Previous chapter TheMageAndTheKurdrun

We left the aerie of the Kurdrun, resolved to end our quest. I rode on Cira's back and Telal winged to our left. Mid morning I was able to spot the town that has been built up around the Ashani Stones of the Ghost Callers. Memories of my journey there and the flight from the town saddened me and I mourned the loss of my friend. I fear for his spirit as it wanders without protection. Until I can return his spear to the Pamorii his soul is vulnerable to dark powers of the spirit world. His spear holds his soul in place and I am responsible for ensuring that his spirit can be joined with the Ashani.

I carry three spears south, Treaty Spear, the Naeran's and mine, each spear has its own burdens. I carry these burdens gladly because the Ashani gave them to me. I know that they have guided each step in this journey. The guidance was gentle and at every fork in the path I was given the freedom to choose to follow or not. The freedom to choose is a stronger lure than even the sands and so I chose to serve the will of the Ashani.

In the late afternoon a large winged lizard with a scorpion's tale snatched me from Cira's back. The locals call this beast a Viv'er'im and say that it usually spends its time hunting sheep and other easy prey. It is a stubborn and determined hunter. Cira in turn grabbed me by flipping over onto her back. Telal joined the fray as well. I can only imagine what those on the ground might have seen. A plummeting spiraling mass of leather and feathers of birds larger than anyone had ever seen. Accompanied by shrieks snarls and hisses that were both loud and vicious. What seemed like an eternity, the fight lasted less than a minute and I was eventually released by the Viv'er'im because of Telal and Cira's relentless attacks. Although it gave chase it could not meet the speed of Telal and Cira. That evening we tended our wounds as none of us escaped unharmed.

The next two days of our journey the sand pulled us to the southeast. The pull was different now, insistent and intense. Our flight became more focused and our hearts grim and purposeful. On the evening of the 37th day of our journey, Kagnoi began to pick up speed. We decided to drop our gear and make camp. Then Telal and I scouted ahead. The connection between Kagnoi and us is palpable and at times sickening. At one point in the evening Kagnoi was still, then he raced ahead and once we caught up with him we found a camp of armed men, numbering at least 100 according to Telal's eyes. As we turned to fly back to Cira, Kagnoi's presence fled past us and returned to the spot where he rested earlier. The speed at which he travels is unimaginable and can only be the powers of a mage. We proposed to return to the hunt in the morning. I had an extremely difficult time sleeping and felt as if something was invading my thoughts. Cira and Telal described feeling the presence of the Awakened One. It was a feeling of peace and confidence and they slept well. Perhaps it is their use of the armbands that has created this connection with the Awakened One.

In the morning the pull towards Kagnoi was more east than south. In silence we resumed the hunt. Towards the evening of the 38th day of journey we came upon the camp of the men that Cira had spotted the night before. I was surprised to discover that this was the camp of the Orzan and his followers of Shawnal and Pirem soldiers. We introduced ourselves and we granted an audience with the Orzan. The Orzan was not surprised that someone would try and kill him, but he was shocked to hear that Kagnoi was a Shadowmage. I laid bare our story of captivity, the sand and our connection to Kagnoi. The men around the Orzan took our warning seriously and prepared to defend themselves against Kagnoi. At that time I gave Pamorii that Treaty-Spear and told them of the Ashani within the spear. The Kurdrun await a renewal of the Treaty and have said that they stand by its terms.

Once the sun set on the 32nd of Lirar'a'mazi 372yp we determined that we must go out and hunt Kagnoi. The sand pulled at us and we could not stop its thrumming in our hearts. However like blind rats we chased at shadows and could find Kagnoi. Suddenly we knew that he was near the Orzan and was preparing to strike. Somehow we managed to corner him. In a frenzy he attempted to strangle us with black tentacles that grew from the very ground. Kagnoi at times became figure of shadows that lashed out at us with a knife, in turn he became a shadow that slithered along the ground. The sand repelled the power of the shadows and we desperately stabbed at the ground, the tentacles and the shadows. As the fight became more desperate and we felt that we might fail, the tug of the sand disappeared. We knew that Kagnoi was dead and that our task was over.

We stumbled into the camp and now tell you our story. This task is over and I await the guidance of the Ashani. Telal, Cira and I have one year of freedom from the sand. Unless its taint is driven from us the sand will want to return us to the arena, where we will eventually die.

I have a quarrel with the men who enslaved me and this quarrel will be settled. I am not certain if I have a quarrel with the man who sent me on this task. I need to know if the life of the Orzan outweighs my freedom. Only when the reason for the hunt is known will I know if I have a quarrel with him. I am willing to set this aside for now if the Ashani call. Now at this moment I want to tell my wife and son that I live.