“Not magic,” said Asem. “We would have felt it. We are all sensitive to such things, though in varying degrees. But it’s a pervasiveness in our bodies, natural in origin but resulting in an unnatural condition.”
“Any idea where it’s coming from?” asked Tyler.
“That’s what’s strange, sire. There are no traces of it around us. If anything had affected us, it must have happened before we noticed it,” replied the priestess.
“To be on the safe side, let us assume it’s an attack,” advised Tyler. “We need a place to recover from this condition. We cannot continue our journey blundering around because of the demand of our bodies for sleep. What do you suggest?”
The group stayed quiet for a while, thinking about what Tyler suggested. Then Kobu spoke up.
“I agree, sire. It’s an insidious way of weakening us. As to who, let me repeat what I said earlier – there’s a more dangerous predator around. Or even predators. With our magical abilities limited by the peculiar nature of the Barrens, we are not in the best position to defend ourselves while walking through this land.”
“A more dangerous predator, huh? It would be nice to meet such a distinguished personage,” said Tyndur. “But I agree, we should find a defensible place to recover before we continue with our trek.”
The rest nodded their acquiescence.
“It’s decided then. Let’s find a good defensive position, preferably a high location, hole up there, and recover. If anybody is going to attack us, we would be ready by then,” said Tyler.
Suddenly, as everybody prepared to leave the small knoll, the party was suddenly engulfed by a massive cloud of foul-smelling green smoke. Whatever was in the thick fog greatly irritated the eyes. As Tyler rubbed his tear-filled orbs, he felt an irresistible desire to sleep. At the same time, the mage sensed an enormous surge of magical power. Immediately after, he perceived shapes through the thin outer layer of the cloud. Humanoid forms were approaching their position.
Blearily, he looked at his companions. Habrok and Astrid were down. The einherjar and the exile were struggling to stay awake as was Asem. The priestess was casting a wind spell to disperse the cloud. But Tyler could see that Asem was buckling under the effects of the fog. The mage was also losing the battle to stay alert.
In desperation, he cast two force spells, in chakri form, around the mound. He couldn’t see all their enemies but assumed they had surrounded the party. The sleepy mage then followed up with a lightning cloud attack on where he saw the approaching figures. As he lost consciousness, Tyler desperately called out to his guides for help.
Chapter Two
A Deity's Daughter
Loki spake:
6. “Thirsty I come | into this thine hall,
I, Lopt, from a journey long,
To ask of the gods | that one should give
Fair mead for a drink to me.
7. “Why sit ye silent, | swollen with pride,
At your feast a place | and a seat prepare me,
Or bid me forth to fare.”
Through sleep-clouded eyes, Tyler saw Asem as the only companion still standing. Her wind spell blew away most of the green fog, but what was removed had immediately been replaced by more of the noxious substance. A final force blade spell and the mage sank to the ground. The pain erupting as his right cheek slammed to the hard surface barely registered. He could feel his guides working feverishly to remove all impurities invading his body.
“A few more seconds, Elder. Your body is permeated by the gas. You’re right. Something affected the party. A non-magical element which rendered your nerves more susceptible to this attack,” he heard Hal say, but the explanation hardly made an impression in his hazy consciousness. His body desperately wanted to sleep. It demanded it. He could now feel the vibrations of the feet or paws of creatures running past him. But the expected pain of being stabbed, bit, or ripped apart didn’t come.
They’re not attacking me? the greatly surprised and relieved thought came to his mind.
He struggled to open an eye and saw through a half-lidded, unfocused view that a mass of shadowy forms was furiously crowding around Asem. Around the swarming creatures, a number of their brethren had already fallen. Their attackers had ignored those felled by the gas and were concentrating on the lone resisting companion.
“Guys. Help Asem!” he called out as consciousness was lost for a couple of seconds. As his mind’s eye swiftly traveled along a narrow tunnel leading to waiting darkness, Tyler felt the release of numerous beams of energy. A thankful thought accompanied him as he fell asleep.
Abruptly, a surge of energy woke him up. The drowsiness was gone. His previously lethargic muscles regained their strength. Tyler’s mind was clear and his vision excellent. The mage immediately stood up, confident in his protecting shields. He was surprised at the strength of the reinvigoration granted by the guides. Around him, only wisps of the green cloud remained, but his companions all remained lying on the ground.
He looked toward Asem. A puddle of messy red marked the body of the unmoving and prone priestess. But the area was clear. No attacker remained in the campsite. He rushed to the priestess. When Tyler drew near to the prone priestess, her form curled up away from his view, he saw Asem’s back was liberally stained with blood. An ugly, sizeable diagonal slash had opened up the flesh from her left shoulder down to just before her spine. At the shocking sight, a terrifying chill immediately embraced the mage.
As he extended his hand to focus a healing spell on the coiled figure just before he reached the body, the mage saw his arm was shaking uncontrollably. Unnatural weakness found its way again to his muscles. His chest felt tight
