Folly's End was an interesting piece of geography. Rivers surrounded the hills. To the north, a river came to the hills and split around both sides of them. These then meet another river to the south. The rivers were wide and deep, making them excellent defensive features. Any noble would love them as they were a source of food, defence and trade. These hills were difficult to approach, let alone attack.

Now, these rivers served a different role, not as protectors for the locals but as jailers.

These hills are the haunt of monsters whose numbers are unknown. Adventurers used to cross the river to search the hills and ruins for many of the treasures and relics lost here. The noble line who used to rule here was wise overall and grew a large treasury and collection of magical items from across the world. The Dungeon was large and powerful, attracting the brave and foolish from all over Kyber and beyond. Wealth flowed from it.

So few of them returned with stories of horror and nightmares so terrifying that even these souls that hungered for adventure looked on these hills no more. Such was the danger that the two provinces of the Old Empire that became kingdoms had permanent guards watching these rivers. For now and again, one of these horrors tried to cross and occasionally made it.

When this happened, the locals and then the kingdom suffered.

Wooden watch towers lined the rivers, looking across the water to the hills. They were used to seeing monsters trying to cross, but not often. To the west was the Old Empire capital of Cythiania. The former city-state became the heart of an empire. It had lost much of that power but still retained its grandeur but diminished. To the east was Nygar, a large city that absorbed those around it to become a kingdom sitting at a confluence of six rivers.

These were two of the most powerful kingdoms on the continent. They rarely fought, not because they were allies or friends but because Folly's End made an unnatural buffer zone between them that neither sought to claim.

In recent months, the rulers of both realms received reports that confused and worried them, first to the Cythian side. The Legionaries that guard the river were reporting a dramatic drop in the activity of the opposite bank. The Legionaries in the towers tracked the number of monsters on the other side, looking for monsters big enough to try to cross. Now, they were reporting that the bank was now nearly deserted.

On the Nygar side, the situation was the opposite. The Kingdom Guards were reporting ever-increasing numbers. They would see two or three monsters in a month, and now the count was approaching one hundred. Thankfully, few had tried to cross and seemed to be fighting amongst themselves. A few had tried, but ballista and spell stopped them in the water. In their reports, the commanders all expressed the same fear that they would try to cross soon in force—a force of numbers that they could not stop.

There was great concern in the Nygar court. Word was spreading, and the population was getting worried. The King was consulting with his advisors and local Guild leaders. They were reaching out to the strongest of the continent for possible aid. The nobles and royal troops closer to the rivers stepped up patrols and training. A sense of danger was in the air like a storm was coming.

Within Folly's End, the monsters were riled up. The weaker ones were the most active, while the older and stronger ones were aware of the source but were still strong enough to resist it.

To the east came a call, a pull, a challenge or a siren song. Each monster felt it differently, but they all felt it. It slowly got stronger as the years passed, affecting the weakest of them first. They started moving to the east side of the hills. This concentration upset the natural order within the hills. They avoided the strong but encountered the others moving. Some tolerated the others, but most fought. Each death thinned the numbers but made the victors stronger.

The monsters instinctively looked at the water before them, knowing that most were not strong enough to attempt a crossing. The call was relentless, and the number of clashes increased. They sought that strength.

Those in the hills strong enough heard the fighting and smelled the blood. Some emerged now and again to join in the bloodshed, but most waited. The call was irritating, but for now, they could tolerate it.

But tomorrow… they might start moving.

## ## ## ## ##

"Guild Leader Woodland, we must speak!" Albrot exploded into her office.

"Argh!!!" She screamed as the documents scattered, but she jumped in fright. She looked at the man walking to the opposite chair after closing the door. "Gods damn it, Albrot! Stop doing that! Can you not knock?"

He did not answer but sat. Elain glared at him, noting the slight smile of entertainment he was trying to hide. He reached into his coat and pulled out the magical blocking crystal as she collected the vellum that had fallen to the floor. He placed it on her desk as it glowed slightly.

"In all seriousness, we need to speak." His tone was all business now.

"What is it then?" She was still angry but knew he would tell her something she would not like.

"The Boss has sent word." Albert called the Guild High Master here on Kyber "the boss." Mentioning her meant it was more than serious. "I think we know what has Lord Goldwind all worked up."

"And that is?" She asked as he did not elaborate.

"Nygar has reported that the monster population are moving oddly. They seem to be gathering on the opposite bank. The boss thinks he got word of this happening." He informed her.

"But why would this worry him? We are months away from Folly's End." She was confused. It made no sense.

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"I would agree normally. But we have discovered that the monsters in the End are all twisted."

That caused her to go silent. Now, that was concerning. Questions came to her.

"Concerning, but again, why would that concern him?" She asked.

"Well, all the augurs and diviners are all saying the same thing. If they cross the river, they are all seen to travel in the same direction, seemingly heading to one location." He leaned back, letting her work it out.

"Let me guess, this is the location they foresee them coming to." She said, putting her head in her hands and sighed heavily.

"None can see that far ahead. But all the signs they can make out see this as the most likely ending of their journey." He was as grim as she was now. They were silent for a few moments. Envisioning what could be coming.

"It's the Dungeon. Is that what is attracting them?" She spoke out loud, stating her only conclusion.

"The rest of the Guilds think so." He agreed. The issue had been a point of much debate. "Why is the question that is eluding all? We know so little about what is creating the twisted. The Guilds are doing their best to research the problem, but we have not found anything."

"That would explain the paladins and militant orders. They have been positioned here by the Gods. But to what end? If they were here to protect the Dungeon, they would not prevent entry when a twisted monster attacks it." She was thinking out loud. Albrot had already had similar thoughts and he waited to reach the same conclusion or reveal something that had not occurred to him.

"It seems they want twisted to enter the dungeon, but again, why?" She continued. "If they come from the direction of Nygar, then the southern trade route is still viable as an escape route. The monsters would come through a different valley and approach from the north or across the mountains directly."

"As to the why, we still do not know. As to the approach, the rest of the Guild agrees." Albrot told her. "We are ready to warn the rulers between here and Nygar of the danger if the twisted cross the river in force. Nygar's neighbours are all already aware and are preparing in case they do."

"Ranus was told he had to have been. That explains so much. Can we tell him that we know?" She asked.

"We can try. If we reveal to him our information, that may be enough to negate the vow he is bound by." Conjected Albrot.

"If the twisted cross in force, can they be stopped?" she asked. The mental picture she was creating was starting to scare her.

"We do not know." Albrot decided to be honest and give her everything he knew about the developing Nygar situation. "At the moment, the twisted on the far bank are not strong enough to cross the river. The currents and forces deployed will stop them. If stronger ones appear, then all bets are off."

"Gods! When was the last incursion from the End?"

"Eleven years ago. We lost over seventy adventurers alone stopping that one." He grimaced, remembering the fight as he was there.

"Was the creature twisted?"

"In some ways, yes, and in others, no." He answered, realising she had asked a good question. "It was like a proto-twisted creature, not as corrupt but as dangerous. Gods know what else has been growing in the End since then."

They both fell silent as they envisioned what horrors might cross that river or come from the north.

"Let's see if he is free," Elain said as she stood. Albrot rose and they left the office and Guild.

Nary met them when they reached Ranus's government building.

"Good new day, Naru. Is he free?" Elain asked.

"Good new day, Elian. Not right now. If you wait, he will be there for a short period after this meeting. I will let him know you are here. Is it urgent?" Naru answered.

"A bit. We need to let him know about something." Elain did not elaborate, but Naru got the hint. She went back to the meeting room. Knocking before entering, she vanished inside. It was not long before she returned.

"It will be a few minutes more. Please take a seat." She indicated a number of seats that were supplied to those waiting. After a few minutes, Amya and Danrum left the room. Both looked preoccupied but greeted Elian and Albrot. Before much was said, they were ushered in to see Ranus.

"Elain, Guild Master Albrot, what brings you here today?" Ranus asked as they entered the room. He was standing at the table that dominated the room. Naru closed the door behind them.

"Lord Goldwind, thank you for meeting with us on such short notice." Albrot took the lead. Elian was unsure if that was the right approach, as Ranus was still unhappy with Albrot over their last argument.

"Please sit." They all sat at the table.

"Lord Goldwind, we are here today to give you a warning." Albrot got straight to it. Ranu's expression shifted to worry, but he waited for more information. "We have received word from Nygar that the monster of Folly's End are acting strangely. The diviners have strong reason to think that the monsters will be heading in our direction if they cross the river."

They waited to see his reaction and hear his words.

"Well, that's the most disturbing Guild Master Albrot. From your words, the monsters have not crossed yet?" Elain and Ablrot both nodded at this question. "Why do you think they would come here?"

"The monsters seen are all twisted." Albrot was outwardly calm, but Elian knew he was watching every action and word Ranus uttered.

"That is most concerning indeed. What are Nygar's rulers planning to do about this? We are far away and cannot give any means of support." Ranus looked concerned, but he was too calm. No, he was presenting a front, Elain realised, as did Albrot.

"They are seeking nothing of us, but many of their neighbours are preparing for the day that the monsters cross. We wonder if you knew why they are coming this way when crossing the river barrier." Albrot was now probing. Ranus did know something!

"I am sorry I cannot give you the answer you seek. Perhaps a consultation with the priests within our community would be helpful?" Elain and Albrot picked up on the strange answer. He was trying to tell them something.

"That was something I was planning on, but I thank you for offering that option." Albrot was being careful now. Elain was sure that Ranus was under a vow, and Albrot was trying to work around it. "Any thoughts you might have on this problem would be appreciated."

"We have been thinking on the issue of the twisted. They are a threat to our peoples and we have been taking action for the day they come again. We are seeking to make the southern trade route safer if our people need it." Ranus said.

They both noted the change in language with the use of the royal "we". Whatever the vow was, it limited him in his replies. But it seemed he, too, was trying to work around it.

"The Guild thanks you for entrusting us with the extra requests for this purpose." Albrot continued to dance using words. "Is there anything else we might be able to assist you with?"

"Not at this time, but rest assured, we will call you when we are able."

"Thank you for your time, Lord Ranus." Albrot rose and Elian followed. Ranus rose as well and saw them out.

At the door, he said one last thing. "The Dungeon brings many welcome and unwelcome things to this town."

With that, they left and returned to the Guild. Elain said nothing until they reached her office, and Albrot established the anti-scrying barrier around them. He even closed the shutters, which made the room darker.

"We are in trouble." That was the first thing he said.

"I picked up on most of what was said, but what concerns you?" She asked.

"He was concerned about Folly's End but was not surprised. It was like he was expecting it or something like it. The hint that the Gods know is problematic. You would have expected someone to try to intervene by now. The pantheon is suspicious in its silence. Finally, it was his words at the end. He told us that the Dungeon is attracting them here." Albrot went over everything while rubbing his forehead.

Elain had noted most of what he said herself but was still scared of the implications. "What do we do?"

"For now, not much, but I will need to speak to the boss." He replied grimly.