words.
'We've been unable to locate her. Thus it may prove difficult to ensure her safety.'
Throm nodded. His eyes scouting over the man to determine the sincerity of his statement. A short time ago, it would have been only a quick word throughout the web the Emirc Dezinagro Syndicate maintained and the information would have been at his fingertips. He turned to the bookcase closest him, and slowly ascended the ladder to the top rung as he searched aimlessly along the upper shelves.
'There may be another way. As we speak a man by the name of Colin Stone searches the manor for either me or Sanria. He will fare better better than you I imagine.'
Again the man laughed. If his feelings were hurt his ashen face showed no sign of it.
'I suppose you'd like me to follow Stone, who will lead me to Sanria?'
Throm frowned.
'His name is Colin, and it's not quite that easy. I will see to it that supply caches are at your disposal in case the worst should befall him. He's still trying to figure out what may be happening to him and does not yet know the full of it.'
The man raised an eyebrow. He ran a hand through a tangled mane of black hair.
'I don't know the full of it, nor the empty of it. What's happening to him.'
Throm shook his head, glaring down from the ladder for a moment before resuming his browsing along the book shelf.
'You don't need to know that. You'll know what to do when the time comes. But for now I'll recommend a hasty retreat, Colin is approaching.'
Throm didn't hear the man depart, but the voice of Colin behind him confirmed his leaving.
'Throm, hello.'
Throm stood from the table where he sat within his library and walked slowly over to the map which covered the northern wall of the room. Most of it had been filled in thanks to efforts combined between the topographers at Melancholy's and his own personal travels. He inwardly mused which parts me might fill in next, turning away only at the sound of a polite cough in close proximity. He smiled at the darkly clad man before him
'Apologies my friend, the older I get, the more I tend to drift off into other worlds.'
The man laughed, his leather armor creaking slightly at the movement. Shaking his head so as to neither confirm or deny Throm's statement he spoke in a voice that betrayed years of smoke inhalation and soft spoken words.
'We've been unable to locate her. Thus it may prove difficult to ensure her safety.'
Throm nodded. His eyes scouting over the man to determine the sincerity of his statement. A short time ago, it would have been only a quick word throughout the web the Emirc Dezinagro Syndicate maintained and the information would have been at his fingertips. He turned to the bookcase closest him, and slowly ascended the ladder to the top rung as he searched aimlessly along the upper shelves.
'There may be another way. As we speak a man by the name of Colin Stone searches the manor for either me or Sanria. He will fare better better than you I imagine.'
Again the man laughed. If his feelings were hurt his ashen face showed no sign of it.
'I suppose you'd like me to follow Stone, who will lead me to Sanria?'
Throm frowned.
'His name is Colin, and it's not quite that easy. I will see to it that supply caches are at your disposal in case the worst should befall him. He's still trying to figure out what may be happening to him and does not yet know the full of it.'
The man raised an eyebrow. He ran a hand through a tangled mane of black hair.
'I don't know the full of it, nor the empty of it. What's happening to him.'
Throm shook his head, glaring down from the ladder for a moment before resuming his browsing along the book shelf.
'You don't need to know that. You'll know what to do when the time comes. But for now I'll recommend a hasty retreat, Colin is approaching.'
Throm didn't hear the man depart, but the voice of Colin behind him confirmed his leaving.
'Throm, hello.'
Faprakk versus the slumbering beast
Cold and windy in the streets of Vector, the young minded halforc Vrakk sprints steadily down the cobblestone path. In his hand is a newly acquired Vaprak action figure, that he carefully guides through the air is if it were flying. "pew pew pew" he emits noises imagining lasers firing from the eyes of the figure as simulates the outcome by stomping bugs with his feet. Approaching the door of a lesser known in the head of the doll pokes curiously around the corner as if investigating the room before proceeding to enter. He continues moving down the halls of the inn, bouncing the figure from wall to wall as if mimicing some heroic leap. He looks to the doll, "Faprakk slay villains!" The comment is followed by a hand gesture, causing the doll to rock back and forth as if it were nodding in agreement. Vrakk carefully sneaks open a door of an inn room, again poking the head of the doll around the corner first, "Shhhh!!!" He says to the doll as she sneak upon an unsuspecting sleeping guest. Vrakk pounces the doll onto the guests head, who is obvious drunkenness only rolls over to his other side, bouncing the figure up and down as if claiming victory over an enemy. Vrakk hmms quietly to himself, as if something weren't right. Slowly he reaches to his side with his free hand, setting free his mace. With a solid swing he smashes into the skull of the sleeping patron, bloody fragments flying about the room. Happily, Vrakk proceeds bouncing the figure up and down into the squishy mess that was once a mans skull. "Victory! Victory for Faprakk. Faprakk strongest!" he squeals, continuing to swim the doll around in pool of blood and brains that previously made up the head of the sleeping man.
Syndrome.
Kashmir looked directly at John. "Men, who's hands be orchestrated by the Gods' will. I am cursed, John. I am cursed as I always have been. My sins lay heavy upon my shoulders, and now... Now... " He looked over and the body of his still wife. His voice
John sat up, "No Kashmir! No! You have devoted your life to searching for the Gods, they could not have been part of this! "
Kashmir looked back, "I have found the Gods, John. I have found them, right here. Amongst the ruins of my life. Our Gods, that we pray to. That we confide in. That we give our lives to. They are not holy beings. They are not the Gods we have believed them to be. How can they be. How can they allow this... "
John moved over to Kashmir, on his knees until he was in front of him. "Kashmir, blame not the Gods for this. Blame not yourself. There is good in what the Gods do. You know there is. "
Kashmir shook his head, tears flowing down his soot-ridden cheeks. "If there is good amongst the Gods, it is losing a battle we know nothing about. It has left me. They punish me for what I am. For who I am. For my existence. "
His voice merely a whisper now, "No Kashmir, you... You aren't right. You're a man, just as anyone else. You have no sin that could have brought this upon you. "
Kashmir began shuddering, his entire body quaking with each breath. The fury had not left his eyes, his voice grew louder, "No sin that you are aware of. Nor a sin I considered not paid in full with the absence of child!! "
John was taken aback, "Kashmir, of what... What do you speak? "
Kashmir stood up, "I am no man John. I am no human as this mask would have you believe. " He pointed to the remains of his wife that he had dropped on the ground. "This is a sign John. A mask, same as I am wearing. A sin from which I cannot escape, but for which I am not at fault. I DID NOT DESERVE THIS!! "
Kashmir placed a finger on his chest, "The Gods have forsaken me. Tortured me, and shown me for what they truly believe me to be. A masked sin in itself. "
John, still on the ground looked up to Kashmir, "No... How, how could they have? "
Kashmir looked down at him, "Because John. The Gods are not the benevolent beings we thought they were. This is now clear to me. They are weak, tyrannical, evil. THEIR OWN HATRED! It is spilling forth from the heavens! Don't you see!? They reject me for what I am! Their compassion better spent on those more deserving! I am a monster to them, a horror! " Kashmir's finger that he had placed on his chest began to glow white. "I will not have it, John! I WILL NOT TOLERATE THEIR INJUSTICE!! " His body began to glow a brilliant, searing white. His skin began to boil and steam, melting off his body slowly, white light radiating from his wounds.
John looked on in horror, moving backwards. "Kashmir! Stop! "
"NO! The syndrome of the Gods will NOT CONTROL ME! " The pain in Kashmir's eyes did nothing to betray the fire ripping through his flesh, screaming through his soul. He tiled his head back and released a howl never before heard by John's ears. Kashmir was engulfed in a white light as his magic tore the rest of his body away, forcing John to cover his eyes.
When the light faded John looked forward, trying to allow his eyes to adjust to the now pitch black sky. Before him, where Kashmir once stood, now was occupied by something unlike any that he ever knew existed. Towering over him, several feet his senior, stood a machine. Gears, pulleys, pistons... All the makings of a machine, formed into a humanoid figure. The flesh that entombed this beast now melted away.
John, horrified could only say "Kashmir... " The machine's head looked downwards at him, it's voice raspy, unkind. "I am done hiding. " Kashmir turned towards the body of his wife and walked to it. Kneeling it reached an arm out, sharp mechanical fingers extended over the body. In a flash, the body caught fire, the ashes raising into the night's sky. "Rest well, my love, " he said in the raspy, mechanical voice. " Standing up, without another word, nor a glance back to John, Kashmir walked off into the night.
John sat up, "No Kashmir! No! You have devoted your life to searching for the Gods, they could not have been part of this! "
Kashmir looked back, "I have found the Gods, John. I have found them, right here. Amongst the ruins of my life. Our Gods, that we pray to. That we confide in. That we give our lives to. They are not holy beings. They are not the Gods we have believed them to be. How can they be. How can they allow this... "
John moved over to Kashmir, on his knees until he was in front of him. "Kashmir, blame not the Gods for this. Blame not yourself. There is good in what the Gods do. You know there is. "
Kashmir shook his head, tears flowing down his soot-ridden cheeks. "If there is good amongst the Gods, it is losing a battle we know nothing about. It has left me. They punish me for what I am. For who I am. For my existence. "
His voice merely a whisper now, "No Kashmir, you... You aren't right. You're a man, just as anyone else. You have no sin that could have brought this upon you. "
Kashmir began shuddering, his entire body quaking with each breath. The fury had not left his eyes, his voice grew louder, "No sin that you are aware of. Nor a sin I considered not paid in full with the absence of child!! "
John was taken aback, "Kashmir, of what... What do you speak? "
Kashmir stood up, "I am no man John. I am no human as this mask would have you believe. " He pointed to the remains of his wife that he had dropped on the ground. "This is a sign John. A mask, same as I am wearing. A sin from which I cannot escape, but for which I am not at fault. I DID NOT DESERVE THIS!! "
Kashmir placed a finger on his chest, "The Gods have forsaken me. Tortured me, and shown me for what they truly believe me to be. A masked sin in itself. "
John, still on the ground looked up to Kashmir, "No... How, how could they have? "
Kashmir looked down at him, "Because John. The Gods are not the benevolent beings we thought they were. This is now clear to me. They are weak, tyrannical, evil. THEIR OWN HATRED! It is spilling forth from the heavens! Don't you see!? They reject me for what I am! Their compassion better spent on those more deserving! I am a monster to them, a horror! " Kashmir's finger that he had placed on his chest began to glow white. "I will not have it, John! I WILL NOT TOLERATE THEIR INJUSTICE!! " His body began to glow a brilliant, searing white. His skin began to boil and steam, melting off his body slowly, white light radiating from his wounds.
John looked on in horror, moving backwards. "Kashmir! Stop! "
"NO! The syndrome of the Gods will NOT CONTROL ME! " The pain in Kashmir's eyes did nothing to betray the fire ripping through his flesh, screaming through his soul. He tiled his head back and released a howl never before heard by John's ears. Kashmir was engulfed in a white light as his magic tore the rest of his body away, forcing John to cover his eyes.
When the light faded John looked forward, trying to allow his eyes to adjust to the now pitch black sky. Before him, where Kashmir once stood, now was occupied by something unlike any that he ever knew existed. Towering over him, several feet his senior, stood a machine. Gears, pulleys, pistons... All the makings of a machine, formed into a humanoid figure. The flesh that entombed this beast now melted away.
John, horrified could only say "Kashmir... " The machine's head looked downwards at him, it's voice raspy, unkind. "I am done hiding. " Kashmir turned towards the body of his wife and walked to it. Kneeling it reached an arm out, sharp mechanical fingers extended over the body. In a flash, the body caught fire, the ashes raising into the night's sky. "Rest well, my love, " he said in the raspy, mechanical voice. " Standing up, without another word, nor a glance back to John, Kashmir walked off into the night.
Syndrome.
As they drew closer to Kashmir's house the plume of smoke grew thicker, the fires that created it still smouldering amongst the ash of that which it burned. Then the odor hit. Rancid, acidic and strong enough to make the two of them begin coughing. They had slowed their pace down to a trot, wary of any danger, and still not knowing from where the fire burned. As they drew closer however, it became apparent to both of them. The smoke's origin lay within his home.
"Kashmir, wait! " John yelled, but he had already broken away, leaving John behind. Urging his horse forward ever faster, digging his heels into the beasts sides. He could see it now, as he sped along the plains. His house, on the outskirts of the village, in ruins, it's life fleeing upwards into the sky on the trail of the black soot. His horse thundered closer, it's hooves pounding the ground relentlessly, it's nostrils flaring as it breathed heavily. John was still shouting from behind him, trying to get him to stop. There was no stopping. He had to get to her, she had to be okay. She had to be.
John had fallen far behind Kashmir, as the man rushed towards his burning home, pushing his horse so hard it's a wonder the beast hadn't collapsed by now. John pushed his forward as well, trying to catch Kashmir, but to no avail. In the distance, he saw the man disappear into the smoke that surrounded the house. John stopped his horse several hundreds yards short, watching, not knowing what to expect.
Silence. Nothing had happened in nearly a minute - suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream pierced his ears, shattering the silence and sending his horse in a panic, throwing him from the saddle. John immediately got to his feet and ran, as hard as his legs would allow it. Breathing harder than he ever had in his life, his feet carried him to Kashmir's house. The house was little more than rubble now, the entirety of the structure had been reduced to ash. It wasn't a large house, but the pile of smouldering wood lay scattered in several directions. Kashmir was no where to be seen. Breathing hard, John made his way around the side of the house. There, beyond the extent of the wreckage, was Kashmir, hunched over on the the ground. John stopped in his tracks as if punched in the gut. To Kashmir's left was a body, lying sprawled on the ground. It went without telling who the body belonged to. John moved forward, cautiously, so as not to startle Kashmir, keeping his eyes fixed on the body next to him. The light from the fading sun was enough to give illumination to what John had wished not to see. The body was blackened, burned in the same manner as the house. But from so far out... It was not from the same fire. Wrenching his gaze off the remains of Kashmir's wife and back to the man himself he continued moving forward, but stopped short again when a voice came from in front of him.
"John. " Barely more than a whisper. "Why? "
John continued to look at Kashmir as he stood up, his hands in front of him, his head down. "Why? " He uttered again, louder this time. "Kashmir... " John said quietly as he moved forward again, reaching Kashmir's back. Putting a hand out and grabbing his shoulder he pulled Kashmir, attempting to pull him around. As Kashmir turned, John jumped in shock and horror to what he saw before him. Kashmir's downwards gaze became suddenly apparent. In his hands, stripped brutally from her head, lie the burnt flesh that was once his wife's visage. John stumbled backwards and fell down, tripping over a rock. He leaned over and emptied his stomach onto the ground beside him. He looked back up at Kashmir, who still held the same pose. His arms fell, dropping the flesh in his hands. Falling to his knees, Kashmir looked up at John. "Why John? Why has this happened? "
John stammered, "I-I-I don't know... I... Kashmir... "
Fury ignited in Kashmir's eyes, "WHY HAVE THE GODS FORSAKEN ME!? " His fists clenched as he yelled into the sky, "Why have you taken all I ever cared about from me!? WHY!? "
John could barely find his voice, "K-Kashmir. This could not have been the Gods' doing. It was men Kashmir... The Gods, they... They could not have done this."
"Kashmir, wait! " John yelled, but he had already broken away, leaving John behind. Urging his horse forward ever faster, digging his heels into the beasts sides. He could see it now, as he sped along the plains. His house, on the outskirts of the village, in ruins, it's life fleeing upwards into the sky on the trail of the black soot. His horse thundered closer, it's hooves pounding the ground relentlessly, it's nostrils flaring as it breathed heavily. John was still shouting from behind him, trying to get him to stop. There was no stopping. He had to get to her, she had to be okay. She had to be.
John had fallen far behind Kashmir, as the man rushed towards his burning home, pushing his horse so hard it's a wonder the beast hadn't collapsed by now. John pushed his forward as well, trying to catch Kashmir, but to no avail. In the distance, he saw the man disappear into the smoke that surrounded the house. John stopped his horse several hundreds yards short, watching, not knowing what to expect.
Silence. Nothing had happened in nearly a minute - suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream pierced his ears, shattering the silence and sending his horse in a panic, throwing him from the saddle. John immediately got to his feet and ran, as hard as his legs would allow it. Breathing harder than he ever had in his life, his feet carried him to Kashmir's house. The house was little more than rubble now, the entirety of the structure had been reduced to ash. It wasn't a large house, but the pile of smouldering wood lay scattered in several directions. Kashmir was no where to be seen. Breathing hard, John made his way around the side of the house. There, beyond the extent of the wreckage, was Kashmir, hunched over on the the ground. John stopped in his tracks as if punched in the gut. To Kashmir's left was a body, lying sprawled on the ground. It went without telling who the body belonged to. John moved forward, cautiously, so as not to startle Kashmir, keeping his eyes fixed on the body next to him. The light from the fading sun was enough to give illumination to what John had wished not to see. The body was blackened, burned in the same manner as the house. But from so far out... It was not from the same fire. Wrenching his gaze off the remains of Kashmir's wife and back to the man himself he continued moving forward, but stopped short again when a voice came from in front of him.
"John. " Barely more than a whisper. "Why? "
John continued to look at Kashmir as he stood up, his hands in front of him, his head down. "Why? " He uttered again, louder this time. "Kashmir... " John said quietly as he moved forward again, reaching Kashmir's back. Putting a hand out and grabbing his shoulder he pulled Kashmir, attempting to pull him around. As Kashmir turned, John jumped in shock and horror to what he saw before him. Kashmir's downwards gaze became suddenly apparent. In his hands, stripped brutally from her head, lie the burnt flesh that was once his wife's visage. John stumbled backwards and fell down, tripping over a rock. He leaned over and emptied his stomach onto the ground beside him. He looked back up at Kashmir, who still held the same pose. His arms fell, dropping the flesh in his hands. Falling to his knees, Kashmir looked up at John. "Why John? Why has this happened? "
John stammered, "I-I-I don't know... I... Kashmir... "
Fury ignited in Kashmir's eyes, "WHY HAVE THE GODS FORSAKEN ME!? " His fists clenched as he yelled into the sky, "Why have you taken all I ever cared about from me!? WHY!? "
John could barely find his voice, "K-Kashmir. This could not have been the Gods' doing. It was men Kashmir... The Gods, they... They could not have done this."
Syndrome.
The trip down the mountain went without incident of outside influence. Once a man nearly slipped down a steep slope, but with a quick spell of levitation, his life was spared. Upon reaching camp, the clamor of another successful excursion burst through the group. One last night was to be spent here, before their return the following day. As the sun faded and all returned to their tents a few remained outside to take in the feeling of accomplishment, Kashmir and John among them.
They stood out on the Eastern ridge of the plateau upon which their trail had begun. "Soon, " John said to Kashmir, "Soon you will be back with her. We are fortunate that we needed only be gone for such a short amount of time. "
Kashmir nodded, "I had promised her I'd return by the week's end, however. " He chuckled, "I am already late, she will have both my ears when I return. "
John scoffed, "Well you would be the deserving recipient for having foolishly promised your timeliness! "
Laughing Kashmir nodded, "As we men always our in our loving wives eyes. "
Yawning John turned around towards the camp, "I fear I must retire. The night is growing late and we've still a few days travel ahead of us. You should think about doing the same. "
John nodded, "I am sure all is well. The world is not a perfect place, so never will it feel so. Especially not to one such as you. Good night, Kashmir. "
As John walked off, Kashmir turned back towards the East. A feeling of pure dread washed over his body. He kneeled in prayer.
As he awoke the next morning, Kashmir left his tent, the rising sun greeting him from the base of the mountain. He had slept longer than he desired but felt quite rested. The negative feeling swimming through his mind had not been extinguished however. There still remained doubt that everything was well.
To his surprise, John was still on the mountain, whereas mostly everybody else had departed before the sun arose. Walking over to him with a smile John greeted him. "Morning! I decided I'd ride back with you today, and you have no say in matter. " Laughing Kashmir grinned, "your presence is always accepted, brother. Is this decision absent reason? "
"Is companionship not reason enough!? " John laughed. "Come, you lazy child, your slumber has wasted much of the day already! "
It had indeed, having wanted to leave long before now, Kashmir was beyond tardy for departure. Wrapping up the last of their supplies and stringing them to their saddles, they both mounted their horses and set off down the mountain. With the Gods' favor they would make as good of time on their return they did on their arrival.
During the entire travel home, Kashmir could not shake his feeling that something was amiss. He only wish through all his wondering and his prayers of the first night on the trip back, that something would reveal the meaning of his worry.
"Kashmir, " John said his name in a low voice, threaded with concern. "What's that, over there? "
Kashmir looked towards the direction of John's outstretched finger, directly in front of them on the horizon. A black cloud filled the sky at the far reaches of their sight, stringing up from the ground and expanding as it reached the clouds. Smoke. For the past few hours they had been on a direct course towards Kashmir's home, John had planned to stay the night with him and his wife, as his residence was another day's march south. The smoke that lay in front of them, lay in the direction of his home and village. Were they burning crops?
"I don't know, " Kashmir replied. "Perhaps the village is burning waste. Around this time of year anything from the harvest that isn't to be used is burned. The smoke is not generally so black though... " He looked over at John, who's expression was riddled with doubt. The same feeling of utter horror washed over Kashmir again. This is what had been nagging at his senses for the past two days.
"John, we must hurry."
With that, the two kicked their horses into a gallop, speeding towards the village.
They stood out on the Eastern ridge of the plateau upon which their trail had begun. "Soon, " John said to Kashmir, "Soon you will be back with her. We are fortunate that we needed only be gone for such a short amount of time. "
Kashmir nodded, "I had promised her I'd return by the week's end, however. " He chuckled, "I am already late, she will have both my ears when I return. "
John scoffed, "Well you would be the deserving recipient for having foolishly promised your timeliness! "
Laughing Kashmir nodded, "As we men always our in our loving wives eyes. "
Yawning John turned around towards the camp, "I fear I must retire. The night is growing late and we've still a few days travel ahead of us. You should think about doing the same. "
John nodded, "I am sure all is well. The world is not a perfect place, so never will it feel so. Especially not to one such as you. Good night, Kashmir. "
As John walked off, Kashmir turned back towards the East. A feeling of pure dread washed over his body. He kneeled in prayer.
As he awoke the next morning, Kashmir left his tent, the rising sun greeting him from the base of the mountain. He had slept longer than he desired but felt quite rested. The negative feeling swimming through his mind had not been extinguished however. There still remained doubt that everything was well.
To his surprise, John was still on the mountain, whereas mostly everybody else had departed before the sun arose. Walking over to him with a smile John greeted him. "Morning! I decided I'd ride back with you today, and you have no say in matter. " Laughing Kashmir grinned, "your presence is always accepted, brother. Is this decision absent reason? "
"Is companionship not reason enough!? " John laughed. "Come, you lazy child, your slumber has wasted much of the day already! "
It had indeed, having wanted to leave long before now, Kashmir was beyond tardy for departure. Wrapping up the last of their supplies and stringing them to their saddles, they both mounted their horses and set off down the mountain. With the Gods' favor they would make as good of time on their return they did on their arrival.
During the entire travel home, Kashmir could not shake his feeling that something was amiss. He only wish through all his wondering and his prayers of the first night on the trip back, that something would reveal the meaning of his worry.
"Kashmir, " John said his name in a low voice, threaded with concern. "What's that, over there? "
Kashmir looked towards the direction of John's outstretched finger, directly in front of them on the horizon. A black cloud filled the sky at the far reaches of their sight, stringing up from the ground and expanding as it reached the clouds. Smoke. For the past few hours they had been on a direct course towards Kashmir's home, John had planned to stay the night with him and his wife, as his residence was another day's march south. The smoke that lay in front of them, lay in the direction of his home and village. Were they burning crops?
"I don't know, " Kashmir replied. "Perhaps the village is burning waste. Around this time of year anything from the harvest that isn't to be used is burned. The smoke is not generally so black though... " He looked over at John, who's expression was riddled with doubt. The same feeling of utter horror washed over Kashmir again. This is what had been nagging at his senses for the past two days.
"John, we must hurry."
With that, the two kicked their horses into a gallop, speeding towards the village.
Syndrome.
A scream caused John to stop in his tracks and quickly spin around. As soon as he had time to turn around, the sound of steel being drawn rang through the air. One of their warriors had drawn his blade in the middle of a commotion in the center of the group where a wolf had attacked one of the monks. The man was lying on his back, his arms crossed over his face as the wolf stood on top of his biting at the man's face. Before John could reach them, however, the man who had drawn his blade had thrust it forward, plunging it deep into the wolf's side. With a loud yelp, the wolf let off it's attack and stumbled to the side. Panting and bleeding it collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily until at last it's last breath fled from it's body.
John ran down to the wounded man still lying on the ground. The warrior that had struck the wolf down sheathed his blade, and amidst deep breaths reported, "it came out of no where John, just attacked this man. "
John waived his hand, "no matter, this man needs attention. " The monk had deep lacerations along his arms and abdomen. The wolf had managed to tear through his robes with it's claws while scoring several bites on the man's arms.
Arriving at John's side Kashmir kneeled next to the man, surveying his wounds. "How's it look, Kash? "
Kashmir reached his hands out, touching the man's cuts on his stomach. The monk squirmed in pain. "They're not beyond repair, but only just. He is lucky." His hands over the man's body, Kashmir began to hum in tones, softly. With no visual indication of what was happening, the man's wounds began to glow white. Nothing much happened at first, until he started screaming in pain. John and the other warrior each held the man down to prevent him from further injuring himself. His wounds began to emit a fine white steam as Kashmir's magic cauterized them shut. It was a painful process, however, it was life saving in every instance John had ever seen it used.
Kashmir nodded when his task was done. "Bandage him, as the wounds may yet bleed. He will be well enough to walk in an hour or two though, the wounds weren't deep enough to cause severe damage. " The wounded monk grabbed Kashmir's hand and looked at him sternly. "Thank you, priest." was all he said before lying his head down on the ground.
Kashmir smiled and nodded. "Rest for a bit, drink some tea and eat. You will recover before long. " He stood up and left the man's side to address the crowd that had gathered. "All is well, everyone. Take a break for now, our pace has been strenuous. Eat, drink, and rest. We will continue in a couple hours. "
The crowd dispersed as the people search for a place to sit and rest their legs, talking amongst themselves about what had just taken place. John left the monk's side as well and walked over to Kashmir, placing a hand softly on his shoulder.
Kashmir turned around and smiled.
"I am sorry, my friend, for my-"
Kashmir cut him off by raising a hand. "Worry not, John. I understand your intended haste, I would have greater need of it myself were I a smarter man. "
John sighed in relief, "Were you yet able to pray? "
Nodding, Kashmir smiled again and replied, "Of course. I believe it the luck of the Gods that that man survived tonight. The wounds were worse than I had admitted to. He will be fine however. "
John returned the smile. "I am glad. Thank you, Kashmir. "
Kashmir clasped John's hand, "I am happy to be along for the ride, friend. "
Midday of the next day saw the end of the first half of their journey. John was the first to breach the summit, followed by a few of the hardier monks and priests. Kashmir arrived last, helping the monk that had been attacked the day before along the last steep incline. The view was breathtaking. There was naught on the top of the mountain aside from their party save the cool air as if breathed from the heavens themselves. This place truly was as close to the Gods as you could hope to reach. And below, through the sporadic cover of wispy clouds, could all the lands been seen. Kashmir looked over to the east, towards his home. Soon, darling. Soon I will return to your arms.
John walked up to Kashmir and slapped him hard on the back. "How about THIS! Is this not a spectacle greater than any you've witnessed before?"
Kashmir smiled warmly, "Almost, John. Almost. "
John took a deep breath, inhaling the cool air of the mountaintop. "Shall we now pray, my friend? I feel we have much to catch up on."
John ran down to the wounded man still lying on the ground. The warrior that had struck the wolf down sheathed his blade, and amidst deep breaths reported, "it came out of no where John, just attacked this man. "
John waived his hand, "no matter, this man needs attention. " The monk had deep lacerations along his arms and abdomen. The wolf had managed to tear through his robes with it's claws while scoring several bites on the man's arms.
Arriving at John's side Kashmir kneeled next to the man, surveying his wounds. "How's it look, Kash? "
Kashmir reached his hands out, touching the man's cuts on his stomach. The monk squirmed in pain. "They're not beyond repair, but only just. He is lucky." His hands over the man's body, Kashmir began to hum in tones, softly. With no visual indication of what was happening, the man's wounds began to glow white. Nothing much happened at first, until he started screaming in pain. John and the other warrior each held the man down to prevent him from further injuring himself. His wounds began to emit a fine white steam as Kashmir's magic cauterized them shut. It was a painful process, however, it was life saving in every instance John had ever seen it used.
Kashmir nodded when his task was done. "Bandage him, as the wounds may yet bleed. He will be well enough to walk in an hour or two though, the wounds weren't deep enough to cause severe damage. " The wounded monk grabbed Kashmir's hand and looked at him sternly. "Thank you, priest." was all he said before lying his head down on the ground.
Kashmir smiled and nodded. "Rest for a bit, drink some tea and eat. You will recover before long. " He stood up and left the man's side to address the crowd that had gathered. "All is well, everyone. Take a break for now, our pace has been strenuous. Eat, drink, and rest. We will continue in a couple hours. "
The crowd dispersed as the people search for a place to sit and rest their legs, talking amongst themselves about what had just taken place. John left the monk's side as well and walked over to Kashmir, placing a hand softly on his shoulder.
Kashmir turned around and smiled.
"I am sorry, my friend, for my-"
Kashmir cut him off by raising a hand. "Worry not, John. I understand your intended haste, I would have greater need of it myself were I a smarter man. "
John sighed in relief, "Were you yet able to pray? "
Nodding, Kashmir smiled again and replied, "Of course. I believe it the luck of the Gods that that man survived tonight. The wounds were worse than I had admitted to. He will be fine however. "
John returned the smile. "I am glad. Thank you, Kashmir. "
Kashmir clasped John's hand, "I am happy to be along for the ride, friend. "
Midday of the next day saw the end of the first half of their journey. John was the first to breach the summit, followed by a few of the hardier monks and priests. Kashmir arrived last, helping the monk that had been attacked the day before along the last steep incline. The view was breathtaking. There was naught on the top of the mountain aside from their party save the cool air as if breathed from the heavens themselves. This place truly was as close to the Gods as you could hope to reach. And below, through the sporadic cover of wispy clouds, could all the lands been seen. Kashmir looked over to the east, towards his home. Soon, darling. Soon I will return to your arms.
John walked up to Kashmir and slapped him hard on the back. "How about THIS! Is this not a spectacle greater than any you've witnessed before?"
Kashmir smiled warmly, "Almost, John. Almost. "
John took a deep breath, inhaling the cool air of the mountaintop. "Shall we now pray, my friend? I feel we have much to catch up on."
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