Moturdrn

[19-Apr-2005]

Walking home, this time from Kaldor City, Visko played through the recent happening within her mind.

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He walked down the steps of the Great Library slowly, leaning heavily on his staff. He was growing used to people looking at him, finding it strange that such a well built man would need a staff just to walk, but out the corner of his eye he could see one person staring harder than mere curiosity warranted. A slight smile formed on his lips at the sight of such a familiar face.

‘Visko,’ he said, approaching her slowly. ‘Well, this is a bit of a surprise.’

‘Aye te right. What are ye doing here?’ she asked, looking surprised. ‘Why are ye carrying that staff? 'n where’s yer armour?’

‘A lot has happened since you left us, you ken. Your brother has told you nothing of it?’

‘Nay..I’ve heard very little from him,’ she said.

‘It’s a long story, one I dinnae have time for just now.’ He looked up at the sky, blinking in the glare of the sun. ‘I’m here for some time now, but I have a lot tae do before I get back...if I get back...’

‘What do ye mean “if”?’ Visko frowned. He narrowed his eyes, looking around warily. Leaning down, he lowered his voice to almost a whisper in her ear.

‘Xathos.’ He glanced around again. ‘Cultists. Shrines tae the dead god have been springing up. That’s why I’m here. Too dangerous, you ken? I got injured, I cannae defend myself right. The Commander sent me here...I didnae have a choice. Ye ken whit they’re like, if you remember whit they tried tae do tae me and the Commander in the past...’

‘Aye, I remember,’ she said.

‘All the disciples could be in danger, including your brother, but the Crimson Star will watch over him, I’m sure,’ he said, subconsciously tapping the small tattoo on his wrist. He suddenly smiled wickedly, his eyes flickering brightly. ‘Their faith is in a dead god, Visko. Our god burns brightly inside us.’



He had left then after a short goodbye. His training would consume his time, there was no point in arranging any sort of meetings. He had changed a lot since she had left. No longer a warrior or soldier he was now a proud scholar, at least until his wound healed. One thing still remained though. The fire of the Crimson Star still burned in the eyes of Ulran Kilvare.

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It was then, on the way back home, that the penny dropped. The smell that day...
...the smell of death.

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