Sanchen led them through the back hills of Tuzxan. They were able to leave Tuzxan with a fresh round of supplies including new water and a few batches of dried Raincat meat, which proved to be quite tasty.
Yet the forecast of the Raincat did not prove to be diminished due to its slaying by Sanchen. By the time noon came, grey clouds soon covered the sky. Rain came down hard on the travelers as they tried to continue through the hills. They were walking on paths which were low to the ground but were still high enough to avoid the flooded valleys which now appeared. The true danger which rain held over the badlands were now certainly apparent to Keirian and Carson. The canyons filled up, and many had no where for the rain to be drained to. Large pools were being formed underneath their very feet. Massive amounts of rain continued to fall.
"Let's keep moving!" Sanchen yelled, "Near ahead are higher paths where we can stay out of the waters!"
As they went on the floods rose to a dangerous level. Carson looked down and saw the water now only about four feet below him. He wondered at how the Enzans were able to deal with this kind of danger all the time from a common occurrence such as the weather. As he was pondering this, he lost his footing and fell over.
Keirian heard a splash and looked back to see Carson scrambling to keep his head above the floods. The rain seemed to try to push him back down and he fought to stay up.
"Carson!" Keirian yelled as he jumped in boldly after him companion.
Keirian grabbed Carson's arm and pulled him to the edge. Sanchen ran back to where they were. He reached out, grabbed Carson and pulled him out. He then went to reach for Keirian when a sudden current sent him drifting down the canyon. Keirian tried to fight the waters which now carried him.
Sanchen and Carson quickly hopped up and ran along the path to cut him off at the nearest gorge mouth. Sanchen pulled a rope out of his pack as he ran. Carson sprinted forward until he overtook Keirian. He ran out to an out jutting cliff and grabbed Keirian's hand as he was about to flow by. Carson held on tightly to Keirian while the current still tried to carry him with it. Sanchen came behind and tossed them his rope to pull Keirian back to the path. They quickly scrambled up the path to higher ground until the rains subsided.
An hour later the rain stopped and they were able to continue their trek. As the afternoon got late they came to the last hills of Tuzxan. Keirian saw more plant life as they neared the border. The hills got much lower. Eventually they came to a low valley about the width of a river. The valley was quite green. On the other side were the beginnings of what looked to be a big range of hills.
"Here is the border between Tuzxan and Brannock. We now leave my homeland behind us. Once we cross this valley we will enter the country of Brannock," Sanchen told them.
They crossed the valley and climbed over the front hill. As Keirian reached the top he saw a great expanse of low, rolling hills before him. The hills were much different then the hills of Tuzxan, despite being only a valley's length apart. The Brannock hills were grey in colour with patches of short grass here and there. The hills were very large in area yet not very high and seemed like low domes. They gave the effect over the land as slow ripples do over water. Keirian stood amazed at this country he had heard about his whole life.
Brannock was a country in the north eastern quarter of Ionia, a country of hills and highlands. To the west of the land were the Northern Peaks, the Silver Mountains in the north. The Eajourn River ran along its southern borders. The coastlines of its eastern borders met the great sea. The sea also met its northern borders, the Great Cliffs of Brannock.
Brannock was a land of great importance in Ionia. Here were the four cities of Brannock, four of the greatest and most important cities in Ionian history: Masedelo, High Culen, Exeteri, and Quinta. Many tales and legends came from these cities. The land was rich in history: heroes, battles, triumphs, tragedies. Over a century ago were fought the Wars of Brannock, a time of great valour and great deeds. It left a mark on the land not easily forgotten.
