Dreaming Fears

The time spent at the Rectory had been useful and Islana had found the Friar to be not just knowledgeable but nice and the unpleasant topic aside the evening had been, dare she say, enjoyable?

It was into the evening by the time Islana had left the rectory. She stopped at The Drunken Hare long enough to have a drink to settle her and then went home.

Islana walked in a forest, familiar, yet unfamiliar. The bright day turned suddenly grey, then dark but it was not raining. The sound of drumming, chanting could be heard all around her. Any direction she went the sounds came closer. A clearing opened and she saw people, she could not see their faces as they chanted in a language she did not understand.

Islana saw that more of them danced around a fire. More chanting. Her eyes looked closer upon the fire mesmerized by it. Fear suddenly took the place of curiosity. Out of nowhere there was a figure tied up in the middle of the fire. Burning, screaming. It was a child.

Islana felt every urge to rescue the young girl in the fire but she couldn't move. She wanted to yell 'Stop!' but she could not find her voice.

The girl looked to her, a wave of acknowledgement came to Islana, the girl looked like her. The flames crept higher and higher. Islana was helpless to stop it.

Feeling a presence behind her, the words "You're next," whispered in her ears. The cruel, harsh voice of Lord Vasant.

Islana jolted awake, feeling as if she had just run to the woods and back. Catching her breath, she got her bearings. It took her several moments to stop shaking.

Once she could,she moved off the bed, and began to pace her room. She had been just a young girl, not quite a teen, when she had been sold to Lord Vasant. And that idea filled her mind for a moment.

Islana's dream was that of her fears, she knew that was all it was. Still, it made returning to sleep impossible. She got dressed, it was early but not too early to find some breakfast. Breakfast, then work would be her day.

The next night sleep was interrupted by more nightmares. By the next day Islana had made the decision to speak with Hendrick about her new found information.

The young woman made her way to The Keep, where the guard was based.