A new dawn

Pilgrimage of Bones

Islana opened her eyes softly as the yellowish light from rising sun shone down on her and her camp, casting long deep shadows across the ruined valley.

Every muscle in her body ached. Every bone groaned as she lifted herself from the ground groggily.
Her body knew she could use more rest. Time to heal, to recover her strength and to allow her mind to stop hurting. The residual pain of the contact with the hive mind of the Skara still fresh. Still pounding her blood across her temples.

Before Madaya stirred to awakeness, the young huntress notices that the Sk'elep is gone. The giant jackal gone as if he was a ghost from her dreams. But he had been real. Otherwise they would all be dead now.

It was the second time it had saved her life and she wondered why.

Yes, she should rest but the Call was strong. She could see it in Madaya too, whose eyes kept drifting to the other side of the cliff where the next leg of their journey awaited them...