Faerunners

Death

Tallis awoke to find himself lying in a field of tall green grass. The stalks waved overhead in a warm breeze that kissed his face as soft and gentle as any lover. The sky above was a deep blue, streaked with violet clouds lit with rays of orange and gold from a setting sun. The first stars peeked through the twilight and a crescent moon sat behind the clouds. He pushed himself to his feet, surprised to see that he could move easily. The gash in his forehead was closed, the hole punched through his chest gone. There was no pain here.

“Where the hell am I?” he whispered. The grass rose to his chest and was topped with fragrant tufts of amber fluff that filled the air with a fresh, sweet smell.

Phaethon trotted towards him, resplendent in his autumn colours. Crimson and gold leaves hung from his mane and soft green moss covered his flanks. His eyes blazed with a warm orange light. The elemental stopped next to him and shook out his mane with a snort. Tallis pulled himself onto the horse and the elemental turned around and trotted towards the setting sun. A great owl kept pace with them, casting a black shadow over their pleasant ride. Tallis looked up at and swore the bird was smiling, whatever its purpose the owl had no ill will towards him. He reached out over Phaethon’s side, running his hand over the tops of the grass and flowers as they rode.

The elemental ran tirelessly.

A tower rose in the distance ahead of them, the grass gave way to soft sand and soon enough Tallis found himself staring at a glittering sea. The tower was white and gleaming, as fresh and clean as if it had been built yesterday. The doors were carved from dark wood and accented with silver. Tallis swung down from the horse and climbed the short staircase leading to the doorway. He knocked.

Only the soft sigh of the wind and gentle crash of the waves answered him. He opened the door and stepped inside. A blast of cold air greeted him and an electric tingle ran up his arms. Reality bent and the stone around him rippled. The inside of the tower stretched and grew, lengthening into a great hall lined with long tables and benches. Empty plates and cutlery sat on the tables as if the place was being prepared for a great feast.

“What is this, Phaethon?” he asked. He turned to look for the door. It was gone. Only solid stone remained.

When he turned back to the feast hall the great owl sat at the head of the table. He stepped forward. This couldn't be real, could it?

The owl raised a wing and a flare of gold light rolled out from beneath its feathers. Lightning sparked from the tip of its wing and landed on the nearest plate. The plate filled itself with slices of meat and steamed vegetables.
Tallis’ stomach growled. This definitely isn’t real, he thought. Might as well eat. He sat next to the owl and helped himself to the plate of food.

“This is delicious,” he said. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” said the owl.

Tallis gave the owl a blank stare for a moment before continuing to eat. He was famished. “This is the best beef I’ve ever tasted. If I had anything to trade I’d offer you something for the recipe.”

“The secret,” said the owl. “Is that it isn’t beef.”

Tallis frowned down at the plate.

“It’s not something seen in your world for ages.” The owl waved a wing towards the blank wall behind it and another crackle of lightning rolled from its feathers. A mural was blasted into the wall. Tiny silhouettes circled around a gargantuan beast, harassing it with spears. The behemoth was massive with curving tusks and long shaggy fur. “Your ancestors hunted them to extinction.”

Tallis wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, stood, and took a closer look at the painting. “That is a shame, although I suppose you can’t really blame them, can you?”