The party dashed through the pre-dark of dusk, heedless of anything but putting space between them and the scene they’d fled. Soon the horses tired, especially Deliah’s overburdened beast now carrying two riders. Tanisin slowed to a canter as his companions took their cue from him and did the same. With night approaching he searched the horizon for a suitable campsite. He was loath to stop with no idea if pursuit was imminent but it grew too dark to continue at their pace so they slowed even more, walking the animals.

  Tanisin turned back in his saddle. “Is everyone alright?” He asked. There’d been no time prior for checking. He drew reign after asking to allow the others to group around him.

  “I’m fine. nice little fight!” Relf said. He sat straight in his saddle with no indication the tussle had any effect on him.

  “I think Will’s in trouble.” Deliah announced. “He’s barely holding onto me.” Concern laced her words and brought fear to the others.

  They dismounted, Relf and Tanisin helped Willhem down from the back of Deliah’s horse. “Get me some light.” Tanisin ordered.

  Willhem was barely conscious, while Tanisin searched for a wound the rest of the group got a fire going. Once the light was enough to see they moved Willhem closer to the fire for a better look. What Tanisin found brought dismay. He was feverish, sweat gleamed on his brow and face, hair matted wet and slick. He was only half aware as Tanisin administered to him. Willhem’s arms were covered in bites and scratches! None deep, but even the smallest was deadly.

  In a few seconds of clarity Willhem reached up and grabbed Tanisin’s collar. “They got me!”

  “Yes. It looks like they did.” Tanisin’s face betrayed the severity of the situation.

  “Don’t let me turn… Promise me!” Willhem’s plea had a finality to it. He knew–as did they all–that there was no escaping his fate.

  “I promise Will ,we won’t.” It was all Tanisin could do to comfort his friend. “Rest for a bit.”

  Tanisin stood to address the group. They’d heard the exchange so there was no sugar coating it. “He’s bit.” Stating the obvious. “It’s bad, you’d best say your goodbyes now.”

  The group huddled around Willhem offering what platitudes they could before stepping away to reflect. Last and longest was Relf. Willhem had taken him under wing as a mentor to the troubled man. Together they’d worked on many things, all of which brought about Relf’s turnaround from a brutish thug to a soldier in the Corps. Relf would never forget his friend for this.

  “Will,” Relf addressed him as he got right down to Willhem, putting his forehead to his friends. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you change into one of those things.”

  Willhem looked up at him grateful and sad at the same time. “I know you won’t. I only wish I could see the end of this trip. We’ve all come so far haven’t we?”

  “We have Will. Thanks to you. You’ve taught me so much, I’m grateful. I’ll miss you.” Relf for the first time he could remember had tears in his eyes.

  “Will you do the deed Relf?”

  “I will, whenever you’re ready.”

  “I’m ready now, friend.” Willhem grabbed Relf by the hand this time giving it a weak squeeze. “I had a good run. I’ve been all over Etrusia and seen many things. No regrets, it’s time to go.”

  Relf stood and drew his dagger. Crouching down again he pressed the point to Willhem’s chest, over his heart. With a silent prayer to Sayoshti while looking his friend in the eye, Willhem nodded and Relf put his weight onto the blade, sliding it home. Willhem died surrounded by friends. He would be sorely missed by all of them, but none more than Relf.

  They buried their friend on the plains of the Dreadlands. Marking the grave with Willhem’s sword stabbed into the earth. It was of necessity an unceremonious affair. After Tanisin insisted they continue further into the night. He wasn’t certain they’d left pursuit behind. Whatever or whoever was after them was sure to be persistent and he didn’t want to chance an encounter in the dark. He still had that nagging presence deep in his subconscious, though it seemed lighter the further they got from that thing. The Shadow Being.

  They pressed on for a few hours at a slow pace due to the darkness until they stumbled upon a gully that would make a good stopping point. Camp was dark and dry, little more than a place to rest for the remainder of the night. As full darkness fell they noted a bluish glow on the eastern horizon. Discussion ensued and the group determined that what they observed must be light from the Barrier. Their goal was finally within reach.

  Dav awoke near dawn with a fierce burning pain in his leg. Groggy and feverish he doused his head with water from his canteen before taking a drink. The others had begun to get up as well. Relf had spent the long night awake and lamenting the loss of his friend and mentor. A cold breakfast was consumed in the saddle as their journey resumed and the cresting sun found them closer to the end.

  The day passed quietly. They each found themselves missing Willhem’s cheer and wit. He was always one to lighten the mood with a quip or a jibe, especially when the effects of the Dreadlands took a toll. Their relief at an end in sight was muted by the loss of one of their own. Still, they were all soldiers except Dav. Death was a part of life and they believed firmly that Willhem’s soul had joined Sayoshti’s spirit within the Barrier.

  Dav continued to struggle with his leg. The wound from the Shadow Being’s sword had bled through the makeshift bandage he’d put on it. He was now burning with fever and couldn’t feel his leg or foot below the wound. With Will’s death the night before and his own burning desire to reach the Barrier he hadn't mentioned it. Now he was embarrassed and in his feverish stubbornness he didn’t want to hold them up any longer.

  Around mid-day, with the top of the Barrier’s dome glowing resplendent above the horizon Dav collapsed. He dropped from his saddle as if pulled out of it and he lay in the dirt only half aware that he was no longer mounted. Alarmed Tanisin and the others dismounted and gathered around Dav with worry. He stared up at their faces surrounding him with incomprehension before darkness overtook him.

  Tanisin swore! “Peace, what now?” As he stalked over to where Dav lay senseless. His irritation turned to alarm. He first noted the dark stain of blood growing larger on the leg of Dav’s breeches. Then he saw the blank slack look on Dav’s face and the signs of fever.

  “Dav, what’s wrong?” Tanisin slapped Dav lightly on the cheek, trying to bring him to. Dav was barely lucid and his skin was hot to the touch. “Curse it!” Tanisin swore again.

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  He drew his dagger and cut away the leg of Dav’s pants, gasping when he saw the wound. What had been barely a cut yesterday had turned into a seeping gash of a wound overnight. It was unexplainable. Was the cutting blade dirty, had some infection seeped into the wound? Or was there something more sinister to it?

  All that could be done was to clean and re-dress the wound and give Dav water. As Tanisin worked with help from his squad Dav rambled in his fever. Over and over again “Must reach the Barrier, must reach Sayoshti. Must reach the Barrier.

  Once Dav’s wound was administered to Tanisin was lost for what to do next. He decided to call a halt. He needed to collect his thoughts while still struggling with his own mind, or the invasive presence within it. This whole thing was pointless with Dav as he was and they didn't even know the why of his illness. The wound hadn’t seemed that bad in the fight, merely a scratch. Tanisin worried the blade was poisoned.

  “What’re we going to do now Tan?” Relf and Deliah had approached while he wallowed in frustration.

  “I wish I knew.” Frustration and anger laced the words. Softer he continued. “We can’t keep going, he can’t sit on his horse like this.” Tanisin sighed. “I guess we wait here and hope he improves.”

  “He will Tan!” Deliah put a hand on Tanisin’s arm trying to reassure him. “He’s as tough as any of us, you’ll see.”

  “She’s right.” Relf added. “With all we’ve been through, no wound sickness will stop Dav. I bet he’s good come morning.” He sounded almost as if he believed it.

  “Thanks, let's make camp. I know it’s early but…” Tanisin trailed off. He was grateful to his companions for both their trust in him and their reassurances even if he didn’t share in their optimism.

  The horses were hobbled and grain bags put over their noses. They made Dav as comfortable as they could. He was still rambling in his sleep. More about reaching the Barrier a few things they couldn’t make sense of. He also kept gasping out “Spawn of Despair!” None of the others knew what he was referring to for certain. Tanisin thought it might relate to the Shadow Being that seemed to be the dark stranger they’d fought with the cultists and husks.

  With nothing more to do they ate and settled in to rest with one of them keeping a wary eye on their backtrail at all times. They could ill afford a surprise attack at the moment. Tanisin reflected on their journey so far. With all they’d seen and encountered it seemed unfair to be stopped now so close to the end. He was surprised to realise however that since they’d spied the light from the Barrier in the eastern sky, the feelings of dread and general effects of the Dreadlands seemed lessened somehow. His head was cleared, thinking easier than it had been in days. Strange that at such a time, when they should be feeling them more keenly that they weren’t.

  Night came with no improvement to Dav. He wasn’t any worse either so that was something. They’d managed to get some water into him, dribbling it on his lips so he licked it up but not much else. Tansin was feeling lost, some leader… some Sergeant. I’ve led them to doom and one, maybe two of them to death. He offered to take the first watch that night. Neither Deliah nor Relf argued. Checking once more on Dav and finding no change he found a good spot just outside the firelight.

  His thoughts kept running round his head unsettled, frustrated he turned to thinking about what Dav would do in his place. He knew the answer, he’d pray. He’d pour his soul out to Sayoshti and ask for guidance and let his faith guide his way. Dav was always adamant, much like Anthin, that Sayoshti would provide.

  So that's what Tanisin did. He spent the remainder of his watch praying to Sayoshti, asking for guidance and laying his fears out for Her to see. He had to admit, he felt better for it. He found no answers and he received no guidance, but he felt better. Mood a bit lighter he woke Relf for the next watch and got into his bedroll. He was tired and ready for sleep.

  Sleep came but so did troubling dreams. He and Dav were home in Dimabri City. It was the night they’d tangled with Rollins and his goons, Relf included, though in this dream Relf’s face was little more than a dark blob. Stabber was chanting the same dark guttural chant as the cultists in the underground hall. With each completed phrase the area around the group grew even darker. Rollins’ crony held Dav by the hair while Rollins held a knife to his throat. Tanisin stood held firm by two thugs, one of them the dark blob of Relf.

  The darkness enveloped almost all now. Nothing could be seen beyond the figures standing in the alleyway. Rollins’ face took on a twisted countenance. It became a mockery of what it was, distorted in rage and full of wrath. He pulled the knife back for the blow that in the true past had never come. This time the blade struck deep into Dav’s neck.

  Tanisin, full of agony let out an incomprehensible scream. He flung his arms wide, knocking the two holding him aside. With a mighty force full of vengeance he swung both hands, slapping them together. The impact sent a shockwave through the surrounding darkness that flung Stabber and his minions into the air. Tanisin could see the waves in his vision, could feel the power of them escaping from his hands and was awed. Stabber, Relf and the others began to disintegrate with the force of it, becoming nothing as it passed over them. He saw the face of the second goon, it was Deliah’s and unlike Relf’s countenance in the dream her’s was clear as if he was looking at her in real life.

  The shockwave dissipated as its victims were consumed and scattered into the air. Tanisin fell to his knees beside his brother, rage strong within him. Crying openly to the heavens he screamed “Why Sayoshti, WHY.” Not expecting an answer.

  There was a flash of the brightest light imaginable. It blinded Tanisin, so bright it was painful to his eyes and pierced deep into him. He tried but was unable to close them against it, and with a force more powerful than anything he’d ever encountered in his life a voice called to him from beyond the light. “Bring him to me.”

  Tanisin jerked awake, shooting up from his bedroll. It was dawn, still the bluish glow from the Barrier was visible in the sky. “We have to go!” He exclaimed.

  “What Tan?” Deliah had started at his exclamation. Relf stirred in his own blankets, not really asleep, just resting.

  “We have to go! We have to get him to the Barrier. She told me to bring him to her.” He explained to them. They looked at him worried.

  “Are you sure Tan?” Relf questioned. “You were sleeping till just now.”

  “I’m sure. I know I was sleeping!” He was irritated by the questioning. “She has shown me the way. We have to get him to the Barrier, NOW!” He had such conviction in his voice that the others could only acquiesce. It beat sitting there waiting for Dav to die anyway.

  They used Dav’s blanket and some branches from a dead tree nearby to make a litter to drag behind Tanisin’s horse. “My people use these in Bayamak all the time.” Deliah told them as she showed them what to do. With some caution they could avoid the worst of the jostling and bumps keeping Dav somewhat comfortable. His condition was worse this morning. His fever burned hotter and the wound seeped a nasty smelling fluid.

  The three were soon on their way with Tanisin dragging Dav behind him in the makeshift litter. Deliah took the pack horse as well as the leads for Dav and Willhem’s mounts, no longer needed by their owners. Relf took the rear and continued to watch their backtrail, still wary of the potential pursuit.

  By mid morning the Barrier was largely visible ahead of them. Its blue shimmering glow a beacon of hope filling their sight. Tanisin didn’t know what they would do on arrival but his conviction to get there remained as strong as it was on waking. Relf and Deliah didn’t question it. History was riddled with stories of divine messages and acts influenced by them since the founding of The Church of Sayoshti’s Children. One more miracle would hardly be unbelievable. So they carried on as expectant as Tanisin was, if not as confident.

  Mid day brought them to the rim of a large bowl-like ridge where they drew rein for a moment surveying the lands around them. The Dreadlands ended there! Below them the ground sloped into a shallow valley. It was covered in trees and vibrant with life compared to the deadness they’d travelled through to get there. The trees encircled the valley right up to the edge of the Barrier which sat glorious and shimmering an aqua blue in the warm sun.

  Despite the relative peace of the area and the beauty of the valley below they knew that the Barrier covered Despair’s Abyss. The origin of all that was evil in Etrusia, and while their eyes could not pierce the veil from there they held trepidation at approaching any closer.

  They spied a small trail leading into the bowl and at Tanisin’s urging nudged their horses onwards. They had a friend to save and a pilgrimage to complete.