Dark fate

Kumik village

As the day waned and the elders congratulated themselves on the deal made with the stranger they turned to discuss who would claim Islana. All three were married and tradition dictated that the clan leader decide which women were given to which men.

Of course their leader was away with the Warchieftain Koshnem and their war against the Odsier. Between the three they tried pulling rank among each other to claim the redhead woman. In the old days someone with red hair, born in the mountains would have been said to have been touched by Fosia, Father of Fire. Most men would join and serve the old religion tending to the now abandoned Fire-Shrines. The women would serve as oracles.

None of the three elders had ever seen a woman with red hair in their life time.

Meanwhile in the hut Islana was joined by the Odsier woman. Who tried to tell the young woman to calm down through gesture and soothing words. She tried to explain what would happen if Islana tried to run by showing her some very ugly scars on her arms and shoulders. She pointed at the youths outside the hut with spears that looked at her with lustful eyes.

Meanwhile Hunter was dragged naked from the sweat lodge. Still groggy and now with heat exhausted he could hardly understand what was happening. The chained him to a post near the centre of the village, where he was given a brew to drink. They manage to make him drink the first dose of the antidote without spilling a drop. After they threw a large bucket of cold freezing water over his naked body as he sat slumped against the stone post, his arms shackled above his head.

~~~

Shalia Nix, rode ahead of her five escorts. All men of confidence to the Aghul leader, her mentor, Koshnem. She rode slightly apart from the clansmen as always. She knew none of them were particularly pleased with the assignment given to them by their Warchieftain. They wished they were with their comrades plundering the Odsier. Part of you understands, as you have also wished that you could be part of the battles to come, to show his allies from Ostiarium who powerful you have become. That you have left behind their dark and archaic ways and that anyone wishing you dead, not only will have to content with your magik but with a whole nation under the banner of your leader.

The men avoid speaking to you as much as possible. It is a strange status you hold among the Odonine. Despite your powers most still loathed you as a woman, and lust after you in equal measures. A few have come to revere you. 'Noraura made flesh'...
One of the riders spurs his horse to ride along side you and tells you that you are close to the Kumik village, where you will stop to feed the horses and supplies.
Five days until you reach the Armat Caravanserai for your meeting with the Horde emissary.