We rested that night at an abandoned barn on the outskirts of Estoria’s outer territories. As the sun dipped below the horizons, the orange and gold sunsets faded to purples and blues and sleep took us.
There was darkness first. I remember that. Then a voice, smooth and silken. A man, with eyes and mouth stitched closed flashed into my vision and still that silken voice, low and threatening.
Sweat began to bead on my brow. I couldn’t move, held by the sheer power of that voice.
Lutheria’s voice. Again, she taunts us.
I felt the anger rise. Another small voice at the back of my head. Rough this time. Old, but again, full of ancient power. Scornful. “Again, submission. Disappointing. You are no scion of mine.”
I felt the anger stir. The rage. The voice was right, I had divine blood flowing through my veins! I may lack the divinity of my father, but I was no child, to be scared by voices in the dark.
I woke in the dark, cautious, but safe. A scuttling in the straw caught my attention and I called the creature to me, a small mouse. Its sharp legs scuttled up my hand as I called to it. I bade its simple mind to watch over us, its tail arching over his little body.
As dawn came, we all seemed touched by the dreams of the lady of madness. Theo seemed almost frantic, dashing back and forth. Alke had removed herself from the group and Calliope still dozed, dark circles under her eyes betraying her own broken night.
I appear unaffected. I need not fear dreams. I am stronger than that.
Braz had wandered off and it was with some panic in his voice that the gnome declared his wits lost.
I set off to fetch him myself, but he had wandered off. Arranging to meet the others at Estoria, Theo and I set off. We had barely reached a quarter of the way after him when we came across Alke, wandering the same path. Theo lost his focus of stopping our largest problem and so I set off alone to continue the task. It is times like this when Helikaon’s grumpy demeanour makes perfect sense.
The city was before us before I caught up to the herd, at which point I began to hear stories of the enraged minotaur who had smashed part of the markets up. Braz is hardly a berserker to fly into a rage, but he is large and strong. It would take someone like my own talents to restrain him.
It was following these stories that I found Corinna, armed to begin her first day in the forces of Estoria. She asked if I would accompany her to the barracks and lacking a clear direction to find Braz, I agreed.
Her captain was a rude man, full of the bluster of his meagre station. Given we saved his liege from execution whilst he quaked behind his walls, his lack of respect was galling. Gods, how can a man so craven be given command of soldiers? What is Anora thinking?
His bluster turned smug as Braz was led into the compound, witless and chewing cud. I dismissed him and went to work to bring our minotaur back to his senses.
It was hours of effort later before Helikaon and Calliope caught up with us. Must be nice to have spent the day in leisure instead of chasing lost companions. They wouldn't even help me hold my mouse friend, so I could use both hands to assist Braz. As I held his fuzzy body out to Calliope, Helikaon slapped my hand, sending him flying.
I punched him in the face.
He leapt at me, smashing his helm into my face leaving my nose pouring blood. I tumbled back, and saw the broken body of a small scorpion tumble from where it had impacted.
Lutheria, you bitch! I see it now!
I shrugged off his blows and cast a spell of restoration, bringing clarity to us both for the first time since this morning. Calliope had fled, unwilling to watch us fight. With a nod, our blows forgotten, Helikaon chased after her as I turned to Braz.
Braz, my friend, what has this done to you? I am in need of your wisdom and calm.
As focus came back to him, I sighed. It would be a long night to spare our friends from this nightmare. With the chaos I have sown, I may well be my father's heir.