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.Flames consumed the red beast.The flames ran across the its body melting skin and armor.The Fire-Hain slowly sank away into the fiery depths.Luras leaned back against the stone pathway.He struggled to keep his eyes open.The world around him wanted to fade to darkness.I want to sleep.He saw Borman jump down from the column above.He ran towards Luras.The Blood Falcon perched itself upon the altar above Finn.Luras could no longer fight it.He closed his eyes to sleep.Chapter 36The War BeginsA cool wind drifted through the tent.It took the stench of blood and sweat from the room.Men laid on straw mats.Others laid on bunks hastily made from wood and canvas.Most of the men slept.Others quietly moaned, as they were too scared to sleep.They worried they might not wake.The sun was still up.It came in through the openings of the tent and illuminated the canvas walls.Luras laid on a bunk in the corner of the room.A coarse canvas bandage wrapped his chest.It was stained with blood.He drifted in and out of sleep.Luras strained to keep his eyes opens.His vision was tired and blurry, but it slowly sharpened.He turned his head to take in his surroundings.His wound stung with every movement.He heard footsteps approaching him.“Easy,” said Nelos.“Where am I?” asked Luras.“Back at the camp.You are lucky you lived.You were cut deep.”“Matthias?”“He is not here.You spoke of him in your sleep,” replied Nelos.“How did I get here?”“A stone giant.He and another man brought you here.”“Water,” said Luras.“Go tell the commander that he is awake,” Nelos said to another Acolyte.“Of course, let me get you some.”Nelos poured water into a wooden cup and held it to Luras' lips.“Slow,” said Nelos.“You were cut deeply.”Ryland Heams entered the tent with Captain Dowr.The commander looked much older and tired than the day before.He looked at the other wounded men, as he walked towards Luras.He had the look of personal responsibility and sorrow for each man.Captain Dowr nodded to Nelos as they approached.Nelos retrieved a wooden stool and placed it by Luras.Ryland Heams slowly sat on the it with the caution of an elderly man.“Thank you, Nelos,” said Ryland Heams.“His wound is healing.It is serious.Cauterized and stitched.He needs to rest but he'll recover,” said Nelos.“Good,” replied Ryland Heams.“I would ask you how you feel, but I fear I already know the answer.”“I have been better,” replied Luras.“And what of Commander Thorne?” asked Ryland Heams.“He’s gone,” replied Luras.“Gone? Gone where?” asked Ryland Heams.“Some type of illusion.I don’t know.His son was there or a version of him.He left with them both,” said Luras.“Them both?” asked Captain Dowr.“A man made of shadows or shadows appearing to be a man.They left through some type of portal.It was made of darkness.Blackness.He left with them, but not before this,” said Luras, putting a hand upon his bandages.“So, Commander Thorne is now with the enemy,” said Ryland Heams.“This is not good at all.”“I do not think he is with them.He is confused,” said Luras.“Regardless, he is with them now,” said Ryland Heams.“Most likely further north.Across the sea,” said Captain Dowr.“Then that is where I will go,” said Luras.“This isn't about Commander Thorne.This was just a battle.Our entry into the war.There is a much larger war afoot.We need everyone.Chasing after the man that betrayed you does not help the cause,” said Ryland Heams.“I would not be pursuing him out of betrayal.He's lost.”“I have different plans for you, Luras.I ask that you hear me out,” said Ryland Heams.“You may find they coincide,” said Captain Dowr.“We are moving.I am breaking the Acolytes into squads.I am sending them to different parts of the realms.We are to keep the lands safe enough for others to rise up.It will not happen here.King Tellos has amassed his armies to shut off the north.He had planned to start with us.It seems our camp is somewhat of an oddity of late.His villagers have come in droves to see those that were freed.Some of them had family taken.Then, there's the Stone Giants.One brought you here,” said Ryland Heams.“There is also a Blood Falcon,” said Nelos.“Yes.All these things have brought many villagers to our camp.King Tellos is cruel but smart enough to not kill the hands that feed him.I sent word to him that we are leaving.I plan to go with a group east to speak with King Welthorn.They are calling him a traitor king.He may be open to us … given his situation,” said Ryland Heams.“What of me?” asked Luras.“I would like you to travel north with Captain Dowr.We need to know what is actually happening outside the realms.We need to know the true picture of our enemy.Sail with Captain Dowr north.Bring back answers.There are other Acolytes in the world.Let them know of the Acolytes in Altaris,” said Ryland Heams.“You have many men here already.Why me?” asked Luras.“Any man I select could ask the same question.Why you? Why not you? In the end, does it matter?” replied Ryland Heams.“It does for me,” said Luras.“Mainly, because you are a Bourne Acolyte.You demand attention,” replied Ryland Heams.“We will take two ships north - the Lisbeth and the Tigress.My guess is that Commander Thorne is further north in the lands of Tur,” said Captain Dowr.“Or the surrounding islands,” said Nelos.“He is not your goal, but if you find him, so be it,” said Ryland Heams.“I need to have a message sent to the Greenling Woods,” said Luras.“To whom?” asked Ryland Heams.“I have some friends there.Matthias knows the location to something of value to them [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]