To The Next

JP with Largehobbit and Cindy

This wasn't right. Not Madaya. It was just a dream but felt so very real.

"You have been very brave." Islana said to the young girl, reassuring her. "I will see you back on the other side."

Melandra's hand on her shoulder and the words spoken seemed to indicate it was time for Islana to move on.

Her green eyes met Madaya's brown ones once more. "You'll be alright."

She was ready to go on to the next task.

Melandra squeezed firmly on her shoulder and gave a her a nod as if reading the red heads thoughts. Once again the approaching storm made itself known with a flicker of white light on the horizon followed by the distant rumble of thunder. Islana blinked as a fat wet drop of rain struck her cheek. Then another, and another.

"We must hurry," Melandra urged, "The storm approaches."

The woman glanced down to where Toman and Madaya knelt on the ground, "The trial is for you alone now girl and you must leave innocence behind if you wish to master it."

The rain was getting heavier now, driving away the stench of smoke and death and replacing it with the cold fresh scent of the coming storm. Lighting crackled over head and the rumble of thunder grew into a deafening boom. Melandra turned and began to walk toward the ruined fort, not waiting to see if Islana would follow.

Islana took a breath, as if preparing herself. She followed Melandra though without question or hesitation.

The rain began to beat down heavily as the moved forward. Thick black clouds churned overhead, snaked by forks of writhing lightning. The hard earth was pounded into mud and Islana felt the weight of the sodden earth against her feet. Melandra slowed her pace allowing the younger woman to catch up. They approached the gates and Melandra reached forward to push them open.

They gave way with an ear wrenching creak and the pair stepped over the threshold to reveal a wide open court yard within. A roaring fire had been set in the centre of the yard, seemingly unaffected by the rain. Behind the fire a great seat had been erected, raised on a tall wooden platform, and on the seat was a man Islana recognised though it took a moment for her to place him in this strange location.

The man she had known as Balt, an emissary of the mountain tribes sat peering down at her from that seat. He gave a smile and a nod of recognition at seeing her.

"It appears that many of us are known to you." Melandra murmured at her side, "Should we perhaps blame you for our deaths?"