None of them slept much the night before and all were feeling the effects. Tanisin’s encounter with what they collectively decided to call ‘the Shadow Being’ had left each of them shaken. This was something new, something not covered in their training and lectures and unknown.

  They spent the remainder of that night watchful and jumping at the slightest cause while discussing what had happened. Each afraid the Shadow Being would try again. By the time dawn brightened the eastern sky they had no answers, more questions and a palatable fear–all the more enhanced by Despair’s influence.

  What was this creature, all shadow and no substance? How had it managed to coax Tanisin out into the night? What was its purpose, its intent? That it had so easily lured one of them away brought true fear to the group.

  Tanisin especially was affected. He still felt the residue of the encounter both in mind and body. He wasn’t certain what exactly had happened and he found he had no clear recollection of the event. His last memory was of going to sleep beside the dwindling fire and it was unsettling. Since then he remained in a fugue. His mind was trying to process the uncertainty and filled with an irrational fear given he had no memory to tie it to. Try as he might, he couldn't wrap his head around it and he spent hours in a daze barely participating in the resulting conversation.

  For him and his companions however, there was little to do but press on come morning. They broke camp and ate a cold breakfast in the saddle with full light still hours away. None were inclined to continue asking the same questions over and over. Daylight brought them little relief.

  The deeper they travelled into the Dreadlands the more dry and washed out the landscape became. The sky had a perpetual grey about it now, as if of cloud cover though no clouds were visible. Rather the sun seemed not to shine as bright or as strong as it should. It was hot though, like on a summer's day with a rainstorm pending. A heavy heat that brought sweat to their foreheads yet also at times there was a periodic chill that defied cloaks and clothing. It was irritating and confusing. Many times their path became clogged with the thorny weeds called deathvyne they’d been warned about. Causing them to have to skirt around until clear. No wildlife was to be seen and more often than not the marker posts were damaged or even missing. On top of all that the effect of Despair’s Influence sat heavy on each of them causing intrusive thoughts and irrational worry. Were it not for the blessing delivered by Anthin what seemed a lifetime ago none of them would be able to resist.

  A time or two throughout the morning’s ride one or another of them would try to break the silence with a light joke or comment meant to draw a laugh or otherwise engage the group. The efforts felt feeble and ill timed and proving ineffective soon dwindled to nothing. For all of them this was, and would further prove to be one of the most challenging and dreary times in their lives.

  Just short of mid-day Daliah spoke up. “Guys, we haven’t seen a marker post in awhile now?” More a statement than a question she couldn’t help feeling they were off course.

  The squad grouped together as Dav pulled up. “We shouldn’t worry about that for now. They’ve been broken and scattered all day, perhaps we just missed some.” He stated. It was an effort to live up to his words though.

  “By the sun we’re still heading the right way.” Willhem offered. It hung high in the sky though offered little in the way of comfort.

  “What do you think Dav, do we continue as we are or look around and see if we can find a marker?” Willhem asked.

  Dav sat and struggled to make a decision. While the rest of them were there to protect him on his pilgrimage their decision making process thus far had been through mutual discussion. He was reluctant to lead them the wrong way. After a moment of silence he made a choice.

  “I think… We should split up here. Each chooses a direction and ride, we will stay within sight of each other and if anyone spots a marker post or any other indication we are on the right track we can regroup.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Tanisin agreed. He’d managed to shake off his daze a bit. “We’ll fan out from here. Deliah takes a left, Relf goes right. I’ll continue forward as we were. Dav goes diagonal between Daliah and me, Willhem same the other way with Relf. If anyone spots anything, give a whistle, and for Sayoshti’s sake stay in sight of each other.”

  The group spread out as directed and rode in their assigned directions fanning further apart as they went. No one seemed able to find anything in regards to their course. Periodically checking to ensure they could see everyone else as they went. Tanisin was just about to call them back together on his course. Both Daliah and Relf were almost out of sight on either side of him and as of yet no one had given any signal.

  As he took a breath to whistle to the group he heard a faint one come from Relf on his right. It was repeated by Willhem who was waving him that way when he looked. He gave a whistle of his own, directing Dav and Deliah towards the others. He heard Dav repeat his whistle and assured the message was being passed on he turned his mount towards Relf’s position and spurred it towards them.

  Tanisin joined Willhem and Relf where they sat their mounts. “What is it Relf?” He asked as he pulled his horse to a stop. Relf just gestured in front of him prompting Tanisin to look for himself. They were on top of a small rise, ahead and slightly below them was what appeared to be the ruins of a small sized hamlet. It would have remained unseen to them had they not decided to split up.

  They studied the place as they awaited their companions. It was no doubt a ruin, in shambles and showing no sign of life. Tanisin picked out the remains of what could have been a longhouse or town hall surrounded by four or five smaller structures, most with walls crumbled and none with roofs intact. The place had the look of a ghost town long deserted. Dav and Deliah pulled up as he studied it.

  “Captain Mathers didn’t mention any towns Tan.” Dav stated. He didn’t feel good about this place though he couldn’t say if it was general or specific to the ruins.

  “I know Dav.” Tanisin replied. “It means we are off course and I don’t want to get caught up here for no reason.”

  “I think we should…” Dav was about to express his desire to return to their original path.

  “Wait! See that?” Deliah was pointing down towards the ruins. The others stood in their stirrups straining to see whatever it was. There was nothing there, or at least none of the others could see what she was talking about.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  “What was it?” Tanisin asked her as he continued scanning the ruins.

  “I thought I saw someone moving down there. Near the last ruin on the left side.”

  “Anyone else see anything or anyone?” He asked the group. None had.

  “Should we check it out closer?” Tanisin didn’t really want to go there, his mind still rebelled against his will and like Dav he was thinking they should get back on track. They were still at least a day, maybe a day and a half from Despair's Abyss and the Barrier. “Let’s vote on it.” He added. “Anyone want to look?”

  Deliah, Relf and Willhem raised their hands, Dav and Tanisin did not. As leaders the two could have vetoed the vote but it wouldn’t be fair so they agreed. “Alright, we’ll go have a look. Everyone stay sharp.” Tanisin loosened his sword in its scabbard as did the others. Placing his helmet on his head he nudged his horse forward and the rest followed him towards the ruins.

  It was clear on approach that the town had not been occupied in a very long time. There were almost no walls left standing except the longhouse. Old thatch roofs had long since decayed away leaving empty shells that once were buildings and now were closer to piles of rubble. The afternoon light did little to brighten the scene. The group dismounted just outside, securing their horses on some dry old saplings.

  “Spread out, check those structures. I don’t want to be caught by surprise.” Tanisin was all business now. The prospect of a threat helped sharpen his resolve and he was the sergeant he was expected to be. As the structures were, there was little left to actually hide anyone but he was taking no chances. He found his head cleared more with something to focus on beyond just plodding on. As the group spread out around him he began to wonder what this place had been and how long it had stood here forgotten to time.

  There was nothing to indicate it had ever been anything special. He thought however that it might predate Sayoshti’s Sacrifice. There was little to base the assumption on though. What he did know for certain was that as he got closer to the place he felt something, a slight tingle at the back of his mind like the hairs on his neck were standing up. He ignored it and continued on.

  They spread out on entering the townsite. Deliah and Relf headed left of the longhouse intent on finding what or whoever she had seen. Tanisin took a right, circling the other side. Dav entered the longhouse structure. Minutes of searching found no sign anyone had ever been there. The group was just about to give up, resume their trail and make some progress before night came.

  Deliah and Relf searched three structures. There was little to see beyond toppled walls and sparse vegetation. Tanisin searched the other side with Willhem, two areas little more than outlines in the grass where buildings had once stood. Dav–inside the longhouse–found nothing but shadow and cobwebs. Some signs of small animals but that was all. He was about to turn around and exit the building when something underfoot caught his attention.

  The ground was grassy, centuries of thatch and old growth lay under the sparse grasses that had grown. As he took another step he found himself at the back end of the longhouse. The ground there felt ‘different,’ harder than the spongy turf he’d been trodding on thus far. He picked up a foot to stomp and heard a wooden echo in return. This wasn’t ground! It seemed to be a floor of some sort.

  Crouching he pushed aside the ground cover where his foot had come down. Sure enough there was wood there, fairly new too by appearance, or at least newer than the building he was in. Excited yet apprehensive about this discovery he cleared more grass and dirt out of his way.

  If it was a trap door or entryway underground he could find no latch or hinge to determine if it opened. He stood up ready to call out and show the others what he’d found. He never got the chance! As he drew his breath to call them over, the planks dropped out from underneath him and he found himself falling straight down. A brief but loud yell escaped his lips. Now you’ve done it! His fall continued. He landed with a jarring abrupt stop in the surrounding darkness and as he did so he tumbled over knocking his head.

  Tanisin and Willhem were on their way to the front of the longhouse. Tanisin was intent on calling the others back and resuming the journey. Close to where the entry would have been had the building been whole he came up short when he heard a surprised call from Dav inside.

  “To the longhouse!” He cried loud enough to be heard throughout the whole townsite, drawing his sword and charging inside with Willhem on his heels.

  They rushed to a hole in the floor upon seeing no sign of Dav. It didn’t take much for Tanisin to reason out what had happened. Dav had found this hole and fallen inside. The others joined Tanisin in peering down into the darkness and calling out for Dav. It took more than a few shouts before finally a faint reply floated up out of the pit.

  “I’m here. I’m alright.” Dav called to them. As far as he could tell he was alright. In regards to where ‘here’ was he couldn’t say. The place was pitch black around him other than the glow of daylight above.

  “Hold on, we’ll get you out.” Tanisin yelled down to him. “Will, get back to the horses for some rope.” Willhem darted off without a word and returned in no time with the rope.

  “Dav, how far down are you, I can’t tell?” Tanisin asked from above as he tossed the rope down. In response he felt Dav tug on it indicating it had reached him at least. “Grab hold, we’ll pull you up.”

  They each grabbed a part of the rope spread out behind each other and prepared to haul Dav up from the dark pit. “I got it, you can pull me up.” Dav told them. His voice was faint but clear. They strained at the rope, pulling Dav’s weight up when quite suddenly all resistance was gone and the group comically tumbled over atop each other.

  “What in Sayoshti’s name!” Tanisin exclaimed as he got to his feet. The rest untangled themselves and stood as well. “Dav?” There was no response this time.

  Fearing Dav had fallen and maybe knocked himself senseless the group sprang to action. Relf, Deliah and Willhem resumed their grip on the rope and Tanisin made ready to shimmy himself down. He made his way into the pit, not knowing how deep it was or what he’d find at the bottom. Careful lest he land on Dav below him. As far as he could tell it was more a shaft than a pit, the walls were within arms reach on all sides of him until they weren’t and he continued his descent to the darkened bottom.

  Finding nothing but darkness around him, no Dav and no light he called up to the others. “He’s not here!” Panic laced his voice, worrying for his brother who’d been there a mere few minutes earlier. “I can’t see a blasted thing, I'm gonna need a torch.” He looked up to see the faces of his companions high above, indistinct as they were framed by the daylight outside this trap. One of them disappeared for a moment but returned with a lit brand in hand, whoever it was waved the brand back and forth before dropping it down.

  Tanisin stepped back as the torch fell to the ground in front of him. He bent to pick it up and held it aloft to better survey his surroundings. He found himself in a tunnel ending abruptly in front of him, his gaze following the wall up to the entry above, noting it was stone and not dirt. The floor below his feet was stone as well, littered with broken boards and slivers of wood from the planks above. Dav must have put his weight on an unstable area and fallen through but where was he now?

  Turning Tanisin noted a long stone tunnel receding into the darkness ahead. This would be no short search, he thought. He’d need more torches and one or more of his squad to help him. Dammit Dav, what’d you get yourself into this time? The dust on the floor failed to yield any more clues. It was disturbed but because of Dav’s fall and his own shuffling he couldn’t make sense of the mess. Looking up he yelled some instructions, asking for both assistance and supplies.

  In short order he was joined by Relf with a pack slung across his back. “Will and Deliah are moving the horses into the longhouse. They’ll stay there until we return. Will can’t stand closed in spaces so Deliah I tossed a coin to choose who’d join you. I got torches, more rope, water and some food.” Relf lit another brand off the one Tanisin was holding and hitched his pack into a better position.

  “Come on.” Tanisin demanded. “Let’s go find my brother.” Grimly they set off down the tunnel.