Blink and the others watched the memory unfolding before them. It felt perverse to stare at the love and affection of Nessus and Wrennal without their knowing. At the same time Blink felt something else within his body. It made him want to withdraw and look away. It was a warmth unlike the white-hot anger he felt. It reminded him of when Brigid had hugged him tightly. The way that Nessus and Wrennal were with each other. There was a familiar tenderness there beyond anything Blink had ever really known. He knew the feeling of finding a girl beautiful and longing for their bodies to touch. This was similar certainly, but not the same. It made him uncomfortable. They continued to watch for a time as Nessus made their way through the tunnels beneath the city. They looked much like all the others with the vines like giant serpents twisting and roiling along the ceiling. It took some time but as Nessus limped, they eventually came to the chamber that Wrennal has described. It was deeper and looked different to the others. Where the other sewer tunnels looked as one would expect, lined with simple stones for the passage of water to the ocean, here was adorned with carvings and statues as if meant to be taken in by the eye. Nessus peered cautiously into the chamber. There were arrays of stone pillars reaching up to the ceiling. They seemed to twist and coalesce to a central point. The pillars themselves were ancient and cracked but signs of their original grandeur remained with stone filagree twisting up them and tarnished golden trim. It was a strange sight to behold in the depths of a city sewer. That would have been strange enough had it not been for the sheer number of golgeists that lay sleeping and covering every portion of the stone floor in the chamber. They were pilled upon one another, holding each other in embraces, some spread out like eagle wings and others curled into balls like cats in the sunshine. Aside from their horrifying visage and claws that would cut a man in two, they appeared almost human, peaceful even. Nessus had not immediately noticed them in their slumbering state and following the vile flow of them realised they spilled out into the corridors, several of them laying across Nessus’s path. Nessus shifted their weight slightly and placed too much weight on the weakened leg.

‘Agghhh,’ they cried out and immediately placed a hand over their own mouth. Looking down they saw the yellow-eyed and shocked stare of a golgeist looking up at them. They took each other in for a moment before the golgeist bared its vicious maw of teeth and let free a throaty burbled howl. Not waiting a moment longer Nessus ran forward through the throng of waking golgeists. Some slashed with long blackened claws, a few of them hitting their mark. Nessus felt the wet warmth of blood on their skin as they pushed forward. Throbbing pain came from their body, but they did not have time to think about it. Moving was the only thing on their mind in that moment. Making their way free of the golgeists Nessus looked back and saw them standing and readying themselves to give chase. That was all the indication Nessus needed to run, or at least run as much as their leg would allow. Moving through the tunnels they ran, each step sending shocks of pain up through them. Turning left, then right, right again, they were sure that at any moment they would feel the sting of claws opening new wounds. Left, right, faster, they had to make it to the surface to warn them of what was coming. Finally, the hoard closed in with hoots and howls of mock-battle cries as they came. Nessus found themselves blocked by a metal grate at the exit of the tunnel. Turning back to go the other way Nessus found shifting forms of golgeists, what must be hundreds of them. They paused and stalked forward. Nessus reached within again and searched for The Torrent. They wasted no time in touching it and drawing it into their entire being. The surge filled them with arcane power. They would not hold onto it for long, too long and they would be taken away and returned to The Torrent having never told those above.

‘I am sorry my vidar,’ Nessus said before releasing the power along with a swirling explosion of flames. They filled the tunnel scorching the golgeists in range leaving behind smoking charred remains. The metal grate barring their way was blown outward. Nessus, burned, bleeding, barely able to move, hobbled through the gap out into the fresh open air of the city of Dayargain. They collapsed by the stone bridge of the city that led out to plains. Nessus heard voices from above muffled as they slipped into a darkness of fitful dreams.

‘Nessus it is time for you to wake now,’ said Innais, musical tones reverberating through the darkness. ‘Nessus of the Ghel’Narran you must wake,’ again the voice seemed to bounce off invisible walls and come from all directions. Nessus opened their eyes; they were suspended in darkness all around. There was no wind or light, no substance, just the vast expanse of a void.

‘What is this place?’ said Nessus warily.

‘A place between memory and dreams. You’ve been here for some time now. You must follow my voice and leave this place,’ Nessus turned searching for the source, but it was difficult to tell where it came from.

‘I cannot see anything. Where are you?’ asked Nessus.

‘I am with your friends. We are in the guild where you have been resting,’ came Innais’s voice. Nessus thought of his companions, as they did images started to bleed into the blackness. It was his companions standing around them. They said no words but looked on with worry and hope.

‘I… I can see them,’ Nessus said stammering. It was certainly an unnerving place to be, this world between places. It seemed he might fall forever and yet at the same time never move at all. It was most disconcerting.

‘The guild Nessus,’ spoke the voice of Innais again. Her voice lolling and massaging fears away. ‘Think of the place in which you’re sleeping form is found,’ she said again. Nessus did as they were instructed and thought of the guild hall, as best as they could remember having only seen it once. The image bled into existence and Nessus was now standing on the floors of the tavern area. Nessus could feel their companions ahead and walked toward the feeling. When in Innais’ room Nessus saw them there standing around as they slept. They were all suspended in time, unmoving, with a glowing light emanating from them. Nessus touched their sleeping form. As they did their eyes flickered open and the lights surrounding their companions faded to nothing.

‘You’re awake!’ exclaimed Danu.

‘It is good to see you back with us,’ said Brigid lightly touching their shoulder.

‘I… I’m sorry we left you Nessus,’ said Blink guiltily avoiding Nessus’ gaze.

‘Thanks for not dying on us. I’d have kept my word and found a way to bring you back and thump you one ya know,’ said Ra’Handa trying to sound tough. Her words choking a little as she said them. Nessus smiled and sat up.

‘I’ve no doubt of that Ra’Handa. It is good to see you all again. And Blink you’ve no need to be sorry. I told you to leave me,’ Nessus said looking at Blink until their eyes met. They gave each other a mild nod of thanks and understanding. It was then that Innais spoke up.

‘We saw all that happened in the tunnels and have little time for reunions,’ she was stern, yet her voice still held melody to it.

‘Master Innais?’ said Nessus with some surprise and it was only now that they regarded the room and strangeness of the situation.

‘You may call me that if you wish. We must begin plans for fortifying the city. If they were willing to attack the guild then they have shown their hand and nothing will hold them back any longer I fear,’ she looked at them each in turn as if reminding them of their agreement to help the city. There was fear in the air yet none of them turned away.

‘Wait Master Innais. When we were in the tunnels returning from Tory, we came across a board with the name Kolkiaravis on it. I fear they have a numinian piece with his power,’ Nessus’ voice took on that same quivering fear it had when they found the table in the tunnels. Blink would never forget the way Nessus had looked half mad with fear then. Whatever this Kolkiaravis was it was not something Blink cared to learn more of, let alone face.

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‘So the wards set by Runavin and I upon it have failed in my sickness,’ she said. Blink thought he heard a slight trill in her voice when she spoke. Whether the trill of fear or desire Blink could not be sure. Blink knew it was certainly bad that they had another numinian figure in their power. But the desire in her voice said she was not so afraid as Nessus was.

‘Who or what is Kolkiaravis? And you mentioned Runavin before. Why can’t they help?’ Blink eventually asked drawing Innais’s attention to him.

‘Runavin is the Dwarven numinian of language and runes. It because of him that we can cast with runes and words or power,’ said Brigid.

‘Yes, he saved many mortal lives by doing so. He cannot help. I have not seen or heard of him since we sealed and warded Kolkiaravis and Arawn’Vyr. He is no fighter in any case. He would be a waste to us here,’ said Innais. Blink couldn’t help but wonder how any numinian on their side could be a waste at this point. They would need all the help they could find.

‘As for Kolkiaravis he is a god amongst the dragon clans… although truthfully, he was never part of any pantheon I’m aware of. He proclaimed himself a god and was worshiped as such,’ she said.

‘I’m unclear on how one such as powerful as Kolkiaravis had his power stolen and I know even less of how Arawn’Vyr’s first came by it, for it certainly was not always in his power. With it he could certainly topple the city… although,’ she paused in thought for a time.

‘Arawn’Vyr is weak from his imprisonment and will need to draw as much power from Kolkiaravis as possible which may very well be his downfall,’ for the first time her face showed signs of hope, although slim hope it was better than nothing.

‘Arawn’Vyr’s soul is so heavily tainted from centuries avoiding his return to The Torrent. When he draws from the power, he will corrupt it and a rot of The Corruption will infect it. Moreover, he will become entirely entwined with it. If you can destroy that numinian figure you may well destroy both in the process,’ she almost beamed now as she spoke. It was strange to see a being that proclaimed to be a god express such mortal emotions.

‘If that is the case then the Isles around the city should weaken him even further,’ said Brigid her voice breaking with excitement.

‘You’re forgetting about the blightling, Pavreck,’ said Danu speaking up. ‘He has the power to make those vines grow from out of the tunnels and extinguish their light. Worse still… he has my staff,’ as she spoke of the staff her voice again grew small. It agonised her to say the words aloud even now.

‘He would not have given it freely nor sent you here with it without reason,’ said Innais, her tone becoming serious once again. Danu looked at her with surprise. She had not mentioned Cernunnos or her purpose for coming here to anyone.

‘How?’ she went to say but was cut off by Innais.

‘I can see His light in you… and Hers for that matter. Besides you again forget I am the numinia of memory and you have not stopped ruminating on your journey this entire time. It is most vexing,’ she said sounding all the more like a stern governess or master than a god. Danu flushed with redness on her round face. Innais breathed a sigh and went on.

‘Cernunnos has always been odd, but his sight of the future is wilder than mine and sees many possibilities. If he sent you to lose that staff, he did so for a reason,’ her words were commanding and clear.

‘I don’t know what to say. He… he sent me… but… Innais why did he send me only for me to see all these people die?’ she finally got the words out.

‘You will have to ask him that, but if I must hazard a guess, it would be that he has never had much concern for the lives of beings other than those of the wild and his Green Kin. He must trust you very much indeed to send you here,’ Innais looked at Danu with an expression of nostalgia. Some far-flung memories warmed the woman. It made Danu shift uncomfortably and wring her hands.

‘You look so much like her…,’ added Innais. Before they could ask any more questions there came dolorous sounds of bells in the streets. Criers were calling indicating nightfall approaching and that the Daybreakers had demanded a curfew. All residents of the city were to remain in doors. The group looked outside to see the warm glow of the sun falling behind the horizon.

‘Come now. With me. We’ve not much time,’ said Innais turning and leaving. The others followed her and Ra’Handa helped Nessus out of bed. Their leg had been tended to by Brinn and after some stretching took their weight easily. The group walked through the common area of the guild bar. The survivors of Tory that had come with them were well taken care of by Brinn. She had bandaged the minor wounds that would not be life threatening. Anything greater had required some prayers of healing. It was best to conserve energy where possible and some hurts were better left to mend on their own. As they walked out, she was tending to Wick last of all. It seemed he would not let her dress his cuts and scrapes until she had seen to everyone else first. Blink saw that the familiar glow of healing light emanated from her hands as she placed them on Wick. His wounds closed and left light scars as if they had been there for years. Blink thought again of the healing light used by Demera in her lessons on discipline. He shuddered at the thought. If I survive this, I’m coming back for you Demera and you too Horrog, said Blink swearing another oath in his mind. It surprised him a little as returning to Bonny was the last thing he thought he would ever do. And hadn’t he agonised over his belief that he had killed? To have killed, even in defence of himself and Ra’Handa had been beyond reconciliation, now he looked forward to the revenge. There had been too much happen since his escape; he had learned too much to have stayed they same. He would have to return and end things. Blink swore again to himself, that if I survive this night to be able to return. I will survive this and come for you. You will pay the debt you owe for the life you stole from me. The many lives you have stolen.

When the group were outside Brinn and Rhett’Sa joined them. The light of the sun was gone, and the usual glow of the Dawn Isles filled the streets. It was then that they felt the ground beneath them shake. Jars and mugs clanged together inside, there came a cracking sound of stonework breaking, and a barrel knocked over began to roll down the street before them.

‘An earthquake?’ cried Brigid.

‘No. They are coming. Look there,’ Innais pointed toward one of the Dawn Isles closest to them. Long, sinuous, vines twisted up the towers gripping them as they slithered. They watched as the same occurred at every Dawn Isle across the city. For the first time in its known history the city of Dayargain was swallowed in the darkness of the night. They did not light lanterns as they did in Bonny, there had never been any need, and the streets were as dark as the caverns outside the decimated village of Tory. For Blink his vision instantly entered that grey world of half-lights and suspension. For all others they could barely see their hand in front of their face.

‘This is what happened to Tory isn’t it,’ asked Brigid although she needed no answer.

‘Without the Isles the city will be overrun by the golgeists,’ spoke Nessus as a flame appeared in the palm of their hand sending flickering shadows about them and the streets.

‘Some of us have to get those vines off them tower lights then,’ said Ra’Handa.

‘We’re going to have to split up,’ said Danu.

‘Split up? Wouldn’t he be in the sewers breaking the seal?’ asked Brigid confused.

‘Maybe he’s already free,’ said Blink searching the city as far as he could see. If something attacked them in the darkness of the street, they would need his eyes to spot danger first.

‘No. I don’t know why but he isn’t. I can feel the staff at the Paragon’s Spire where they kept us. Where the Daybreakers are,’ said Danu. It was then that they heard the screams. All over the city people in their homes screamed in terror, their voices cut off before they could choose to finish. They all turned in different directions, their weapons drawn looking for what was hidden in the shadows.

‘We must make haste before Arawn’Vyr is free. Brigid you will go with Danu to remove the vines. The rest of you will follow me,’ said Innais as she held up a hand and small lights sprang into existence and danced about her and the others.

‘But Innais…,’ Brigid went to argue and stopped herself. Would she really argue with this woman now? She did not want to leave Danu to face this alone but also did not want to be sent away from the main fight.

‘You will go with Danu. If you do not do this, then the whole city falls, and the lights cannot hope to weaken Arwarn’Vyr. Brinn and Rhett’Sa will accompany you,’ she paused before continuing.

‘Your mother… she would be proud of the woman you have become. I have not said this enough, I am sorry for that Brigid,’ the woman, or god, so full of confidence and power, faltered on these words. Brigid looked at her agape, her eyes welling with the tears of a little girl that had fought so hard for her mother’s approval. She squeezed her eyes closed willing the tears not to come. Had she not sworn her tears would be for the dead only and no other?

‘I… love you too Innais,’ she said so softly it may not have been said aloud at all. Innais smiled gently and walked on down the streets.

‘Well? Are you coming or not,’ she called with annoyance. Blink, Ra’Handa, and Nessus followed in tow into the darkened streets. Toward what terrible evil awaited them beneath the city.