The Broch was warmer inside than Howlen had expected. Its thick stone walls and cavernous interior had kept the storm out. It had been snowing on the mountain since they arrived, and though he was thankful for the protection, he most of all welcomed the break in the weather and the chance to step outside. Elisor had come with him, which he appreciated less.

“Your boy is beginning to recover. He should be back to himself before the day is up.”

“I’ve seen him sick before, but not like this. He’s usually pretty,” Howlen made a motion with his arms, as if to flex his chest, “pretty solid in the cold.”

“Indeed.” Elisor answered. The two began to walk down a path cleared in the knee-high snow, Elisor hunched and used a walking stick he likely didn’t need but enjoyed the benefit from nonetheless. There was an air about him that made Howlen uneasy, mistrusting. “Are you familiar with your wife’s family, Howlen?”

It was an intrusive question. Howlen did not want to answer, but no other option seemed appropriate. “Jennifer? No. Not entirely. Her father and mother had passed before I came to the island. I just met her when she was a maid at the baker's. We never really talked about those kinds of things.”

“Your wife had red hair did she not? Perhaps more freckles than usual for a complexion as dark as her’s?” Elisor spoke as if he knew her. Howlen, unease rising, looked at the old man with a scowl.

“Yes,” Elisor continued. “It wasn’t her father that was of note, but her grandmother. Grandmother on her mother’s side I believe. She was one of us, you know? Long ago when our ways were not so frowned upon. Before the Novissime Empire sunk its teeth into Vencia.”

Howlen only half believed what the Druid said, but it did make sense. There was always something different about his wife, part of the reason he fell for her.

“Your boy, I think, carries a little of her in him, enough to cause his current state. Yes it can all be overwhelming at first.”

“His current state? He’s sick from the cold and the thin air. What are you talking about?” Howlen stopped walking and faced Elisor, but the Druid did not stop with him.

“No, no. You know better than that. He’s got a connection to the Old Gods, a strong one it seems. And he hasn’t been able to grow into it like most. So coming up here is bringing it all on him at once. Overwhelming at first but do not worry. Not about that at least.”

Howlen wanted to grab the old man and shake loose whatever truth was in him. He stood, silent. Elisor stopped walking, some distance away.

“Howlen Juliei. I remember hearing that Jennifer had married. I didn’t really care for the sound of the name Jennifer Juliei when I first heard it, but what was I to do?” Elisor looked back at Howlen, his glowing green eyes seemed a tinge sympathetic.

“Why are we here? Do you intend to use my son for some magic you Druids do? Where is my wife, Elisor?”

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“When your son wakes you are free to leave with him, if you wish. But he will be taken the same as your wife and so many others have been.” Elisor walked to Howlen. “I am afraid the Old Gods are returning, one of them at least. We’ve had visions of this for some time. Dreams have plagued us all up here every night. This is sacred ground, though, we are safe from these occurrences. We won’t be taken. But when this Old God does come, we Druids, Vencia, the Novissime and whatever lies beyond will be at its mercy.”

Howlen knew the man was telling him the truth now. My wife, he thought, is truly gone then. Cassius next. Then all of us. “When will it come?”

“I do not know. More people will need to be taken, I believe the taken are the source of its power. With enough lives taken, whoever this Old God is will be able to open the gates of time and step into our world. Once here, he will not be able to take anyone in the same way, but it won’t matter."

I tend sheep. Howlen thought, trying to find his way out of this, but Elisor did not stop.

"It may be Quae Vitae and come as a giant beast from the water commanding the souls of those taken. Might be Fraudem using the faces of his victims to disguise himself as a human, even as a savior of humanity. It could be any of the eight, but we expect it is one of these two. We cannot be sure, though.”

"Why?"

Elisor stared at Howlen for too long, searching for the words. "They, the Old Gods, have their place. The same as anything."

Howlen shook his head impatiently.

"Please, I apologize, allow an old man a few words. You, Howlen were created because of all that came before you, and you will create what comes next. You are not the center of this chain, but a simple link. Without you though, the chain will break and whatever future that would have been will cease to exist. You see it is not the Old God's purpose, it is not the why that should concern you. It is their place they will take in this world when they come."

“If this is our fate then I’ll take my boy home.” Howlen meant to say more but he had to stop himself to choke down the tears.

“No, Howlen Juliei, this is not our fate. This is our trial. I found your son crawling from his bed, screaming a word even I did not know. Hagsbane.”

Howlen was unmoved by the revelation.

“One of my fellows at the Broch knew it though. Alexander says it is the name of an ancient weapon. Created by the Underground Men in the days when the Old Gods walked among us. It holds their power and may be just what we need.”

“Then we will return home and wish you well.”

“I understand your fear, Howlen, but your son will be safe with us, here. We can protect him from being taken and so long as the Old God does not show himself Cassius will be safe. Unless he leaves.”

Howlen could feel the old man's words encircling him. He uttered the only words he could find. “I would be indebted to you.”

“Yes you would. And for that debt I would require something of you. I will protect your son, and you will retrieve the Hagsbane. Or, you can return home and lose your son. Maybe the first night you are back in your home. Or the next, or the day after, while you aren’t looking.”

It was all too direct. Too forceful. A dirty trick. Howlen thought, A trap. This man knew what he was doing the whole time. He should have come out and said it in Haven. The old fool, playing with me like this!

“I understand your anger. Please Howlen, take some time. Meet with Alexander and the others, they know far more of this than I.” Elisor reached his pale, bony hand from his black cloak and placed it on Howlen’s chest. He’d have liked nothing more than to crush the hand to a fine powdery dust and let the wind take it.

“You could save the world.” Elisor said, then he left Howlen to his rage.