Chapter 1

In reply to his question, Tannis hears the sound of tearing flesh and cracking bone.

Tannis moves away from the sound, trying to not to stumble over bodies and weapons. Having moved about 30ft, the spread of corpses begins to thin. Tannis appears to be at the edge of the battlefield. In front of him he sees only boggy ground, tarnished only by rivulets of blood flowing from the slaughterhouse behind him.

Looking to get his bearings Tannis sees a bent tree that he recalls seeing previously. Beside the tree is the muddy cart track leading back towards Southam.

He no longer hears the sounds of the dead-eaters. The night is quiet. The track looks undisturbed since yesterday.

By Tannis's reckoning it's ten miles to Southam. He follows the path, a rarely used muddy cart track, that's still infinitely preferable to the patches of murky water at its edges. The light from Tannis's staff casts twisted shadows from the occasional bent tree and the patches of reeds. Shadows that play across the pools of water, as if something were moving beneath the glassy surface. The silence of the night is interspersed by the croaking of frogs - the guttural noise almost preferable to the lonely quiet.

Having put some distance between himself and the battlefield, Tannis takes a rest. Eating and drinking to restore his body, Tannis brings forth is spellbook, it's familiar writing and illustrations giving comfort and focus to his mind. He feels a modicum of strength returning, and although aching and tired, he steels himself for the path ahead.

Continuing along the track, the shadows playing across the water appear as silhouettes of fighters struggling and falling in battle, bodies distorted and mutilated. Tannis fights to push away such thoughts and the shadows are soon dispelled by a gentle glow emanating from the horizon. As the light increases, Tannis sees the flat marshland extending as far as the eye can see to left and right. A half-mile ahead, the cart track ascends to higher ground - grass and trees - a welcome contrast to the mud and murk of the marsh.

Ascending the hillock, the cart track leads him to a vantage point. He sees a wide valley, the river Soverbot winding lazily through the valley floor. Southam about two miles to the north on the south bank of the river, the towers of its keep clearly visible in the morning light. The land in between is mostly arable crops, Tannis can make out fields of wheat, corn and soy - numerous farmsteads dot the landscape.

Following the cart track down the gentle slope into the valley, Tannis finds that it develops into something closer to a road, wending its way through the fields towards Southam. The early morning is peaceful. A gentle breeze sways the growing crops. A couple of the farmhouses have lit their morning fires and the smell of wood smoke greets Tannis.

Approaching Southam from the south west, Tannis sees a jumbled collection of two and three story buildings with the Southam keep in the distance behind. Off to his left, Tannis can see the river Soverbot, it's banks adorned with trees.

Tannis recalls the rough layout of the town from travelling through the previous day. The town is bordered by the river Soverbot to the north west, north and east, fitting snuggly in a meander of the river. There are two small wooden footbridges that cross to the north east; the main road to Newbore runs north from the town, crossing the river with a well-built stone bridge capable of bearing cart-fulls of agricultural products. The town has a keep, for the local governor, surrounded by a wall with a circular tower at each corner. The town boasts a blacksmith, and no less than three inns.

Alongside the first buildings of Southam are what appear to be two guards, sleeping on benches beside a fire that has nearly died out. It is still early morning - there is nobody else in sight.

The guards jump to their feet. Tannis immediately sees the distinction between these small town guards and the city guard of Newbore: middle-aged and balding, these men sport well-formed beer bellies, misshaping their dishevelled uniforms.

Pointing a spear at Tannis, and speaking groggily having just been wrenched from a peaceful dream, the taller of the two shouts out: "I've been watching you all the way down the track - what are you doing here at this hour!"

And before Tannis can respond, the other chimes in: "Look at 'im, he's covered in blood!"

The color drains from the faces of the guards as Tannis gives his account of the horrors and carnage that he has witnessed. Their eyes are wide; the reality of war has been brought home to this sleepy little town.

"Elboth", the taller of the two addresses the other, his voice carrying surprising resolve, "you stand guard here and keep a close eye out. Ring the bell if you see anything, but don't tell a soul just now or you'll bring panic down on us all."

The taller turns to Tannis, "Tannis, I must take you to the governor, can you walk?"

"Don't worry too much. We were just posted here to keep the townsfolk calm. The lookout on the tower up there..." the guard points with his left hand, "they can see the whole valley from up there... if there's an army approaching we'll have time to get everyone inside the walls of the castle. I'm Ferrand by the way."

Tannis follows Ferrand through the town, which is just beginning to emerge from its slumber. The occasional chamberbot is emptied on the street with a shout of gardyloo!. Tannis sees a couple of farmers trudging off to their fields, and smoke rises from the bakery's chimney.

Reaching the castle gates, Tannis is introduced to Tobias, the captain of the guard, a stout man with a shock of unruly black hair poking at all angles from underneath his helm. Ferrand gives an abbreviated version of Tannis' account, which is greeted by solemn acknowledgement from Tobias. With the account finished, Tobias leads the three through the gatehouse, stooping underneath a half-lowered portcullis, into the bailey of the castle.

The bailey is dominated by a central stone keep, but also plays host to a number of small wooden buildings butted against the inside of the castle wall. Crossing the bailey, the trio enters into the keep, and ascends a winding stone staircase to the upper floor. Stopping in front of an ornate wooden door, Tobias knocks loudly, shouting "Sorry to disturb your Excellency, I have grave news.". He waits unmoving.

A minute later, the door opens the width of a face. Tannis sees a late middle aged man, his shoulder-length salt-and-pepper hair appears to have been hastily smoothed back. His facial feature are gentle, in contrast to sharp grey eyes - he would be considered attractive, if it weren't for the pallor of his skin. "What is it now?" he growls.

"I'm sorry your Excellency. There's been a battle. The King's forces that passed through yesterday.. they're defeated. This here is one of the soldiers", Tobias gestures at Tannis.

The governor's face does not flinch. "Let's discuss this in my office." He steps out from the room, and quickly shuts the door, but not before Tannis catches a glimpse of a woman lying naked on his bed. The governor leads the way down the corridor, clad in a purple and gold silk dressing gown. Opening a door at the far end of the corridor, he ushers the trio inside, and offers them a seat in red leather armchairs. "So soldier, tell me what happened"

The governor stands, leaning slightly on a large wooden desk, as he listens intently to Tannis' account. His cold eyes appear to be measuring the truth of Tannis' account, watching every expression of Tannis' face, but also taking in his attire, equipment and the blood stain on his shoulder.

When Tannis finishes his account, the governor pauses for though. Silence descends upon the office, the guardsmen not daring even to breathe.

"I believe you Tannis... and I am sorry for what has befallen you."

He turns to Tobias. "I know it is a risk, but we must send out a search for more survivors. Send Ceta, and Luth - Luth knows the marshes - they'll be faster by horseback."

"But with Ceta gone, we'll have no healer if they attack", responds Tobias.

"I know, I know, I know. But how can we leave our countrymen out in the marshes, at the mercy of ghouls, or the treacherous Felin bastards? Send your best rider to Newbore with this news. The king will send reinforcements. Perhaps the attack on Onigsburg was a ruse and this is their main attack." the governor turns back to Tannis "will you stay with me here until you are fully recovered?"

Tobias hurries off to arrange the messenger and search party, leaving Ferrand to escort Tannis to a well-furnished guest room in the keep.

"Denaothun must think highly of you" mutters Ferrand "not often he has guests"

Ferrand departs and returns a few moments later with a tray of food: cold meats, bread and a hardboiled egg, and a flagon of ale.

"I'll be just down the corridor there if you need anything"