The sky became a brilliant sea of stars as the twin moons hid in the planet’s shadow. A great milky stream flowed across the heavens, the scars of when the world was created. As the travelers entered yet another jungle, the stench of sulfur became nearly overpowering. The pale blue glow from Clarissa’s staff cast eerie shadows from great mossy beards that hung from low branches and caverns under gnarled roots. The frog song had long since been silenced as they waded through the waist deep waters.

The only sound came from the occasional splash of reptiles, as they slithered into the placid water or a pair of glowing eyes that darted into the canopy. Alice shrieked at one such splash and leapt onto Fiora’s back as something slithered past her waist.

“Was it a ‘gator?” Ashe asked a bit too enthusiastically.

The outburst had caused everyone to start, now on the lookout for man-eating alligators.

“No, it was something else.” She carefully climbed down from Fiora’s back, mumbling her apologies.

“You didn’t say anything about alligators!” Clarissa said with more than a hint of panic.

“Huh, could ‘a sworn I did.” Ashe said over her shoulder as she continued to trudge on through the muck and mire.

Aichlan splashed his face with the murky water, it was only slightly cooler than the air around them but did little to ease his fatigue. The humidity was what really made this excursion miserable and caused patience to run thin. Even shy, easy going Fiora seemed liable to take someone’s head off if they breathed too loudly.

It did not help that his head was on a swivel, and his sword arm ached from being perpetually poised over the hilt. He could have sworn the eyes were following them, though he could not be sure if it was exhaustion or simply his imagination running away from him in this alien terrain. Even after dismissing it as nerves, he was hard pressed to shake the paranoia.

They continued through the night, stopping at every muddy island that presented itself to take a rest and eat, though no one had much of an appetite. With dawn’s arrival, and the subsequent Rhodean sun, travel was all the more arduous. Clarissa did her best to ease everyone’s misery with the gentle touch of Dawn, but after a while, even that did not do much for the weary travelers. Only the fall of dusk brought about some semblance of relief in the hellish swamp.

“We’re out of water.” Clarissa whined as she drained the last canteen.

“Then fill it back up.” Fiora retorted. “There’s water everywhere.”

“Yea, but it’s a swamp. What about parasites and, excrement?”

“Then purify it! You’re a nun aren’t ya?” Ransom spat as he tried to roll a cigarette with trembling, wet hands.

“The waters safe, for us at least. I think if ye boil it first ya should be able to drink it too.” Ashe said as she filled a canteen.

“Ew, it’s far too ‘ot for boiled water.” Clarissa complained.

“You let it cool first dummy!” Ransom spat.

“It’s not going to cool unless it’s cool outside asshole!” She said with equal venom.

Everyone’s nerves were spent by this point, and their bickering was not going to help matters any.

“Sister Clarissa, you can purify the water or have the elves boil it. Alice, you can use magic to create ice for it.” Aichlan broke in, hoping he had squashed the issue.

“Fine but tell Ransom to stop harassing me.”

“Harassing you? Bi—”

“Ransom, just let her be.” Aichlan said, having long ago reached his own limits.

Clarissa smiled smugly as Ransom scoffed and went back to his cigarettes. She glowed as she imbued the water with the light, sweating profusely and panting when she finished.

“Alice, perhaps you should finish zis.” She said, handing the other canteen to Alice. “I’ve been at it night and day.”

“Oh, of course.” Alice said understandingly.

Perhaps it was a mage/ cleric thing, Aichlan thought absently.

“Are members of The Order allowed to partake?” Séverin asked, holding a flask out to Clarissa.

“Not normally…” Clarissa said with some hesitation, looking to Aichlan.

“What is it?”

“It’s an elixir of spirit Lord Aichlan; it serves to revitalize zee mind. So dzey say.” Clarissa motioned to Séverin that she would not be having any. “Zee Order forbids it unless in ‘ow you say, emergency, as we are to draw our strength from zee sun directly.”

“And what is it exactly? What’s in it I mean?”

“Mostly alcohol, along with a hearty amount of sugar, gaurana, milk thistle, and fish oil, coca leaf, and flavoring; because as you can well imagine, it doesn’t taste all that great.”

As he listed off the various ingredients, Aichlan wondered how Séverin became so knowledgeable regarding the subject matter. It did not seem like simply common knowledge, he’d never even heard of the draught, and he had travelled across much of Silex.

“I’ll save it just in case.”

“How much does The Order differ from the mage’s of Asketill?” Aichlan persisted, seeking something to occupy his weary mind.

Alice froze the contents of the canteen, taking a recently boiled one from Eth. “Light! Not so hot!”

“Ain’t too good at bein’ a stove top. My bloody fault.”

“Well let’s see,” Alice said with a deep sigh. “Asketill teaches a variety of magic’s, from elementals to black magic. Elementalists, such as myself, learn to harness the elements through runes and incantations; it is not really nature but similar, I guess. The power is held in the words that we speak and summoned in the symbols we draw. As for black magic, it is similar, but with more emphasis on the incantation and instead of symbols they make…sacrifices, or potions. They mostly deal in curses and the like.”

“What are the incantations?” Ashe sat upon the beleaguered mules back as she ate.

“Poems written by the spells ‘creators’ I suppose. There are various theories on who and how they imparted their abilities into words and symbols, but suffice it to say, more people can use magic now as a result than in the times before the collapse.”

“Ye have tae recite poetry to attack then?” She asked doubtfully.

“Well, you can use abbreviated forms, usually something akin to a summarizing sentence or two. Otherwise, first tier spells are one stanza; second tier spells are two so on and so forth, until you get to fourth tiers. These are usually longer lasting and in song form, two to three verses with a chorus. Black magic incantations are much longer and infinitely more complex as they are written in several dead languages.”

“What about The Order?” Aichlan asked hesitantly.

He felt slightly embarrassed by his ignorance. Working side by side with the clergy as he did, he should have had more information on how they did what they did.

“We don’t use symbols or incantations, usually.” Clarissa said.

“Hmm, I’m assuming the Brothers of Aurealis are the exception to that.”

Clarissa nodded slowly. “If those are zee fighting monks, then yes, they use words. But we all connect to an inner source of light; I think… something about a direct link to Zee Dawn.” She waved her hand dismissively.

Aichlan was surprised by how little she knew about the very power she so expertly wielded. He had seen her heal wounds that would have taken other’s three or four sessions to close.

“It requires a great deal of meditation and mental fortitude to be able to separate one’s mind from their body and let light flow through them. At least, dzat’s what I’ve ‘eard.”

“Then how the hell did she get in?” Ransom sneered.

“I was forced into prostitution to pay off a deadbeat father’s debt.” She said rather dryly. “I ran away at nine and made my living as a scullery girl, but my father’s debtors caught up with me eventually…”

Ransom fortunately remained silent in response to Clarissa’s candid reply, which was more than likely her intent.

“I’m sorry, I had no idea.” Aichlan began.

“No, it is quite alright, my forced servitude was extremely limited in duration if dzat ‘elps. I mostly ran errands and cleaned up after zee other whores. I eventually sought sanctuary at a convent when they expressed interest in putting me to work, Duke Laelianus was dzere with his fadzer, they showed pity upon me and convinced zee Mother Superior to allow me in. I have no regrets regarding my life thus far, it ‘as made me a stronger person in zee end, and Duke Laelianus ‘as given me more than I could ever ‘ave wanted…” she trailed off rather sadly.

Aichlan was curious but did not want to pry. It was likely that the King had paid her debtors for her release. Yet that still did not explain why she remained a nun, though she was wonderfully skilled, it did not seem like she was a proper match. As he was always being reminded, there is more to a woman than what lay on the surface. He had found a new respect for her; she had already proven her worth, though he would seek another for any spiritual guidance or advice.

“You are a very beautiful and talented young woman Clarissa, and very skilled at your profession. I see a depth to you that seldom few likely have a chance to witness…” Séverin cleared his throat, suddenly aware that he was speaking to more than just the one he was addressing.

“What I mean to say is I am honored to have had the chance to come across one such as you. It has been a while since I’ve encountered someone who kept me guessing as much as you.”

Clarissa beamed, basking in the praises he had heaped upon her. “Well, I must say I am equally fortunate to meet a gentleman as charming as you. It is a shame zee world isn’t filled with more men of your intellect and grace.”

“If you’re both done jerkin’ off the others ego, Kielan pushed his way between the two, shoving a rucksack into Séverin’s hand. “I’d like to get a move on.”

Gear was slowly put away and they began their march through the bog once more. A layer of steam covered the water, doubling the travelers’ misery, and compounding their already limited visibility as they made their way to the source of the rancid odor. Aichlan had fallen behind Séverin; the man had impeccable balance, seemingly able to see through the gloom and shroud. He easily dodged branches that caused the others to let loose a steady stream of curses. He seemed to notice the glowing eyes as well, and Aichlan became more curious about the man the more he studied him. He wanted to question him further, but was unwilling, or able due to misery of the circumstances, to break the silence. So it was that they continued in this waterlogged state for several days, occasionally getting the chance to rest and dry off when they crossed a muddy sandbar.

* * *

Dawn was breaking as they exited the jungle swamps into the sulfur fields of the Death Marsh. A great cloud of steam veiled the landscape. Craters of sulfuric acid bubbled, and geysers belched forth methane and natural gas. The only traversable path before them was a narrow isthmus of mud and shale.

“Phew!” Ransom cried out as he pulled out a cigarette. “That’ll put some hair on your chest, won’t it?” He exclaimed, fanning the fumes from his nostrils. “Hey Eth, mind lightin’ me up?”

Ashe snatched his cigarette from his lips and tossed it into a boiling vat of acid. “He’ll light us all up ya do that! What part o’ flammable air daen’t ye understand?”

Clarissa covered her mouth and nose with her sleeve. “Are you sure it’s safe for breathing?”

“Nope. C’mon ye!” Eth growled as he tugged at the beasts’ reins.

The animal bucked and brayed, refusing to take a step further.

“Blighted beast!”

“I wanna go back! Dzis was a ‘orrible idea!” Clarissa whimpered.

“We couldn’t go back if we wanted…” Séverin calmly stated.

So, they had been followed, but who, or what the hell followed them? Aichlan briefly pondered this, ultimately deciding it was futile. Whomever, or whatever it was, did not want them going the way they had come. Ashe had not mentioned any real predators in the fen, but she did not mention alligators either. Regardless, they were set up for an ambush.

“We’ll just have to carry our gear from here. Let that thing to its fate.” Aichlan ordered as he started to unload the beast.

The gear was distributed between them; only Clarissa and Alice were spared a burden.

“Fiora, I want you to change back into your armor.” She obliged to Aichlan’s request, though obviously confused as to the why.

After sending the mule to its fate in the jungle, they set off single file along the alien terrain. The glade bubbled as gas made its way to the surface. Craters filled with oil roiled and dotted the landscape. The path occasionally widened to allow two and three abreast, but the majority of the trek was spent in single file across the muddy landscape. Several spills were taken, and Clarissa continually notified the group that her gown was ruined.

By mid-day, the path emptied out into a wide, mud field, dotted with only the hardiest of weeds and acid puddles. Aichlan was concerned for the barefoot elves, but they seemed to have little difficulty traversing the hazardous terrain.

Abruptly, Séverin halted, causing Clarissa to run into his back.

“Ouch! What di’ya do dzat fo—?”

He clamped his hand over her mouth and made a gesture to be silent. Aichlan stepped forward, hand on his sword as he scanned the field. He squinted but could see nothing through the screen of steam and vapor.

“Why are we stopping? The river Rhode is only a few more leagues away.” Kielan did not bother to hide his ire or impatience.

“There.” Séverin said pointing into the steam.

“Where, I don’t—”

Aichlan squinted into the vapor to no avail, until a shadowed figure approached, stumbling drunkenly. He drew his sword, and the others followed suit. They were all hot, muddy and exhausted. Soaked to the bone with perspiration and swamp water, it did not seem conditions could get much worse.

“Wait, wait! It’s just a girl!” Alice exclaimed as the raven-haired young woman continued to stumble their way.

“What the hell? She’s naked!” Fiora cried as Ransom stepped forward and whistled a catcall.

She was a girl of sixteen or seventeen. Her long jet-black hair framed her delicate face. The tiny triangle of pubic hair seemed an arrow to enticement between her smooth, creamy white thighs. Despite her beauty, there was something off about her, aside from her presence. She wore an idiot’s grin, and her dull eyes held all the intelligence of a toddler. The most obvious thing wrong with her was the fact that she was a young, nude human female in the heart of Colby-Nau territories. She dropped something and bent unsteadily to pick it up; her back was bloody, as if the flesh had been torn off.

“By Dawn! She’s hurt!”

Clarissa pushed past Séverin and ran to render aid, abruptly stopping as the woman stood, bearing her idiots grin.

“Uh, hi…” Clarissa said with a hesitant wave. “What’ve you got dzere?”

The woman looked at her hand before thrusting it at Clarissa. She leapt back at the gesture; the woman’s arm was dripping blood, completely devoid of skin on the backside. She clutched a bloody elf ear in her delicate, bleeding fingers. Clarissa gasped and edged away from the woman.

“Eth!”

Eth stepped forward, unstrapping his sword from his waist. The woman clutched her ‘treasure” to her chest and turned protectively to the side, revealing her entire backside was devoid of skin. Muscle, bone, and blood vessels lay completely exposed. Clarissa swatted at Eth’s sword for him to put it away.

“Then what the hell ya call me fer?”

“I think zis woman’s an autistique.” The woman continued to eye Clarissa cautiously with her child’s eye.

“A what?” Eth scratched his head, as he looked the girl over.

Séverin leapt before Eth and flung two knives into the fog, a piercing shriek rent the air and the woman turned to flee. He swore in Xanavien and drew two daggers concealed behind his waist.

“I don’t know what the hell they are, but they’re coming.”

“Who the devil are you?” Aichlan asked with newfound suspicion as he readied himself for inevitable attack.

Those carrying packs dropped them and readied weapons. The sound of shuffling in the bush caused them to spin around, only for the skittering sounds to approach them from behind. They stood tense and at the ready as they tried in vain to see through the rancid mist that cloaked the field.

“What d’ya mean ya don’ know what they are?” Ashe said more annoyed than worried.

The sound of paws splashing through puddles and the labored breathing of a canine rang distinctly through the open glade. The approaching beast must be enormous if one were to judge by the sound alone.

“That’s what I fucking mean!” Séverin shouted as he made a feint to the right.

A wolf the size of a horse barreled down upon them, snapping its fangs in passing. Its massive head was full of great, yellowed fangs; its fore half covered in a mottled black coat; the hindquarters was akin to that of a great reptile. Its hind legs and whip like tail were covered in scales that gleamed like bronze. It yipped more in surprise than pain as Séverin’s blade nicked its side. The beast skipped as it considered its options of attack, ultimately continuing its headlong charge. Its forked tongue hung limply from the side of its jaw as it set its red eyes on Aichlan.

“Holy Dusk…”

Aichlan leapt out of the way just as the beast charged past, snapping its jaws hungrily, and shredding muddy ground with its claws. A volley of arrows pierced the veil as two more demon hounds provided vanguard for a company of decaying soldiers. Their armor and weaponry were of a long distant era, preserved by the peat bogs and left undisturbed for millennia. As the mist lifted with their approach, it became clear that Kielan’s brother and three other elves led the assault of undead.

“Cinaéd? What madness is this?” Kielan asked frantically.

The four elves shambled forward, dragging useless weapons from broken limbs. Their entrails dragged through the mud behind them trailing, two were missing limbs and the other, an entire body quadrant. A wolf creature turned its sights upon him and barreled over, snarling hungrily as it churned up mud and splashed through filthy puddles. Kielan swung his massive blade with an agonized and primal yell, striking the beast in its open maw and nearly cleaved it in two. His blade glowed with heat as smoke rose from it; his arm glistened with sweat as his tattoos became molten in his skin.

“Who did this? Who did this to my brother?” He roared.

The first wolf made a second pass, and Ashe struck it in the head with her hammer; Ransom pierced its throat as it tried to scramble back to its feet. Alice cast several small, glowing orbs, speaking her incantations as she drew the glyphs. An arc of lightning connected the orbs and sent dancing tendrils of electricity into the undead ranks.

“Daen’t do it mate.” Eth warned a hint of fear in his voice.

Kielan stood trembling in rage, his muscles bulged, his canines and nails elongated to become more pronounced as his pupils dilated to catlike slits. The steam around him became superheated, turning to plasma that crackled and danced about him.

“Get away from him!” Ashe screamed as she ushered everyone around Clarissa.

“What am I supposed to do?” Clarissa demanded fearfully.

“Shield us!” Eth yelled.

Clarissa raised her jeweled scepter, and it glowed brilliantly as she embraced The Dawn and erected a barrier of light that covered her and those nearby. Flames swirled around Kielan as he cleaved the third wolf, hacking at its corpse in a rage. A burst of flame enveloped him, turning nearby geysers of gas into pillars of fire. A second blast ignited the field in a hellish inferno as he let loose an animalistic roar. The superheated steam turned into a plasma storm around him as he drew the massive blaze back into himself.

As if such a thing were even possible, the barren landscape looked even more inhospitable than before. What remained after the storm cleared was a battalion-sized element of undead from a bygone era, wolves and lamias, beautiful women with the lower half of a serpent. Kielan floated upon flames that danced from his feet, his tattoos became molten and animated, flowing like lava across his body. Clarissa slowly opened her eyes, startled that she had actually raised a barrier to withstand the force of the explosion.

“What’s wrong with ‘im?” Clarissa gasped as she dropped her barrier.

“In his grief and rage, the spirit flame consumed his rational mind, essentially he has gone berserk.” Ashe hastily explained and took off after Kielan.

He had charged headlong into the opposition at an un-natural speed, leaving a trail of flaming footprints. He seemed to glide as he charged, swinging his flaming sword as a blur of light and flaming contrails. He cut a path through the vanguard of demons and bounded over a rank of undead soldiers as he blindly chased after the woman. The tumultuous air continued to crackle with electricity, scorching the ground and causing Clarissa to become more skittish than before.

“Will ‘e be alright? I mean ‘e won’t stay like dzis will ‘e?” She asked, genuinely concerned.

“Nae lass, only till his bloodlust has been sated or till death. Now stay close!” Eth ordered as he followed Ashe after Kielan.

“Fiora! With me! Alice, provide support from the rear but stay close!” Aichlan barked out orders as another volley of arrows struck their previous location. “Séverin—where the devil is he?”

Aichlan cut down a particularly fetid corpse; its worm-eaten arm fell off as it lifted its rusted axe. A squad of horned and frilled lizards wearing mismatched plate armor scurried out from their hiding places in the craters and gulches that dotted the landscape. Several stood up awkwardly upon two legs as they charged, wielding wicked axes of crudely hewn stone with serration and too many spikey protrusions.