Ten long days was the road to The Citadel from Wayra. For Anthin, five of them were spent in the stupor of fever and illness. At the onset of evening on the fifth day his fever broke bringing no small relief to his self-designated keeper Edwyne.

  With the illness came some vivid visions. Culminating in what he felt in his heart to be a visit from the spirit of Sayoshti. At the beginning these visions were dark and troublesome, scenes of Despair’s minions overrunning the land with death and destruction. The enslavement of mankind.

  The day had found him little changed physically but in his mind’s eye it was as if a great weight was lifted from his soul. It began with a brilliant light, brighter than ever his eyes had beheld. Despite its sheer luminosity it was not a blinding or painful light, rather was warm and reassuring. Out of that brilliance She came.

  He knew this was no fever dream, no illusion borne of illness. He felt it in his heart. She was there with him. She told him many things then, some he recalled some he did not. Tidings that were joyous to hear, such as Dav and Tanisin’s success on the pilgrimage. Others brought fear deep into his being. He learned of the depth of Despair's hold on Wayra, deeper even than he’d discovered for himself. He learned of a new Shadow Being who was bringing the cult together and had control over the husks and other creatures of Despair.

  She relayed news to him as if he were solely responsible for the world’s safety. She told him that Dav and Deliah would be waiting along the way for him, also that she’d sent Tansin to the Westwood after this dark creature. Anthin feared for Tanisin though she assured him the boy was up to the task and had Relf with him. The worst of it was when she admitted to him that the Barrier was failing, the only bastion of defence against Despair was weaker than it had been in its whole three thousand plus years of existence.

  “Human memories are short. Too many profess to believe yet treat the past as a story and their Faith as something to be worn only when required of them. This weakens Me and the Barrier and the souls of your forefathers are not enough to continue holding Despair at bay.”

  Best of all she’d told him next. “I am proud of you. You have over the years been a father to two boys, now men who do you justice with their ability and in all their dealings. You have surmounted every challenge sent your way and never lost your Faith.”

  He beamed at the praise. To dedicate one's life to an ideal, a deity and have that same show pride in him, well… He tried hard not to let it go to his head. “Holy One, may I ask now what comes next?”

  “You may, though I expect the answer will leave you wanting. There is a canker within the Church. The events in Wayra did not transpire without someone in a high place aiding outright or turning a blind eye.” She grimaced, a strange expression on the alien, feline face. “Your return will not be celebrated by all. You must shore the Church against such forces and work to unify all believers against Despair. Those in Wayra who will fight against Despair’s influence there will need support and now more than ever word must go forth that all is not well in Etrusia.”

  “I will do my utmost.” Sincerity mixed with trepidation betrayed Anthin’s worries.

  “I know you will. Now, awake.” In a blink she was gone.

  He awoke to find himself in the back of a wagon. Edwyne leaped up at this sudden turn, knocking his head on a wooden brace above him. “Praise Sayoshti, you’re awake! How do you feel? Can I get you anything?” The words tumbled from Edwyne, running together.

  “I’m… Fine!” He was too. He felt no effects from his illness. Perhaps a bit weak, hungry too but other than his stiff and injured hand no worse for wear. “Where are we?”

  In the Grant.” Edwyne told him. “About five days from The Citadel and should reach Fort Last Stop this afternoon.”

  “Good, there's work to be done. First I need some food and water, would you?”

  “Of course.” Edwyne moved to the tail of the wagon and hopped out not bothering to wait for a stop. From the feel of movement beneath him Anthin didn't think they were moving that fast. He sat for a moment rehashing the vision he’d had in his mind and making plans for his return to The Citadel. From what Sayohsti had revealed to him he’d have to tread very carefully once back.

  Edwyne soon returned with broth in a mug and a heel of bread as well as some water. Anthin dove in as if it were a feast. After so much time sick it certainly felt like one. “Is there any sign of pursuit?” He queried between mouthfuls.

  “None.” A worried frown appeared on Edwyne’s visage. “It’s strange, I’d think we would be public enemy number one in Wayra now.”

  “Perhaps. Or perhaps they are so firmly in control now they aren’t worried about word getting out. I fear it is too late”

  “I hadn't thought of that.” Admitted Edwyne. “What now? I’m with you thus far and will stick around to aid where I can.”

  “First let me tell you what I know. Then we can work on what is the best course.”

  Anthin relayed the details of his vision to Edwyne. Telling him all. Insisting that he believed with all his soul that this was a true visitation. “I’m not sure I would have awoken were it not so.”

  “Peace, I don’t doubt it.” Edwyne’s countenance was dead serious. “I didn’t think you’d pull through and that I’d be delivering your corpse to The Citadel with a lot of explaining to do for good measure. Light! So much wrong in the world, and the cult, brazzen bastards! I wonder where else they are stirring up trouble?”

  “You can bet they are acting in all the four realms. I believe so.” Anthin took a deep breath, he was getting worked up and needed calm now. “What I need from you old friend is for you to return to Wayra.”

  Edwyne protested. “You’ll need me at The Citadel. Despair knows you need all the allies you can muster.”

  Anthin did his best to convince his friend. “Rest easy Edwyne. I have no shortage of support. Dav will be there I’m told, as will others I can count on.”

  Edwyne made to object further but Anthin forestalled him with a touch on the arm. “No, I need you in Wayra. Someone has to organise resistance. I’m counting on you and your contacts there to get things going. The cult cannot be allowed to rest easy, they must be harried and stalled every step of the way.”

  “So be it.” Convinced, Edwyne relaxed. “We’ll make the bastards pay”

  They got to planning for the remainder of the journey. Plans to communicate between the two were made. Edwyne’s smuggling contacts would be useful for that. They drew up ideas on who Edwyne would contact to get an insurrection going full steam. Once the truth was known there'd be few in his circle that wouldn’t aid in the effort. As the wagon made its way, so too did their plans take shape.

  Dav awoke in a start, disoriented but otherwise alright. He lay on a pallet bed in a small room with walls of rough timber. Sunlight filtered through a single window. Too bright after so long in darkness. Looking around he noted Deliah slumped against the wall at the foot of the bed, head nodding to her chest in sleep. He gave her a tap with his foot startling her awake.

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  “What is it, is he awake?” She looked around the room, not registering Dav’s awakened state. When she did see him with eyes open, she smiled and let out a relieved sigh. “Sayoshti’s light. You're up!” She bound to her feet. “Hold on, I’ll get the medic.” She dashed from the room before he could say anything.

  In no time she returned with said medic in tow. He was of course a Corps medic and seemed familiar to Dav. Then he placed the fellow and figured out where he was. “Fort Last Stop!”

  “Yes, and better for it I’d say.” The medic replied. He got straight to work poking and prodding at Dav.

  “How’d we get…?” He began, then trailed off as he recalled the vivid dream he’d had before awakening.

  “A patrol found us this morning not a hundred paces away. Laid out in our bedrolls as if we’d camped there last night. Horses and all… well yours and mine. I don’t know what happened to Tanisin and Relf.” A worried frown was quickly suppressed by another smile for him.

  “I will take you where you need to be…” Dav said quietly. Deliah gave him a sharp look and motioned with her eyes to the medic still working away at checking Dav over.

  “It seems you’re no worse for wear and I think you can get up now. Stretch your legs and you’ll need something to eat. Stick to light food for a day, broth and such. You'll be fine.” The medic gathered his things and made to leave the room. “I’ll tell Lieutenant Mathers you’re up. He’ll want to see you.” He left the room, closing the door behind him.

  Deliah and Dav looked at each other. “The vision?” They both said in unison. Deliah gave a sharp laugh and continued on. “You had a visitor in your vision too didn’t you?”

  They gave each other a rundown on what they’d experienced. It was an awe inspiring thing. To know that not only had they reached the Barrier but that they’d both had communion with Sayoshti. Though her experience was not as direct as his it was certainly something no other recruit in the history of the Corps could claim. Deliah held back a bit, knowing she’d have to come to terms with her revelation. Then she filled Dav in on the past half day.

  “Like I said they found us this morning as if we’d just made camp there. They managed to wake me easily but you weren’t stirring so we bundled you back into the litter. It was still attached to my horse and we brought you here. You still looked sick and Lieutenant Mathers had us put here and the medic checked you over then. I was just waiting for you to come awake and must’ve dozed off.”

  “Great so what now?” He was still overwhelmed with everything and not thinking straight.

  “Now? Assuming you're good to travel I think we should make for The Citadel as soon as we can. With Tanisin gone I have to give a report, at least let them know about Willhem and you. You need to confirm your pilgrimage, you’re a Brother Anointed now Dav!”

  Her last words dawned on him. “Hey, you’re right. I am a Brother now aren’t I?” A new level of elation welled up within him. After all they’d been through he’d made it and his friends had proved their mettle as well. He spared a thought for Willhem, left behind. He’d be sorely missed.

  Dav sat with the feelings for a few minutes, Deliah was content to let him do so. The journey had taken its toll on both of them and she was content to just sit a moment. It was short lived however as a knock at the door announced Lieutenant Mathers a second before he admitted himself to the room.

  “Good to see you awake Dav.”

  “Thank you Lieutenant, for everything.” Dav meant it.

  “No problem. It’s the most eventful thing to have happened since you left us. Nothing is stirring within reach of our patrols, not a husk to be found in the Grant. Nor have our patrols encountered any within the Dreadlands. Normally I’d welcome the respite but I fear something is coming. It’s too damn quiet!”

  “We ran into a group of them a couple of days ago with some cultists and something else. I don’t know who or what it was.” Dav advised him. He wanted the fort on alert in case the beasts made it this way.

  “Where? I can’t imagine my men missing them.”

  “No, I don’t think they did. I say a couple of days ago yet we were… In a different place then.” Dav didn't mean to be cryptic but he wasn’t ready to relay the past few days' events to just anyone.

  “I see.” Mathers’ expression betrayed the lie but he let it rest. “Where are the rest of your companions?”

  “Willhem is gone, a casualty of our encounter with the husks. As for Tan and Relf… I’m not certain. I am sure they are alright, for now anyway, but we got separated.” Dav hoped they were alright. He imagined Sayoshti had everyone where she wanted them to be. With any luck they’d all be reunited at The Citadel.

  “I’m sorry to hear of his passing. What of your pilgrimage? Did you reach the Barrier, was it a success?” The Lieutenant was animated, he truly wanted to know. In these strange days any success was to be counted as a win.

  “We did, though not without trouble.” Dav made a wry face. He then proceeded to tell Mathers about their trip. He made emphasis on the cultists in the Dreadlands, both groups they had encountered. With them confirmed to be organising it was imperative all outposts be on alert. Deliah interjected a time or two offering her experiences. He left out parts he thought were not needed including their communion with Sayoshti. It was enough for Mathers though.

  “Sayoshti save us.” Mathers exclaimed, bowing his head and making a sign to ward off evil. “I knew things were getting bad. Most of the Grant is in an uproar about safety and there’ve been reports of things lurking here and there. Like I said we can’t find anything. What’s next?”

  “Deliah and I will leave in the morning for The Citadel. I’d like you to send word to the other outposts, the farms and ranches in the Grant as well. Make them aware of the cult and tell them to prepare. No doubt further orders will be sent when I report to my superiors. Until then be ready and stay alert.”

  “Are you fit to travel?” Mathers showed true concern. “Far be it for me to say but you seemed pretty rough only an hour past.”

  “I’m fine Lieutenant. A bit weary and hungry as a bear. But even were I not I wouldn’t waste a minute more than needed. All of Etrusia is in danger. There’s no doubt, Despair’s influence spreads.”

  Mathers was about to respond when an urgent knock at the door interrupted him. “Yes, come in.” He barked at the door.

  It opened to reveal the sergeant they’d met on their first visit. Stills, his name came to Dav. “Pardon sir, there's a wagon train approaching.”

  “Strange, we aren’t expecting anything. The next supply run isn’t due for almost two weeks.”

  “No sir. They are approaching from the east.”

  “From the east you say.” Mathers mused. “Well let's see what they’re about shall we.”

  Dav and Deliah followed the Lieutenant and his Sergeant from the room, curious themselves about this wagon train. Most of the fort’s supplies came from The Citadel to the south west of them with some brought by local farmers. None of which lay to the east. Dav took a look around as they strode across the yard to the opened gates. Nothing had changed since last he’d been there.

  The group stopped short of the gates and waited. Before long the sentry on the wall blew his horn announcing the arrival. Some more of Mathers’ men gathered about them waiting to see if any threat was imminent. Within a few more minutes wagons began rolling into the yard. There were four in total, driven in by hard looking Wayran men and accompanied by a few mounted outriders.

  The last wagon contained a delightful surprise for Dav. “Anthin?” Joy overcame him and without thought he bound forward to meet his father. Sitting on the buckboard seat beside the wagon driver, Anthin looked at him with tired eyes. Upon recognising Dav he gave a cry of his own and leaped to the ground suddenly as nimble as a man half his age.

  “Dav my boy.” Anthin grabbed him in a fierce hug.

  Seeing that Dav knew at least one of the strangers, Lieutenant Mathers relaxed and waved off his men. They dispersed at his gesture except for Stills who remained steadfast at Mathers’ side. “I see you know each other.” He remarked.

  “Lieutenant. May I introduce my father, Anthin of Eastgate Parish.” Dav announced. “Anthin, this is Lieutenant Mathers.”

  Anthin let go of Dav and turned to clasp forearms with Mathers. “Well met Lieutenant.”

  “Well met Brother.” Mathers smiled at him. “What have you brought us?”

  “Me? Oh nothing.” Anthin glanced back at the wagons now clustered in the yard. Edwyne had gotten off his wagon and came over to join them. “This is Edwyne, an old and valued friend. The wagons are his Lieutenant, a means of escaping Wayra.”. Edwyne nodded at the introduction. “Now, we have men to feed and a great deal to talk about. If you’d be so kind.”

  “Of course Brother. I’ll have my soldiers assist the teamsters and we’ll find space for all. If you follow me to the mess we can eat and talk there.” Mathers turned and gave some orders to his Sergeant then gestured to the group to follow him as the fort became a hive of activity.