Breach

Chapter Two

The sun is vibrant, heating the earth even though it's barely past sunrise. Dew evaporates around me in a vaporous mist, slinking between the dark shapes of trees. I creep through the forest on silent feet. It wouldn't do to scare any game that might have eluded my snares. I finger my bow and the arrow held ready just in case.

Nearing the last snare, I'm pleased to see this one has the best prize of the day—an almost fully grown doe. This should brighten the mood in the village. Carefully, I approach. She struggles, her nostrils flaring as she catches my scent. Slowly, I bend and draw the knife from my boot, making soothing sounds as I approach. Her large eyes are rimmed white with her fear, and she bucks, trying to free herself as she senses what's coming. In one fluid motion, I close the gap, grip her head firmly, and run my knife across her neck. I keep a hand on her neck, crooning as she passes from this world.

It doesn't take long to sling her carcass over the carrying pole. Before I leave, I use the nearby stream to cleanse the area, washing away the blood and the stench of fear and death. I won't be able to use this area again for a while. I gather up the lines I used and loop them through my belt. Then I sling the pole over my shoulder and begin the long trip home.

As I trudge, I ponder last night's story. Again. It's been plaguing me all morning and I'm still no closer to answers. By the time I'm halfway back to the village, I've decided there's no point to torturing myself further. As though making that decision frees my spirit, I feel a song rise within me. I let it loose, and by the time the village appears, my mood is infinitely improved.

The joyful cries as the first women on the outskirts of the village see the deer add to my jubilation. They come running and gleefully relieve me of my burden. Taking not only the deer, but also the small animals, they rush away.

I'm left standing alone. For the briefest moment, the strangest sensation washes over me. It's as though I am the only person left in the village. Even the sounds of life so evident a moment ago have vanished.

An inexplicable mist swirls around me. Through the fog, I make out the ruins of homes. Beyond the homes, thick plumes of smoke rise from the forest, blackening the sky. Crumpled corpses surround me. Disoriented, I snatch my spear off my back, turning in a circle as I scan for the enemy. Panic rises in me. What just happened? I spin faster, my eyes scouring the thickening mist. A black shape swirls toward me.

"Aiken?"

I freeze. I know the voice. I blink, and the haze around me clears. Suddenly, the sun blazes to life around me again, and the chatter of children as they lead the goats out to pasture buzzes in my ears. But the chill hasn't left my bones. The empty echoes of a decimated village haunt me.

"Aiken!"

This time, the sharp tone can't be ignored. My eyes focus on Malthasus standing in front of me, his brow furrowed. "What?" I bark.

"Why are you waving your spear around like a lunatic?"

Malthasus's words register, and I stare at the spear I'm clutching. My eyes dart to the dirt, and I observe the circular pattern of my footprints. There's no doubt I drew my spear and searched for the perpetrator of the nightmare I just saw. How is that possible? Sure, it's not the middle of the day, but I wasn't sleeping. How could I have seen what I just saw unless I was dreaming?

"Fine, don't answer me then," Malthasus huffs, stalking off.

I chase after him, my mind still trying to wrap itself around my bizarre experience. "You didn't see anything strange?" I ask when I draw level with Malthasus.

He shoots me an incredulous stare. "You're joking, right?"

Knowing Malthasus, it's probably wiser if I keep this little "incident" to myself. He'd love something he could use to one-up me. It's something he's been striving for ever since I toppled him from his ranking as best warrior. I remain silent, keeping pace as we stride toward the training grounds.