It was Brigid that woke first. She stretched feeling her muscles cramping from laying on cold hard stone. Beside her was Blink fast asleep. She felt annoyed that he had fallen asleep on his watch and gave him a hard jab in the side with her fist to wake him. He awoke with a start and realising what had happened he prostrated himself in apology. She wanted to stay angry with him, but he had saved her life when the beelzabufo attacked her. What am I thinking. I don’t owe him anything for helping. It was his job and it’s his job to stay awake. She gathered that anger she held so well squeezed into a ball and used it to scold him further. The others stirred and the vines and roots that had taken their place in the wounds of Nessus and Ra’Handa had withered away leaving dry kindling beside them. Danu inspected their wounds by removing the moss. Ra’Handa’s had completely healed leaving a round scar at both ends of her shoulder. She tested it out rolling it and slashing at the air with her daggers. Danu looked at Nessus’ wound and frowned.

‘This one was worse. It’s going to take some time to heal. You should be able to move around just don’t do anything reckless,’ she said instructing Nessus the way a nursemaid would speak to a child. Nessus nodded their understanding and stood up carefully. Their folds of their shi’na clinging to them with the damp from the water; they had all been too tired to remove their wet clothing. Feeling the chill of it Nessus held open their palm and their eyes glowed faintly as ribbons of flame coalesced. They directed the ball of fire away from them. It floated giving off a warmth that filled them. It was this warmth that let them know how cold they really had been as they huddles before it.

‘I am truly sorry to have worried you,’ they said and placed their fingertips together on their forehead creating a circle and bowed.

‘You might be powerful, but you can’t do everything on your own,’ said Danu adopting a motherly sternness to her.

‘She’s right Nessus,’ Blink added.

‘You lose control of your magic again?’ said Ra’Handa staring Nessus down. They smiled softly.

‘No. Channelling the flames was taxing but much easier than holding Blink,’ they said. Ra’Handa didn’t appear convinced as a scowling growl came from her. Brigid could see that Blink shifted uncomfortably at that. Holding him in that form was more taxing than sending jets of fire around themselves? Brigid could not help but wonder what Blink was and where that sword had come from. It was only now that she noticed it. It appeared to be made from bone though Brigid knew not usually methods of crafting such a large piece as this. The more barbarous peoples of the world would use bones as cudgels and crude weapons though this appeared finely carved and almost beautiful. Perhaps he would let her look at it when they returned to Dayaragain. Then there was the other matter with which Nessus had spoken.

‘What do you mean you had to hold Blink, and where did that sword come from?’ She asked. If there were something dangerous about this fool that slept on his watch, she needed to know of it. They all looked at her with a mixture of pity and guilt. Whatever it was it certainly made the others uncomfortable.

‘Well? Are you just going to stare at me like that?’ she said when no one spoke. She looked at Blink accusingly, willing him to at least speak up. He wouldn’t meet her gaze and spoke softly.

‘There was… an accident in Bonny. I opened something I shouldn’t have, and this sword became bound to me or something. On the ship to Dayargain we were attacked by fish-men; sluaghmen Rollo called them. The sword turned me into something, and I lost control of myself. Nessus did what they had to, to stop me from hurting anyone. From hurting you Ra,’ he looked to his old friend as the said the last words. It seemed a plea more than a statement. Brigid wondered what he could mean when he said he had turned into something.

‘That doesn’t tell me where the sword came from all of a sudden,’ she said studying him for his answer.

‘He is bound to it. That sword will follow him always, even should it be thrown into the deepest ocean,’ spoke Nessus.

‘It came when I was trying to save Nessus from the toad. You were being carried for the cave when I… when I turned,’ said Blink not meeting their gaze.

‘For the sake of Stone Father stop looking away like a boy that’s been caught stealing cakes from the kitchen,’ snapped Brigid. She was sick of this. ‘You want to be a mercenary in the guild then act like it,’ even as she said it, she could hear the voice of Innais having said the same to her as a girl. It rankled though she tried to ignore it.

‘Easy Brigid. We’ve bin though a lot alright. Blink most of all,’ said Ra’Handa.

‘No she’s right Ra,’ said Blink turning to face her. ‘I’m not a coward or a boy Brigid. The sword came to me when I needed it, and it helped me save our lives out there. I’m no danger to any of you and I’ll not let lose myself again,’ he said shoulder tall. He almost looked the part in that moment. He was even handsome really when he showed some backbone. What are you thinking Brigid? Just a moment ago you’re telling him to stop acting the part of a boy and just like that he’s handsome. He’ll fare no better when the pressure is back. That when they all show who they really are beneath it all, Brigid thought to herself. It was the briefest of moments, yet she really had seen something in him. Not that she would allow herself to go there. There were more important things in this world.

‘Just do the job you’re being paid for. The moment you get in the way of that I’ll put you down myself,’ she said. There! That should set him in his place and remind the others who was in charge, she thought. Blink seemed to accept it nodding. The others with them regarded the exchange. Their expressions had not changed much. There was still an anxiety that held amongst them though none seemed to want to give it voice. Danu shifted awkwardly and came closer to the flame to dry her clothes and warm herself. Ra’Handa looked Nessus up and down as if considering and spoke.

‘If were talking about losin’ control and dangers to the group then let’s talk about this one,’ said Ra’Handa directing their attention. ‘How’d you do your magic anyways? Danu says you need somethin’ to help you use The Torrent or whatever it is,’ Ra’Handa said never taking her eyes from Nessus. There was a heavy distrust in her voice.

‘Is that all?’ they asked. ‘The Ghel have always been closest to Hennaka’s Will.’ When the others looked at Nessus not understanding they explained. ‘Hennaka is our deity of all magics. They are both the flow itself and its creator. Hennaka is The Torrent as you call it.’

‘As for my magic, the Ghel are more attuned to the flows than other races and some of us can even see them before their point of manifestation. It is true that we still require something to focus it into a spell, however it is not a wand, words of power, or a rune. We promise ourselves to Hannaka and our soul becomes the focus.’

‘You use your soul! How are you not dead?’ exclaimed Brigid. ‘Innais told me that no one should ever commit their soul as the focus.’

‘You misunderstand. What Innais told you is most certainly true. Normally, such a transaction with a powerful being would force your soul to be all used up and you would become something else… something empty. Prayer of the faithful is a little different yet again, those of religious orders pledge fealty but never commit their soul to the bonding. Even they require the use of meditations and holy relics. The bonding one makes with a god is also important. None of my people would ever be so foolish as to bond with a demon or a being of great evil. We are all promised to Hennaka.’

‘You must also remember that we were made from Hennaka’s Will and so our soul can never be used up as yours would be.’ As Nessus explained Brigid’s mind reeled with questions. Was this the kind of magic Innais was trying to protect me from? And how have I never heard about this before, about the Ghel and their magic? As she asked herself this, she already knew the answer. Much of the texts about the Ghel would be kept in the library of the Tome Bearers and as a people they were so rare she might never meet any other than Nessus ever again. On top of that the Ghel were secretive and never shared the knowledge they had after the war.

‘Why are you telling us this?’ she asked questioningly.

‘You are my companions and you asked,’ Nessus said in a matter-of-fact tone.

‘Yes, but the Ghel don’t normally do this do they?’

‘No. They do not. I am not like my people. In truth, they would not even call me their people anymore. I believed that knowledge was for all and that there were no things taboo to learn,’ they said, their eyes seemed to look beyond Brigid as if speaking to someone else.

‘So, you’re an exile?’ asked Danu. Nessus smiled sadly at that.

‘We are all exiles my dear. But yes. Of a sort,’ Nessus said.

‘So, who’d you sell your soul to?’ said Ra’Handa accusingly trying to get a rise out of Nessus.

‘None. I never underwent the ritual,’ they said smiling at her attempt and ignoring her implication. ‘My vidar and I were seeking The Knowledge by communing with other beings and ancestors of The Torrent and there was… an accident,’ said Nessus beginning to remove the gloves on their arms. Where the group expected to see dark skin there was instead an endless void of shifting darkness and colours like black pearls catching the light.

‘I am now returning to The Torrent and my vidar is lost,’ they said still looking beyond them. There was something in their expression, like a lover reminiscing of fond memories of a romance long gone.

‘Are you dying Nessus?’ asked Blink concerned. This made Nessus laugh and smile and their jewellery jangled as they did.

‘No, no, no; the accident caused my body to absorb so much of The Torrent that it could not possibly hold or resist it. The Torrent is drawing me back into itself. In time I will become one with it again and disappear into all things,’ Nessus said without emotion. Brigid stared incredulously at Nessus. That was dying after all, returning to The Torrent for souls to be cleansed and churned out anew. Despite this Nessus seemed to have accepted what would happen. Nessus didn’t even appear afraid; it was just what would be.

‘But you said the Ghel can use their soul and not be taken away by it… at least I think I have that right,’ said Blink.

‘Yes. My soul is well… as well as can be. It is my body that will fail and be absorbed. Without a vessel my soul must follow. I would not allow it to remain on this plain to fester,’ Nessus maintained their coolness.

‘Are… I’m sorry for asking this… are you dangerous to us?’ asked Brigid.

‘Even the lowly mouse is dangerous to the farmer’s store of grain Brigid. All things are dangerous. If you mean to ask me if I will lose control and hurt you, then only if I attempt to channel more than I am capable,’ Nessus said. The group were silent for a moment and swapped concerned glances. Nessus stood waiting not giving anything further.

‘Nessus has helped us so far and besides we’re going to need all the help we can get to find our way out of here,’ said Blink finally.

‘You are the contractor, Brigid. Is that ok with you?’ asked Nessus. Brigid wanted very much to send them all away and return to the guild for help. The villagers had all disappeared, vines had destroyed their homes, she travelled with novices, and two of them were likely to lose control and die or worse, possibly when they needed them most. These strangers were all she had in this moment, her only hope of saving the people that had cared for her as a little girl when her mother and father fought at the borderlands. She would have to rely on them.

‘Blink is right. You can come,’ she said finally, mustering her most authoritative voice she could. She had heard Innais and Brinn use it often enough, though hers was rarely taken for anything more than bossiness. But it would do.

‘We eat, get our things together and we follow this tunnel. We’ve lost enough time as it is,’ she added, feeling as though she might have come closer to a commanding voice this time.

The group shared some dried meats and stale bread whilst they prepared. It was a meagre meal but enough. There would be no knowing how long it would take to find the villagers or get back to Dayargain, so they made sure to save enough for the return trip. Ra’Handa joined Blink and sat with him while they ate. She looked concerned and eyed the sword.

‘So it came back. You worried about that thing?’ she asked. Blink wanted nothing more than for the sword to be gone and to never see it again. Whatever it was it seemed to be following him and he didn’t think he could be rid of it if he tried. At least that was what Nessus had said. That it was bound to him, and he could never be rid of it.

‘I saw it go into the ocean Ra. Somehow it keeps finding me and coming back. And then I turn into that… that thing.’

‘What are ya gunna do about it then? Leave it here?’ she asked.

‘I don’t think it would do any good,’ he said. ‘Just promise me you’ll stop me if I lose myself again Ra. Promise me,’ he pleaded. He hope Ra’Handa would understand what he meant. It pained him to say those words, that he would have so little value in himself.

‘That ain’t gunna happen mate. Least not the way I think you’re meaning. I’ll stop you from hurting anyone, but I’ll not kill you Blink. Never,’ she said.

‘But Ra I don’t want to hurt someone and,’ he was cut off by her shaking her head.

‘I told ya. It ain’t happening. End of,’ she said stubbornly.

‘It might not even happen again ya know?’ she added hopefully.

‘I can’t see that being the case. Not when we’re surrounding ourselves in problems Ra,’ Blink said. She looked as though she were regarding that statement before she finally asked, ‘You touch it ya gunna go all wolfy again? Or you think it’s only if were in trouble?’

‘Maybe. I dunno…’ he said thinking. With a sigh he looked at the sword still leaning against the wall. ‘I think it only happens when things get tough or scary,’ he said after a moment. ‘All I could think of on the ship or before with those toad things was that I was going to die. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to be afraid Ra,’ his voice trailing off as he said it.

‘Nobody likes bein’ afraid,’ she said pausing and with sigh that was more of a grunt she added, ‘Fine mess we’ve got ourselves into ey?’

‘Do you remember when we were younglings Ra. Playing on the docks and wishing we could run away on some great adventure?’ he said absently.

‘Course I do. We was gunna get on a ship an see the whole world. Bring back all the treasure we could find. Buy ourselves the fanciest house around and have the runna things. No more scraps, no more responsibility, no more than that Horrog. Just free to be us,’ she said with the warmth of remembrance in her voice.

‘We might be out of the city and free, but it isn’t anything like we thought it would be,’ said Blink.

‘Maybe this is just the start ey? Things is aways hard in the beginning. Every great hero’s story was rough at the start. Beornen was a pedlar before he became a General of the Three Armies, and Eva the Nightingale weren’t nothing more than a tavern bard before she sang the Great Wyrm of Rattermount to sleep for a thousand years. Then there was Annette Bonny pirate turned saviour of a whole town for her sacrifice, taking on the law folk as she did. Maybe this is just our tough beginnings. It’ll sort itself. You’ll see,’ she said reassuringly. Blink didn’t have the same faith. Things just seemed to have gotten harder and more complicated since they left. As terrible as his life was as a slave at least he knew what to expect each day, a common enough saying in Bonny had been it was better evil you know than one you haven’t seen yet. He wasn’t even sure that would make out of these caves alive. As for the sword that was a problem far beyond anything Blink knew how to fix. The last thing he wanted was to bring it along with him and yet at the same time it was better than nothing.

Blink spoke with the group and asked if any of them had a spare sword belt and sheath. They didn’t but Brigid assured him that she could make him something when they returned to the city. Until then Danu used her staff and chanted under her breath and grew something resembling a sheath from hardened woods and latticed vinery. They used some leather cord and straps from their packs to fashion a harness for Blink on his back with the sword attached. It was crude and uncomfortable, but it was better than carrying it around and Blink felt better about it being bound in some way, even if it was strapped to his back. When they were finally ready to leave Danu had gathered more of the glowing balls of pollen into torches of a sort so that Brigid could lead them, and Nessus could light the rear. It was time to discover what evil they hadn’t seen yet was lying in wait of the cave tunnels.

Brinn the dwarven barmaid in the guild hall sat on a bench regarding a plate of mutton with gravy and potatoes. She had been staring at that plate lost in thought so long it had gone cold and the gravy had developed a thin skin. Most of the members had left to go about their business and those that had applied for The Proving had not yet returned. Their membership had dwindled this year as more and more members either went missing or absconded from their duties. There was only capacity for so many of them to support of the Borderlands as it was, and Innais loathed to send more away to that frightful duty. Innais had grown concerned and sent the longest standing members away to gather what information they could both at the Borderlands and in further reaches. She had felt something these past years, something terrible on the verge of coming to pass. With more pockets of corruption being reported their enemies would no longer be contained to the skirmishes at crossing between Haydellon and Ishtarik. She kept Brinn and Rhett’Sa to help her with the new arrivals and in managing Brigid. The girl’s wilfulness was unmatched. Brinn would have preferred to return to the battlefield. What was a shieldmaiden without the thrill of command and combat? A bar maid and a nurse it seemed. Hardly fitting of her previous honours. But there was some reward in seeing Brigid become a young woman, that she could be proud of; at least Brigid obeyed her elders.

‘Mmm?’ said Rhett’Sa the great bulking figure of the barman sitting down beside her. Without a tongue he was limited in speech, usually just tonal grunts and murmurs. Beyond that he relied on hand-talk. ‘Not hungry?’ he signed.

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‘What? Oh… I’m not hungry Rhett,’ she said pushing the plate away from her. The giant of a man sat and stared at her saying nothing. The silence gapped between them like the cliff in the valley outside Dayargain. Brinn sighed in mild annoyance at his lack of speech.

‘I’m worried about The Proving and Innais,’ she said as if answering a question he asked with his silence.

‘I begged her not to test them on such difficult tasks. Investigating the city guard and did ya see that group that went off to the sewers? Not but babes they were in truth and not a one has come out since,’ she slammed her fist down on the table.

‘The tribe is only as strong as the weakest member,’ he signed with his immense hands. It was a saying of the mountain folk. It had the double meaning of all members being able to help the group but also that the strongest must make up for the weaknesses of others.

‘And that is why we should have sent full members along with them as guides. Instead we filled them to false hope and glory and sent them on their merry way to The Stonefather knows what,’ she said haughtily.

Brinn thought on her mood when Innais had spoken at The Proving. It had been exciting, and they all looked so hopeful. Innais even seemed like more of her old self than she had in an age.

‘Yes, I know. I got caught up in it all too. Besides… you know as well as I that Innais can be very persuasive when she puts her magic to work,’ Brinn said defensively. If Rhett’Sa was affected by Brin’s anger and defensiveness he didn’t show it. Brinn looked at him and tried to hold her frustration. Met with Rhett’sa’s silence it was impossible to do so.

‘She’s not been herself for a while now Rhett. She’s… the wards I place on her sickness grow shorter and shorter before I need to set them again. Thinks I’m her servant or something most of them time instead of her healer. If not for me she’d be locked away for her own safety… and the city’s for that matter.’

‘I am worried about Brigid,’ he signed in response.

‘Yes… and Brigid,’ Brinn sighed solemnly. ‘Innais will have our guts strung out for the alley cats if she finds out we’ve let ‘er take on a job. But I had to get her out of the city with all that’s been happenin’ here. She’ll be safest in Tory where all those folk know her well,’ she said as if to reassure herself.

‘Urghhh,’ was all the sound Rhett’Sa made in response. He turned toward the great double doors of the entrance. Brinn turned also as the doors swung open and three people came in beaten and bloodied. One was a young elven woman bleeding and unconscious being dragged and propped up by the other two, a young man equally beaten but still able to move and the other she knew right away.

‘Dellwier Samuel Vestrun what in the name of the Stone Father happened here!’ She said rushing to the elven girl and helping her to the table. She recognised her and the other young man as part of the group that had gone to investigate the sewers. There had been reports of rat catchers going missing and even stories of some terrible creature down in its depths. The royal guard couldn’t care less about the loss a few rat catchers and said it was impossible for a monster to be down there. Innais had said there was more to it than that. Stanger still that the Daybreakers and the guard had sealed off tunnels restricting the water flow. Innais may have been right it seemed. The young man that didn’t look harmed at all was Dellwier, a childhood friend of Brigid’s. His dark skin and muscular features gave him a handsome appearance. He now was his hair tightly cropped back since he joined the Daybreakers, and he donned the fine shining armour of their order. Brigid hadn’t forgiven him or Terrick when they’d fallen in love with one another and joined both the city guard and the Daybreakers.

‘What happened?’ she said tearing the cloth from the elven girl’s wounds.

‘I was on patrol and walking by when I saw them in the street. They said they’d been in the sewers,’ Dellwier said frantically.

‘I didn’t ask you,’ said Brinn. ‘You know you cannot be here. Either by Innais’ order or that pompous captain of yours Bornwald,’ she said sternly as she worked.

‘Brinn please…’ he tried as Rhett’Sa picked him up armour and all and lifted him carrying him to the entrance.

‘Now! Tell me everything that happened,’ she said eyeing the other young man.

The cave path they followed went on for what seemed like hours although it was difficult to say in the darkness surrounding them. They came across many forked roads and twists and Brigid would pause for a moment at each and consider before pressing on. Does she actually know where she is going? Blink thought to himself often. He was sure at times she simple guessed and feigned confidence more than not. Blink sighed and smelled the air. It carried the scent of wet earth and dankness despite the dryness of the cave walls. They hadn’t seen any more of the vines since they had entered and certainly no sign that anyone had come through this way.

‘Do you know where we are going?’ asked Danu.

‘Yes. The swamp outside connects to waters ahead in the caves. That’s where I wanted you to bring me to find the ore,’ Brigid said.

‘What about the villagers?’ asked Ra’Handa.

‘If they managed to escape what ever happened, they would look for water and somewhere they could keep an eye on. They’d be up ahead. I’m sure of it,’ she said restraining the doubt in her voice. Blink smelled the water before they saw it. It gave off the corrosive smell of rusted iron and intensified as they left the mouth of the tunnel. Before them was an underground lake that spanned the size of the cavern. They could see a large cave mouth ahead that was filled with water and the same vines they had come across in the town. The vines like in the swamp seemed to avoid the waters themselves and snaked along the walls of the cavern. Unlike outside these vines appeared more sparsely and smaller than their counterparts that had overrun the town.

‘I don’t see anyone here,’ said Blink looking around. His eyes probing the darkness seeing greys and catching flecks of light so faint the others couldn’t detect. It was then that Blink saw it. Something moved in the shadows amongst the spires of rock that jutted from the water’s edge.

‘Wait… I think someone is there,’ he said pointing for the others to see. As he did the figure stumbled out of the darkness from the far side of the lake. It was a child not much other than the urchins Blink was used to seeing in Bonny. It appeared to be boy, his pants and short torn in places and covered in dirt.

‘It’s alright we aren’t here to hurt you. We’ve come to help,’ called Blink. His voice echoing off the walls of the cavern. The boy appeared startled and began waving his arms.

‘Are you ok? Wait there we’ll come to you!’ he called. The child waved more frantically than before.

‘Ah… Blink. I think you should stop calling out to him. I think he’s telling us to leave,’ said Danu from behind as Blink moved toward the child. Blink looked at her confused. It was then that they heard it. The garbled snarl coming from another passage in the cavern. The sound grew louder and became a gasping screech. Blink looked wide eyed back to where the child was. He was gone, presumably hidden amongst the rocks in the darkness.

‘Look!’ said Ra’Handa beside him pointing to where the sounds came from. Lumbering and shambling from the passage they could make out in the dim light three figures. Their arms longer than any humans and tipped with claws. Their bodies looked like rotting corpses, grey and swollen in parts. But it was their faces that chilled the soul. Faces of what once must have been human only now they were distorted in a mockery of features, hard brows, eyes that caught the light like mirrors, panting nostril holes where once noses existed, and mouths that stretched to their ears filled with irregular knives of teeth. They turned their heads upward and took gasping breaths of the air, sniffing out their prey.

Blink felt and tug at his shoulder as Ra’Handa pulled him back and moved into the safety of the rocky shadows. They crouched down low and watched the creatures, they grunted with pointing and gesticulations. Danu immediately touched glowing torches they held causing the lights to go out. The creatures moved closer toward Blink and his companions sniffing in gouts of rasping air searching the ground for something. One got down low enough that it’s face was against the slimy rock surface that separated the creature from Blink and his companions. Blink looked at Brigid and she pressed a finger to her lips telling him to be silent. Are they looking for us? Or maybe they’re looking for… Blink thought, and Brigid nodded as if reading his mind and gestured toward where they saw the small boy. As Blink followed the direction of her pointing, he saw that Ra’Handa and Nessus were making their way toward him using the rocks and stalagmites for cover. Danu was nowhere in sight. He frantically looked back and forth around the room with no sign she had ever been there. As another of the creatures grew closer to where they were hiding, Blink paused and tried hard not to move. It’s scuffling and sniffing the only sound in the cavern, and it reverberated off the walls and water’s surface. A long searching claw made its way to the tip of the rock by Blink’s head, and it searched. Has it found us? Surely it must smell us. Blink saw that Ra’Handa had her hands on her daggers ready to act. Suddenly, the sniffing stopped. There came a squeak from above. The creature looked up searching the darkness of the ceiling for whatever lay in waiting. The squeaking grew in number and volume, becoming screeches until a great cacophony of shifting blackness descended on the creature. The creature’s screams mingled with the sounds of the swarming bats that nipped and flapped at it. The swarm buffeted the creatures until they made their escape back down the tunnel from which they came. The group sat still where they were not daring to make a sound or movement until they were sure the bats and creatures were gone.

‘You can come out now,’ came the voice of Danu standing beyond the rocks.

‘Where’d you go?’ asked Ra’Handa incredulously and not without a little anger at her disappearance.

‘Me? Oh, well I just went up there to ask for help is all,’ she said and turned as if that were answer enough for them. Blink and Ra’Handa exchanged glances not for the first time after an explanation from Danu. They followed behind as Danu made for the location where Blink had seen the child earlier.

‘You don’t need to hide. I saw you when I was talking to my friends, so I know you’re there,’ she said.

‘Your… friends?’ came a scared voice.

‘The bats,’ she said. ‘Are you coming out or not?’ she followed up. Her voice was not irritated but she also seemed disinterested in drawing this out.

‘You’re friends with bats?’ the child asked as he stepped out from the darkness and rocks. Now that they were closer, they could see that he was smeared with some kind of muck. It was dark like mud from the swamps but gave off a strong odour of rotting vegetables.

‘Some bats. Are you from the village?’ Danu asked. The child in front of her nodded.

‘Is that you Wick?’ asked Brigid from behind. As she spoke and took several steps forward the child named Wick smiled broadly and the whites of his teeth shone through the dark streaks of muddy substance on his face.

‘It is you, Brigid!’ he said coming with arms stretch open for a hug. The smell of him turned Blink’s nose and he stepped out of the way of the child as he wrapped himself around Brigid. She looked happy to see him, but her face also said she was holding back her disgust. Gently prying him from her she said, ‘Where are the others and… what is that forsaken smell?’

‘This stuff,’ he said reaching into the water’s edge and skimming some slimy film from the surface. As he did, it released more of the smell into the air around them. So long as these waters were not disturbed, they contained the fumes from the rotting scum on top.

‘I fell in some when we were getting away and those golgeists just walked right on by me,’ he explained.

‘Yes, but what is it? I’ve been here before and never seen it,’ she said holding her nose and getting some distance from the smell.

‘Dunno. Just sorta started growin’ about the same time the vines did,’ he shrugged.

‘The vines don’t seem to grow in the water though,’ said Nessus regarding them.

‘They’re hydrophobic,’ said Danu. Blink looked at her clearly showing some confusion.

‘It means they don’t like water,’ said Danu rolling her eyes.

‘There wasn’t any of that stuff on the water when we came in. Why is it here?’ asked Blink. Brigid still holding her nose looked to the water’s edge and examined a large rock spire piercing through light a giant’s tooth. With a free hand she pried loose part of the stone and showed it to the others.

‘This is the swamp tooth I wanted you to bring me here to find. It forms in swamps and caves when different minerals start bonding together. I’ve wondered if the process influenced the flows of the Torrent within the individual minerals. That and its water-resistant qualities are why I’m so interest. Maybe it’s having some kind of reaction with the vines and the water,’ she explained. Her voice holding the rising tone questions as she spoke.

‘It and the vines are the only thing I can see that are different here,’ she added with a hard look on her face.

‘Sun Lust Vines have never been bothered by water before, but these are different… wrong even. There’s nothing natural about them so it’s possible they’re effected differently,’ Danu added, a look of disgust marring her round face.

‘Brigid… bout the others,’ Wick interrupted regaining their attention.

‘Are they ok Wick?’ asked Brigid remembering her concern and putting the puzzle of the swamp scum aside. She cursed herself silently in her head for being distracted. She had never liked things she didn’t understand, it felt like another taunt at her. Another insult, another reason to be considered less. She would find the answer. She would not be beaten by the unknown.

‘They’re down there. They ain’t right anymore Brigid. They ain’t right at all,’ the boy said choking back tears.

‘What do you mean Wick?’ she asked fearfully.

‘They had ‘em working in the tunnels, digging. It was some man, some fella from the city. He looked sick Brigid, real sick. Some of the older folk fought back but the golgeists cut them and hurt them. When we didn’t do as we was told then he changed ‘em, made ‘em like… like…’ the boy began to cry, unable to hold back the tears any longer. Brigid ignoring the smell wrapped her arms around the boy letting him release the terrible fear of what had happened to him and those he cared for.

‘It’s ok Wick. We’re here and we’re going to get them out,’ she said after some time. The boy began to settle and wiping the tears away he smeared more of the muck on his face and nodded.

‘Who’s this man that was with them and why do the golgeists listen to him?’ asked Ra’Handa with her gruff voice but still showing concern.

‘I dunno. They just do as he tells ‘em. Same was as when he made them vines grow and sent the golgeists into town to grab us all. He kept sayin’ we was part of something big. We shoulda bin honoured to help him bring a god into this world and such.’ The party all showed worry on their faces. There was too much here not to be. Man-eating vines, golgeists, someone controlling them, plans of raising a god; it all seemed far beyond anything Blink could have ever comprehended. Where had the time gone when their greatest problem was that of Horrog and Demera?

‘Wick, I want you to think very carefully. Was the man dressed in robes? Did he have wooden teeth?’ asked Brigid.

‘That was him yeah. Exactly how you said,’ said Wick chocking on spent tears.

‘Its Pavreck,’ said Brigid through gritted teeth.

‘You mean that priest we heard about? Why would he be doing something like this?’ said Ra’Handa incredulous.

‘I don’t know. Or at least I’d rather not guess right now. If he did, I’m going to cleave his head clear off his shoulders with my hammer,’ she spoke standing. Her body was so tightly clenched it seemed she might burst from the strain.

‘Well what do we do now?’ asked Blink.

‘We help the villagers of course!’ said Brigid giving him an angry glare.

‘Of course we will… I just meant how,’ Blink added defensively.

‘With the same stuff as what’s on the kid here,’ said Ra’Handa. ‘We get ourselves all smeared with this and them golgeist things won’t see us coming. We beat up this guy controlling them. Free the villagers and return as heroes. There’s gotta be one juicy lookin’ reward for all that,’ she added, growing more enthused as she said it. Blink could see the sparkle return to her eyes as those childhood dreams of adventure and treasure made their way back into her memory.

‘You make it sounds so easy,’ said Blink rolling his eyes.

‘There’s no way you’re getting me in swamp water a second time let alone covering myself in that,’ said Danu with a disgusted look on her face. ‘I’ll follow along my way and Blink you can be my ride,’ she gave him a look that told him not to argue.

They spent some time covering themselves in the grime of the water. They had managed to pull together scraps of cloth from their packs and used these to cover their faces and block out the smell as best they could. Before long they were ready to leave, a party sheathed in muck to venture into the darkness.

‘Wick I want you to stay close to the back. Ra’Handa can you keep an eye on him?’ said Brigid.

‘Easy as! Wick you jus’ call me big sis Ra,’ she said crouching down to Wick’s eye level and holding out a fist. The boy looked at her confused.

‘Well go on, do the same and punch it,’ she said. Wick did as she asked and with that, they were ready to go. Danu transformed herself into a mouse and mounted herself on Blink’s shoulder. Blink took point in the line as they returned to the darkness of the tunnels. They decided not to bring any light with them in case it warned the enemy of their coming. Instead, they relied on Blink’s shadowy vision. With Danu on his shoulder, it made for excellent scouting as their eyes could both search the darkness before them. The tunnel continued downward, and Blink thought it was weaving east toward Dayargain. There were several forks in the way, but Wick was able to remember the path he had taken and pointed them on the correct path. Walking was slow despite their scouting dark vision and there had been several grumbles from the others as they kicked a toe or tripped as they walked. After about two hours they could hear the clanging of metal on rock ahead. Blink halted and whispered a warning for them to be quiet and move carefully. As he did Danu in mouse form skittered down his sleeve and made her way out of the tunnel. What she found as she left was that the tunnel opened into a larger cavern. She could see the forms of the golgeists wielding pickaxes and shovels digging rhythmically at the walls gradually deepening the cavern. She noticed that some of these creatures were clothed far more than others and these clothes appeared to be more intact. Mouse Danu made her way along the cavern keeping out of sight of the creatures until she came across an iron cage. Inside were several of the villagers from the town huddled together afraid and covered in filth. More importantly they were alive. It was now that she saw them, the same thick vines from the swamps and the town were growing all around the outside of the cage and snaking along the walls in the direction of the digging. For whatever purpose the golgeists were digging, it involved the vines following along behind them. Armed with this knowledge Danu knew she needed to get back to her companions as soon as possible. She scurried her way along the loose stones and keeping to the shadows. As she grew closer, she found herself caught in the tight grip of plump sausage-like fingers. Peering down at her was the face of a man, covered in weeping sores and moles. His mouth grinned widely exposing yellowed and crooked wooden teeth. The grotesque figure furrowed his brow and regarded her with bloodshot yellow eyes.

‘Naughty little mice don’t belong here. Less they plan to be eaten,’ he breathed opening his mouth. The acrid stench of his breath chocked off a squealing squeak from Danu as she forced herself to concentrate on the transformation. She formed the shape of her true self in her mind and tried to picture the shape she wished to take. The sudden change threw the man backwards with Danu landing on the ground not far from him. Her staff clattered against the rocky cave floor. The golgeists stopped their work momentarily and surrounded her, grabbing at her roughly as they dragged her to her feet. The long claws scrapped against her skin and caught in her robe as she tried to break free. Blink watched from the tunnel and moved to intervene but felt Nessus grabbed his arm.

‘She will call us when she needs us,’ he whispered softly.

Danu could now see the pitiful figure before her. Whilst she was a mouse, he had appeared to be a giant, terrible, disfigured and monstrous. Now, she saw him for what he was. He had a large, bloated gut with long thick muscular arms. He was as short as Danu and hunched over. His hair was thinning, and the greying remains were tied back with string The remains of the hair showed sparsely on his head so that the greyish white scalp peered through. The man wore a thick robe that must once have been a crisp white with a golden sun; it was now covered in the filth of blood, dirt, and whatever vile mess the golgeists made. He had two cleavers attached to his belt along with an assortment of other cruel looking tools. He looked very much like rotting meat had been given life and taken up work as a butcher. Danu knew this denizen of rot and decay. Or at least they had been a warning more than anything, something not to be spoken of and an old shame of her people.

‘Let me go! Release me blightling!’ she demanded curling up her nose at the disfigured butcher priest before her.

‘Let you go? Why would I do that?’ his voice oozed and grated from his mouth. He stepped forward and brought himself close to her face.

‘You have come in here little mouse and interrupted my important work. Who are you and why have you come?’ He spat. The smell of his breath made Danu want to wretch. She stifled it.

‘I was sent as a scout by the guards in Dayargain. They heard about what happened in the town. The Daybreakers will be here soon. I’ve sent word to them,’ she lied. The man raised an eyebrow and took a step back from her.

‘That so, is it? The Daybreakers are coming to visit ol’ Pavreck out here in this cave?’ he said gesturing to himself and grinning with the rotting jagged wooden teeth that made up his smile.

‘Yes. And they’re going to remove that sunken melon you call a head when they do.’

Pavreck scoffed at that and eyed Danu menacingly, ‘that’s not very nice. You’ll hurt my feelings.’

‘That’s not all I’ll hurt,’ she said trying her best to sound menacing.

‘You’ll be doing no hurting I promise you that. And there’ll be no Daybreakers coming here,’ he said. There was the hint of certainty in his voice about that. The way he drawled over the words Daybreaker said more than just his disdain for them.

‘Who are you really here with?’ he asked.

‘I told you I’m just a scout. What did you do to the people of Tory?’ she said trying to distract from his question. It failed.

‘You two. Go search the tunnels and make sure she is alone,’ he said indicating two of the golgiests. They stopped digging at the cave wall dropping their tools and began to make for the tunnel where Blink and the others were waiting in hiding.

‘Wait! Are those the people Tory? They are, aren’t they! Answer me!’ Danu began to kick at the air and yell. The golgeists holding her dug their claws into her flesh. She yelped. The golgeists forced her to the ground and the two that had been making for the tunnels stopped.

‘If you cannot be silent you can dig like the others and be part of His arrival. Part of welcoming a true god into this realm once again,’ Pavreck said as he reached into the frayed cloth of his shirt removing a small leather pouch hanging from a cord around his neck. A faint glow began to come from the bag and out the corner of Danu’s eyes she could see the vines in the cavern slithering toward her.

‘Nessus I’m not going to leave her to become one of those things. We go now,’ he said quietly and gently removing the hand of Nessus from his shoulder. Nessus nodded in agreement as did Ra’Handa and Brigid. The vines crept along the stoney floor of the cavern and undulated upward in the stance of serpent ready to strike. It regarded Danu ready and waiting for its master’s command.