As the shade of Robin faded the strange chill that had descended on the camp would remain, the mists growing thicker and darker over the Fields of Fornost. Odd voices came drifting on the wind, figures and faces seemed to appear and fade in the gloom. Many of the voices were repeating a name that Robin had used...Arazakan.'
The fire that they had labored so diligently over guttered and burnt out....with no way to light it again. The scene was only lit by the thin, cold light of the overcast dawn.
Xandilif took off her scarf and put it around Finchley’s shoulders. "You alright Babygirl?
Finchley remained staring at the space that Robin had just vanished from looking somewhat tense, as if holding in any emotions that might be roiling inside of her in the face of all these voices filling the air. It was no time for her to cry. She looked to Lif and pulled the scarf around herself tighter before nodding once.
Catalinna propped herself against a tree and diligently watched all the faces that appeared, taking note of each one and seeing if she recalled any. Her hands were folded across her chest and though she appeared to be calm and relaxed, she was ready to move one way or another at a moment's notice.
Nethrida didn’t seem quite as pale as she had a while before, but to say she had fully regained her composure would've been an overstatement. She remained silent and occasionally glanced northwards into the distance.
Finally Finchley took a deep breath and looked about at all the faces, trying to see if any were recognizable or would speak independently. She kept a hand on one of her daggers, now a habit she never used to have.
Gwyndolith grumbled softly as she kicked the remains of the fire, mumbling to herself something about Fornost being just the worst.
Close by her, Dartanius looked around, remaining rather quiet about what he did and did not feel in the cursed lands they had found themselves in. For one thing, he doubted anyone cared that he had the distinct impression he was being watched.
Despite Cat and Finch’s best efforts, none of the faces would seem familiar. In fact many would be badly distorted, barely faces at all, while others would seem like they could reach out and touch them. Yet all had the same look in their eyes....hopeless, soul-crushing regret.
Xandilif sighs and takes a sip of Grog. "Might as well settle for now, don’t want to move forward till we have more light....and around here that will require the afternoon.
Nethrida nodded a bit "I... agree... I do not wish to think of what lurks unseen in the haze..."
Finchley nodded and went to prop herself up against the base of a tree, sliding to the ground and pulling her knees close to herself for warmth. Her raven Galvra flapped down to light on her head, squawking "Arazakan..." She tried to ignore the birn but something else occurred to her as she continued watching all the faces and she frowned, brows drawing together.
Xandilif sat against the base of the tree beside Finch, SilverWand across her lap. 'What's chewing you, Sweetmeat?'
Finchley patted the space on her other side repeatedly. "C'mere Neth." She sighed and then looked to Lif, expression deadly serious. "...It's just that....I think /She/ thinks it’s funny. How sad they look."
The elleth frowned, but the look in her eye was deeply worried. 'You feel her that clear now?'
Finchley shook her head. "Nah. Only in small moments. Then nothing. But I know the difference between what is me and what is not now."
Nethrida sat down next to Finch, laying her sword partially in her lap so she could draw it quickly if need be, but not tangle herself with the scabbard.
Xandilif nodded softly to Finchley."Good...keep a firm hold on that...when you can’t tell the difference, then worry.
Nethrida attempted to pat Finch on the shoulder "We'll keep you safe". She tried to sound reassuring but could not quite muster the confidence. Realizing this she quickly turned her gaze down to her sword instead.
Finchley nodded and sort of pulled Neth and Lif closer to her to keep warm. "Mhmm... That's all she can do. Feel and think things sometimes. Then it's like she goes right back to sleep because she can't do anything."
Catalinna continued to watch the faces; she shook her head at them in amusement- regret not being an emotion she related to- and even reached out her finger a time or two in an attempt to boop some of the shades on their 'nose'.
The elf watched her without smiling. ”One a these times Red something’s gonna bite that finger clean off.”
Dartanius looked around one last time. "I wish something would try. Nothing is out there and that is what concerns me the most."
Catalinna shrugged, 'I am not sure that you would be able to sense what does surround us, Secret keeper...'
Dar frowned. "Perhaps not but I was expecting to get a scent or two of something living even out in a place like this. I don't sense anything...living at least."'
Catalinna nodded to his words. "I would wager that those that are livin' don't stay that way long in a place such as this."
Gwyndolith snorted softly "Most never come here... Let alone stay... Well stay alive at any rate..."
Dartanius continued to look around for a moment before nodding his head. "I normally don't mind traveling to places but this is one place I would like to do what we need to do and leave as quickly as possible."
Xandilif glanced at Dar. "Nothing living you say....that ain’t normal. This far out from the ruins, there should be animals and whatnot...twisted, vicious animals, but living just the same. Animals go where there is food...and there is usually plenty of carrion around here.”
Catalinna listened to the elf's words as Finchley frowned, keeping her voice low, 'Maybe somethin' drove them away?'
Gwyndolith nodded a little at that "All the more reason to make our business here quick hm?"
“Exactly…” Lif took another sip of grog. “Especially since the job we got to dis still ahead of us. I suggest we get what rest we can until the mist lifts...two watches, who wants first?'
Finchley raises her hand, a look of determination on his face.
Nethrida had kept her gaze on her sword, pondering back on the vision she saw, then raised her hand "I'll take the first one... Finch can have the second."
Finchley raised her hand again, 'If it's alright with you all, I'll take the first one and maybe you and Neth can take the second?... I don' think I'll be able to sleep for a bit after that. And...' Finchley looked around at the faces in the mist. "I think maybe someone ought to look at them for a bit. Somehow I feel like I should."
Lif shrugged. 'Fine...wake me if there is trouble...we can get the horses ready so we can get out of here as soon as we can see the road...I am thinking you all are right and we need to hotfoot it.'
Finchley nodded and settled back against the tree, readying herself to watch both the faces and keep a lookout.
Catalinna knew she would not be sleeping regardless- she hadn’t even attempted to bring her medicines that would aid her in such with her on this trip. Even so, she didn’t volunteer, just letting the others work it out for now. She shook her head and climbed the tree she had been leaning against so that she could get a better view of the place. Once up as far as she could go, she stretched out on the branch and pulled out her flask from her pocket.
Seated below, Gwyndolith also expected she would not sleep much for similar reasons, just staring out at the rolling mist.
And so, lost in the incandescent mist, most of the party would resolve to sit awake...and within little more than a half hour all would have fallen into a deep, restless sleep, Finch included....and they dreamed…they all dreamed.
Each dreamed themselves standing alone at a pair of massive, carved doors depicting heroic scenes from ages past. Mighty knights and beautiful ladies battling faceless demons. As the din of battle far away echoed, the doors swung open soundlessly revealing a beautiful throne room that seemed familiar and yet not.
They walked forward slowly, with deep, measured steps. As they walked they realized that they were surrounded by corpses. At first a few here and there, but by the time they could make out the throne at the end of the room they were in piles. Some were even stacked to save space. There were hundreds, most dead of slit throats, some having stabbed themselves in the vitals. A few had even beaten their own heads against the pillars until they died of cracked skulls.
Finally they approached the throne. In it sat a boy, no more then 9 or 10, dwarfed by the massive throne. Leaning against his knees was a sword, and over the hilt was hung am ornate crown. The boy was gaunt, covered in pocks and hives, wearing rags of what had once been rich garments. He looked down, gazing at the crown.
As they approached, he raised his face. Never had they seen eyes so sad....yet so abidingly evil. Their blood ran cold as surely this must have been a foul creature of old. The little boy smiled sadly and whisperd. "Feed me....feed me as they did....I hunger so for you...Only you can save me.....Only you....'
As the dream faded, Dar and Gwyn would wake....alone.
The two of woke in a rich tent, of red and brown velvet. Under their feet was the black slate of Angmar. Gwyn was laid on a field cot...while Dar was half conscious, suspended in the air by his arms, dangling two feet over a well tended fire.'
Near the flap of the tent stood a woman in the robes of Angmar, outside the flap Gwyndolith could see there were several armed guards.
The woman, tall and stately, smiled. "Well...it is good to see you are both waking at last....I have been waiting a long time for this moment....'
The voice caused Dartanius to become alert and he started to struggle against the ropes suspending him in place.
The woman ignored Dar’s struggle completely, and the ropes proved tight and strong. The greasy smoke of the fire was making his eyes water.
The woman walked slowly, in measured, halting steps, towards Gwyn.
Gwyndolith scrambled back a bit and reached for a dagger but found it gone...as were her boots and any other weapon.
The strange woman smiled from beneath her hood. 'Are you not pleased...is this not what you desired?'
Gwyndolith took a long and deep breath, regaining her composure somewhat "Wh-What I desired?"
The woman leaned close..flipping her hood back. She was a woman of well more than 30 who time had not been kind to. Her hair is streaked with white through the blonde and a scar ran down her face from scalp to chin, over her left eye which was clearly badly damaged, but a healthy eye sat in the ravaged socket. However looking at it Gwyn realize that though she was human, the eye was that of an elf, glowing faintly silver and the left hand that moved back her hood bore the rough green flesh of an orc, not a woman.
The woman smiled, but her eyes burned with a preternatural hatred. '"Did you not long to see me....MOTHER?'
Gwyndolith's eyes went wide "No... No no no... This is wrong... You can't be.... You would still be a child..."
'I was never...EVER a child...you saw to that when you sold me to Master Desad.” The woman stepped back slightly. “…were the coins warm in your hand...did they give you pleasure...MOTHER? The unwanted babe you cast away to hide your whorish failures has come back to you...whoever I once was, now I am Lominzil of the Silver Eye and I have come back to you to take my DUE from your worthless life.'
Gwyndolith's expression turned to anger "Someone... has just earned a terrible death..." she then shouted out "Release me from this dream so I can destroy you monster!"
Lominzil took a red hot brand from the fire. "First....we will play with your pretty little toy here....did he know what you are when you seduced the poor beast, MOTHER?
Gwyndolith staggered to her feet and moved towards to her daughter "Stay away from him... Even if this is a dream I will /not/ allow it."
Lominzil admired the glowing brand, continuing to speak. "When you sold me to the Master....it took me some time to understand just what had happened....thankfully Carn Dum took me in and....instructed me. Sister Drasia taught me well...and learned much from my weak carcass....but she was kind to me...far kinder then to my brother Neluben.....prey to what gods to have that Neluben does not come.”
Gwyn tried to hurry but she was still so weak…as Lominzil pressed the glowing brand against Dar’s face with a sizzle….
As far away in the Downs, Lif came awake suddenly, and knew from the first moment something was wrong. Around her everyone was fast asleep and the sun was already setting again, save for two. Looking to where Gwyn and Dar had arranged their gear, they were gone, as was their gear. No sign of a struggle and their horse no longer tied with the others.
“HEY!!” Lif cried out, immediately rousing Finchly, Nethrida and Catalinna from their unnatural sleep. As the trio looked around in confusion the elf stared up at Cat, still in her perch. “Looks like your pals have run out on us Red…or worse!”
