Chapter 2 - Independent Learning

Passer stands resolute before the orc. He points his staff towards the creature and as he does so the staff becomes wreathed in a soft green aura.

"Come no further. We mean you no harm. We wish to speak with Hadud"

The orc stops on seeing Passer's illuminated staff. Tannis sees a spectral hand bearing a signet ring on the index finger appear at the creature's neck. A blackness radiates out from the hand across the orc's skin like an unstoppable tide of ink. Tannis feels himself becoming mesmerised by the image. He can see fear and hope in the orc's eyes, but as the darkness reaches them, the hope is sucked out into the blackness. The eyes seem like a portal into into a plane of darkness. Tannis feels the darkness pulling on his heart.

Whilst a dreadful sight, Tannis resists the dark magic emanating from the image projected by the orc.

Passer steps forward, seemingly untroubled by the image presented by the orc. "We wish to speak with Hadud. It is matter of great importance and urgency"

The orc stands there bemused for a moment, perhaps never having encountered such resolute visitors, perhaps struggling with the decision of what to do next.

"He will not be pleased to see you" the orc grunts, and then turns and drifts back through the forest at a fast pace.

The orc stands there bemused for a moment, perhaps never having encountered such resolute visitors, perhaps struggling with the decision of what to do next.

"He will not be pleased to see you" the orc grunts, and then turns and drifts back through the forest at a fast pace.

"Yes, you're right." replies Passer. Now that the orc has left his voice gives away cracks in what would otherwise appear a steely composure.

The travellers continue along the path on the north bank of the Soverbot. The forest is dark and quiet around them, keeping its secrets hidden from view.

After a quarter hour or so of trudging along the path, Tannis begins to hear the sound of rushing water. It is quiet and distance at first, but as they walk closer the sound becomes loud and urgent.

"We are nearly there - the headwaters of the Soverbot" states Passer in a matter-of-fact fashion.

A few moments later, bending around a clump of trees, Tannis sees a clearing in the woods ahead. The river broadens into a pool on the left side of the clearing and on the far side is a cliff, perhaps 40ft high, with a waterfall shooting from a cave-mouth. The right of the clearing is strewn with grass and shrubs. It slopes gently upwards to the same level as the cliff, and at the top of the house is a squat hut.

Passer pushes on, stepping out into the clearing. As he does so, Tannis hears a thud as a quarrel slams into the dirt at Passer's feet. The shot is accompanied by a gruff "Bugger Off", emanating from one of the hut's dark windows.

"Come no further. I have another quarrel loaded" says the voice from the hut's window. The hut is wattle and daub from waist up, below which is a wall of stacked stone and mortar. The pitched roof is slate, in crudely cut uneven tiles. The nearest part of the hut has a single dutch door, and a window to the left. The window appears inky black - it is too dark for Tannis to make out details of a frame, let alone the occupant behind. The hut appears to have extensions on each side, set back from the nearest part.

"State your name."

"I am Passer of the Ballater Woods" adds Passer.

"The woodland devils are coming to me now it seems." retorts the voice. "Will I have no peace?"

The voice pauses for a moment, before continuing: "Have you some means of illumination? It is rude of guests not to show their faces."

"Not one, but two spellcasters sent to trouble an old man in his retirement." says the voice, appearing to have lost some of it's sharpness "I see you are still early in years Mr Greycastle. Are you a student of this Passer? Corrupting yourself with druidic mischief?"

"He is not my student, although I would teach him if he were to ask" cuts across Passer before Tannis has a chance to respond. "He has gifts with magic that must be nurtured." Passer pauses "I see that you are not shy in expressing your frustrations at the druids of Ballater. I know you had a close call with some of the woodland defenders a few nights past. I am sorry for that, those creatures are not great of mind, and mistook you for an intruder. Had I arrived sooner I would have called them off. Once again I do apologise."

"For all I know, you set those creatures on me, and have turned up here with your lackey to finish the job" retorts the voice "How many more of your sort are lurking in the woods?"