Part 11 - A Fevered Glimpse

Tolan landed harder than he would have thought possible based on the speed he was going, and he had been unable to percieve anything during the landing, but now as he opened his eyes he could see everything. He was on his hands and knees at the edge of a large ledge, near the top of a huge peak. A vast mountain range stretched out infront of him, covered in a layer of snow that would make it almost completely unpassable. It was the Gendrick Range, the most hostile part of the highland region, natures best defence against the scorched land for half the year until the snow lessened or thawed. Tolan recognised it from countless interpretations he had seen inscribed on maps. But there was an ill to it, clouds covered the peaks, tainted them a dark, putrid green hue. The air was sucked from Tolans lungs as his perceptions shifted and he saw time pass with frightening purpose. The snow itself began to slowly lessen, and cracks formed in the mountain. Lighting struck the left most peak renting it into pieces and creating a plateau that would make travelling easier, the snow began to melt until it faded completely. Spring had come to the Gendrick Range when everywhere else remained gripped in winter. Across the plateau the creatures began to pour.

A piercing howl rent the air and Tolans attention snapped behind him. The same creature from before advanced on him, its teeth and claws bared for the kill. Tolan scuttled backwards frantically before remembering the power of his palm. He snatched it forward to stop the beast but underestimated the amount of weight he had placed on it, he pitched to one side and his other hand stretched out before sliding over the edge of the ledge, slowly he again began to fall.

This time he landed on his feet, and once again his perception was robbed from him until the moment he landed.

He stood in a square, a lavish square at the centre of a city which lay at the foot of a hill. Atop the hill was the most grand building Tolan had ever seen or heard of. It towered above any creation he had ever seen and its detail even from this distance was exquisite. But again, it was shrouded in ill. Fire ravaged the city and throughout it screams filled the air. The beasts ran to and fro tearing the life from all that it found. Tolan immediately began to run for cover before a body caught his eye. He rushed to the side of the young man fearing that his intuition was correct. It was Sil. Blood trickled from his mouth, and looking into his eyes, Tolan could see no life remained. Tolans attention was snatched away from his brother's body as one of the beasts dragged itself infront of him, but it did not notice him. Several of the creatures were in a position to see Tolan, but all ignored him.

The young man steeled himself, remembered this was simply the work of the poison. He needed to get through it. The fighting seemed to be intensifying up at the extravagant building which dwarved the city, and Tolan knew he needed to know what was happening there, so he turned away from Sil's body and began walking towards it with a single minded determination. He passed the body of Relek, of his mentor, of countless unknown bodies and of a young woman who Tolan had not seen in years, but which almost caused him to stop as he had for his brother until he remembered the folly of caring for a delusion. He closed his eyes to shake off the pain of that imaginary loss and when he opened them he found himself on a balcony overlooking the city which he had just been standing in.

He was in the ornate building, near what must have been its highest point. Turning back into the room he found a grand hall that resembled a throne room of some kind. He walked in slowly, unsure if he would be ignored as he had been so far. Slowly he realised he would recieve the same treatment here, several more of the creatures moved around the room, but all ignored him. In the centre of the room lay a man dressed in the finest clothing wearing a crown of some kind and through his heart was a beautifully crafted, and intricately designed Sceptre. It looked like one of the Sceptres given to each other countries Barons, but Tolan knew little of politics and could not be sure. Moving past the body Tolan was able to see to the end of the hall where a man sat almost drowned in a hugely elaborate black cloak or robe which seemed by some miracle not to get in his way. Besides him stood a sight that Tolan recognised instantly. A huge one eyed Rock Lord. An Unkept. His Unkept. His fist tightened, but again Tolan remembered that this was fever and not reality. He settled himself, breathing deeply, until a growl beside him caught his attention. Turning he saw the same beast that had been stalking him, the only thing in this vision that could percieve him, and this time it was close enough to attack. It lunged with frightening speed and Tolan fell backwards in an attempt to get his palm upright, but he was too slow.

The beast was caught short of fulfilling its promise of death by inches as a huge axe blow slammed it into the ground. An enormous, armoured man stood next to Tolan. He was almost the size of the Rock Lord and Tolan marvelled as to how the man could have been there without him noticing until he remembered where he was. The mans armour glinted with power and a hue of rich blue constantly rolled across its silver surface. The Axe was at least the size of Tolan and as he turned to face young man Tolan finally noticed that he wore a bandage across both eyes. He was blind. Smiling the man reached down to Tolan, offering a hand to his feet. Tolan outstretched his arm to accept the offer and as the two men grasped forearms, Tolan woke up.