Bhall felt weak. It was not a feeling she was accustomed to. Furthermore, it was not a feeling she enjoyed. But she was growing stronger. She was certain of it. She could feel it. The worship. The blood sacrifice. The power. As she realized where it was coming from she smiled, in a joyless, horrifying fashion. Braduk had not abandoned her. And from Braduk, power streamed into her.
Bhall concentrated, straining her mind, reaching for Erebus. She was still weak, she realized, but she must reach and touch Erebus. She must! If she can touch but one mind, bind but one soul to her bidding, she thinks, she can find that which she lost so long time ago. That which she cast away!
And sparks streamed from Bhall's mind and settled on the land. Under an aurora borealis night sky those sparks took root, and the land burned.
--
In her palace in Cevedes, Valledia was standing in front of a window overlooking the great lake to the north, observing the smouldering remains of a great forest on the opposite shore. Something about it worried her, while she was glad the fire apparently had not spread, and wouldn't threaten the city. Approaching footsteps interrupted her, and as she turned she saw a young officer of the palace guard approach. The man stopped and saluted. "Forgive the intrusion, my queen, but a peasant is giving us trouble at the gate. He has stood there, demanding an audience with you ever since the day broke. He has refused to state his business and insists it is of great importance and he should speak directly to you. I no longer knew what do do with him... forgive me, my queen". The young man is shaking, as if realising what a stupid thing he has done, bothering the queen with such a trivial matter. It is obvious to Valledia the man is quite inexperienced. "It is fine", she says, reassuringly. "He hasn't said anything about his business?". "No, my queen... wait! No, now that I think of it, when he first came, he said it had something to do with a fire in the north". The man is staring at Valledia, cursing himself for bothering the queen with something this trivial, not sure what to expect. He is surprised to hear Valledia's reply. "Very well then. I will see him here. Please have the man escorted here".
Shortly after a man is escorted inside by the same young officer of the guard. The man, a bearded man in his fourties, the queen estimates, and dressed in woodman's garbs, falls down on his knees at the sight of the queen. "My queen...", the man begins. "I was told you desperately needed to see me", the queen interrupts, "and that it was important. So get up, join me by the windows, and tell me what your urgent business is. What is your name?", Valledia asks as the man gets up and, carefully, walks up to her. "Nariac, my queen. I am Nariac the Forester". The man bows deep while introducing himself, and as he gets up Valledia notices a feverish burn in the man's eyes. "Well met, Nariac the Forester. Now, please state your business". Nariac nods, clumsily, and turns to the window. "Over there, on the other side of the lake, my queen? Do you see that burnt forest?". Not waiting for a reply, he continues "I saw it, my queen, close by. I was near. I was there. The fire broke out of nowhere and it consumed the forest faster than any fire should. I was lucky to escape the fires into the water...". Nariac takes a deep breath and looks Valledia into the eyes, a burn in his eyes "The fire was already over when I got out of the water. I knew I should have left, went south to my family, but I felt this strange calling... something in the ashes was calling for me. I could not force myself to leave, so I followed the call. It should have been too hot to bear still, but I could feel no heat. And amongst the bare, burnt trees I discovered an old path, leading north. It must have been hidden under the forest for forever. My queen, there is something powerful at the end of that trail. I can feel it. I have come to beg your permission to follow the trail and discover the powers that lie at its end". Valledia turns to look out the window once again, to the other end of the lake. "And if you should not return?", she asks the forester. "Then send my sons, or send your soldiers, but send someone. Can you not feel how important it is?".
No, she could not, she thought as she watched the man leave. But it was obvious he could. She wondered what it was that had affected him such. She and her counselors would decide what to do with the man's request. They knew the man lived on the eastern shore of the lake. He had given her her word not to leave without her permission, even if it visibly pained him, saying his obligations were primarily for his people. The decision could be sent to him with ease.
But Yes, you can join as Amathon. Just remember the "Do not screw the player" Rule.
